David had spent most of his adult life in America’s North East where LGBTQ rights, including marriage, are well protected and gay people are widely accepted. “Given my roots in Liberia, I am especially grateful to see vigilant advocacy for LGBTQ rights in Liberia and other parts of the continent. LGBTQ Liberians continue to face widespread threats, assault, harassment, and hate speech, according to the 2020 U.S. State Department Human Rights report. “Of course I wish he could have used his platform to bring to light issues affecting the LGBTQ community here.”There is no indication that any leaders in the LGBTQ community in Liberia reached out to David before his dismissal. The election of U.S. President Joe Biden with a promise of protection of LGBTQ communities worldwide ignited a glimmer of hope for the Liberian gay community.

Global experiences indicate that to make this shift to deepen citizen engagement, it is essential that citizens have trust in the systems of governance. Both measures have created platforms that give voice to local people, and the latter facilitates greater participation in governance. This point leads me to the second important element for engaging citizens in democratic processes: the availability of accountability mechanisms. Citizens’ participation and accountability mechanisms help achieve the third element – responsive governance. But responsive governance also requires capacity within the State to facilitate citizens’ demands, and to provide effective solutions in the form of policies, programmes and projects.

The witness said the first time he saw Massaquoi was in 2003 among other generals. Many Liberian witnesses had told the court the same story in hearings held here in March and April. As with earlier witnesses in Liberia, today’s witnesses gave inconsistent testimonies and Massaquoi’s defence lawyer made the most of it. He said World War One and Two (sequence of wars in 2003 in Liberia) occurred in June and lasted for one week each. He said the third phase of the war – World War Three - began early July 2003 and lasted into August.

“I saw Angel Gabriel many times,” said witness “X6” codenamed by the court to protect him from reprisals. He said he met Angel Gabriel at General Bokari’s house and on the war front. If the Finnish court finds that is what happened, it will have raise serious questions for the Special Court which convicted more than a dozen combatants from the Sierra Leone civil war. Whether we like it or not, the Finnish Trial of Massaquoi is undertaking an audit of the Sierra Leone Special Court’s application of international law, particularly the practice and enforcement of its witness protection scheme. And the killer said he was ordered by Angel Gabriel to carry on the execution,” the witness said.

Greenville, Sinoe County capital which is situated about 150 miles from Monrovia, faces serious threats due to coastal erosion. Greenville City has a population of over 16, 434 people. During the GEF’s Country Dialogue in 2019, there was an agreement that the allotment be used to address coastal erosion in Greenville City. According to him, the growing wave of coastal erosion is now affecting Liberia’s third port city of Greenville, Sinoe County. Prof. Tarpeh indicated that nine out of the fifteen counties are along the coast and all the coastal cities are being affected by coastal erosion.

Senator Lindsey Graham promises to rally support for Liberia’s second MCC bid, in spite of the country’s sub-par performance 3 years in a rowInfluential U.S. The MCC Development Assistance is a U.S. government foreign aid program that provides beneficiary countries time-bound grants which are targeted at ensuring economic growth, reducing poverty and strengthening governmental institutions. He said once a country is deemed eligible by MCC, it enters into a period of compact development, which can take up to two years. After the compact development phase and the approval of a compact program, MCC and the beneficiary country will enter into negotiations leading to another signed five-year compact. If Liberia’s performance continues to improve, eligibility for a second compact is possible since a country needs to pass 10 out of 20 indicators.

Senator Lindsay Graham has committed to rallying his congressional colleagues of the Republican Party to sign a “Letter of Support” for Liberia’s second bid of the coveted Compact Program under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The MCC Development Assistance is a U.S. government foreign aid program that provides beneficiary countries time-bound grants which are targeted at ensuring economic growth, reducing poverty and strengthening governmental institutions. The investments of the MCC do not only support a country’s stability and prosperity, but also enhance American Interests. “We ran a very successful MCC Program inherited from the previous administration and are seeking your support to get us back on the MCC Compact for a second program,” the Minister said. The delegation is expected to meet Senior Biden Administration Officials and Democratic and Republican Congressmen in the coming days to garner bipartisanship support for Liberia development efforts and Bicentennial commemoration.

While the LACC will not give details of its investigation on Tuesday, the NPA has continuously said Mr. Twehway has never been involved in any act of corruption at the NPA. I won’t be the sacrificial lamb.”Mr. Twehway came under the spotlight again when a FrontPageAfrica investigation unearthed that he awarded the loading contract at the port of Buchanan to his brother, Peter Twehway, who is believed to fronting for he, Bill Twehway. The Deputy Comptroller at the Port, Mr. Christian D. Brownell also owns 20 percent shares, Sidiki Fofana, 20 percent while the sister of the vice chair of the LACC, Cllr. Under Mr. Bill Twehway’s leadership, the company received contracts amounting to over US$500,000. Peter Twehway is also the Operations Manager for Global Tracking Management Service, a company managing the Container Tracking Numbers for the NPA.

According to reports, the bus driver identified as Jessy Bartuah, sustained a severe bullet wound on his head while in the bus near the headquarters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) in Congo Town. It took several hours before brave partisans could return to the program venue, many stayed away due to the deliberate violence staged by alleged opposition members. We have proof of this unprovoked violence allegedly carried out by opposition members. In both cases, not a single CDCean returned a stone, but remain law-abiding and peaceful, simply expressing shocked at the ruthlessness of opposition members. Witnesses alleged the masterminds launched the unprovoked attack on CDCeans from the safety of the PLP Headquarters.

One of the victim who was three and half months pregnant died as a result. That news made national headlines and sparked widespread condemnation from the human rights community then. It followed the disappearance of a toddler said to be one and half years old, for which they were being held as suspects. Since their unfortunate experience, however, the remaining two survivors have received no form of assistance, whether psychosocial, moral or financial from government or humanitarian institutions. Besides, making ends meet has also become extremely difficult and that her daily survival is an uphill battle.

MONROVIA – Police in Monrovia have charged and forwarded to court five crew members of the Niko Ivanka vessel, following its wreckage on July 17. The crew members are Zhong Qxiang, Captain, George McCay, Pier Superintendent, Wesley Monroe, NPA Security Department, Alex Tue, Vessel Owner and Azaan Dahi, Mechanical Engineering. The crew members, according to our Judicial reporter, were charged for multiple offenses ranging from negligent homicide, recklessly endangering people, criminal facilitation to criminal conspiracy. Police charge sheet in the possession of FrontPageAfrica claimed that the Chinese national and owner of the Niko Ivanka vessel endangered the lives of the passengers on board by overloading it. The police criminal charges come a day after the government through Ministry of Justice dismissed its criminal action against the crew members of the NIKO IVANKA for the charges to allow the police investigation.

Bishop Brown is also the General Overseer of the New Water in the Desert Assembly in Brewerville, Montserrado County. But Bishop Brown stated that government should aggressively fight against corruption if it should win the support of its international partners. In accordance with 2 Corinthians 13:5, Bishop Brown called on government officials to “examine” themselves if they must remain “relevant in the eyes of the Liberian people and a watching world”. Political Parties DisappointmentsMeanwhile, Bishop Brown has expressed concerned over the rigmarole among leaders of opposition political parties that make up the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) in Liberia. According to Bishop Brown, the political discourse especially within the opposition camp is becoming more and more “worrisome”.

Liberia’s Solicitor General Cephas and Ellen Corkrum in War Of Words Over Meeting At Hotel In The Hague; Who’s Saying The Truth? Syrenius Cephus during her stay in Liberia as her public war of words with the country’s Solicitor General rumbles on. When I became Solicitor General I read all the files we had on cases and all those indicted. Even the court will not review the opinion of a Solicitor General on the basis of entering a nolle prosequi.”Nolle prosequi (abbreviated nol. Early last year, Madam Corkrum received a rousing welcome into Liberia by a group of citizens holding placards and banners at the Roberts International Airport.

The Liberia Supreme Court gave its ruling on the case involving J. Brownie Samukai, Jr. and others in February of 2021. ConclusionBased on the findings, the AFL Pension Account had many transactions other than what it was intended for. ProhibitionComing to the prohibition to the Supreme Court requesting the Court to deny Senator-elect certification, this is another embarrassment. Supreme Court PrecedentsEqually so, the Supreme Court can use Precedent of the court, which should have been done in the first place. If any of the above statements is a quote from the Chief Justice, then it is bad for our country.

A campaign seeking to discourage vaccine hesitancy among Liberians by engaging communities across the country to turn out and get vaccinated against coronavirus has been launched in Monrovia. It is being implemented by the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL); Mercy Corps alongside 25 civil society and community based organizations. “By doing so, it will put you in a better position in your advocacy and awareness drive.”Currently, Liberia is experiencing its third wave of the pandemic. Up to date, the country has accumulated 5,740 cases and 283 deaths as of September 2, 2021 according to the National Public Health Institute (NPHIL). It is however anticipated that the launched of the awareness will help increase the number of vaccine recipients in the country.