India’s Confidence of ‘Free Election’ in Liberia
“Liberia too has set an example for other countries especially in Africa with its strong democratic traditions," Amb. “India and Liberia also share strong democratic credentials and a tradition of free and fair elections,” the Ambassador said. Rice is India’s main export to Liberia and let me clarify that there is no ban on the export of parboiled rice from India to Liberia, which is the variety of rice imported by Liberia. “We have provided numerous fully-paid scholarships to Liberian students, teachers, and Government officials including from the Armed Forces of Liberia,” Yadav noted. “India and Liberia not only share decades-old very warm and cordial relations but many other aspects too,” Yadav noted.
Source:Daily Observer
August 22, 2023 14:54 UTC
Wagner boss hints ‘he is in Africa’ in first video since mutiny in Russia
Source: Africanews.com|Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has published his first recruitment video for the Wagner Group since organizing a short-lived mutiny against defense officials in Russia, according to Russian social media channels. In the video, the 62-year-old mercenary leader says the Wagner Group is conducting reconnaissance and search activities, and “making Russia even greater on all continents, and Africa even more free.”“We are recruiting real strongmen and continuing to implement assigned tasks which we promised to deliver,” Prigozhin says, toting an assault rifle and wearing military fatigues. The Associated Press is unable to independently verify the video which appears to show Prigozhin standing against a grey and brown backdrop with pick up trucks and people wearing military fatigues in the background. Russian social media channels linked to the mercenary leader said Prigozhin was recruiting for mercenaries in Africa and also inviting investors from Russia to invest in the Central African Republic through Russian House, a group which social media channels said Prigozhin controls. The Wagner Group has, since 2014, been a ruthless force-for-hire across Africa and has been used by the Kremlin as a tool to expand Russia’s presence in the Middle East and Africa.
Source:GNN Liberia
August 22, 2023 14:45 UTC
Liberia: New Peace Corps Volunteers Take Assignment in Liberia
The Peace Corps Liberia PCL has assigned twelve new volunteers to Liberian government high schools and health facilities to rebuild the educational and health sectors. When the civil war began, the Peace Corps was forced to suspend operations and evacuate all volunteers from Liberia. When the war ended, the Peace Corps returned to Liberia with a team of 12 Peace Corps Response Volunteers in October 2008 to restart the health and education programs. Despite these challenges, the government and the people of Liberia have consistently embraced Peace Corps Volunteers and welcomed them back home. Vernice Guthrie, Country Director, Peace Corps Liberia, said few Peace Corps posts have the level of support and recognition that they enjoy here in Liberia.
Source:Daily Observer
August 22, 2023 11:23 UTC
2 U.S. service members held in Germany after man stabbed to death at carnival
(UPI) — Two U.S. military service members were taken into federal custody over the weekend after a 28-year-old man was stabbed to death during a fight between at least four people at a carnival in western Germany, officials said. The deadly confrontation occurred Saturday night after an argument escalated to violence at the Säubrenner fair in Wittlich, the U.S. European Command confirmed. Four people, including two men and two women, were seen running from the fairgrounds after the fight, police said. U.S. authorities plan to oversee the investigation “in accordance with the NATO troop statute,” German police said. The crime stunned the small town of Wittlich, where the fair has become a favorite pastime for the city’s low-key residents.
Source:GNN Liberia
August 21, 2023 20:27 UTC
Liberia: MSMEs Urged to Be Self-sufficient, Create Job Opportunities
Kuukpen stressed the importance of using their business ideas to change the negative narratives around businesses in Liberia and the world at large. He further challenged entrepreneurs to leverage the opportunities provided by Growth Accelerator Liberia programme to change their situation and make themselves self-sufficient, and creating job opportunities among others. Wilfred N. Bangura II, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), expressed excitement over the level of passion exhibited by beneficiaries of the Growth Accelerator Liberia programme. The beneficiaries are undergoing intensive Agriculture and Business Development Trainings aimed at preparing them to increase their productivity and income. The workshops covered business development services designed to strengthen their marketing and business management capacity.
Source:Daily Observer
August 21, 2023 20:01 UTC
Seven killed, 144 wounded in Russian missile strike on Ukraine’s Chernihiv
CHERNIHIV, Aug 20 — Seven people including a 6-year-old girl were killed, 144 wounded, and 41 were in hospital after a Russian missile struck a central square in the historic northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said. “A notable response.”He said that of the 144 people injured, 15 were children, and named the girl killed as Sofia. Debris was scattered across a square in front of the damaged theatre and surrounding buildings, where parked vehicles were heavily damaged. Both sides have widely used drones on the battlefield. The streets were stained with blood trails and strewn with scraps from first-aid supplies that had been used to treat the wounded.
Source:GNN Liberia
August 20, 2023 15:31 UTC
West African delegation arrives in coup-hit Niger, meets ousted President
An ECOWAS delegation in Niger for talks with the officers who seized power also met with ousted President Mohamed Bazoum Saturday, a source close to the West African bloc told AFP. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has agreed to activate a “standby force” as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger after generals toppled and detained Bazoum on July 26. A previous ECOWAS delegation led by Abubakar earlier this month tried and failed to meet Bazoum and the coup leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani. A source close to the latest delegation said it would send “a message of firmness” to the army officers and meet Bazoum. “The D-Day is also decided.”ECOWAS leaders say they have to act after Niger became the fourth West African nation since 2020 to suffer a coup, following Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
Source:GNN Liberia
August 19, 2023 19:32 UTC
Liberia: Nimba Gets First Batch of Convicts Under New Drug Law
The Tappita Magisterial Court sentenced 10 people to one year each on charges of ‘use of unlicensed substances’. One of the convicts, Cecelia Paye, was sentenced to three months for illegal possession of narcotic drugs (marijuana), while Mohammed Sheriff was also sentenced to two years in Saclepea. The LDEA praised the lower courts for speedily handling the drug cases and coming down with verdicts, where the perpetrators were prosecuted. These developments in Nimba could come as a boost for the fight against illegal substances in the country. These convictions are happening just a few weeks after the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, commonly called the Drug Law, was signed into law by President George Weah.
Source:Daily Observer
August 16, 2023 10:02 UTC
Liberia: Judges, Justices Warned Against Taking Political Sides
The Assigned Judge of Criminal Court 'E,' Mardea Chenoweth, has warned her colleagues, especially Justices of the Supreme Court, to take a more neutral stance in the ensuing crucial October 10 elections. “When the law says to remain neutral, it also means that you don’t openly or clandestinely lend support to any individual politician or political party,” Chenoweth noted. “The judiciary must not be political and must remain inherently different from the other two branches of government,” Chenoweth emphasized. On the matter of disposing of political disputes, Chenoweth said, justices should look in the faces of political actors to tell them that it is the electorate that decides the winner of the election. “I admonish all of you judges, including justices of the Supreme Court, that as pillars of the stability of this country, we should remain mindful and focused on our responsibility to this State,” the criminal court maintained.
Source:Daily Observer
August 15, 2023 19:33 UTC
Liberia Is Not Cursed by God, But by Voters
Also, in the sub-region, Liberia has the lowest human capital in ECOWAS, together with Mali and Niger. Mauritius, which Liberia is older than by 122 years, has a far better human capital score than Liberia with a score of 0.62. Despite these worrisome statistics, Liberian voters care less about policy discussions, which are needed to find solutions to the ever-depreciating human capital development of the country but more about pocket and belly. This situation clearly manifests the consequence of Liberian voters' actions of repeatedly choosing not just the wrong politicians, but the wrong priorities that eventually come back to haunt the electorate. But will Liberian voters see it this way come the October 10 polls?
Source:Daily Observer
August 15, 2023 07:34 UTC
Liberia: ‘Life of Every Liberian Is at Stake’
Although the pictures of politicians may be on the ballot, the life of every Liberian is at stake. Under President Weah, no serious international investor has come to Liberia to help us create jobs. After October 10, with your votes, we will support Liberian farmers to grow what we eat, eat what we grow, and sell our surplus to the world. We are determined to fix Liberia so all young people feel involved, included, and empowered to chase their dreams. No young Liberian needs to be left out or left behind.
Source:Daily Observer
August 07, 2023 07:16 UTC
Liberia: Election Campaign Season Opens with Provocation from CDC Supporters
The incident, which took place on Saturday, has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many questioning its appropriateness. The President’s rebuke came on Sunday, August 6, barely 24 hours after the incident. Critics argue that the President's supporters’ action, which symbolized death, was provocative and undermined the Farmington Peace Accord, which frowns against activities or utterances that would lead to violence. “While the Unity Party Alliance is committed to a nonviolent campaign, the CDC, as the ruling party, should be reminded of its constitutional responsibility and refrain from unprovoked actions,” the former ruling party said. The President’s supporters, during the activities marking the opening of the campaign for the ruling party, were seen carrying a casket purporting to be that of Boakai and had his pictures pasted all over while parading the streets.
Source:Daily Observer
August 07, 2023 06:28 UTC
Liberia: Ruling Party Kicks Off Campaign, Parade 'Casket' Depicting Main Opposition
The gesture, which analysts view as a serious provocation, unfolded during a marching rally organized by the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change party to kick off their campaign. While marching through the city streets to the party headquarters in Congo Town, the President's supporters were captured on Facebook holding a casket adorned with images of Boakai and accompanied by chants and slogans. But it seems this may not be the case, as analysts label Weah supporters' action as provocative and a deliberate attempt to stoke tensions and create a hostile campaign environment. We need to keep this campaign and elections void of such wrong moves, guys.”Murphy G. Whea said, “They are all wasting their time. Meanwhile, the upcoming elections in October, the fourth in the country since the civil war ended in 2003, coincide with Liberia commemorating 20 years of peace.
Source:Daily Observer
August 06, 2023 11:32 UTC
Pres. Weah Undermines Governance Commission's Independence?
— CENTAL, a prominent civil society organization known for its work in promoting good governance and combating corruption. The Center for Transparency and Accountability (CENTAL) has accused President George Weah of undermining the integrity and purpose of the Governance Commission, citing the appointment of Atty. Garrison Yalue as a member of the President's reelection campaign team. Yealue does not only contravene the law but is ill-advised and counterproductive to good governance efforts in Liberia,” CENTAL says. Yalue's public displays of support for Weah's political ambitions have sparked a heated debate across the country.
Source:Daily Observer
August 05, 2023 23:52 UTC
Renowned Activist Eddie Jarwolo Rallies Diaspora Liberians to Contribute to Liberia’s Governance
Jarwolo delivered an impassioned speech focusing on shared responsibility, accountability, and the principles of good democratic governance as essential elements for Liberia’s development and peacebuilding. In his keynote address, Eddie Jarwolo set the tone for the event by highlighting the significance of shared responsibility in fostering a better future for Liberia. He called on Liberians living abroad to unite with civil society in combating corruption, money laundering, drug trafficking, and holding leaders accountable for failed campaign promises. While expressing gratitude for the support provided by Liberians living abroad to their friends and relatives back home, Jarwolo asserted that such assistance is not enough. A soccer game between Liberians and Cameroonians living in Sweden was also held, enhancing the sense of camaraderie and friendly competition.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 29, 2023 17:02 UTC