BULL-FIGHT: After Akerele Showdown, Minister Off to U.S. to Fill Barnes’ Shoes

- Rodney D. Sieh

Source: FrontPage Africa

Monrovia -

Finding a long-term replacement for the recalled Ambassador Nathaniel Barnes from the United States of America appears to have hit a wall with the man designated as a hold-over, the veteran diplomat William Bull apparently expressing initial reluctance to report for duty in 72 hours. Bull, the current Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who has served as Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the United Nations was said to be unhappy about the assignment even though it would have meant some time away from an ongoing feud between him and his boss, Foreign Minister Olubanke King Akerele. The matter was finally resolved late Thursday night with Bull finally agreeing to take up assignment.

Ad-Hoc Ambassador not first time

A Foreign Ministry statement released late Thursday night confirmed that Sirleaf has temporarily assigned Bull, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, as Ambassador Ad Hoc to the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C., the United States of America, pending the appointment of a new Ambassador.

The Ministry's statement said the information has been officially conveyed to the U.S. Government through the Charge d’Affaires, a.i. of the Embassy of the United States of America in Monrovia, when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Mrs. Olubanke King-Akerele at her Foreign Ministry office on Wednesday, August 18, 2010. "Foreign Minister King Akerele has also communicated to her United States counterpart, Honorable Hillary Clinton the decision of the Government of Liberia concerning the assignment of Ambassador Bull as Ambassador Ad Hoc," the statement said.

According to the Foreign Ministry, this is not the first time that an Ambassador Ad Hoc has been assigned to Washington , D.C. . In 2004 the Transitional Government of Liberia assigned an Ambassador Ad Hoc to the Embassy of Liberia in Washington, D.C., pending the nomination of Ambassador Charles A. Minor as the successor to Ambassador William V.S. Bull who ended his tour of duty in 2002.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has meanwhile categorically denies media report that President Johnson Sirleaf communicated with the Minister of Foreign Affairs to issue a 72-hour ultimatum for Ambassador Bull to take up assignment. Said the Ministry's statement: "Ambassador Bull is a career Ambassador who has served the Liberian Government in many distinguished positions in the Foreign Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served as an Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations, Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ambassador to United States of America and several Deputy and Assistant Ministerial positions having risen through the ranks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1972."

Conflicting announcement fuels speculations

The complications emerged this week when the Executive Mansion announced that Edwin Sele, the current Deputy Chief of Mission at Liberian Embassy in Washington – and not Bull would hold on to the post temporarily. FrontPageAfrica reported Tuesday that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf had instructed Minister Akerele to dispatch Bull to Washington without delay as Charges d’Affaires.

The recalled Ambassador Barnes is due in Monrovia from the U.S. in the next couple of days and is expected to hold discussions with Sirleaf upon his return.

Senior administration officials confirmed to FrontPageAfrica this week that Bull was the ideal choice to hold over the embassy in the U.S. until a permanent replacement is found. But Bull, who has been at loggerheads with Minister Akerele for quite some time is said to have been against the move. When FrontPageAfrica contacted Bull Thursday, he declined comment but took FPA to task for what he described as “causing confusion” within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over its initial report linking Bull as a temporary successor to Barnes. Bull declared that he was surprised at FPA’s “Practice of tabloid-style journalism.”

The announcement from Badio that Sele will act as Charges d’ Affaires boosted speculations that Bull’s delay departure was eclipsed by his speculated feud with Minister Akerele.

Selee, the Current Deputy Chief of Missions at the Embassy of Liberia in Washington DC, is known for his experience in the Liberian Foreign service. He is noted for over 16 years of Service at key Liberian missions including the United Nations and Washington DC where he has served as the second highest diplomat with oversight of mission operations. As a top level Foreign Service official, Selee is regarded as one who has rendered unflinching support and service to the Sirleaf administration. He is also on record for supporting the Sirleaf-Boakai ticket in the second round of the 2005 elections against George Weah.

Selee’s elevation to the top post in Washington, as a long-term replacement, may be hindered by a Foreign Service practice which does not support the promotion of a member of the diplomatic staff to Ambassadorial level at the same mission. Another factor surrounds the political affiliation of Sele who ran unsuccessfully for nomination as the Standard Bearer of LINU. Recent reports confirm that LINU recently merged with George Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) may place him in the corridors of Barnes.

Ties strained for some time

Relations between Bull and Akerele have been strained in recent months. Akerele, according to Foreign Ministry sources was unhappy over complaints from some members of the Foreign Service that Bull had reportedly been stalling concerns raised by them to the minister.

One of those cases involved the recall of Mohammed Kanneh, a former Minister Consular at the Liberian mission in China. Bull has been accused of recalling Kanneh without the minister’s knowledge when he served as Acting Minister during one of the minister’s travels. Bull in an unusual move, sources say, Bull used Andrew Allakamian Deputy Minister for Expenditure. To write letter recalling Kanneh from China minister consular. which is unusual. For nine months bull has been delaying a meeting with Akerele. unprofessional . whoever responsible was wrong

The Bull controversy comes on the heels of what senior administration officials are describing as an “embarrassing” diplomacy blunder that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may not have been in the know of a recent 5-day visit to Beirut, Lebanon by football legend George Weah of opposition Congress for Democratic Change.

While in Lebanon, Weah held talks with Prime Minister Saad Hariri who is said to have described Weah as an “iconic and inspirational leader whose life story serves as a motivational factor” for modern world leaders like himself who believe in the well-being of humanity.

Speculations have surfaced for weeks that Weah has been in and out of the Middle East raising money for his 2011 presidential run and seeking assistance for the CDC.

Chief among the concerns are: Did the Foreign Ministry know of Weah’s five-day “official” visit? Was the Minister of Foreign Affairs aware? -Did the Lebanese Ambassador to Liberia know? What are the statues with the Honorary Councils for Liberia in Lebanon? One administration official described the Ministry’s snafu as a colossal failure.

Weah's Lebanon meeting upsets some

While in Lebanon Weah held several meetings with Lebanese businessmen, politicians and philanthropists urging them to carry out impactful investment and support humanitarian projects in Liberia.

Hariri, 37 is the son of assassinated former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who came to power in 2009. The wealthy Hariri reportedly spent millions on his quest to become Prime Minister and some see Weah’s overtures as a sign that he may be out to raise funds for 2011.

With Bull now set to take on the post, pending the appointment of a new ambassador, FPA has learnt that he could remain in the post until after the 2011 elections. In recent weeks, several names have surfaced as possible replacement to Barnes. Among the names surfacing in recent weeks are Sele, John Lloyd, William Bull, Amos Sawyer and current Foreign Affairs Minister Olubanke King Akerele.

Akerele, insiders say may not be willing to take up the ambassadorial post which could seen as a demotion from her current position. Ironically, Akerele’s Grandfather Charles Dunbar Burgess King served as Ambassador to the U.S. long after he had served as President of Liberia. Former Vice President Clarence Lorenzo Simpson also served as Ambassador to the U.S. and London after he and Tubman fell out politically over Tubman’s refusal to step aside after a mandatory limitation of two-terms of office. Tubman had the constitution changed to provide that he could succeed himself as many times as the Liberian people wanted him to be president. Simpson was then drafted into the Liberian Foreign Service as Ambassador.

It was after that period that for more than 20 years the Liberian people were singing, “Tubman is the man we want, we don’t want nobody else, so all the people say.”

The chorus rang until the afternoon of July 21st 1971 when Tubman died in a London clinic as the popular African-American singer William Bell at a concert at the famed Relda Cinema in Sinkor, sang his popular tune “bring the curtain down, I can’t go on.”

David D. Kpormakpor, 75, Former Head of Liberia Council of State is Dead - FPA OBITUARY

Source: FrontPage Africa

Staten Island, New York-

David D. Kpormakpor

David D. Kpormakpor, the former chairman of the council of state collective presidency that ruled Liberia from March 7, 1994 until 1 September 1995 has died. He was 75.

Kpormakpor’s family members broke the news to FrontPageAfrica late Thursday night, said he had been ill for a long period of time. He died at his resident in Staten Island, the United States of America, Thursday.

The council of state consisted of a civilian chair, as well as members representing warring factions. Isaac Musa represented Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia, while Mohammed Sheriff represented ULIMO and Philip Banks represented the past civilian interim government. Also serving as a member was Dexter Tahyor.

A mourning family member told FrontPageAfrica late Thursday night that the late head of state was a very straight man. “He never liked cheating and he never took bribe.”

Following a year of political stalemate, the Kpomakpor council was succeeded by another council headed by Wilton Sankawulo and including factional heads themselves rather than representatives as in this version of collective presidency.

Sankawulo, who succeeded Kpormakpor died from congestive heart failure on February 21, 2009. He was 71 years old.

Kpormakpor, a former Supreme Court judge, a law school professor and an intellectual was one of Liberia’s well-respected statesmen. But during his last days and despite his illness, he was battling deportation and living on welfare.

In 2007, just short of his 72nd birthday, the former head of state underwent two surgeries to remove a tumor in his brain.

Like most Liberians, residing in America, Kpormakpor benefited from the annual reprieve granted Liberians in the U.S. on Temporary Protective Status(TPS).

The temporary immigration designation has been extended annually to those fleeing the war-ravaged country since 1990, offering a fallback option for those who could not obtain legal immigration status through work or marriage.

In recent years, Kpormakpor's health has been on the decline amid failing memory and has lost much of his cognitive functioning, family sources say. Although the former head of state had toyed with idea of return to Liberia, family members says he did not feel he would get the best treatment in Liberia as he required assistance from a full-time home health aid. Even if he could survive the long trip to Africa. In Liberia, there has been a push in the national legislature in recent years for benefits for former heads of state but not much has been done to assist those who once served as leaders.

The Staten Island Advance, the state newspaper where Kpormakpor lived before his death reported in July 2007 that when the U.S. government notified Kpormakpor of his changed immigration status this summer, they also cut off his Social Security benefits. Now, the First United Christian Church in Tompkinsville pays his bills. "He's not a charity case. We'll take care of him. He just wants an opportunity to stay in this country," said associate pastor Lloyd Land, who the paper said, had been helping Kpormakpor with his petition for a green card.

Kpormakpor originally applied for a green card in 1961, as a college student in California. He had the opportunity to study there because a missionary from Mississippi recognized him as a promising young man, and secured him a place at the prestigious College of West Africa in Monrovia.

"A bush boy" raised by Gola tribe parents who could neither read nor write, he finished third in his class and won scholarships to San Francisco State University and later to UCLA Law School. He returned home, became a professor of law, and was appointed to the Liberian Supreme Court by then president Samuel Doe. After Doe's assassination in 1989 and years of bloody civil war, a group of West African states, backed by the U.S., set up an interim government. Kpormakpor was appointed Interim President of Liberia between 1994-1995.

As Interim President, he had little power, but access to millions of government dollars. While many of his colleagues plundered, Kpormakpor said he kept his reputation as the only honest politician in Liberia. Others called him a fool.

"They said anyone who doesn't take money is an ass," Kpormakpor told the Advance in a 2007 interview at the Vanderbilt Nursing Home, where he was recovering after another stint in Richmond University Medical Center. "Well, when it's not in you, it's not in you," he added.

After Charles Taylor took over the government, he threw Kpormakpor in prison for two months. He then spent two years living on a military base guarded by African peacekeepers who broke into his home twice, stealing everything he owned.

Kpormakpor returned to the United States in 1997, broke and already in failing health. He has remained relatively unknown outside his native country and the borough's Little Liberia community. In 2005, he was introduced to Jason Price, an NYU graduate student who was volunteering with survivors of African civil wars. The chance meeting sparked the creation of a short documentary, "The Professor," which was screened at the Staten Island Film Festival in the summer of 2007.

Illicit miners overrun Betibah in Lofa County Liberia

Written by Peter Fahny & Vivian Gartyn
Source: Star Radio Liberia

Thousands of illicit miners have taken over the gold mining district of Betibah in Voinjama, Lofa County driving out immigration officers assigned in the area.

Betibah is a forest town in Voinjama along the border with Guinea, but BIN officials say the miners came into the country through the Quardu-Gboni District.

Our correspondent says the illicit miners believed to be mainly ex-combatants from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone attacked the two officers assigned in the area.

According to our correspondent, the miners broke into the house where the officers were lodging, and threatened to kill them if they did not leave immediately.

The officers had gone to verify the nationality of those residing in the camp and their occupation when the group of illicit miners confronted them.

Residents of the area and a surrounding town told Star Radio they are living in fear, as the hostile miners usually harass them and disrespect local authorities.

Our correspondent gathered, the situation has been going on for the past three months.

Meanwhile, the administrative assistant to Lofa County superintendent, George Tengbeh has called on government to immediately intervene.

When contacted, BIN officials in Monrovia said they are verifying the reports with commanders in the region and will address the situation soon.

NEC announces 2011 election timetable Friday

Written by Matthias Daffah
Source: Star Radio Liberia

The National Elections Commission says it would on Friday release the official timetable for the 2011 Legislative and Presidential elections.

A release issued Thursday said the Commission will also use the occasion to declare its position on the Joint Resolution passed by the Legislature.

The controversial Joint Resolution was later signed by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf .

The action by the two branches of government has since received widespread criticisms from civil society and Liberians in the Diaspora on grounds that it is illegal.

The Legislature approved the resolution not to use the census results to prescribe a threshold for constituency representation but rather prescribed nine additional seats in the House.

The joint resolution did not also include a threshold as provided for in Article 80 of the Liberian Constitution.

The Constitutional provision mandates the Legislature to prescribe a threshold for electoral constituency representation in the House following the conduct of a national census every ten years.

New Democratic publishes George Weah’s nude photo

Written by D. Emmanuel Wheinyue & Julius Kanubah
Source: Star Radio Liberia

Government has condemned a lead story in the Thursday August 19 edition of the New Democrat Newspaper captioned ‘Weah Walks Butt Naked’.

Acting Information Minister Norris Tweh described the publication as a serious ethical transgression of professional journalism.

According to Minister Tweh, government was concerned due the choice of words used to describe the outlook of Ambassador Weah’s sexual organ.

He said the New Democrat publication on Ambassador Weah does have any social value.

Minister Tweh told Star radio, government was consulting with the relevant institutions including the Press Union of Liberia on the next course of action.

The publication comes a little over two weeks since the paper released a naked photograph of British Supermodel, Naomi Campbell which came under fierce criticisms.

The criticisms forced the management of the paper to publish an apology to the public and said it was an error of judgment..

‘CDC condemns publication’

Meanwhile, the Congress for Democratic Change has condemned the Thursday’s publication in the New Democrat News Paper.

The CDC said the publication in which the paper brought the photos of George Weah in a video advertisement is immoral and unacceptable.

The Chairperson of the CDC told a news conference the publication captioned “Weah Walks Butt Naked” is intended to damage the reputation of CDC political leader George Weah.

Senator Geraldine Doe-Sherriff said the photos published by the New Democrat reflect a 1996 video advertisement by George Weah.

According to her, the video advertisement was done at the time when George Weah was a celebrity and should not be considered as an immoral act.

Senator Doe-Sherriff clarified the video advertisement did not in any way show George Weah butt naked as reported by the New Democrat.

The CDC Chairperson said the party would do a formal protest letter to the Senate to ensure the Publisher of New Democrat Tom Kamara appears for questioning.

Senator Doe-Sherriff called on Liberian women to rise up and condemn the New Democrat’s publication against the political leader of the most popular party.

At the same time, the CDC says Ambassador Weah would arrive in the Country Friday to address crucial national issues including the video advertisement.

Selling of Liberia - Billions For Less: Investors Get Resources For Cheap?

- Rodney D. Sieh

Source: FrontPage Africa


Monrovia –

Since 2006, Richard Tolbert, head of Liberia’s National Investment Commission has been touting his successes in luring massive investment to the post-war nation. In 2006, for example, Tolbert was quoted as saying that there were $US15 million dollars in foreign investment. In 2007, Tolbert says, it went up to 130 million dollars and in 2008, the NIC boss says, Liberia had at least 200-300 million dollars direct foreign investment. “That is an enormous increase which has drastically helped my country. I am proud to be a part of that,” Tolbert told the World Investment News back in 2008.

Size of Initial Investment key

The riddle that comes resolved is while Mr. Tolbert shows off the size of the investment, most knowledgeable experts question the sheer magnitude due to Liberia’s lack of absorptive capacity, meaning the country’s economy cannot adequately accommodate the investment because it lacks the skills training, economic infrastructure and supportive environment. But even more, it is the disingenuity and dishonesty inherent in remarks which say that a company will invest billions over the “life” of the project. The statement does not indicate the initial investment size, and how many jobs will be created from it.

If a company initially invests 50 million dollars in a project and reinvests its profits over 30 years into the same project, which are billions of dollars, then the underlying assumption that a 50 million dollar investment raking in billions over time should reap more benefits for the country which gave out the concession in the first place. If the company will use free cash flows from the project to reinvest without additional equity contribution, you cannot say company X will invest billions. That is a bold faced lie and intended only to score political points.

In extractive industries such as gold, diamonds and iron ore, companies spend up front monies to explore to prove the reserves. After that, a bankable feasibility is prepared. It is only after a bankable feasibility that a company knows with a high degree of probability the projected size of its investments. Experts say most of the big name projects in Liberia have not conducted bankable feasibility studies and thus they cannot claim that they will invest billions. They cannot know how many jobs will be created and what social impact their operations will have on the environment and therefore any announcement of a major investment is pure speculation as the gestation time from exploration to mining in green-field projects is at least 7 to 10 years. Someone is not telling the truth.

Over the course of the post-war era, millions of dollars in investment packages have been announced in all shapes, forms and sizes but explaining the trickle-down effect or how those investments benefit the average Liberian has proven to be a daunting task for the post-war government and the NIC.

Jobs - Lost in translation

The translation for many of the concession deals has the capability to make the difference in a post-war environment nursing a high youth unemployment. Fourteen years of civil war kept many of today’s generation out of school and out of jobs making the employment challenges of the post-war government even more pressing. According to the UNDP, 55 % of Liberia’s population is under the age of 20, and 40 percent under the age of 15. Non-governmental organizations estimate the unemployment rate at 65 to ¬70 percent. Those with limited working experiences make very little incomes. Since coming to office in 2006, the post-war government has sought to address the issue of low wages with additions to wages in the annual budget but the results have still left many languishing at the bottom of the economic barrel.

As a result of the lack of unemployment, the post-war government, from the start set its sights on investment opportunities to improve the job market and create employment for stray youths.

In 2009, Liberia announced an $800 million palm and rubber deal with Malaysian firm, Sime Darby, touting that the deal would lead to the creation of 20,000 much needed jobs. "This agreement ... will create 20,000 jobs within 10 years," Tolbert told Reuters shortly after the deal was signed.

ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steelmaker, is also developing a $1.5 billion iron project in Liberia. That deal was eclipsed last January when China Union said it would spend $2.6 billion over the next eight to 10 years on another iron ore project, even as other mining firms scale back on investment as demand for metals falls amid the global downturn. As well as buying the plantations on which to grow crops.

The mining deal between the world's largest steel company, Mittal Steel, and the Government of Liberia was later found to be unfair to Liberia and had to be renegotiated. The international watchdog group, Global Witness reported that the deal was heavily weighted against the interests of that war-torn and impoverished West African country and should be substantially re-negotiated. The group dissected the mineral development agreement (MDA) signed on 17 August 2005, five months before democratic elections in Liberia, which gives Mittal the right to extract iron ore from Liberia.

The China Union investment conglomerate promised to spend $2.6 billion on Liberia's main iron ore mine in one of the biggest investments that China has ever made in Africa. At the time, Tolbert declared that China Union company had promised that within 12 months it will have built a one million ton-a-year capacity refining factory at the Bong iron mines, about 150 km north of Monrovia. The investment it was reported would create 3,000 jobs within three years and jobs created indirectly in the long run could be as higher as 70,000. The jury is still out on the job creation aspect of the deal as many critics have pointed to the fact that Chinese firms have brought in mostly Chinese to do the work instead of Liberians.

Perhaps the biggest concerns for post-war Liberia investors have been that many have not been adequately vetted prior to the awarding of contracts.

Just last week, Singapore’s second-largest listed palm oil plantation firm Golden Agri-Resources declared that it was looking at investing in an unnamed firm that will control 220,000 hectares of land in Liberia. The company, which is part of Indonesia’s Sinar Mas Group, said it was planning to invest in private equity fund Verdant that is the sole shareholder of a Liberia-based firm in the process of being granted a government concession to develop 220,000 hectares for 20 years. Golden Agri did not give financial details of the possible transaction for the land, which is three times the size of Singapore, but said the initial development will commence with 15,000 hectares. The move comes after Indonesia announced plans to impose a two-year moratorium on new permits to clear forest for oil palm cultivation from 2011.

Interestingly, the Sime Darby deal covers 63-year lease on 220,000 hectares of land with an initial outlay close to $20 million for 10,000 hectares.

While the deals with Mittal and China Union came with high-profile backing, the one involving Buchanan Renewable came with a bust. The venture involves an agreement to establish a biomass power plant in Margibi to produce 35 megawatts of power to Monrovia. BRE has pledged to provide a 24-7 electricity project at an affordable price. The project is said to be on schedule and a plant is expected to be ready between January and March in 2011 producing 35 megawatts of power from Kakata. The company says its initial focus is on making use of non-producing rubber trees in Liberia to generate electricity domestically and for export markets. By clearing and replanting rubber farms on a 30 year cycle, Buchanan creates a renewable and sustainable supply of woodchips.

Despite its pledge to deliver, BRE initially encountered problems raising funds to get the project off the ground and had to be rescued by the McBain Foundation. BRE had earlier said its operations in Liberia was $150M, but was still selling shares after it had secured the deal and could not cough up the $150M capital for the deal.

Complicating matters, it was later revealed that Tolbert and the Finance ministry granted the company a 100 percent tax waiver. At the time of the controversy, Deputy Finance Minister Tarnue Marwolo differed with the lawmakers that signing the contract was in violation of the Investment Incentive Law. He said some aspects of the Revenue laws of Liberia and that of the Investment Incentive Code grants the National Investment Commission the right to award contracts below US$3.4 million; though this contract is above the US$3.4 million that he was alluding to in the tune of US$150 million.

Then this week, the deliberations in the National legislature have revealed that another concession deal involving BHP Billiton is full of flaws and in consistencies that if ratified could means nothing in terms of near terms revenue or income for the Government of Liberia and job for the jobless.

For example, the Mineral Development Agreement MDA) has no time frame as to when the company will begin mining operations in Liberia, creating a situation where the company could get the agreement and sit back when there are other potential companies that are willing and ready to invest in the mining industry of the country and help revive the economy. BHP Billiton has been given high privileges on taxes and duty free in the MDA which could make the company generate more and pay less to the Government of Liberia but officials of Government who negotiated the agreement ignored these issues.

According to the Mining Law of Liberia, agreement for mining rights can be signed for 25 years but a clause in section 5.8 of the agreement grants BHP Billiton the right to extend its contract. The 10% duty free carry by the Government of Liberia under the mining law was given out by the negotiating team of the contract

Deputy Finance Minister for Revenue, Elfreda Tamba confirmed during a public hearing on the BHP Billiton Mineral Development Agreement that the Government of Liberia stands to lose US$ 2 million in revenue due to reduction in fiscal terms to suit BHP Billiton.

While the company mineral development agreement is now before the National Legislature, investigation conducted by FrontPageAfrica indicates that the company has already began exploiting the resources of Liberia without due regard to ratification of the agreement.

BHP has accordingly been operating two exploration licenses (KITOMA and GOE-FANTRO RANGE) since May, 2005.

BHP Billiton also does not have a detailed exploration plan plus timeline for the proposed five years, detailed plans plus timeline that will lead to mining of each of the deposits, detailed infrastructure-transport and electricity facilities.

More recently, a bogus carbon deal which a British company allegedly offered bribe to officials of the Liberian Government to get carbon emission contract in River Cess County came to public with British police investigating a British national.

The series of cases brought the integrity of the Government of Liberia to international disrepute questioning the level of corruption in the country. To the President’s credit she appointed Counselor Negbalee Warner to investigate the entire carbon credit issue. The administration has confirmed that Counselor Warner was recently in London, UK to look into the matter and is expected to present his findings and recommendations to the President by month’s end.

Lack of Due Diligence, Screening Hurting Liberia

The post-war investment climate for now appears to still be grappling over how to control shady and most times incapable investors from slipping through the cracks. Liberia’s inability to properly screen potential investors has been the norm amid reports that most officials tend to look the other way in an era where a simple tool as a google-search could yield much information about potential investors. The Miinistry of Lands and Mines which is responsible for vetting potential mining firms has done very little to properly vet companies. More formidable firms who lost out to lesser-known firms have been left baffled and confused by the complexities of the Liberian bidding system.

For example, a bid by Broadway Inc. another relatively unknown venture became the first of the off-shore concession agreements to pass full ratification by the Upper House (Senate) in late 2006 and the Lower House (Representatives). Much of the details of the agreement were kept under wraps and in the absence of a full disclosure of the details of the agreement, the mystery surrounding the company continues to boggle watchers of the Broadway deal. Broadway’s web site : www.bc-plc.com, prior to signing the deal, had been under construction for months offering little to no information about their operations let alone their location. The website has since been updated. Prior to its venture in Liberia, Broadway Consolidated owning or operating any oil fields anywhere in the world, nor is there any record of them trading oil or having any kind affiliation to oil operations. The only reference to Broadway Consolidated on the web pertaining to oil is in reference to their activities in Liberia in procuring an oil block.

Although the company had never proven its financial capabilities (through Banking verifications) to substantiate their claims of investing US$15 Billion Dollars into Liberia’s oil program. FPA had previously uncovered that Broadway Consolidated was seeking to sell part of its Agreement with the GOL to an oil operator for an undisclosed sum that Government of Liberia has no participation in. However, the company’s managing director Gary Allsopp later explained to FPA it was not the case. Allsopp did however, revealed that his firm’s initial investment was around US$5 to US$6 million and not US$15 billion as was first announced by Liberia. “Obviously we got top staff from around the world working on oil. It’s basically working capital for the licenses including the geologists that we’ve had on the ground as well as the working programs,” Allsopp said at the time.

$’50M Investor

Another investor to raise a red flag was Leonard Kragness, an American investor, who unveiled what he said was an investment package of more than US$50 million for mining and oil exploration in Sinoe County, southeastern Liberia. Like Broadway and now BRE, Kragness’ firm’s website http://www.alluvialgold.com/index.html was temporarily down with no access to information about his company’s profile.

Kragness and his team were convicted by jury of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and other drugs, under the RICO anti-racketeering act. The five-week trial was described by the prosecution as the largest drug case in Minnesota history. Kragness, a former Alaskan gold miner, was at the center of the conspiracy, which prosecutors say, involved extensive smuggling from South America in private aircraft. As a result of the conviction, Kragness’ license to fly in U.S. airspace was revoked.

Kragness later admitted to FPA that he did make some mistakes in his life: “In the late ‘70s I made some mistakes… It was a period of my life where it was a big mistake. I went to Mexico on a vacation with a friend of mine. I was flying my airplane and he convinced me to haul back a small quantity of marijuana and we did it. He requested that I do it again and we did it like four times on a very small scale in the late ‘70s. In 1985, the Feds came knocking on my door. It was over, done, finished and they handed me an indictment with a lot of names on it. I didn’t even know a lot of the people. There were charges about cocaine, charges about all kinds of different things. They had a lot of various charges and they said I had to go to trial. So I went to trial.

Raising eyebrows

It can be recalled that a similar scheme unfolded during the transitional reign of Charles Gyude Bryant when a little-known James Yarclay, outbid more recognizable firms to win the rights to refurbish the Liberian Telecommunications Corporation. At the time, Yarclay said he was the owner of a company based in Dallas, Texas with US$170Million to invest. It turned out Yarclay, was a struggling businessman down on his luck, who had filed for bankruptcy. His multimillion empire was a one-room office space in Dallas, Texas, without a secretary or answering service, Most calls by a reporter to Yarclay’s Texas office were answered by an unnamed Nigerian partner. Similarly, Yarclay’s Universal Telecommunications Exchange website was also inactive at times and provided very little information or track record of its business dealings.

Also raising eyebrows was another famous deal which ignored red flags. In bid to sell ore in the Western Cluster of Liberia, the inter-ministerial committee awarded a contract to a lesser known South African Company, when steel Giant like Mittal were competing. It backfired. Former Planning Minister Togba Nah Tipoteh challenged deal. The President later agreed that the deal was signed and called for due diligence of the contract. Regrettably, the President made the pronouncement that the Western Cluster Deal was done and signed during her State of the Nation Speech in January 2008.

Even more troubling, Africa's oldest republic, known for an abundance of minerals and resources continue to languish at the top of the unemployment ladder and among the world's poorest nations while much of its resources are sold on the cheap to relatively unknown firms and individuals aiming for a big payday. For a post-war nation on the rebound, the realities of it all remains clear - that those at the bottom of the barrel continue to live in dire straits, pleading for help and hoping for a miracle that perhaps for once in their lifetime, those tasked with the responsibility of looking out for them will do so with the interest of the people above their own and free of all the complicated errors and explanations that even the poorest of the poor may find difficult to decipher or much more difficult to comprehend.

Defense Minister seeks enhanced cooperation

Written by Hilary Vasco Wiagbe
Source: Star Radio Liberia

The Ministry of Defense says it looks forward to an enhanced cooperation with the US government in combating narcotics and other controlled substances in Liberia.

The Minister of Defense said such cooperation needs to be enhanced because narcotics and other substances have the potential to threaten peace and security.

Minister Brownie Samukai noted the issue of drugs could be what he calls cancer if allowed to spread.

Minister Samukai stressed the need for a robust campaign by the two governments as was done recently in the crackdown on narcotics in Monrovia.

According to the release, the Defense Ministry Boss spoke Wednesday when the newly assigned Charge Affairs at the US Embassy, Karl Albrecht visited him.

For his part, the new US Charge Affairs said he was attracted to the country because of the harmonious cooperation between Liberia and the United States.

Karl Albrecht said he has come to the country not to break new grounds for partnership but to reinforce existing cooperation between the two countries.

Aliens infiltrate Rivercess County

Source: Star Radio Liberia

The Commander of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization in Rivercess County has reported an influx of aliens in the county.

Commander Alfred Blayee said the aliens are engaged in mining activities in the Sand Beach community of Central Rivercess District.

According to him, the aliens usually entered the county by way of the border between Rivercess and Nimba Counties.

Commander Blayee said immigration officers find it difficult to patrol the area due to the lack of transport and limited manpower.

He told Star Radio the motorbike assigned to the county got damaged about two years ago and has not been repaired.

He appealed to Immigration authorities in Monrovia to provide more manpower and transport to the detachment to enhance its operations in the County.

Who will be the next President of Liberia come 2011?

TQ Harris Jr.
www.tqforpresident.com
Also see www.friendsoftq.org

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

- Bernard Gbayee Goah

If Liberia must move forward in order to claim its place as a civilized nation amongst world community of nations, come 2011 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.

George Weah

OPODL Hosts Forum, Honors Minister Brownie Samukai in Minnesota

 By: Josiah Dorbor
Source: The Liberian Journal

(L-R) Garden Inn Hotel, Minister Brownie Samukai

The Organization for the Promotion of Development in Liberia, OPODL, has scheduled a town hall-style forum and an honoring evening dinner for Brownie Samukai-- Liberia’s Minister of National Defense--in Minnesota, The Liberian Journal (TLJ) has learned.

“Honorable Brownie J. Samukai will be our guest from the 20th to the 22nd of August, 2010”, said a release issued by OPODL.

“ We have scheduled two major events in Minnesota for Mr. Samukai: the town hall is geared towards discussing and updating Liberians on the current security situation in Liberia; while the second event is a ‘Dinner Reception’ in honor of his service to Liberia”, added the release.

Abraham Kamara, OPODL’s public relation officer, noted that “security is one of the leading issues on the minds of Liberians everywhere, especially in the Diaspora”, and that Samukai, one of Liberia’s foremost experts on security, “is the right person to address the numerous security concerns Liberians in the Diaspora have about their country”.

OPODL, a group recently formed to promote the development agenda of the Liberian government as well as the second term bid of President Johnson-Sirleaf, also said it is impressed with Minister Samukai’s long years of service to his beloved country, adding “he has served Liberia with great distinction and therefore deserves our appreciation”.

To celebrate the minister’s “selfless contributions to his native land”, OPODL said it was honored to feature what its officials called “a great honoring and appreciation dinner for Minister Samukai”, at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Maple Grove, an hour after the town hall forum.

OPODL is a political pressure group registered in the state of Minnesota—with a public declaration of an unqualified support for the reelection of President Sirleaf-- citing her ability “to deliver economic and social development since taking office in January of 2006”.

“Liberia”, it confidently argued,” is being transformed at an unprecedented pace under the able leadership of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf”.

MFWA empowers 15 West African journalists

Written by Vivian Gartyn
Source: Star Radio Liberia

Fifteen journalists from Liberia, Ghana and Sierra Leone are undergoing a three day training in human rights, peace, elections and investigative reporting.

The Media Foundation for West Africa sponsored training is providing the journalists with new skills to enable them make positive contributions to peace.

The Foundation’s Program Officer said the training was necessary to empower journalists as a number of West African Countries are going to the polls in 2011 and 2012.

Mr. Sulemana Braimah told Star Radio, the foundation will monitor the work of the journalists after the training to see impact.

Day one of the training focused on identifying conflict triggers and early warning signals as well as critical human rights issues in post conflict countries.

The training being held in Monrovia will also provide practical skills in reporting human rights, election and investigative stories.

An acclaimed investigative reporter from Ghana Anas Anas, veteran journalist Kwasi Apenteng, UNDP’s Napoleon Abdullai and Cllr. James Verdier are among facilitators.

WAEC final results show overall poor performance

Written by Hilary Vasco Wiagbe
Source: Star Radio Liberia

The West African Examination Council has released what it considers the final results of the 2010 Senior High school certificate examinations.

The Head of WAEC-Liberia Office said of the 20, 565 students who sat the exams only 14, 682 successfully passed.

Mr. Thomas Gaie disclosed, five of those who passed successfully are ranked in division two.

According to Mr. Gaie, four of the students are from the Firestone High School in Margibi County and one from the Phebe Community in Bong County.

The Head of WAEC-Liberia Office also revealed all the students from the fourteen schools successfully passed the May 2010 examination.

They include St. Theresa’s Convent, Sotiamon Christian School System, Vahun Central High, Karnplay Inland Academic, and Hope International Christian School and Bromley Mission, among others.

Mr. Gaie described the overall performance of the senior high school students in the examinations as poor.

Lack of interpreter impedes Chinese murder trial

Written by Bruce Boweh
Source: Star Radio Liberia

The lack of an interpreter is said to impeding the murder trial involving two Chinese men at Criminal Court B.

Wang Meng and Ma Li were indicted in March 2010 for allegedly murdering Wesley Craig, a South African.

The men are alleged to have committed the act in September 2009 at the victim’s Randall Street residence.
When their trial commenced last week, the court discovered the men can not speak and understand English.

The Court wrote the Chinese Embassy to assist it with an interpreter but the Embassy said it could not find any qualified Chinese interpreter.

It instead wrote Judge Blamo Dixon to ask UNMIL for an interpreter.

According to our judicial correspondent, the court has postponed the trial to August 23 pending the outcome of a request to UNMIL.

Rights group concern about TRC implementation

Written by Matthias Daffah

Source: Star Radio Liberia

The National Human Rights Center says it is concerned over the continued silence by the Executive and Legislative branches of Government on the TRC report.

The Center said it was deeply worried whether President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has submitted her second quarterly report on the implementation of the TRC report.

The group said it was concerned because since the receipt of the final report, findings on its implementation should have been submitted to the legislature.

The Center believes the Executive branch of Government is under obligation to implement its statutory mandate on the report as prescribed by the TRC act.

The rights group maintains the report must be done with what it calls the utmost efficacy and commitment rather than treat it with discretion and option.

A statement said although the second quarterly report being referred to has since expired, the culture of silence being exhibited over the report was worrisome.

The Center observes the indifference with which the two branches are treating the report has the propensity to darken the transitional justice process.

Meanwhile, the group has commended President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for nominating Commissioners of the Independent Commission on Human Rights.

WAS AG MORLU OFFERED A BRIBE? Ngafuan, GAC Debunk Speculations

By Rodney D. Sieh

Source: FrontPage Africa

Monrovia-

Is Liberia’s Auditor General John S. Morlu on the take? Speculations have been surfacing in recent weeks that Morlu, who is currently conducting a detailed testing over numerous inconsistencies and shortfalls in the 2010/2011 budget is assisting the Ministry of Finance correct some of the errors in the budget for an undisclosed fee. But the General Auditing Commission, when contacted Monday dismissed the allegations and declared that such a practice will never occur under Morlu’s watch.

Finance ‘will never dare’: GAC Says

Ernest Maximore, Communications Director of the GAC told FrontPageAfrica Monday that the Ministry of Finance will never dare to even attempt to bribe the GAC , or the AG if it even had the intent to do so because GAC or the AG never takes bribe and would expose anybody who attempts to bride the GAC, or the AG . “GAC never received a cent from any official of MOF and will never receive a bribe from anybody or any institution. At no time did MOF officials attempt bribing the GAC,” said Maximore.

Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan also dismissed the suggestions when FPA made inquiries Monday.

For Maximore, the thought of AG Morlu or the GAC being in a compromising position is unthinkable. “This is wishful thinking by those that have always been bewitching the GAC to crumble so that feast of corruption that has existed nearly in all successive governments will become never-ending; but this will never happen under the Administration of Morlu.”

Maximore continued: “The AG has a statutory mandate as enshrined in Section 53.3 of the Executive Law of 1972 to conduct reconciliation and analysis of national accounts of GOL. The preamble of the International Organization of Supreme Auditing Standards (INTOSAI) also encourages Auditor Generals to provide a review and analysis of the draft budget for their National Legislatures.”

‘Professionalism will follow’

Maximore further noted that, since the AG received request from the Joint Legislative Committee on Ways and Means evaluating the draft National Budget for period 2010/2011 to provide technical support in the analysis and review of the National Budget, AG and his team of budget analysts have exercising high professional due care in fully screening every bit and pieces of vouchers, checks, supporting documents submitted to the GAC by MOG to determine and establishing bank balances that should be carried forward .

Maximore futhered: “The screening and review of those documents require time and at least we are finishing early this week to submit our analysis and review to the National Legislature. So if anyone thinks we should hurriedly do this with no patience of keen and professional due care, is making a grave mistake. Whatever we send to the Legislature is based on accuracy, reliability, appropriate, material and substantive justification and high core proof because of the professionalism we follow. “

For the past two fiscal years, Maximore explained the GAC has supported the National Legislature to identify and bring into the Consolidated Accounts, additional revenue sources including contribution from rental fees on Government owned properties, contributions from public corporations, additional tax assessments, outstanding taxes, among others. “ In 2007, GAC also concentrated on cash balances carried forward and three years later, it is vital that the exercise on carried forward balances be thoroughly conducted as it is important in establishing the true financial position of the Government of Liberia. Carried forward balances have also been identified as significant risk area in audits.”

The speculations regarding alleged compromise between Morlu and the Finance Ministry have been fueled in recent days by what some believe is Morlu’s surprising silence in the current budget debate. In previous years, Morlu has been vocal in his criticisms of budget lapses.

Morlu’s most famous indictment of the government’s spending practice came during the 2006 budget debate, when the AG caused an uproar by declaring in a Voice of America interview that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf presided over a regime "three times more corrupt" than that of her predecessor, Gyude Bryant, who faced graft charges after he left office. Morlu, a year later said, he stood by his analysis: "I made that statement in 2007, and I have been proven correct."

Morlu followed the controversy when during the debate over the 2008-2009 budget, he put Minister Ngafuan on the defensive, forcing the ministry to xplain a $500,000 snafu – in unjustifiable expense – 55 times over- in the tune of Twenty seven million, six hundred and sixty eight United States Dollars (($27, 668,042). The same budget period drew attention to some $US12.7 million listed under goods and services. The money reportedly controlled by the Ministry of Finance was listed annually but was not assigned or attributed to any government agency or ministry. The General claims portion of the budget has been an annual headache for Liberia’s international partners concerned about general claims and why no explanation is ever forthcoming on the amounts.

This year, the ministry has reported US$64,221,700.67 as the bank balance for the recently-ending fiscal budget. Out of that amount, US$24,552, 885.19 represents outstanding checks while US$30,307,510.28 represents the dollar value of vouchers processed against the reported balance.

The draft budget declared US$385,563.75(three hundred eighty five thousand, five thousand, five hundred sixty three dollar, seventy five cents) as the uncommitted cash balance or left over revenue for concluded 2009/2010 period. To date, the ministry has not been able to take on the challenge of the Auditor General regarding more than $64million bank balance trickled down to some US$300,000. The US$64, 221, 700.67, reported by the Finance Ministry falls within the estimated shortfall which the ministry earlier declared in the 2009/2010 budget.

While many have taken Morlu’s silence to mean he has compromised his work, GAC sources suggest that Morlu has been urged by his bosses at the European Union to stay out of the media and keep his eye on the audits. This coming after Morlu’s last public comments in which he challenged the Ministry of Finance to explain how it spent more than US$50million. Said Morlu in a recent FrontPageAfrica interview: “The truth is that if the Government of Liberia can account for the 31 million general claims that they reported spent, if they can account for the 21 million that was reported in 2006/2007; 2007/2008, We are talking about almost US$ 50 million plus, if they can account for that, I will resign and I will ask the European Union, I will pay the money back which they have used to pay over the years. They cannot account.”

SPOILER OR CONTENDER? 4-Party Merger Raises Stakes On Weah’s Political Future

By Rodney D. Sieh

Source: FrontPage Africa

Monrovia -

Shortly after his first round victory in the 2005 Presidential elections, football legend George Manneh Weah’s fate was sealed. In the eyes of those loyal to the football legend, his place in history was all but secured. Major endorsements from veteran politicians Varney Sherman and Ambassador Winston Tubman were supposed to seal the deal on Weah as the next President of Liberia. But that was before the realities of Liberia’s post-war political play sunk in.

In the end, it all came down to experience and the perception that Weah’s perceived lack of education was not worth the risk, leaving voters with no choice but to give Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf the edge over Weah. Sirleaf won 59%-41%, according to the National Electoral Commission. It didn’t help Weah’s case that his political clout posed an even more potent dilemma. The fear among the astute intellectuals was that Weah had not surrounded himself with a core of experience political stalwarts and even though he enjoyed massive popularity amongst the youths, still in awe about his football legacy, the clock soon ticked on Weah’s dream and perhaps his best chance at becoming President of Liberia.

In the aftermath of the run-off, Weah claimed the elections were fraudulent, stating elections officials were stuffing ballot boxes in Sirleaf's favor. However, many election observers, including those from the United Nations, the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS), reported that the election was clean and transparent. The Carter Center observed "minor irregularities" but no major problems. The second round loss to Sirleaf showed not only showed Weah’s inability to tap into the intellects base but also showed that despite his popularity, he was still unable to protect his strongholds in the vote-rich Monrovia, including New Kru Town, Claratown and West Point.

Five years later and on the eve of another campaign season, Weah and a part of his Congress for Democratic Change have joined ranks with three opposition parties in a bid to unseat President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's ruling Unity Party in the 2011 presidential election. Last weekend, Weah's CDC, the former ruling National Patriotic Party of ex-president Charles Taylor and the Progressive Democratic Party of former warlord Sekou Damate Conneh announced their alliance in a joint statement. "The five-year rule of the Unity Party-led government has been characterized by misrule with untold hardships and abject poverty..." read the statement.

With much riding on the 2011 elections, Weah who believed he was robbed victory in 2005 embarked on his quest to polish his credentials and has claimed that he has been studying for his University degree, Business Administration at DeVry University in Miami. The football legend recently told the Associated Press that his desire for more education was not based on his hope of becoming president, but simply “to improve my potential and because I think it is the right thing to do.”

Many have attributed Weah’s 2005 demise to his educational shortcomings. It remains to be seen whether he has done enough to repair that damage in his quest for the Presidency. For now though, Weah’s more pressing dilemma appears to be how he reestablishes himself as the formidable candidate he was in 2005.

Since 2005, the football legend has faced numerous criticisms about his electability. The fact that he has spent most of his time away from home has also given Weah’s critics ammunition to conclude that he is not in tune with the plight of most of Liberians, especially his base in key districts like New Kru Town, Clara Town and West Point. Even Weah’s acceptance of his 2011 endorsement was held at an indoor New Kru Town rally and not outdoors where he once drew huge crowds.

It has not helped Weah, observers say that he is currently embroiled in the legal troubles of his childhood friend, James Bestman, who was arrested recently in the United States on drugs and money laundering charges. Sadly for Weah, he was on the property at the time of the arrest and despite his explanations that he was only passing by and questioned for ’45 seconds’, close associates of Bestman have confided to FPA that Weah was a frequented visitor to Bestman’s home. There are also concerns that the football legend may have benefited from Bestman financially, a key piece of fact which could hurt any potential political run by Weah.

The Bestman probe, FrontPageAfrica has learned contributed to Weah’s late arrival at this year’s World Cup finals in South Africa. Weah, who had a scheduled appearance at the veterans gala arrived at the World Cup one week after kickoff.

Today, the stains of arrest still haunts Weah as his friend, Bestman lingers in the custody of the FBI and as U.S. prosecutors prepare its case against Bestman. One of the key reasons for the delay of the case going to trial, sources say, is the fact that Bestman has cases pending in a number of different states including the states of Virginia, North Carolina, New York and Maryland. Thus, prosecutors are looking to throw additional charges on in a bid to supersede the indictment to add more counts. As a result Bestman remains in FBI custody in the Howard County jail. No bond hearing has been set and Bestman has not yet been arraigned until prosecutors have consolidated the case for multiple jurisdictions.

While Weah insists that he did not sleep on the property the night leading to the morning arrest of Bestman as has been reported and speculated in many circles, many remain unsure especially after Weah, in admitting that he was on the property at the time of the arrest said he was only questioned for 45 seconds. “When I pulled into the driveway, Mr. James came down the stairs and I saw two officers that served him a warrant that he needed to come with them,” Weah said.

Weah, who has not publicly declared his plans for 2011, has pledged to stand before any force in his quest to defeat Sirleaf in a rematch of 2005 race. Weah, accepting petition from CDC supporters in Logan town recently said: “I will stand before any force, I will stand in the interest of my people and ensure Ellen Administration’s defeat in 2011.” The CDC 2005 standard bearer went on to say that he has always accepted the call of his people and that the issues in 2011 will not be about academics but about corruption and the failed promises of the Sirleaf government.

Despite Weah’s declaration and pledge to take on Sirleaf, there have been numerous speculations that the CDC 2005 standard bearer and the party’s secretary general Lenn Eugene Nagbe recently struck a deal with the ruling party to play the role of the spoiler come 2011: Keep the opposition in disarray and ensure that Weah emerges into a second round run-off with Sirleaf in 2011. It is a matchup, Unity Party officials believe suits them perfectly. Having trounced Weah once, the ruling party is convince that its best chance to win in 2011 is a second round matchup with Weah.

Nevertheless, the timing of the start of the Bestman trial could also be a factor in how well a second presidential quest by Weah materializes and how much of the details of Bestman’s activities traces to Weah.

For the foreseeable future, last weekend’s four-party merger have no doubt raised the stakes on the political future of Weah and his political survival. Keen political observers will no doubt be looking to see whether the football legend survives a potential primary in the newly-formed coalition in the aftermath of his previous declaration that he will not play second fiddle to any other politician. Has Weah gambled the political cards away? Or has the football legend sold the political cards of his congress for democratic change away?

The truth, critics will come as Liberia inches closer to the 2011 elections which is almost a year away when every action or inaction by Weah will be scrutinized by astute political observers and players within his own party, CDC. Lurking in the shadows is the ruling Unity Party, eagerly looking to see how it all plays out or whether it will once again have the luxury of having Weah in another second round duel. But Weah must first survive the political infighting of what will no doubt be a brutal primary as more forces look to mend ties in a bid to take on the ruling party. How Weah measures up remains to be seen. The long and rugged road to 2011 is about to get very interesting.

Ex-Information Min. wants technological education in Schools

Written by Charles Gbollie

Source: Star Radio Liberia

Former Information Minister Dr. Lawrence Bropleh has called for the inclusion of technological education in the country’s national curriculum.

Dr. Bropleh believes there is an urgent need for such consideration due to the improved age of technology and globalization.

He observed Liberia is backward in computer technology with less twenty percent of its population computer literate.

Dr. Bropleh said as a result, many young graduates from high schools across the country lack the ability to write a fitting letter using computer.

The former Information Minister suggested that computer education be taught from elementary to senior level.

The Changing Minds and Changing Attitudes campaigner maintained Liberia can not be redeveloped until the minds of its people are developed.

Dr. Bropleh spoke to Star Radio Saturday when he served as Keynote Speaker at a Scholarship Fund Drive in Monrovia.

The program was organized by the Youth Computer Training Program in collaboration with PHP and South Beach Communities.

Dr. Bropleh is currently standing corruption trial after his resignation from govenrment last year amidst an over two hundred and forty thousand US dollars financial scandal at the Information Ministry.

__________________________________________________________________________

"They pretend to advocate the cause of the people when their deeds in the dark mirrored nothing else but EVIL!! When evil and corrupt men try to champion a cause that is so noble … the moment they are noticed by the public, such cause, how noble it may be, becomes meaningless in the eyes of the people" - Bernard Gbayee Goah.

Bill to elect County Superintendents introduced

Written by Julius Kanubah

Source: Star Radio Liberia

A bill seeking the election of County Superintendents and District Commissioners has been submitted to the House of Representatives.

The Governance Commission submit the bill with a view to amend Article 54 (d) of the Liberian Constitution.

The Constitutional provision provides for the President to appoint County Superintendents and other local County officials.

In a letter to the House, the Governance Commission however said after series of consultations across Liberia it was necessary to amend this Constitutional provision.

The Governance Commission said under the proposed Act, County Superintendents and District Commissioners will be elected for a term of six years.

House spokesman Isaac Redd said it also provides for the elected local officials to be removed or impeached for a cause subject to Legislative hearings.

Mr. Redd told STAR Radio, the Governance Commission is of the view the election of key local officials would ensure government’s decentralization and participatory democracy.

The House spokesman said the proposed Act has been sent to the committees on Good Governance, Judiciary and Internal Affairs for review in one week.

House examines 3b$ BHP Billiton agreement

Written by Julius Kanubah
Source: Star Radio Liberia

The House of Representatives is today beginning a joint hearing into the three billion dollars agreement between Liberia and BHP Billiton.

The House said the joint hearing into the mineral development agreement is intended to scrutinize the agreement for possible ratification.

A statement says, the hearing will be conducted by Committees on Investment Lands, Mines and Natural Resources, Contracts and Monopolies and Judiciary.

The Ministers of Finance, Justice, Lands, Mines and Energy and National Investment Commission Chairman are to appear.

The government representatives are to speak on the advantages and disadvantages of the contract.

The BHP Billiton agreement is expected to pave the way for new iron ore operations in Nimba, Bong, Grand Bassa and Margibi Counties.

Industrial Strake challenges UP-led Gov’t

Written by GNN Post
Source: Global News Network


In just few months away for the holding of Liberia’s general and residential elections come 2011, in a bid either to reelect the current government in power or usher in another government, industrial strake actions have engulfed the country nationwide. Hundreds of workers throughout the country on a daily basis are said to be ‘mouth-lashing’ their employers, most especially the country’s major industrial sites.

Recently the management of Sim Darby Corporation, the group that took over the Guthrie Rubber Plantation Company in western Liberia, Grand Cape Mount County came under attack by its over 2,000 employees in demand of benefits, a situation which led to the abrupt stop of its operation.

Now latest news coming from Grand Bassa County also speak of another strake action on the plantation of the Liberia Agriculture Company, one of the largest plantation in Liberia a situation said to have placed a standstill of the operation of the company.

According to a local radio station quoting Labor Minister Tiawan Gongloe, workers embarked on the strike since Thursday for unexplained reasons.

Minister Gongloe however said a three man Government delegation has been dispatched to the plantation to ascertain the cause of the full blown strike.

He said the delegation headed by Assistant Labor Minister for Trade Union Affairs Cole Bangalu is expected to report on circumstances leading to the strike by Saturday.

Minister Gongloe admitted the strike undermines industrial peace and called on the workers to exercise restraint.

COALITION GLITCH? CDC’s ‘Unambiguous Disapproval’ Threatens ‘Grand’ Merger

By Nat Bayjay

Source: FrontPage Africa

Monrovia-

What appears to be a coalition glitch surfaced in the midst of the formation of a grand coalition that is to stand as a major contender to incumbent President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in next year’s Presidential and Legislative elections as a faction within George Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) is expressing opposition to being a part of what is styled and named ‘Coalition for Democratic Change’. As if to further worsen the grand coalition’s dream, several other parties have backed off from what was initially slated to be an eight-party grand coalition, limiting the signing of a communiqué Saturday to only four political parties.

Fearing that the political leader of the party would not be allowed to assume leadership of the coalition, some executive members of the CDC, in an August 14 letter to the Chairman of the CDC, Montserrado Senator Geraldine Doe-Sheriff, described their action to oppose the signing ceremony as an unambiguous disapproval and that the decision to form the collaboration was not based on the knowledge of the locals believed to be the larger base of the CDC.

Coalition Convention- A Slaughter House for Weah?

Budu Wilson, Vice Chairman for Administration, Adama B. Samolah, Vice Chairman for Operation, Acarous M. Gray, Deputy Secretary General and Mulbah K. Morlu, Jr., National Chairman on Policy Committee stated in the letter, “Negotiators of the ‘Proposed Grand Coalition’ appear reluctant to clearly state in the communiqué that the CDC will assume leadership of the coalition. The refusal of negotiators to initially identify the frontrunner of the coalition, coupled with verified anti-CDC leadership campaigns being staged by some stakeholders of the alliance, is a worrying development that may threaten the implementation of any signed communiqué”.

The dissenting letter from within the party’s hierarchy seems to further strengthen speculations that the coalition is ganging up to defeat Weah during whatever conventions that would be held leading to the 2011 elections.

Weah, for his part, insists that if he is to form a part of any alliance or merger, the party with the largest number should head it and Saturday’s signing ceremony that has the signature of his CDC could as well be pointing in the direction of his elimination during the conventions.

The opposing executives said: “In response to your well-circulated ‘Short Message Service’ (SMS).in which you have invited strategic party members to our national Headquarters on 13th August 2010 at 2PM, to brief partisans about a ‘Joint communiqué’ expected to culminate into a ‘Proposed Grand Coalition’, an ideal that has already been named and styled ‘Coalition for Democratic Change’, we wish to express our unambiguous disapproval and opposition on the signing of the communiqué”.

Riding on CDC’s Popularity?

Gray and others believe that the coalition is being formed in order to ride on the grassroots’ popularity of the CDC, as they stated in their letter: “Additionally, we are also under the impression that a mass rally and street parade is being envisioned to accompany the signing festivity, with the Congress for Democratic Change providing political leadership due to its vast grassroots support base”.

Originally planned to comprise of eight parties, the August 14 joint communiqué witnessed only four parties affixing signatures to the communiqué at a well attended ceremony held at the newly refurbished Monrovia City Hall.

Weah’s CDC, Cllr. Winston Tubman’s Liberia National Union (LINU), former President Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Party (NPP), and former warlord Sekou Damate Conneh’s Progessive Democratic Party (PRODEMP) affixed their signatures on a document, forming what they called a grand coalition named and styled as Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).

Last year, Cllr. Tubman’s LINU and CDC signed a joint communiqué in the Ghanaian capital in what was expected to set the stage for both candidates to have a joint ticket.

At the time, both Weah and Tubman agreed to collaborate, join resources and efforts to put up a joint challenge during next year’s general elections. The pair also agreed to report to their respective Executive Committees on developments in keeping with the parties’ constitutions. The two political leaders at the time called upon other opposition parties to join in their collaboration efforts.

With Saturday’s signing, observers are getting overly convinced that Weah may be heading to the slaughter-house at the convention.

An inside source of the NPP revealed to FrontPageAfrica recently that under no condition would they sit and allow Weah to head any coalition that they would form a part of.

“But who will sit and allow Weah to head any coalition ticket? We are just dragging him to the convention to defeat him”, the insider had told FrontPageAfrica.

Four other parties who had been mentioned earlier to form a part of the coalition backed off at the last stage with some of them taking to the airwaves to deny ever being a part of any grand coalition.

Liberia’s oldest and longest serving True Whig Party (TWP), the late President Samuel Doe’s National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL), and the National Reformation Party (NRP) were said to be a part of the coalition but few hours following the announcement that linked them to the coalition, the TWP and others denied knowing anything about such a grand coalition.

“While it’s true that we have been in series of coalition talks and are willing to form one, we have not finalized anything of such with anyone”, an executive of the TWP had said.

Earlier, former warlord Alhaji Kromah whose party had been linked to the coalition described the action on the part of the NPP as irresponsible because according to him, his All Liberian Coalition Party (ALCOP) had signed or reached no agreement of any coalition.

Additionally, fear of inconsistency seems to also be haunting the CDC opposing executives: “In furtherance, history of political alliances and coalition-building processes has proven very fragile and inconsistent, and the extent of these inconsistencies has always turned out to be disruptive and politically chaotic”.

But Cyrill Allen, Chairman Emeritus of the NPP, provided what appeared to be an entirely different reason for the boycotting parties. He said political parties which should have affixed their signatures on the document to total the eight, were having some problems with the National Elections Commission (NEC), therefore they were unable to sign.

Allen noted that the gathering of politicians to form a grand coalition is not something new in Liberia, because on many occasions political parties have tried to form alliances.

He believed that the merger of the opposition sometimes failed because of greed and personal interest.

Doe-Sherrif, Cllr. Theophilus C. Gould, Atty. Samuel Y. Zaza and Garbla V. Williams signed on behalf of their respective parties as national chairmen during the weekend ceremony.

The communiqué, which was read by CDC Legislative Chairman and Montserrado County Representative Rufus Neufville, told partisans of the various political parties that they met and reviewed the progress made in the on-going discussion aimed at forging collaboration for the upcoming 2011presidential and general elections.

Neufville acknowledged that the grand coalition’s commonality of purpose and philosophy in the promotion of national unity, sustainable peace, good governance and development as necessary conditions for ensuring an effective participatory democracy in Liberia.

He said the UP's nearly five years of misrule has brought untold hardship and abject poverty to the vast majority of Liberians.

Recalling on a convened consultative meeting that was held at the Great Wall China Restaurant on 10th Street, Sinkor, growing out of Montserrado County Senatorial Bi-election November 24, 2009 victory of the opposition on December 3, 2009, Neufville said political leaders of the CDC, NPP, Liberty Party, Alliance for Progressive Democracy (APD) and the NDPL resolved that a joint secretariat would be established to draw up modalities to consolidate collaboration amongst opposition political parties ahead of 2011 elections.

Based on the hiccups being incurred by the coalition, some political historians who have been following the trend of Liberian politics during the past years are arguing that it could be difficult for the grand coalition to yield any fruitful result as anticipated by the framers of the communiqué. With election season only months away, complications of the latest communiqués looking to bolster the opposition political cards appears to be headed for trouble amid uncertainty of cohesiveness and chemistry of those hoping to bond in time for the 2011 political play.

Government reports “wide cat strike” at LAC

Written by Moses Wenyou
Source: Star Radio Liberia

Government has reported what it calls a wide-cat strike at the Liberia Agriculture Company LAC in Grand Bassa County.

Labor Minister Tiawan Gongloe told Star Radio workers embarked on the strike since Thursday for unexplained reasons.

Minister Gongloe however said a three man Government delegation has been dispatched to the plantation to ascertain the cause of the full blown strike.

He said the delegation headed by Assistant Labor Minister for Trade Union Affairs Cole Bangalu is expected to report on circumstances leading to the strike by Saturday.

Minister Gongloe admitted the strike undermines industrial peace and called on the workers to exercise restraint.

Two AFL soldiers expelled for misconduct

Written by Matthias Daffah

Source: Star Radio Liberia

The Armed Forces of Liberia has with immediate effect expelled from its ranks two soldiers for misconduct.

Privates Robert Kokulo and Pajibo Lester were dishonorably discharged from the Army for illegal possession of marijuana and act of forgery respectively.

According to the AFL Guardian Newspaper Private Kokulo was arrested with the grass on July 23 this year by agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency.

The AFL newspaper also reported that Private Lester superimposed his photograph on Private Zaza Mulbah’s church ID to collect his February and March salaries.

The paper maintains the acts by the two soldiers violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

In its August 2010 edition, the paper said the legal section of the AFL thoroughly investigated the accounts of the two soldiers before reaching a decision.

Private Robert Kokulo belonged to the Military Police Company, while Private Pajibo Lester was a member of the Armed Forces Training Command.

NDPL breaks from CDC’s coalition

Written by Emmanuel Broh
Source: Star Radio Liberia

The former ruling National Democratic Party of Liberia has distanced itself from the grand coalition announced by a faction of the Congress for Democratic Change.

The National Chairman of the NDPL clarified no single individual has the authority to commit the party to a coalition except its Executive Committee.

Mr. Nyandeh Sieh said the NDPL will not be a party to Saturday’s signing ceremony and advised organizers to remove the NDPL from the coalition listing.

Mr. Sieh urged NDPL partisans to remain calm by boycotting Saturday’s signing ceremony because the gathering does not have the approval of the party.

He disclosed the NDPL would hold its national convention at the close of this month after which it will decide the next course of action.

At the same time, a former Chairman of the NDPL Hodo Merriam has described the CDC’s pronouncement of a coalition as painful and tarnishing.

According to Mr. Merriam, the hierarchy of the NDPL has not met with anyone in the CDC to discuss the formation of a coalition.

“Everyone betrayed Charles Taylor”-John Richardson

Written by Julius Kanubah
Source: Star Radio Liberia
The Association for the Legal Defense of Charles Taylor says it is a known fact that the ex-Liberian President was betrayed in several ways.

The head of the group said ex-President Taylor was betrayed not only by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf but Nigeria, ECOWAS, African leaders and Liberians.

Mr. John Richardson made the statement while commenting on the fresh account of how Charles Taylor was betrayed.

Mr. Richardson said the account by ex-Nigerian Presidential spokesman Femi Fani-Kayode was not surprising.

According to him, the account confirms how Charles Taylor was betrayed in various ways.

Mr. Richardson said he was pleased to have read and heard another true account of how ex-President Taylor was deceived.

Mr. Richardson also expressed regrets over what he calls the failure of the African Union to send a representative to The Hague to monitor the Taylor trial.

KEEPING OUR OFFICIALS HONEST THEREBY OVERCOMING THE ESSENTIAL DEFICIT THAT EXISTS IN THE LIBERIAN SOCIETY

Written by Abraham Hoff
Chief Community Organizer of LEAD Liberia

LEAD Liberia is not talking about the budget deficit. We are not talking about the trade deficit. We are talking about the moral deficit that exists in the Liberian’s society. We are talking about the unity deficit that is destroying the very fabrics of the Liberian’s State. We are talking about the empathy deficit in the government that is exploiting our natural resources thereby leaving ordinary Liberians with the residual side effects of waste and corruption that often define the lives of many of our people especially, disadvantaged families, our seniors, underprivileged youth and young women. The inability to recognize ourselves in one another; the inability to recognize that our past and future are intertwined together because of our collective challenges, collective idea, collective history, and collective hope for a better future for our nation, children and ourselves.

We have an empathy deficit went ordinary Liberians cannot afford to feed their children not talking about sending them to school however some government officials are riding US$100K CARS. We have an empathy deficit went teachers do not receive their salaries as promised and the school system is not preparing our children for the future but government officials are seeking immunity from prosecution or lawsuits in the performance and execution of their duties. We have a deficit went majority of the Liberian’s children are attending schools in forgotten towns and villages of across Liberia. We have a deficit went a few directors and/or executives get paid more than the whole workforce. We have a deficit went the mother of 7 children cannot afford to feed her children not talking about sending them to school. We have a deficit went we give justice to others because of connection while leaving others to fend for themselves.

To the Liberian Government, it’s not enough to seek debt relief for Liberia yet signing a legislature (The Maritime Authority Act) that will indebt future generation for many years to come. It’s not enough to seek debt relief for Liberia yet some members of the Executive Branch are riding US$100K CARS. This is what the debate is all about in 2011. We cannot say that we love Liberia but engage in activities that plunder the natural resources and promote financial irresponsibility in Liberia. We cannot say that we love Liberia but don’t invest in Liberia’s future (The youth).

Just like Honorable Evans Koah, if more politicians and government officials decide to put loyalty to the country above personal greed may be the walls of corruption and waste will become loose thereby pulling it down. If more politicians and government officials decide to put the national interest of our beloved country (Liberia) above party ideology may be the walls of lack of quality education and health care for all Liberians will become loose thereby pulling it down. If more politicians and government officials decide to put the interest of the masses above tribalism, nepotism, and religious intolerance may the walls of lack of equality and social justice for all will become loose thereby pulling it down. We have a moral deficit in Liberia that has to be closed. The choice is clear and the time is now. DO THE RIGHT THING and stop playing politics with our future and the national interest of our beloved country (Liberia) because loyalty to the country is paramount to loyalty government persons, party and/or any ministries.


Thank you and May God bless the Republic of Liberia.

LEAD Organizing For Liberia

Abraham Hoff, Chief Community Organizer

077384990 leadliberia@yahoo.com

Senate imposes sanction on three civil society groups

Written by Julius Kanubah

Source: Star Radio Liberia

The Senate has imposed a sanction against three civil society institutions after holding them in Legislative contempt.

The Senate said as part of the sanction, the groups must publish and broadcast a letter of retraction of their insulting comments in the media for five days beginning Monday.

The groups include the Liberia Democracy Watch, Center for Democratic Empowerment and Institute for Democracy and Development.

The sanction relates to comments by the groups that the decision of the Legislature to pass a resolution on the threshold Act reflected "a mentally impoverished leadership".

The Senate instituted the sanction Thursday after nearly five hours of hearing from two representatives of the groups.

During the hearing, the groups’ spokesman, George Williams of LDW, expressed regrets for the choice of words, saying it was a misjudgment.

The apology by Mr. Williams came after consultation with the groups’ lawyer, Cllr. Augustine Toe of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission.

Initially, Mr. Williams was defiant in his remark, insisting they were the architects of the damaging comments against the Legislature.

Our reporter says the other civil society representative Oliver Beyan of CEDE fumbled before the Senate after being asked about his academic credentials.

Mr. Beyan claimed he holds “A” certificate from Legon in Ghana but later said it was an “AA” diploma or “AA” degree from Kwame Community College.

New human rights Commissioners submitted to senate

Written by Julius Kanubah

Source: Star Radio Liberia

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has submitted to the Senate for confirmation seven nominees of the Independent National Human Rights Commission.

They include Cllr. Punchu Leonard Bernard, Chairperson, Cllr. Dempster Brown and Thomas Abu Bureh, Commissioners.

Others are Boakai Dukuly, Ms. Macdilla Howard, Ms. Ruby Johnson-Morris and James D. Torh.

In a letter to the Senate, President Sirleaf asked the body to confirm her nominees.

Our reporter says this is the second time the President is submitting nominees of the Independent National Human Rights Commission for confirmation.

In January this year, the Senate rejected all of the President’s nominees on the Independent National Human Rights Commission without providing any reason.

Under the TRC Act, the Independent National Human Rights Commission is to ensure the implementation of the controversial TRC report.

The TRC report among others recommends prosecution and public office ban of perpetrators and financiers of Liberia’s brutal civil war including President Sirleaf.

George Weah’s CDC announces eight-party coalition

Written by Matthias Daffah

Source: Star Radio Liberia

The opposition Congress for Democratic Change has announced the formation of a grand coalition of eight political parties ahead of the 2011 elections.

They include National Democratic Party of Liberia, National Patriotic Party, True Whig Party, and Congress for Democratic Change.

Others are National Vision Party, Liberia National Union, National Reformation Party and Progressive Democratic Party, PRODEMP.

A statement issued Thursday says the parties will sign a formal communiqué this Saturday and draw up a policy document to guide the activities of the coalition.

The statement said following Saturday’s signing ceremony at the Monrovia City Hall, membership to the coalition shall be declared open to all interested parties.

According to the statement, the Coalition for Democratic Change remains a credible and formidable political alternative for Liberia.

The Press and Public Relations Chief of the CDC Amos Swaray disclosed the current eight political parties have similar policies and guidelines.

Bomi/Gbarpolu land dispute intensifies

Written by Matthias Daffah
Source: Star Radio Liberia

Tension remains high between Bomi and Gbarpolu Counties over a contested parcel of land.

Both counties are claiming the former industrial enclave of Sawmill situated few kilometers outside Tubmanburg.

Bomi District Number-Two Representative Tarnue Cooper argued that Sawmill falls under Bomi because the people there voted for him in the 2005 elections.

But Gbarpolu Senator Daniel Nathan dismissed the claim, alleging that the Bomi lawmaker was using an old outdated map to claim the contested territory.

In a counter-argument Representative Cooper warned the land dispute between the two counties was serious and vowed to take the right course of action to resolve it.

According to Representative Cooper, Bomi intends to handle the matter through the sector ministries and would hold a consultative meeting involving Gbarpolu.

Representative Cooper claimed a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by the Internal Affairs Ministry confirmed that the Maher River is the boundary between the two counties.

Legal process begins in Ex-LTA Chairman sabotage case

Written by Bruce Boweh

Source: Star Radio Liberia

The economic sabotage case involving former LTA boss Albert Bropleh is expected to begin in Bomi County today.

Criminal Court C transferred the case to the 11th Judicial Circuit in Tubmanburg, during the May term of court.

The defense claimed at the time, publications labeling Mr. Bropleh thieve and criminal prior to his judgment, were major reasons for the transfer request.

Court C in its ruling agreed with the defense’s claim that local prejudice would have worked against its client if the case were to be tried in Montserrado.

The state in 2009 charged Mr. Bropleh for the misuse of public property, theft and illegal disbursement and expenditure of public fund.

Reports say a second defendant, Shirley Marsh, is expected to be tried along with Mr. Bropleh.

Liberia: National Commission on Delimitation Established

Source: allafrica.com

A National Commission on the Delimitation of Liberia's Maritime boundaries has been established. The Commission was established by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in keeping with Articles 76 & 83 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Article 76 of the UN Convention provides for the delimitation of the outer continental shelf based on the physical characteristics of the seabed while Article 83 provides that the delimitation of the continental shelf between States with opposite or adjacent coasts shall be effected by agreement on the basis of international law.

An Executive Mansion release says the National Commission on the Delimitation of Liberia's Maritime boundaries would be responsible to guide the process by which Liberia extends its maritime borders beyond the 200-miles economic zone, thus facilitating oil exploration activities.

Government ministries and agencies serving on the Commission are the Ministries of Foreign Affairs; Lands, Mines and Energy; National Defense; Agriculture; Justice; and Transport. The ministries of Planning & Economic Affairs, State for Presidential Affairs, the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCOL), the Bureau of Maritime Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency are also members of the Commission.

Ex-Nigerian Presidential confidant links President Sirleaf

Written by Julius Kanubah

Source: Star Radio Liberia

A former spokesman of ex-Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has broken silence over what led to the departure and arrest of ex-President Charles Taylor.

In a detailed article, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode blamed President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and former US President George Bush for betraying Charles Taylor.

According to him, President Sirleaf was the real traitor of Charles Taylor after she decided to violate the asylum deal that took the ex-Liberian President to Nigeria.

The former Nigerian Presidential spokesman said the decision of President Sirleaf to request the return of Taylor to Liberia in 2006 was the betrayal of the century.

He said President Sirleaf’s action reflected nothing but that she was an ingrate and American puppet.

Chief Kayode claimed having been seen as the Nigerian and American candidate in the 2005 elections, President Sirleaf betrayed Taylor for international aid.

In the article titled “Charles Taylor: A man betrayed”, Chief Kayode also insisted ex-Nigerian President Obasanjo should not be blamed for Taylor’s arrest.

He said amidst the pressure President Obasanjo only made a mistake to drop Charles Taylor to a border point where he was arrested and transferred to Liberia.

The article by Mr. Fani-Kayode comes seven years after the resignation of Charles Taylor who is standing war crimes trial in The Hague.

Meanwhile, Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio says the Liberian Presidency would not comment on the article because of the ongoing trial of Charles Taylor.

Ex-President Taylor spends seventh year in exile today

Written by Matthias Daffah

Source: Star Radio Liberia

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is today spending his seventh year in exile since he resigned and departed the country under pressure.

African leaders including Mozambique’s President Joachim Chissano , South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki and Nigeria’s Oluse gun Obasanjo accompanied Mr. Taylor.

Mr. Taylor sought refuge in the Nigerian resort city of Calabar where he remained until he was turned over to international security forces.

From Nigeria, the ex-Liberian president was formally turned over to the Liberian Government at the Robert International Airport in handcuffs.

He was then flown to Sierra Leone to face seventeen-count indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity, charges he has repeatedly denied.

Prior to his leaving the Liberian Presidency, Mr. Taylor left behind a memorable statement that: God willing he would be back.

Taylor’s supporters believe he surrendered power to his successor Moses Blah due to pressure from then US President, George Bush.

Though Taylor accepted to leave he demanded that peacekeepers arrive on Liberian soil to avert what he called total destruction.

Rocky Hill residents remain defiant

Written by Hilary Vasco Wiagbe

Source: Star Radio Liberia


Residents of the Rocky Hill Community near the Ducor Palace Hotel say they will not comply with government’s order to vacate the area.

The Chairman of the community told Star Radio they would leave the area only upon the orders of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Mr. Andrew Ngolloe maintained they are not illegal occupants as alleged by the Executive Mansion.

Presidential Press secretary Cyrus Wleh-Badio on Monday urged the residents to accept government’s relocation package as a full scale renovation of the hotel was pending.

The package includes acquiring land in the Caldwell area for what the Executive Mansion considers a reasonable price.

But Mr. Ngolloe says they will not accept any package, saying it is only the court that can determine the real owner of the areas in question.