Liberia: Swedish Envoy Urges Young Voters to Be Ambassadors for Democracy
He conveyed the message that no one can deprive them of their right to participate in shaping the future of Liberia through the democratic process. He stressed that the democratic process in Liberia holds immense importance on a regional and global scale, citing Sweden's commitment to supporting the country's democratic journey. The panelists shared personal voting experiences and provided valuable insights on dos and don'ts for Election Day, sparking thoughtful questions from the eager audience of first-time voters. These events laid the foundation for the September 29th climaxing event, which saw the participation of at least 100 eager young voters. SIANL firmly believes that focusing on young individuals, especially school-going first-time voters, is crucial for fostering inclusiveness in Liberia's democratic process.
Source:Daily Observer
October 02, 2023 11:45 UTC
Liberia, Alexander Cummings, George Weah and Joseph Boakai
Promising a different way of doing things, Alexander Cummings faces an uphill task of defeating President George Weah and former Vice President Joseph Boakai but he remains hopeful he can. He seeks to reinvigorate the country with a technocratic style of governance and bring an end to the dominant control of the opposition Unity Unity and ruling Coalition for Democratic Change for the last 20 years. In the mind of Cummings, Liberia’s numerous problems boil down to the way the economy is structured and the limited impact on the people. In 2017, Cummings performed poorly in the county despite having Jeremiah Sulunteh, a son of Bong as his running mate. Brumskine denounced the 12-year rule of the Unity Party for rampant corruption and the six-year inept leadership of President Weah for massive fraud and poor governance.
Source:Daily Observer
October 02, 2023 06:07 UTC
Rep. Korgar “Narrowly Escapes” Death In Nimba’s Bwehlay Town after Being Denied Access to Town for “Failing to Deliver on Campaign Promises
Buutuo, Nimba — Violence erupted Friday in Bwehlay Town, Nimba County after angry residents took up single barrel guns to prevent incumbent lawmaker Rep. Samuel Korgar access to the town. BY Franklin Doloquee, Contributing WriterThe residents accused the People’s Unification Party lawmaker of failing to deliver on his promises since they elected him as representative, citing his inability to commission a single project in the town. But Korgar, who is seeking a third term, denied the allegation, and said he has constructed a town hall in the area. Several residents were wounded in the process after the district’s lawmaker defied the crowd make his way in the town. The Joint Security assigned in the county moved in quickly to calm the situation and arrested two suspects.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 01, 2023 13:25 UTC
Liberia: Ruling Party, Opposition Trade Blame for ‘Electoral Violence’
Tweh claimed that supporters of the Unity Party “were attacked” while on their way to “welcome some members of the party diaspora” who were visiting Foya. He added that “during this interaction, the group of [ruling party] supporters initiated unnecessary confrontations and engaged in various forms of provocation towards our partisans. In a Facebook post, Fallah wrote that while at home, he heard vitriolic chants originating from Unity Party members who had gathered at a junction leading to his home — which also houses the headquarters of the ruling party. Fallah claimed that the situation took a dangerous turn as Unity Party supporters surrounded his compound, leading to a violent altercation that resulted in the tragic loss of lives. “The chants grew louder and more disturbing as Unity Partisans began throwing stones in my compound and destroying streetlights,” Fallah wrote yesterday.
Source:Daily Observer
October 01, 2023 13:19 UTC
Liberia: Pres. Weah Leads Condemnation of Electoral Violence
.... As the international community calls for a speedy and impartial investigationPresident George Weah has strongly condemned the deadly electoral violence in Lofa County, which tragically resulted in the loss of lives and property destruction. Addressing a crowd of supporters in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, the President said that the Foya violence was an affront to the country's democracy and unnecessary. Liberians need to desist from any acts of violence," the President publicly said on September 29. When our country is peaceful, everybody will have the opportunity and get something to do," Weah added. The Collaborating Political Party, of which Alexander Cummings, a rival of Weah and Boakai, heads as the presidential candidate, has also "strongly condemned" the violence.
Source:Daily Observer
October 01, 2023 13:19 UTC
Ecowas and UN Condemn Violence that Led to Loss of Lives in Lofa’s District One
MONROVIA — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations (UN) have condemned the recent violence in Lofa’s first district that led to the loss of lives Friday, September 29. ECOWAS and UN further, meanwhile, invite the UP and CDC to fully cooperate with the LNP in the ongoing investigations. “ECOWAS and the UN commend the LiberiaNational Police(LNP) for promptly restoring calm,” the release added. ECOWAS and UN, however, urged the LNP to conduct speedy and impartial investigations and make public their findings and ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted. “ECOWAS and the UN call on the media to be responsible in their reporting so as to avoid inflaming the volatile situation,” an ECOWAS and UN release added.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 01, 2023 05:09 UTC
U.S ‘Commends’ Pres.Weah for Commitment to Credible Elections
.... "The U.S. government fully supports this commitment, and we continue to urge political leaders and parties in Liberia to keep their pledge to a nonviolent electoral process through their commitment to the 2023 Farmington River Declaration," he added. Michael Heath, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa at the US State Department, has commended President George Weah for his commitment to credible and transparent elections on October 10. "The U.S. government fully supports this commitment, and we continue to urge political leaders and parties in Liberia to keep their pledge to a nonviolent electoral process through their commitment to the 2023 Farmington River Declaration," he added. The President also cited the signing of the Farmington River Declaration, which commits political parties and electoral stakeholders to promote peace, as an example of their commitment to a nonviolent electoral process. Meanwhile, Heath noted that in his meetings with government officials, civil society leaders, political parties, and the National Elections Commission, he appreciated the candor and focus on ensuring the success of the upcoming elections.
Source:Daily Observer
September 29, 2023 20:54 UTC
Liberia: CPP Vice Standard Bearer Charlyne Brumskine Criticizes Political Leaders Beating War Drum Ahead of October 10
MONROVIA — The Vice Standard Bearer of the opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Cllr. No more fear, Liberians don’t have fear anymore,” Sen. Johnson said. “The CPP condemns any narrative that tends to threaten the peace Liberians now enjoy. Brumskine called on all Liberians to desist from making statements that may incite violence or disrupt our democratic process. Brumskine said the CPP has been mindful of preaching a rhetoric that will instill fear in Liberians during the campaign.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 29, 2023 19:12 UTC
Press Union Of Liberia Supports US Visa Restrictions
(Monrovia, September 28, 2023)- The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) expresses its support for the United States Government’s new visa restrictions targeting individuals who pose a threat to Liberia’s burgeoning democracy. In a press release issued on Thursday, September 28, 2023, the PUL calls upon all Liberians to prioritize their nation’s interests above political parties or individual affiliations. It emphasizes that intentionally provocative rhetoric may result in politicians and their families being included on the list of individuals prohibited from traveling to the United States of America. Furthermore, the Press Union of Liberia has emphasized that the American government has not called for Liberian politicians to withdraw from ongoing political discussions regarding the right to lead the country. On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, the United States announced a new visa restriction policy aimed at individuals undermining democracy in Liberia.
Source:GNN Liberia
September 29, 2023 18:44 UTC
Empowering the Future: The Importance of Girls’ Education
In this article, we will delve into the significance of girls’ education, the challenges it faces, and the transformative impact it can have on individuals and society. The Power of EducationBreaking the Cycle of Poverty: Education is a proven path out of poverty. Gender Equality Girls’ education is a fundamental right and a critical step towards achieving gender equality. Poverty Poverty is both a cause and consequence of girls’ lack of access to education. The Transformative ImpactEconomic Growth Educated girls contribute to economic growth by entering the workforce and starting businesses.
Source:GNN Liberia
September 29, 2023 17:59 UTC
Liberia: Amidst Rising Tensions and Election Manipulation Concerns, Who Could Face U.S. Visa Restrictions?
Secretary Blinken clarified that certain family members of these individuals may also face these restrictions. “The visa restriction policy announced today will apply to specific individuals and is not directed at the Liberian people or the Government of Liberia. The U.S. visa restriction policy, as outlined by Secretary Blinken, has generated extensive public reactions. Announcement garners reactionsThe visa restriction policy, as announced by Secretary Blinken, has sparked widespread reactions in the public space. It reminded journalists affiliated with politically owned media outlets that they are not exempt from the visa restriction policy, particularly those using their platforms to attack opposing candidates.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 29, 2023 17:37 UTC
Biden warns that Trump’s movement is a threat to democracy in the US
By Euronews with agenciesPresident Joe Biden has warned that former president Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement is a threat to democracy in the USUS President Joe Biden speaking in Arizona on Thursday issued one of his most dire warnings yet against Donald Trump and his allies. Biden described Trump’s “Make America Great Again” or MAGA movement as an existential threat to the political system in the United States. There’s an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs in our democracy,” he said. His visit came just a day after Biden visited Detroit, walking the picket line in support of their labour union. Biden himself is dealing with difficulties in Washington where he is facing both an impeachment inquiry and the prospect of a government shutdown on Sunday.
Source:GNN Liberia
September 29, 2023 17:07 UTC
Gabon charges ousted president’s wife with ‘money laundering’
The wife of Gabon’s ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba has been charged with “money laundering” and other offences, the public prosecutor said Friday, a month after a coup toppled her husband. Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, who is Franco-Gabonese, and one of the couple’s sons have been accused by the coup leader of having pulled the strings in the oil-rich country. Their eldest son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, has already been charged with corruption and embezzling public funds with several former cabinet members and two ex-ministers. Bongo, 64, who had ruled the central African country since 2009, was overthrown by military leaders on August 30, moments after being proclaimed the winner in a presidential election. The result was branded a fraud by the opposition and the military coup leaders, who have also accused his regime of widespread corruption and bad governance.
Source:GNN Liberia
September 29, 2023 15:38 UTC
Angolan authorities charge journalist with criminal defamation over corruption report
Angolan authorities charge journalist with criminal defamation over corruption reportNew York, September 20, 2023—Prosecutors should drop the criminal defamation, insult, and forgery charges against Angolan journalist Liberato Furtado Pereira and stop retaliating against the journalist for his public interest reporting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Furtado, a reporter for privately owned Radio Luanda, is expected to appear before the district court in Luanda, the capital, on Thursday, September 21, to face charges of criminal defamation, insult, and forgery. If convicted of criminal defamation, Furtado faces up to 1.5 years in prison, according to the penal code. “Instead of targeting the media, Angola should repeal its criminal defamation and insult laws that are relics of the country’s colonial past and used as blunt censorship tools against journalists.”Furtado was formally accused of criminal defamation, insult, and forgery on April 21, 2021. According to a March 9, 2022, affidavit by the police’s Criminal Investigation Service reviewed by CPJ, the bank authenticated the bank receipt Furtado used as the basis of his reporting after initially stating it was fake.
Source:GNN Liberia
September 21, 2023 18:09 UTC
U.S. will offer free COVID-19 tests by mail again amid rising rates of infections and hospitalizations
The Department of Health and Human Services says orders can be placed at COVIDTests.gov starting Sept. 25, and that no-cost tests will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service. Twelve manufacturers that employ hundreds of people in seven states have been awarded funding and will produce 200 million over-the-counter tests to replenish federal stockpiles for government use, in addition to producing enough tests to meet demand for tests ordered online, the department said. Federal officials said that will help guard against supply chain issues that sparked some shortages of at-home COVID tests made overseas during past surges in coronavirus cases. But they will include instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates, the department said. Read more of this storyVisited 10 times, 2 visit(s) today
Source:GNN Liberia
September 20, 2023 23:03 UTC