SRSG VISITS GBARNGA CENTRAL PRISON REHAB PROJECT

The senior UN Envoy in Liberia, Ellen Margrethe Løj says the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), together with its international partners, remains steadfast in supporting the Liberia National Police (LNP) to be fully and independently capable of tackling law enforcement challenges in post-conflict Liberia. Decorating 120 officers of the Nigeria Formed Police Unit (FPU) with the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal in the Liberian central city of Gbarnga, she stressed that “effective law enforcement is necessary for Liberia to achieve a steady state of security and sustainable peace.”

Acknowledging the crucial role the LNP will play in next year’s elections, Ms. Løj said “it will be extremely important for us to see increased development of the LNP, especially as we approach the elections in 2011,” adding, “the international community has been forthcoming with support towards this end, though much still needs to be done.”

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) pointed out that the successful conduct of the elections would indicate to both the international community and Liberians that the country had taken control of its democratic process, saying this would be a major step towards rebuilding a peaceful and stable nation. She noted that it would take hard work and sacrifice to build a peaceful and stable Liberia, anchored on democratic principles, the rule of law and human rights. However, she said, “I am confident that Liberian people will take that challenge upon their shoulders.”

Turning to the Nigerian police officers, SRSG Løj praised their generosity and the numerous humanitarian services they had carried out in the local communities. “I know you have provided free medical treatment to many Liberians, bringing the humanitarian face of UNMIL closer to the communities,” she told the Nigerian peacekeepers, assuring them that their “acts of compassion and generosity will long be remembered.”

The UN Envoy lauded Nigeria for its unwavering commitment to UN peace efforts, describing the country as a committed ally of the world body. She applauded Nigeria’s outstanding contribution to peace and stability in Liberia, noting that “Nigerians are cherished and well respected in Liberia because of their selfless contribution to the country.”

Dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Nigerian Charge d’Affaires a.i., Mr. Essesien Ntekim; UNMIL Force Commander, Lt.-Gen. Sikander Afzal; UNPOL Commissioner Gautam Sawang; Director of Mission Support, Mr. Hubert Price; Sector ‘A’ Commander, Brig.-Gen. S.Z. Uba; Sector ‘B’ Commander, Brig.-Gen. MD Mozammel Hossain; and Nigerian FPU Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police Peter Jegede. Others were, visiting Assistant Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force, Abubakar Sardauna, and LNP Central Liberia Regional Commander Assistant Commissioner Daniel Gotojuwee.

After the ceremony, SRSG Løj visited the Gbarnga Central Prison and inspected the security fence being erected around the prison by the UNDP. She expressed satisfaction over the major improvements the correctional center had witnessed in terms of security and provision of recreational facilities for the inmates since her last visit a year ago. The SRSG called for more involvement of the inmates in agricultural activities as part of skills acquisition and to improve their nutritional intake.

CDC Chairman, Sen. Doe-Sheriff

By: Nat Bayjay, nbayjay2010@gmail.com

Despite the backing off of four other parties from what was initially slated to be an eight-party grand coalition, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has been signed in Monrovia with the aim of unseating Africa’s first female president’s government during next year’s elections.

The signing of a joint communiqué over the weekend at the Monrovia City Hall between four political parties against President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s ruling Unity Party (UP) for the 2011 presidential and general elections in Liberia may prove tough for the incumbent President who announced her re-run for the presidency despite a hanging Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendation banning her from public service for 30 years.

The four parties are comprised of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) of George Weah, Liberia National Union (LINU) of Cllr. Winston Tubman, National Patriotic Party (NPP) of former president Charles Taylor and the Progressive Democratic Party (PRODEMP) of Sekou Damate Conneh, a former warlord himself who led the battle to send former President Taylor into exile in 2003.

Signing on behalf of their respective parties as national chairmen were the CDC’s Geraldine Doe-Sherrif, the NPP’s Cllr. Theophilus C. Gould, Atty. Samuel Y. Zaza and Garbla V. Williams.

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

A huge crowd gathered at the Monrovia City Hall for the signing ceremony

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 a 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 a 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.

The communiqué was signed amidst stiff opposition from some executives of the CDC. They include the party’s Vice Chairman for Administration, Vice Chairman for Operation, Deputy Secretary General its National Chairman on Policy Committee who 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.

The executives believe that the coalition is being formed in order to ride on the grassroots’ popularity of the CDC as its standard bearer, Liberia’s football legend, has the popular vote of ordinary Liberians and the youthful population.

The communiqué, which was read by CDC 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 2011 presidential and general elections.

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

It remains unclear as to how much impact the coalition of opposition parties will have in the 2011 elections amid the division with the CDC, which is the largest opposition party and other opposition parties.

Sierra Leanean Flag

By: Boimah J.V. Boimah

With barely two years left until Sierra Leone’s general elections, slated for 2012, General Scribe of the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) Party, Victor Bockarie Foh,  has embarked on an international soul searching mission for his party with the establishment of the APC party charter in Monrovia, Liberia.

His mission is intended to galvanize support for the ruling APC by encouraging Sierra Leoneans residing outside the country to come on board and give their unflinching support to the party ahead of the 2012 elections.

At the opening ceremony of the party’s Liberian branch, he warned Sierra Leoneans residing in the country to obey the country’s  laws and abstain from ills that could  undermine its peace and development.

“I am proud of you all. But know that you are in a foreign country; so please behave well and observe the laws and refrain from any act that could undermine the peace of the two countries ahead of elections,”  Mr. Foh told cheering  Sierra Leoneans Sunday.

In recent years,  Sierra Leoneans including other foreign nationals have been linked to some crime related activities but the blunt speaking scribe of one of  Sierra Leone’s longest serving political institutions encouraged his compatriots to demonstrate  “ a high level of patriotism” and “put their country first.”

“Everyone (Sierra Leonean) here should behave well because the bad attitude of one person can negatively impact us all”, he admonished his compatriots.

“Yes, you must respect the laws of Liberia because we expect Liberians in Sierra Leone to do the same.” Mr. Foh told partisans of the APC and other Sierra Leoneans.

With the massive turnout of APC supporters in their red and white outfit to welcome him at the international airport,  the occasion which was held at the Point Four community in Monrovia saw Foh Joyfully sounding: “Now I am convinced  that APC is not only visible in Sierra Leone but all over the world.”

Reflecting on the country’s status, Mr. Foh revealed to the over 2,000 Sierra Leoneans in Monrovia that since the emergence of the APC to state power, they have prioritized the needs of the people.

“You all know that the APC is a grass root party. The poor people of Sierra Leone gave us power, therefore, we are working immensely to satisfy the needs of you people so that when you return to Sierra Leone, you can judge us by our performance,” he averred.

Mr. Foh however revealed that he has no work noting: “The only day that I will realize that I have worked is when I will be able to convince two individuals from the SLPP. Do you know them? …they are former Vice President Solomon Berewa and Former President Tejan Kaba.”

The APC Stewart who represents the party at the occasion marking the conferring of a Honorary Doctorate Degree on Sierra Leone’s Ambassador designate to Liberia , Marie Barnett, also expressed satisfaction about the level of development he saw in his neighboring country.

“I see Liberia trying to rise from the ashes of war, the two countries suffered tremendous war but I am impressed because Liberia is cleaning up the war mess,” he concluded.

National Orator, Ft. Tikpor (left) chats with Chief Justice Lewis

By: Nat Bayjay, nbayjay2010@gmail.com

“I am warning this nation, to kick away corruption, bury its head and foot in the grave, stop corruption otherwise it will raise its ugly head very loud again, we are talking about corruption in high places, it will corruption in the heavens, stop it now, it is eating up the government’s energy, please stop it catch what you can work for”, Catholic prelate Monsignor Dr. Robert Tikpor, National Orator at the oldest African country’s 163^rd Independence Day stated Monday during Liberia’s Independence Day.

Father Tikpor who was delivering, for the second time in his life, the country’s Independence Day Oration in the historic town of Sanniquellie, Nimba County, told a crowded hall of government officials, heads of foreign diplomats, traditional chiefs and other Liberians, that the Unity Party (UP) led-government needs to, in his words, bury the virus from head to toe.

This year’s Independence Day was officially observed in the northern rural Liberian county of Nimba with Sanniquellie, the provincial capital of the county, serving as host to Liberia’s 163^rd Independence Day in a colorful event that was preceded by several other events heading to Monday’s main event, including several dedication ceremonies.

July 26 is celebrated annually as Liberia’s Independence Day. The war-torn country is the first independent country in Africa, when it declared its independence in 1847.

A floater decorated with the National red, white and red colors

Speaking on a selected theme “In National Unity, We Will Stand”, Father Tikpor, warned that unless the government buries the deadly corruption virus that is currently eating the energy of the government, all else achieved will go down the drain.

Talks and debates on the issue of corruption continue to confront President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s government despite efforts by anti-corruption agencies such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the European Union funded, General Auditing Commission (GAC), which has already produced over 30 audit reports suggesting massive corruption.  

The Catholic father, who turns 84 in September of this year, reminded the government that corruption was dangerous.

Tikpor, after his oration, became the proud recipient of the ‘Knight Great Band in the Humane Order of African Redemption’, bestowed upon him by President Sirleaf.

The new Armed Forces of Liberia parades Host-city Sanniquellie's principal streets

President’s Unity Call: President Sirleaf, in her remarks, called on the citizens of Nimba to be united in the midst of county’s engulfed land disputes.

While commending them for turning out in mass to ensure the successful staging of the celebrations in their county, she cautioned them that unless peace reigns from their hearts the recently submitted Land Commission Report will be of no significance.

The issue of land disputes became a post-war crisis in Liberia, with Nimba County at the center of it, causing several misunderstandings that have led to fears of a potential return to war.

President Sirleaf gave words of encouragement to Nimba’s population that with the civil war being fought in the country over the last decade, Liberia has shown to the world that it will still rise up from its post- war status to a developing nation among the comity of nations.

She added: “I call on all Liberians: backward never and forward ever.”

BY: Nathan Patio Charles
Email: lydnatlydnatlydnat@yahoo.com
Cell #: 231-6-929167

Photo on Flickr by John and Mel Kots

The Chief Technical Adviser at the International Labor Organization (ILO), Magnus Berge, has pledged ILO support to the Liberia Labor Congress (LLC) to ensure the Congress meets international standards.

Mr. Berge said the organization’s support will range from partnerships, social dialogue, and collective bargaining as well as fighting for the rights for a good working environment.

He said the support is under the International Labor Organization Project which is being implemented in various countries around the world where trade unions are operating.

Speaking to journalists at the Congress headquarters on Somalia Drive in Gardnersville, Mr. Berge said, he was in the country to interact with members of the LLC to find out their priorities, what they need and how the International Labor Organization to assist the Congress facilitate the process.

The ILO Chief Technical Adviser indicated that during the series of interactions with members of the Liberia Labor Congress he will give them some advice on international laws and international connections.

He said while in the country one of the foremost priorities the ILO will focus on is for the Congress, which was established two years ago, to be given a constitution and a clear set of rules and regulations that will make the LLC a democratic institution.

Mr. Berge noted that the drafting of the LLC constitution does not need individuals from Geneva or other countries, just Liberians.

Mr. Berge said it is good for Liberians to be advocating for their rights as the country is going through political changes.

By: Nathan Patio Charles
lydnatlydantlydat@yahoo.com
cell#: 231-6-929167

The Liberia National Police have charged and sent to court 48-year old, Victor Kennedy, for statutory rape. According to Police Spokesman, George Bardu, defendant Kennedy, allegedly raped a 13-year old girl in central Monrovia.

The mother of the 13-year old victim told police investigators that the defendant allegedly committed the act when he instructed her daughter to erase a black board in his house. During police investigations, Mr. Kennedy admitted playing with the 13-year old girl’s chest but denied any penetration.

In another development, Bardu disclosed that three men that were wanted by the police have bee arrested and sent to court. They were accused of robbery in April of this year.

Pres. Sirleaf

By: Nat Bayjay, nbayjay2010@gmail.com

 Liberia’s Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is probably the most excited of all Liberians at the news that the country’s huge US$4.6 billion debt has been waived. She described the waiver as a ‘burden’ off the country’s shoulders and a happy day for the nation.

President Sirleaf, while addressing the nation last week, declared the milestone as a great day for Liberia now that the post-war nation had reached the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) completion point as she announced: “My People: The big debt is off our head! For that, we give thanks to God”. 

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decided last Tuesday to support US$4.6 billion of debt relief for Liberia, of which US$1.5 billion is to be delivered by multilateral creditors and the remainder by bilateral and commercial creditors, which means that Liberia has successfully reached the completion point for the HIPC.  The post-country’s completion of the HIPC Initiative was fast-tracked by the international donors.

Liberia became the 29th country to reach the completion point under the HIPC Initiative.  The completion point marks the end of the HIPC process, which started in 2008 when the Executive Boards of the IMF and the World Bank met.  

Both international bodies declared Tuesday that Liberia has taken the necessary policy actions to reach the completion point, and therefore receive debt relief from the HIPC Initiative.

In explaining how the debts accrued, the President said: “Previous governments had borrowed from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), other countries, and companies, and had not paid back any of the loans. Since the 1980 coup d’état, followed by our 14-year civil war, none of our loans were serviced, and so the interest and the penalties grew and grew.”

The President said her administration inherited a massive debt, which has been hanging heavily around the country’s neck.

Said the President: “From the day I came into office, I promised to do everything in my power to put our economic and financial house in order, and to get this unbearable burden, which was holding back our recovery and development, off our backs.”  

Sirleaf attributed the milestone to her government making sacrifices and undertaking difficult reforms.  “The two largest international institutions we owed money to – the World Bank and the IMF – prescribed tough medicine which we had to swallow, but which enabled us to better manage our economy and our finances”.

Meanwhile, news of the country’s debt relief sparked jubilations from some citizens who took to the streets in celebration. It also sparked commendations and congratulatory messages from members of the opposition blog in Liberia.

A student with a Center for Peace Education peace certificate

Following Liberia’s 14 years of brutal civil war that ended in 2003, youth initiated violence continues to persist, a situation that continues to threaten the country’s fragile peace.

Youthful violent instances such as the burning down of police stations in Bong, Margibi, and Nimba Counties, the Lofa County’s religious-tribal violence that left three dead and several properties damaged, the burning of a Liberian police officer in his uniform in Monrovia including his rescuer, reflect the risk the country faces of a violent future generation, which continues to be a major concern. The Center for Peace Education has spent he past two years offering peace educational programs to the country’s vulnerable young people who constitute more than half of Liberia’s population.

In its bid to contribute to the nation’s ability to restore and maintain peace nationally and among its people, the Center for Peace Education, a local Liberian non-governmental organization, has begun a free but intensive two week peace building seminar whose participants include students, religious leaders, youth, educators, former rebel fighters and residents of selected communities in some of Monrovia’s environs.

With the theme “Be an example of the change you would like to see in Liberia”, the various seminars will see participants benefiting from training in peace education, conflict resolution, peace-building, and dialogue skills.

Mainlehwon Ebenezer Vonhm Benda, the Executive Director of the Center, revealed to Ceasefire Liberia that the Center has received two volunteers for its Peace Building Vacation Training – one from George Mason University, USA and the other from Stockholm University, in Sweden.

Last vacation, the Center had the opportunity to have had two international volunteers from the USA who assisted with training in peace, conflict resolution, and trauma alleviation.

Benda said: “Capital improvement and infrastructure development is not enough – Liberia must invest in its youthful human capital – who has only known violence throughout their short lives”.

He disclosed that since March of 2009, the Center has been teaching peace through mediation as a means of achieving harmony and a better life for Liberia’s future generations.

Vital among additional skills that will be required by the participants attending the seminar include recognizing the symptoms of violence and disputes, something that would be useful in curbing the country’s high level of violence among its youthful population.

The 100 per cent free seminar which begins from July 6 and ends on the 29th, will be held at the Assemblies of God Bible College in Brewerville outside Monrovia while four other schools in the Virginia area, including the Pamela King High School, the Banjor Public School, the VOA-I Academy Public School and the Mark Richards Memorial High School, will serve as the other venues.

The seminar, according to the Center, is mainly targeting grade school students and other community residents.

Meanwhile, a teachers’ seminar began Monday with a diverse group of teachers who have mainly been teaching peace education.

Liberian Pres. Sirleaf (right) & US Amb. Greenfield (left)

As Americans in the United States of America (USA) and other parts of the world observed and celebrated their country’s 34^th Independence Day Sunday, those in Liberia too had their share of the celebration in the capital Monrovia with a caution from the American Ambassador for Liberia to take cue from that country’s success as Liberia trends similar path the US took en route to its way to peace after its civil war in the 1700’s.

Held at the Monrovia City Hall, the US Embassy accredited near the Liberian capital, joined by visiting congressional team, other foreign diplomats and other Liberians including President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf joined Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield and her compatriots at an elaborate and colorful ceremony held Monday night.

Amb. Greenfield said, “But if there is one gift that my nation can offer yours, it is the knowledge that civil wars end……you must love your country more than you love yourselves”.

This year, the US’ Independence Day fell on Sunday, causing the event to be officially observed Monday.  

The US Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is an American federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 when the 13 original colonies declared independence from Britain during the American Revolutionary War.

Even the snacks and food bore the American flags

The need for Liberians to exercise patriotism above selfishness has become a constant call and an apparent pled that foreign diplomats usually give to both public officials and ordinary Liberians whenever they address them. Notably among them is the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who told members of the country’s National Legislature during her joint speech to the body that despite the fact that they fought one another, there was the need for them to embrace each other to rebuild the nation whose destruction they all contributed to.

She admonished Liberians to learn from the American legacy of an abiding love, respect and loyalty that Americans have for their country.

Says Greenfield: “All of our citizens, congressional representatives, our men and women in uniform, our civilians, Americans of Liberian descent-what we all have in common-is an abiding love, respect and loyalty for our country. It is that legacy that we want to pass to Liberia as we continue to nurture our partnership, our friendship and our common histories”.

Liberia, a nation whose entire establishment and governmental structure and policies are modeled after that of the United States, is Africa’s oldest independent country but yet remains to be one of the least developed African nations. Many continue to cite the country’s underdevelopment to the lack of patriotism on the part of past political leaders and even the ordinary Liberians which is in addition to the civil war’s own additional contribution to the country’s current appalling state of development.

The histories of both Liberia and the US are so common to the extent that almost every aspect of its governmental structure and policies include similar national emblems, prompting President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to describe Liberia and its ‘godfather’ nation as being bound.

Like Liberia, the US experienced a bitter civil war that eventually led to the loss of lives but its people’s quick reconciling nature helped to propel the nation to prominence.

The end of the civil war in Liberia leaves behind the huge task of reconciliation which is proving to be a threat to the nation’s fragile peace.

Giving a remark at the event, President Sirleaf said: “Our two nations are bound by a kinship that can never be broken ….. we are not only friends with America, we are also families”.

Recounting the numerous assistances that the American Government has offered and continues to offer her war-torn nation, the Liberian Leader used the occasion to channel her thanks to the US Government through the congressional delegation present at the event as led by David Price and its ambassador credited near the capital.

Since its inception a little over four years, the Sirleaf-led administration is being seen as the highest recipient of international assistances and partnership that a Liberian government has ever benefitted from, with Washington’s overwhelming support of the current government.

“We will do this by learning from the American experience of unity and reconciliation, putting national interest above personal interests”, Sirleaf remarked.

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Bull-dozer breaking down the '99 Step'

By: Nat Bayjay, nbayjay2010@gmail.com

Pain, they say, goes along with development. In this particular case the pain is being felt by over 100 people who occupied the Center Street area of Monrovia that stretches from the College of West Africa (CWA) through the commercial Waterside District of Water Street and up to the waterfront of the Mesurado River widely known as the Du River.

The Liberian Government has labeled those who live in this area squatters who are standing in the way of post-war development.

Widely referred to as the ‘99 Steps’, and noted for some of Monrovia’s most dangerous criminal hideouts, residents who were squeezed in the area after the war are now victims of ongoing demolition and are considered in violation of the country’s zoning laws.

Standing in the debris of their demolished houses, zinc shacks, shops, and even stores were dozens of affected persons who looked in the air aimlessly wondering where to go next and where to begin.

The residents did not say whether they had been issued warnings by the Zoning Authority prior to the demolition exercises and whether there was any arrangement reached between them and the authority.

One resident shouted to this Ceasefire Liberia reporter: “The only thing I can say is that Ellen will not win the next elections. So, let her just continue doing whatsoever thing she wants to do”. 

Another evictee, possibly one of the many prostitutes that live in the vicinity whose frustration boiled over, attempted to show her bare butt to Ceasefire Liberia as she picked up her belongings.

The ongoing demolition is in response to President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s tour to the waterfront last month during an inspection of the area. She had warned that those occupying the area in front of the Mesurado River must consider relocating as the Government has decided to clear the site and transform it into a recreational environment for the benefit of both citizens and visitors to the nation’s capital city. The President said during the tour that it was totally unacceptable for individuals to construct stores and other facilities that prevent streets like Buchanan, Center and Gurley Streets from directly reaching the Mesurado River front.

The Ministries of Public Works, Lands, Mines and Energy and Finance as well as the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the Monrovia Waterfront Rehabilitation Project is fully implemented in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as led by the Public Works Ministry.

‘Monrovia’s Undergoing Brushing-Up’

The man tasked with the demolition of such structures lying in alleys and Monrovia’s street-endings told Ceasefire Liberia that squatters had been warned over two years ago that they had to leave and were again warned in the last four weeks.

“The time even expired and we just decided to do this on Saturday”, said Elijah Karnley, the National Zoning Officer.

He described the demolition as a way to make Monrovia beautiful.

Karnley said: “If you’re coming from the Bushrod Island area and look over the Mesurado River, you can definitely see how the exercise is a real brushing-up of Monrovia. It’s like a man undergoing shaving to show his real face”.

The next targeted areas to be effected by the Zoning Authority, according to the Zoning Office, will be Gurley, Roberts and Randall Streets towards the waterfront.

Many Liberians who spoke to Ceasefire Liberia are predicting that clearing of the waterfront will add to the city’s tourist sites that are being hidden by filth and illegal construction. Others are happy that the demolition exercise will finally be ridding the capital city of another dangerous criminal hideout.

-the end-