London – Global Witness has condemned the recent arrest of Front Page Africa staff and the sudden closure of the newspaper’s offices under a recent Liberian court order. The closure of Front Page Africa continues a worrying trend in which the independence of leading Liberian voices, including the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI), are being threatened. “The decision of Liberian Judge Yamie Beisay to close Front Page Africa sends a chilling message to the Liberian press,” said Simon Clydesdale of Global Witness. Global Witness, Front Page Africa, and the BBC have all reported on the illegal removal of Mr Karmo from LEITI. Instead the Liberian President has taken matters into his own hands.

Source: Front Page Africa April 11, 2018 23:26 UTC