Liberia: No Proof of Citizenship, No Vote
According to the NEC, this is no longer the provision of pieces of verbal evidence but now substantive ones — National ID Cards as proof of citizenship for biometric voter registration. However, the concern among citizens and opposition political parties is that not many citizens, especially in rural Liberia, may have access to the national ID cards. There are many people in Montserrado who have not taken a National ID Card,” Tweh said. “NEC said they’re going to relax the driver's license and National ID cards as requirements,” he emphasized. This means over two million potential voters may not have means of proving their citizenship when required during the Biometric Voter Registration.
Source:Daily Observer
January 24, 2023 18:14 UTC
Liberia: Use of Nat’l ID Cards as Requirement to Obtain Biometric Voters ID Causing Stir among Citizens, Political Parties
By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]According to the NEC, the potential voters will have to provide proof of Liberian citizenship. “The NEC also determines the acceptable types of IDs, among which are Birth Certificates, passports, and National ID cards,” the NEC stated in the announcement. However, the concern among citizens and political parties is that not many citizens, especially in rural Liberia may have access to the National Cards. There are many people in Montserrado that have not taken National ID Card,” Tweh said. “NEC said they’re going to relax the driver license and National ID Cards as requirement,” he emphasized.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 24, 2023 12:33 UTC
Prominent Cameroonian Journalist Found Dead after Abduction
The mutilated body of Martinez Zogo was found near the capital five days after he was taken by unknown assailants. The mutilated body of a prominent Cameroonian journalist has been found near the capital, Yaounde, five days after he was abducted by unidentified assailants. “His body was found in [a place called] Ebogo 3 in the early hours of Sunday after he was tortured,” reported Amplitude FM. Zogo’s colleague, Charlie Amie Tchouemou, editor-in-chief of Amplitude FM, confirmed Zogo’s abduction and subsequent death. “Cameroonian media has just lost one of its members, a victim of hatred and barbarism,” the Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union said in a statement.
Source:Daily Observer
January 23, 2023 21:58 UTC
Liberia: Pres. Weah Throw Jabs at Cummings for ‘Doing Nothing’ over the Initial Departure of Coca-Cola from Liberia
MONROVIA – President George Weah has criticized the leader of the ANC, Alexander B. Cummings for “doing nothing” when Coca-Cola closed its production in Liberia, despite serving on the Board of Coca-Cola Global in Atlanta, Georgia. According to President Weah, the departure of Coca-Cola and other companies and NGOs that left at the inception of his regime intended to embarrass him and his government. “They only they do is to be on the Board of Coca-Cola and they’re boasting. If you’re on the Board and Coca-Cola is closing in Liberia and you do nothing, then you’re not serious,” Pres. Today, the Coca-Cola that you’re drinking, you know how it came to this country?
Source:Front Page Africa
January 23, 2023 19:18 UTC
The Liberian Political Upheaval of 2023: Candidacies Vs. Choices – Punctuating the Presidential Candidates. Whom Will the People Choose?
Liberia has had three general and presidential elections since the rebirth of its democracy after fourteen years of civil unrest. The Sirleaf administration (2006-2011 and 2012-2017) undertook a range of reforms to build a foundation for growth and development in Liberia. This analysis will include a look at various candidates’ and parties’ strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities relative to governance in Liberia. Why not her longstanding partner, the former vice president of Liberia and now the Standard bearer of the main opposition party, Unity Party? About the authors:Amara Quardu Mohammad Kamara is a Governance, Development Policy, and Program technical consultant at the Global Organizational Development and Investment Consulting -Global ODIC.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 23, 2023 19:12 UTC
Liberia: Magna CEO Boasting of Impunity over Illegal Logging
Morley Kamara, the CEO and owner of Magna Logging Incorporated emailed The DayLight, bragging not be bothered by stories the newspaper publishes about his company’s violationsKamara copies Cllr. “These stories do not move me one bit,” said Morley Kamara of Magna Logging Corporation, sharing the communication with Cllr. Kamara was referring to a series of investigation reports The DayLight published last year that revealed a number of logging offenses the Liberian-owned firm and Masayaha Logging Company, its Lebanese partner, committed. Two illegally harvested logs Masayaha Logging Company left behind in the Garkpa Charlie Town in Compound Number One, Grand Bassa County. By law, Magna and Masayaha should have paid different fines for stealing logs and abandoning others.
Source:Daily Observer
January 21, 2023 21:35 UTC
Liberia: Firestone Liberia and Children’s Surgery International Put Smiles on the Faces of Liberia’s Children
The 2023 mission marks the 12 th year of the partnership between Firestone Liberia and Children’s Surgery International. Providing free medical care to children in need illustrates the value ‘Empowerment,’ one of the eight values outlined in the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. Harbel, Liberia (January 20, 2023) – Firestone Liberia Medical Center, in partnership with the American surgical team with Children’s Surgery International (CSI), provided free medical care to 80 Liberian children and young adults during its 12th mission in Liberia. The CSI medical team partners with Firestone Liberia, through its Firestone Medical Center, to provide free medical support and emergency care to children with various urological and surgical needs. The surgeries benefitted infants to 20-year-olds who registered for screening at the Firestone Medical Center at Duside.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 21, 2023 18:07 UTC
Sierra Leone passes Landmark Law on Women's Rights
By Cecilia MacaulayBBC NewsSierra Leone has passed what has been described as a "ground-breaking" law to improve women's rights. The law states that 30% of public and private jobs must be reserved for women. "It means a lot to women in Sierra Leone," Manty Tarawalli told the BBC's Newsday radio programme, adding that no other sub-Saharan African country had passed such a law. The law lets girls who are still at school know "there are opportunities for them in Sierra Leone for employment for business" and for them to contribute to the economy, Ms Tarawalli said. For Sierra Leone to become a middle-income country it must engage the 52% of the population who are women in the economy, Ms Tarawalli added.
Source:Daily Observer
January 21, 2023 11:48 UTC
Liberia: Unity Party, Ruling Coalition Spar over Amb. Boakai’s Health
MONROVIA – Both the opposition Unity Party (UP) and the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) over the weekend sparred over the health of former Vice President Joseph Boakai who spent a week at the ELWA Hospital battling ill health. Information surrounding the Unity Party standard bearer’s admission at the hospital was scanty until his release on Sunday – one week after his admission. Enraged by the government’s statement, the Unity Party in response termed the government’s assertion that they had made contact with the family as a “diabolical lie”. The Unity Party: The Unity Party considers the government’s release as yet another callous attempt to save face and create the false impression that Amb. But thank God we have children who are brought up in a different way.”Dwindling Confidence in Boakai’s HealthLast Saturday, the Unity Party released a video interview of Amb.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2023 20:14 UTC
Liberia: CDC Secretary General Koijee Warns Nimba County Officials to Stop Mistaking Personal Interest for County’s Interest
Seclepia City, Nimba Co. – Jefferson Koijee, the Secretary General of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has urged officials of Nimba County to put their county’s interest over personal’s interest. The CDC Secretary General made the statement in Seclepia City, Nimba County at the launch of the “Nimba For Weah” 2023 over the weekend. However, in recent times, Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson has criticized the George Weah-led government for not doing much for the people of Nimba County thereby calling on the people of the county not to support the re-election bid of President Weah. “For far too long people have been using the thing they called Nimba County interest, our people’s interest. What Nimba County has benefited and what Nimba has to benefit.”Koijee also calls on the people of Nimba County to change the narrative of division and focus more on unity and development.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2023 20:08 UTC
Liberia: Former VP Boakai Discharged from Hospital After Weeklong Stay
MONROVIA — Former Vice President and Standard Bearer of the Unity Party Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai has walked out of the facilities of the ELWA Hospital following a brief period of medical observation and a deserved time of relaxation. The Former Vice President checked into the ELWA Hospital last Sunday when he felt a bit uneasy about his health and wellbeing. Before leaving the local hospital today, Ambassador Boakai thanked Dr. Socra and the hospital staff, extending maximum appreciation to them for the high level of professionalism exhibited towards him and other patients at the facility. He added that he was especially moved by the good care shown him while at the hospital. He then called on all Liberians to have trust, faith, and confidence in their fellow Liberians who are medical doctors in hospitals across the country.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2023 05:34 UTC
Liberia: Former National Security Officers Found Guilty of Human Trafficking in Landmark Trial
MONROVIA, Liberia – A former agent of the National Security Agency has been found guilty of human trafficking, becoming the first person with a direct link to the Liberian government to be convicted of the charge. After the verdict Judge Roosevelt Willie ordered the probation office at the Justice Ministry to submit Chan-Chan’s pre-sentence report to him next Wednesday. The report on Chan-Chan’s background from his family, friends, ex-workmates, and neighbors will determine the length of his sentence. By Anthony Stephens with New NarrativesLiberia’s amended anti-human trafficking law now provides for 20 years as a minimum sentence for people convicted of human trafficking. He was the conduit,” said Wesseh A. Wesseh, Liberia’s Acting Solicitor General.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 14, 2023 16:22 UTC
Liberia: Former Child Soldier Again Upends Kosiah War Crimes Court; Asks UN to Hear Asylum Claim
It apparently failed as the judges sentenced Kosiah to the maximum allowable sentence under Swiss law of 20 years. Even before he began testifying, the former child soldier asked to be freed from Swiss custody and to speak with a United Nations human rights body saying he had been unjustly detained by Switzerland. The court has asked media to conceal the names of witnesses for their security. He told the court what he remembered of the invasion by Ulimo troops that he said were led by Kosiah. “When they arrived we all went into hiding under our beds inside our houses,” the witness told the court.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 14, 2023 05:08 UTC
Liberia: Political Tension Brews in Nimba's District #7
They alleged that Rep. Domah, during a recent tour, incited the citizenry against them, calling on residents to humiliate them in public. "Rep. Domah told members of a crowd in Zoeloapa they should treat us like politicians, and that they should boo us whenever they see us," Mayor Nyegean said. As part of what some termed as his political maneuvering, Bility, through his foundation, known as 'Bility Development Foundation, gave a Toyota pickup each to Tuazama and Nyegean. "Representative Domah and I have cordial relationship and in one of Mr. Bility's ground-breaking ceremonies (before Mr. Bility was petitioned to contest), Mr. Domah was present and contributed toward the project. In another development, Rep. Larry Younquoi began the rehabilitation of CNC Road, which is also an asset road for ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML).
Source:Daily Observer
January 13, 2023 22:32 UTC
Liberia: PYJ’s Party to Put Forth a Presidential Candidate in October Election
Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]Senator Johnson’s support was pivotal to the election of President Weah in 2017 when his party backed the President during the crucial run-off election, delivering vote-rich Nimba. However, in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, Senator Johnson said his party will field a presidential candidate and will not support the President because he has failed to live up to the agreement reached in 2017 and the promises made to the people of Nimba. “When I was with Mr. [Charles] Taylor, I loved him but I love Liberia the most. So, the Nimba people are very unhappy.”He accused the government of not undertaking major development projects in Nimba; noting that President Weah has refused to relocate the G.W. ‘So Many mischievous happenings’Further giving reasons for his party’s decision, the Nimba County Senator said under President Weah’s watch, several Liberians died under mysterious circumstances and the government has failed to conduct full-scale investigations.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 13, 2023 13:57 UTC