Once upon time in Liberia it was acceptable for government officials, including the President, to ‘take tours’ of concession companies operating in the country. Company executives, often with known ties in government, used these tours to shower the visiting officials with “coldwater” and praises for their ‘farsightedness’. With the advent of Liberia’s new political dispensation, the ‘coldwater’ and praise-singing culture has been discredited as official corruption. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf knows it. But her attempt to reject a ‘coldwater’ or gratuity from an oil palm company last week in Grand Bassa County has caught the attention of the Liberty Party, and it is crying ‘Wolf!’ The Analyst, reports.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has renewed Liberia's commitment to peaceful co-existence between Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire and within the sub-region. The President reiterated that Liberia will not allow its territory to be used for any insurgency against Cote d'Ivoire or any neighboring country. The President said Liberia will remain vigilant at its borders, ensuring that those who attempt to undermine the security of the sub-region will be dealt with under the laws of the country.
Opposition political parties in Liberia are currently rallying support to defeat the forth coming referendum that is expected to pave the way to smooth elections this year, said a press release issued by the Office of the Standard-Bearer of the New Deal Movement.
Briefing the press, the Standard Bearer of the New Deal Party, Amb Prof. Dew Tuan Wleh Mayson said the referendum does not only go against the letter and spirit of the Liberian constitution, but that it is also tailored to qualify President Sirleaf to run for a second term and to assist her party in winning seats in the National Legislature.
From the onset of its re-emergence, the reformed General Auditing Commission (GAC) has attracted controversy. The nature of its role and functions, as conceived by donors, amongst them the European Union, has placed it at the center of bitter duels with several government officials who see it as a meddling and reckless entity designed to ruin their careers and reputation. The substance of its work is lost in haranguing radio talk shows and stupefying polemics better suited for high school debating contests. The GACÃs worth in restructuring the countryÃs terrible financial management system, on which any country should rely if resources are to be accounted for the benefit of the population, is recognized largely by outsiders accustomed to dealing with issues of probity, as in the case of US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Bruce Wharton, who declared that:
"Although public financial management has improved, corruption remains prevalent and a significant threat to Liberian democracy. Liberia's Auditor General has aggressively and thoroughly tracked government revenue from practically every ministry, but the government follow-up has been very disappointing. Some crucial bills affecting key resources such as timber and maritime revenue have been passed without adequate attention to key details. Furthermore, the government must begin addressing a wide variety of issues affecting national reconciliation."
Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice K. Gladys Johnson says she leaves the bench 'saddened' by an avalanche of corruption charges against the Judiciary, adding that she, too, was subjected to bribery attempt involving a law firm she did not name.
Correction officers at the Monrovia Central Prison Friday arrested an ex-NPFL fighter, Dust Utenzi, at the prison gate with narcotics drugs, which he admitted he was carrying as "gift" to some inmates.
It would have been far more convenient for falling on the mode of travel the ancestors had at their convenience--the hammock--through which 'lesser' men carried dignitaries on their heads from village to village. But for President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in this 21st Century, it must have been odd and unbelievable that Africa's oldest republic, independent since 1847, lacks basic roads on which its president can travel.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Burkina Faso's president has named himself defense minister after a mutiny that threatened his 24-year rule in the impoverished country.
President Blaise Compaore announced late Thursday he will remain president but is now also a member of his 29-member cabinet.
Compaore tried to stem last week's unrest by dissolving the government and removing the country's security chiefs.
The mutiny began when members of the presidential guard began firing into the air, demanding unpaid housing allowances. By Monday, soldiers in several cities north, south, east and west of Ouagadougou joined in and students followed suit.
Experts say hostilities in the landlocked West African country have been simmering for a long time. Student uprisings began this year in February.
Reuters – Ibrahim Coulibaly (C), head of the "Invisible Commandos", walks with his troops through the …
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – Ivory Coast's new army turned its guns Tuesday on a former ally who helped liberate Abidjan and install the democratically elected president, military sources said of a major setback as the country was beginning to return to normal.
Residents said heavy machine-gun fire rocked the working-class suburb of Abobo about 12 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT) Wednesday around renegade warlord Ibrahim "IB" Coulibaly's headquarters. Residents scattered and ran to lock themselves into their homes. Coulibaly orchestrated two failed coup attempts in 1999 and 2002 before starting a rebellion.
About 90 days before campaign begins for the impending Referendum on 4 clauses on the proposed constitutional amendment ahead of the general and presidential elections, opposition political parties seem to be in disarray over a collective plan to oppose the vote.
Preliminary results of an audit conducted by GAC to investigate how Independence Day celebration funds have been used over the last four years have been released, with the results indicating that huge sums purportedly spent cannot be accounted for.
An audit of the Independence Day celebrations began some months ago, with initial indications that an estimated US2.5m was hanging in money budgeted for Margibi, Grand Bassa, Bong and Nimba Counties.
Amidst calls for Liberians in the Diaspora to return home and contribute to the nation's reconstruction process, UP Chairman, Cllr. Varney Sherman, has told Liberians living in the United States that they pose a serious threat to Liberians at home because of their skills and experience, coupled with their American accent which he described as "cerease."
The TRC Consolidated Report of November 2009 recommends prosecution for scores of former warlords and battlefront commanders believed to bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Liberia’s decade-long civil war. It also recommends the exclusion from political activities for 30 years, Liberians believed to have supported the war effort through financial donations. For several reasons, amongst which critics say is the lack of political will on the part of the Sirleaf Administration, the report is lying gathering dust – receiving only a token promise of a selective, phase-by-phase implementation. Now, former TRC Chairman Jerome Verdier says the International Criminal Court (ICC) could take jurisdiction of the recommendations. The Analyst, reports.
During a two-day visit to Zwedru the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Ms. Ellen Margrethe Løj urged Paramount Chiefs and other local elders in the border towns of Grand Gedeh County to assist UNMIL in reporting any case that might pose a threat to the relevant security agencies.
In her interactions with the citizens of Grand Gedeh, Madame Løj called on them to ensure that people do not get involved in the Ivorian crisis. "We need peace established in Ivory Coast," she said, but stressed that "to maintain the hard-won peace in Liberia is a primary concern for UNMIL." Madam Løj added while speaking to people of Grand Gedeh, "We are looking forward to the pending elections and we urge all Liberians to focus on them."
Analysts say President Blaise Compaore's grip
on the army appears to be slipping
Burkina Faso's president has dissolved his government after members of his presidential guard went on an overnight rampage in the capital Ouagadougou.
Blaise Compaore named a new army chief and fired the head of his presidential guard after the unrest - apparently in protest against unpaid allowances.
Mr Compaore, in power since 1987, had sought to calm soldiers earlier this month after similar complaints.
Burkina Faso has been affected by the turmoil in neighbouring Ivory Coast.
There is no doubt that corruption is the "Public Enemy Number One" of the Sirleaf Administration. But by President Sirleaf's own admission, it has so far been unreceptive to conventional anti-corruption measures – strengthening of legal paradigms, relative increase in salary. Both government and critics agree therefore that much improvement needs to be made in the areas of identifying and prosecuting perpetrators of corruption. Mr. James Sirleaf agrees; but he says baseless slander for political gain – in the name of fighting corruption – is not the way to go, and he is warning against it. The Analyst, reports.
Mr. James Sirleaf, the son of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, says while he welcomes the productive criticism of the UP-led government, he will oppose legally, any attempt by unscrupulous individuals and political aspirants to drag the reputation of his family in the mud for their own political gains.
"Police corruption was a problem. During the year the LNP investigated reports of police misconduct or corruption, and authorities suspended or dismissed several LNP officers. For example, in August an LNP officer was charged with property theft and was awaiting trial at the end of the year.
"In June a senior LNP official was accused of assaulting an individual over a personal misunderstanding. The official was suspended and ordered to pay restitution; however, no restitution was made and he remained suspended by the end of the year.
"On October 9, the LNP director announced the implementation of complaint forms to be submitted by the public to report incidents of bribery or unethical practices.
In November an LNP officer was arrested for allegedly permitting his [acquaintances to use his police uniform to commit acts of armed robbery. He was released and returned to duty due to a lack of evidence.
"There were no developments in the September 2009 case of the former Monrovia chief of patrol indicted for looting the house of a private prosecutor.
"During the year the government continued to take steps to improve transparency."
Widespread & Systematic Throughout The Government’: US HR Report The State Department 2010 Human Rights Report on Liberia has repeated findings in the 2009 Report, saying ‘corruption is widespread and systematic in the Government.
Reacting to the State Department’s 2009 Report, the government disagreed, with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf announcing that she would send a protest letter to US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
Laurent Gbagbo's spokesperson, Alain Toussaint, in Paris.
Reuters/Jacky Naegelen By RFI
A spokesperson for Laurent Gbagbo accused France of carrying out a coup d’état in Côte d’Ivoire by allegedly using its special forces to capture the former president. Paris denies the claims, and has announced a 400-million-euro aid package for its former colony.
Outgoing Auditor General John Morlu has been petitioned by a US-based group to contest the 2011 presidency, with the widow of late General Thomas Quiwonkpa, Mrs. Tarloh Munah Quiwonkpa, at the forefront.
The National Security Agency is holding a former LURD fighter accused of recruiting for rebels loyal to Allassane Ouattara, the declared winner of Cote d'Ivoire's election now in war with incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo, according to court documents.
PARIS (Reuters) – French special forces have detained Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo and handed him to leaders of the rebel opposition, after French tanks forced their way into his residence, a Gbagbo adviser in France said.
"Gbagbo has been arrested by French special forces in his residence and has been handed over to the rebel leaders," adviser Toussaint Alain told Reuters.
A French foreign ministry source could not immediately confirm that French forces had detained Gbagbo. "We have no evidence that can confirm that," the source said.
Earlier on Monday a column of more than 30 armored vehicles advanced toward Gbagbo's residence in Abidjan, a witness told Reuters, and Alain said they had penetrated the building.
"It's French forces taking in the rebels," he said. "French special forces are inside the residence."
(Reporting by Gerard Bon, John Irish and Catherine Bremer; editing by David Stamp)
THE hunted emerge from the forest as darkness descends along the equator. In the shadows of dusk the children are the first to appear, ghostlike, as the acrid black smoke from distant bushfires floats high above the primeval canopy that has held them prisoner for days.
Soldiers loyal to president-elect Alassane Ouattara order men suspected of supporting Laurent Gbagbo to strip and hand over their mobile phones in Abidjan yesterday. Picture: AP Source: AP
The unspeakable horrors inside Duokoue Ivory Coast
By Bernard Gbayee Goah
Portland Oregon USA
Email: bgoah76@yahoo.com
The unspeakable horrors are now exposed by what the outside world does not see inside Duoukoue Ivory Coast.
When it is all over, anyone visiting Doukeu would largely find empty houses across the city with few foreign residents.
Looking for the original residents of Doukeu would be like entering Warsaw after World War II and looking for Jews.
A visitor would not need to tour all of Doukeu to know that something terrible had happened.
Shockingly, under the watchful eyes of the United Nations, an unspeakable mass slaughter of innocent men, women, and children took place in that part of the world.
Many critics believe that the “Duoukoue slaughter” was not an isolated outburst from thin air but rather a calculated act designed and carried out by elements backed by the international community and the African Union.
Following the April 14th, 1979 rice rebellion during which the security forces shot and killed over 140 Liberians and jailed hundreds more, Liberians in Monrovia adapted a popular song which they sang everywhere in protest against the atrocities committed by the goons of the Tolbert administration. It went something like this: “April 14, aye yah, Tolbert mistake, yeah…..”. It was not long after this tragedy, 11 months to be exact, that the Tolbert Government fell in a coup d’état led by Master Sergeant Samuel K. Doe.
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – Ivory Coast's strongman leader Laurent Gbagbo holed up in a bunker inside the presidential residence Tuesday, defiantly maintaining he won the election four months ago even as troops backing the internationally recognized winner encircled the home.
Laurent Gbagbo is "negotiating his surrender", Ally Coulibaly, the ambassador to France appointed by his rival for the Côte d’Ivoire’s presidency, Alassane Ouattara, told RFI Tuesday.
"I believe Laurent Gbagbo is alive,” he said Tuesday. “I have learned that he is negotiating his surrender."
Monrovia — High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres and other senior UN officials warned this week in Monrovia that escalating fighting and massive population displacement in neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire threatens Liberia's own fragile eight-year peace.
When influential politicians and decision-makers, along with businessmen armed with money and connections, sit before a university lecturer uncertain of his protection, academics take the backseat while influence runs ahead.
Two generals close to Laurent Gbagbo were Tuesday holding talks to work out the conditions under which he could surrender, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said. UN officials confirm that Gbagbo is ready to throw in the towel.
Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. – A Einstein
Drawing the line in Liberia
Crimes sponsored, committed, or masterminded by handful of individuals cannot be blamed upon an entire nationality. In this case, Liberians! The need for post-war justice is a step toward lasting peace, stability and prosperity for Liberia. Liberia needs a war crimes tribunal or some credible legal forum that is capable of dealing with atrocities perpetrated against defenseless men, women and children during the country's brutal war. Without justice, peace shall remain elusive and investment in Liberia will not produce the intended results. - Bernard Gbayee Goah
Men with unhealthy characters should not champion any noble cause
They pretend to advocate the cause of the people when their deeds in the dark mirror nothing else but EVIL!! When evil and corrupt men try to champion a cause that is so noble … such cause, how noble it may be, becomes meaningless in the eyes of the people - Bernard Gbayee Goah.
If Liberia must move forward ...
If Liberia must move forward in order to claim its place as a civilized nation amongst world community of nations, come 2017 elections, Liberians must critically review the events of the past with honesty and objectivity. They must make a new commitment to seek lasting solutions. The track records of those who are presenting themselves as candidates for the position of "President of the Republic of Liberia" must be well examined. Liberians must be fair to themselves because results from the 2011 elections will determine the future of Liberia’s unborn generations to come - Bernard Gbayee Goah
Liberia's greatest problem!
While it is true that an individual may be held responsible for corruption and mismanagement of funds in government, the lack of proper system to work with may as well impede the process of ethical, managerial, and financial accountability - Bernard Gbayee Goah
What do I think should be done?
The situation in Liberia is Compound Complex and cannot be fixed unless the entire system of government is reinvented. Liberia needs a workable but uncompromising system that will make the country an asylum free from abuse, and other forms of corruption.
Any attempt to institute the system mentioned above in the absence of rule of law is meaningless, and more detrimental to Liberia as a whole - Bernard Gbayee Goah
Liberia's Natural Resources Besides land water and few other resources, most of Liberia’s dependable natural resources are not infinite, they are finite and therefore can be depleted. Liberia’s gold, diamond, and other natural resources will not always be an available source of revenue generation for its people and its government. The need to invent a system in government that focuses on an alternative income generation method cannot be over emphasized at this point - Bernard Gbayee Goah
Liberia needs a proper system If Liberians refuse to erect a proper system in place that promotes the minimization of corruption and mismanagement of public funds by government institutions, and individuals, there will come a time when the value of the entire country will be seen as a large valueless land suited on the west coast of Africa with some polluted bodies of waters and nothing else. To have no system in place in any country is to have no respect for rule of law. To have no respect for rule of law is to believe in lawlessness. And where there is lawlessness, there is always corruption - Bernard Gbayee Goah
Solving problems in the absence of war talks
As political instability continues to increase in Africa, it has become abundantly clear that military intervention as a primary remedy to peace is not a durable solution. Such intervention only increases insecurity and massive economic hardship. An existing example which could be a valuable lesson for Liberia is Great Britain, and the US war on terror for the purpose of global security. The use of arms whether in peace keeping, occupation, or invasion as a primary means of solving problem has yield only little results. Military intervention by any country as the only solution to problem solving will result into massive military spending, economic hardship, more fear, and animosity as well as increase insecurity. The alternative is learning how to solve problems in the absence of war talks. The objective of such alternative must be to provide real sustainable human security which cannot be achieved through military arm intervention, or aggression. In order to achieve results that will make the peaceful coexistence of all mankind possible, there must be a common ground for the stories of all sides to be heard. I believe there are always three sides to every story: Their side of the story, Our side of the story, and The truth – Bernard Gbayee Goah
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