Living with agony, people alive but searching for life: an eye witness account.

By: Sam K Zinnah
Clayton, Delaware

Former head of the political science department at the University of Liberia, Alaric Tokpa who has declared interest in unseating incumbent, Representative Dickson Temo Yarsiah, have described his initial tour of his electoral district as “successful beyond expectation”. Mr. Tokpa said he was well received by the chiefs, elders, traditional authorities, women, youth, students, religious community and small business community. Mr. Tokpa said he visited ten towns and finally sponsored soccer and kickball tournaments for the youth from sixteen towns of the electoral District # 3 political sub-division. He said the tour and the events were cost intensive, labor intensive and time consuming. Yet, they were all worth the attention. From one town to the other, he walked day and/or night through tick rain forest for hours. That experience was not as agonizing as the encounter with general despair and loss of hope – no motor roads, no health centers, no clean drinking water, no good schools, no good homes, abject poverty in the midst of riches (i.e. gold, diamond, logs, rich agricultural land, possibility of flourishing tree cropping).

The young people are absolutely tired of carrying pregnant women and other sick people in hammocks for hours “un-end” in search of motor roads to urban health centers. Hearing reports and stories of constant deaths in such circumstances became unbearable to the candidate. Mr. Tokpa started the tour by involuntarily crying in the first town meeting where a woman cried uncontrollably for the loss of a young lady who had recently carried a triplet but was only blessed to leave behind one child, as the other two died unborn along with her in a hammock in the dense forest. He subsequently rolled over to grieving in his heart, very aware that the cries of leaders are not to be visible in our Liberian traditional culture. So his heart started to harden. Eventually, it almost became normal to live with agony, with people alive but searching for life. However, he would suddenly realize, as was his occasional experience, that there is a natural limit to human suffering and ability to absorb pain. He could not totally ignore the urge to express sorrow over the deep suffering of a potentially industrious people.

In general, it would appear that the future of the people in the land he seek to represent is bleak. But he observed them, searched their hearts and found resilience, courage and great heroism. He covertly said to himself “They need leadership, motivation and direction; they can become a success story”. But as it is, what Mr. Tokpa observed in Gbarpolu County Electoral District # 3 is a reserved army of insurgents that are vulnerable to the deception of any potential warlord. In any post war situation where many are battle tested, this is dangerous. Mr. Tokpa feels a compelling obligation to work with his people. His aim is to secure support for electoral success in other to provide exemplary legislative service that will improve the quality of the Liberian legislature and positively impact executive and judicial functions for the purpose of bettering not only the people of Gbarpolu County Electoral District # 3 but the conditions of the Liberian people as a whole.

So as he reflect on the centralized condition of national government and elected local government authorities, he now feels challenge to make a contribution to Liberian national history that will (practically) register as a profound political statement in activist scholarship.
Mr. Tokpa was in Ghana attending a research conference of Afrobarometer (a series of comparative public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, civil society and markets in Africa) where he had access to better internet access to communicate his eye witness account with me. As he narrated, I vividly pictured myself once growing up in the very/identical conditions he was describing to me. As he prepared to return to Liberia to begin his second tour through Bokomu , another District within his electoral District, He have no doubt about what awaits him as he has already seen a lot during his initial tour of parts of Electoral District # 3. He said “I also look forward to additional surprises and I am preparing my heart for calm. Incidentally, the adventure has great research value. And each time that I embark on a tour of imagination, I look forward to collaboration with other nationalistic Liberians to capture the experience of our people who I can see living in centuries behind today”.

The problem is grave and it is common to encounter legitimate request for assistance in every town. The teachers according to him, were the first to admit that they are untrained place holders until appropriate interventions can be made in the educational sector. Mr. Tokpa observed that while the need to call education ministry authorities attention to this problem is urgent, there are immediate requests for blackboards and chalks. He said some existing blackboards are all damp because they are under leaking thatch roofs. So one popular request is for zinc and nails to construct schools. Most students can't even afford copy books or uniforms. Nor have most teachers materials with which to teach.

Another observation he made is in the area of midwives. He said in the absence of health centers, the midwives association has become a very important part of the decision making structures in all the towns because of the important roles that they play in delivery. Their overwhelming request is for materials to work with. So, one of the first things that he did after the tour was to arrange a meeting with the registrar general of the Liberia medical and dental association, Fortunately, The registrar General is presently inspecting health centers in Monrovia and he could relate to the situation. Mr. Tokpa said The Registrar General who recently returned home from A U.S. State of New Jersey to help his Country was alarmed when the situation in Electoral District # 3 was brought to his attention.

young men are requesting for chain saws (power saws) to do the continuous self help work of road cleaning on the foot paths. Large trees fall on the roads almost on a daily basis. They have to be removed or by-passed. Makeshift bridges over streams and creeks must be constructed almost always, as movement between the towns is constant.
He said “I was keen to find out from these young men why they have left school for the gold fields and other economic ventures. Their response was singular - shame. They said they could not afford to sit in class with their children and "compete" for knowledge when they needed to be taking care of their families. They admitted interest in learning but through night schools. They always repeated the interest in adult literacy schools”.

The candidate thinks such developments need both quick impact and well thought out interventions. But as he suggested to his people, interventions will have to be incremental and well spread out (indiscriminately) until it all come together. Mr. Alaric Tokpa’s vision is to improve social economic conditions and create better future for the children and residents of District Number Three in Gbarpolu County and Liberia as a whole.

Can Hon. Dickson Yarsiah be re-elected?

Un edited. This is a draft copy of this article. it will be edited in few days.

Gbarpolu is one of the youngest of Liberia’s 15 counties. It is situated in the northeast of Liberia, occupies an area of approximately 1,263 square miles.
Gbarpolu is bordered by Lofa County to the north, Bomi County to the south, Bong County to the west, Grand Cape Mount County & Sierra Leone to the east. Gbarpolu County consists of six districts which is divided into three electoral districts:

District: population (2008)
1. Bopolu District………………18,298
2. Bokomu District………….…10,460
3. Belleh District………………..17,288
4. Gbarma District………………15,972
5. Komgba District………………13,625
6. guonwolaila District………..8,115.

The vast majority of Gbarpolu consists of forest. Mining was the primary economic activity in Gbarpolu prior to the Liberian civil war, in addition to subsistence farming. However, the civil war devastated all sectors of the County even before the 2001 legislation that granted legal County status to the newly created County. Prior to the creation of the county, lack of development was amongst the major problems in the area. To date, most part of Gbarpolu county remains land lacked.
In 2007, electoral district number three representative, Hon. Dickson Yarsiah, during an exclusive interview in the United States revealed that his relationship with his electoral constituent was cordial. Below is a portion of Hon. Yarsiah’s interview.

Q. It is almost two years now since your election as Representative of electoral district number three in Gbarpolu County, how would you describe your relationship with your constituent?

Dickson T. Yarsiah: Well, it is cordial, since our election, we’ve made frequent visits to them. We mainly designed those visitations to ask them what their priority needs are and also to work along with them. As you know, as their true representative, we have to work as per amended, so, to ask me about the relationship between us, our relationship is very cordial and transparent.

Q. What are your legislative caucus’ major development pillars for Gbarpolu County?

D.T.Y: Immediately after our induction into offices, we wrote a five years development package covering four major key focuses, those focuses are: road network, health, education and agriculture. We decided to do these as priority because of the fourteen years of destructions our country experienced. As you know, all of our social institutions were destroyed. Roads were locked, right now; most places are not still accessible. This is why we decided to make road network our priority. Next is health, and that’s followed by education, and as we said, our fourth priority is agriculture so as to make them self sufficient.

Q. According to your county development agenda, the first priority is placed on the rehabilitation of road networks. To date, Bokomu and Gue-nwolala districts are still land-lacked and completely inaccessible to NGOs and other humanitarian institutions that may want to deliver basic social services to residents of the two Districts, what percentage of your priority has been achieved after nearly two years in office?

DTY: Well as you know Sam, a nation on this fate with a little over three hundred and some years when the war came for almost fifteen years and destroy all those institutions, we cannot just build them over night. When it comes to the roads leading from Bopolu to Gue-Ngwolala and Bokomu districts, that includes also Belle District, really Gue-Ngwolaila and Bokomu Districts have been land-locked since the existing of our country. Belle District had some kind of path roads where some past so-called investors used to only harvest their logs and bring them forth. So, Sam, to be candid with you, this government has done all she could. What we decided to do first was to ensure that we prepare a development agenda or package. Well, now that we’ve prepared the development package, as we speak, we’ve started rehabilitating the roads from Tubmanburg “Bomi County” to Gbarpolu County capitol “Bopolu”. And from there we are going to continue the road rehabilitations as promised by this government. We will also ensure that the road is build between Belle Yalla. That will also touch portion of Bokomu district. We will later be connecting Gbarpolu County to Bong County by way of the St. Paul river to palakolleh. We just got a company that has agreed in principal to build the bridge over the St. Paul River. That company will also be extending the bridge construction to the Tuma River in Bokomu. So, this government has just started the implementations of those promises made to our people during the campaign. But the first two years or the first twenty months were designed to prepare ourselves to commence your work. You know you can’t just get up to build roads without studies because it is capital intensive and there are lots of studies you need to do. You first of all need to survey, you need to do assessment, blue print, before you can commence and this is exactly what we are doing.
Four years later, the above promises are yet to be delivered. With the 2011 elections campaign season few months away in Gbarpolu County, political parties, independent candidates, especially those in the opposition, are working hard to defeat the ruling party’s incumbent Hon. Dickson Yarsiah. The latest to announce his candidacy is University of Liberia’s professor, Alaric Tokpah. This latest development sets the stage for the toughest battle in Gbarpolu County political history. Previous and recent surveys in electoral district number 3 shows that many political pundits in the district are of the opinion with Mr. Alaric Tokpah in the 2011 race, Hon. Yarsiah stand a slim chance of retaining his representative seat in the lower house.
Unconfirmed reports from the county revealed that honorable Yarsiah, during the 2005 elections, solicited and secured the support of Bokomu and guonwolaila Districts with verbal agreement that the two districts supports him in the 2005 elections. The report said Hon. Yarsiah agreed to step aside to support someone of the two districts choice to succeed him. What appeared to be a political betrayal is struggling to become overt before the beginning of the 2011 campaign season. If in fact it is true that such agreement was made and Hon. Yarsiah is attempting to betray the trust of Bokomu and guonwolaila Districts, he’s likely to face a political disaster in his electoral district comes 2011 elections.
Another serious problem faced by Hon. Yarsiah is his unexplained involvement in the Ministry of Labor’s approved $10.000.00 rural road project. Investigation conducted by this author revealed that the project proposal was written by Hon. Yarsiah’s junior Brother, Wilmont Yarsiah. According to a top official of the Labor Ministry (who choose to anonymous), the project was to be undertaken or implemented by The Belle District Development Association (BEDDA). When the project proposal was approved, the $10.000.00 check was instead written in a Catholic Father’s name. Suspicions about Hon. Yarsiah’s involvement in the way the check was switched quickly surfaced among Gbarpolu residents.
I immediately contacted Wilmont Yarsiah to clarify conflicting reports about the project proposal being written in BIDDA’s name and the check surfacing in the Catholic Father’s name. Wilmont Yarsiah clarified that the project proposal was written in BIDDA’s name. When I requested for a copy of the project proposal for my own perusal, Mr. Yarsiah promised to send me copy of the proposal via email the following day. I anxiously checked my email all day without the document arriving. Two days later, I called Mr. Yarsiah to find out while the document had not been sent. I was told by Wilmont Yarsiah to contact Hon. Dickson Yarsiah. Very determined to grab a copy of the project proposal, I immediately hung up and dialed Hon. Yarsiah’s number. At the third ring, Hon. Yarsiah answered his Phone. I slowly expressed my interest in obtaining a copy of the project proposal for accountability and transparency purposes. Hon. Yarsiah responded “Mr. Zinnah, instead of trying to investigate the pass, we should be focusing on the future”. I asked Hon. Yarsiah, “sir, if you cannot give us account of the past, how do you expect us to go forward?”. The tune of the conversation took different route that sounded up ward. I again asked, “sir, am I getting the copy of the project proposal or not?”. Hon. Yarsiah responded by saying “Mr. Zinnah, we should be concentrating on the President’s visit to our county instead of trying to investigate the past”.
I said good-bye to Hon. Yarsiah thus bringing the conversation to an end. A minute later, I placed a call to one of the ministers at the labor ministry who then directed me to the appropriate department. I managed to get hold of a colleague who finally got me a copy of the proposal. I read the proposal keenly and underlined some important points. A week later, I emailed Hon. Yarsiah with some questions. To date, am yet to get respond or answer to my inquiries.
Very determined, I wrote the Gbarpolu County legislative caucus in my capacity as the County Association’s chairman in the U.S. urging the caucus to conduct an investigation into the USD $10,000.00 road project and present us with a comprehensive financial report. That request was never responded by the county legislative Caucus.
On May 2, 2011, I email Hon. Yarsiah and cc all the members of the Gbarpolu County Legislative caucus. The email read: “Hon. Yarsiah, I've attempted contacting you several times to get your side of the story concerning the $10.000.00 mini road project package that was approved by labor ministry (prior to Miniser Woods departure) in your electoral district # 3 sometime last year but all attempts to reach you or get your side of this story are being ignored. Elections seasons are just around the corner, some of these issues might pop up during the campaign. To accurately address some of these issues, I would be more than happy to get your side of this story since in fact you are the direct representative of the people of District # 3.
I anxiously await your respond as I work on a major news article to be published in few days.
Sam K Zinnah
Chairman, Gbarpolu County Association in the Americas.

On May 5, 2011, Gbarpolu County senior Senator J.S.B. Theodore Momo responded the inquiry email. Hon. Momo wrote “Thanks for your inquiry. As far as I know BEDDA wrote out the project proposal for the project in question but my information is that the check of US10,000(ten thousand United States dollars) for the said project was written in the name of the Catholic Priest(allegedly). Since the Office of Hon.Yarsiah spearheaded this effort on behalf of the CAUCUS, it is fair and reasonable enough to seek clarification from him, and by extension, the Catholic Priest.Up to date, the CAUCUS has not received any report on this project.We appreciate your concern and look forward to the final outcome of your inquiry.
To date, Hon. Yarsiah is yet to respond to any of my many inquiries. With all these unanswered questions, should we reward Hon. Yarsiah with re-election.

Automatic Loss of Liberian Citizenship: A Battle of Our Time

Clayton, Delaware.
The opposition builds its argument in an unreal world. In that world, it can start a war. Show no respect for age and gender. Cause the death of more than 300,000 Liberians. Force a million into exile. Destroy properties. Suspend constitutional provisions for politicians to run for office. Allow some with foreign passports to pass senate confirmation, while rejecting others. Pretend that dual citizenship does not exist. Embrace millions received through western union and moneygram.

Tell the majority of overseas-based Liberians their non-monetary contributions are not welcomed, and that their Liberian citizenship and real estates can be taken away without the constitutional requirements of a hearing and a judgment consistent with due process. And, as a show of raw power, deny natural-born Liberians the dual citizenship rights that naturalized Liberians from Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and other countries that recognize dual citizenship are enjoying. Is this the argument?

Having experienced a system that ignored the Liberian Constitution and forced Liberians into refugee camps, some of our educated friends have sadly embraced the belief that the legislature can automatically deprive a person of his or her Liberian citizenship, even though the Liberian Constitution clearly states there must be a hearing and a judgment consistent with due process before the government may deprive a person of citizenship.

With due respect, the fundamental rights in the Liberian Constitution do not belong to the Government of Liberia, nor are they the exclusive rights of a particular individual or group. These individual, constitutional rights belong to you, me, and every other Liberian.

Statements that every Liberian with a foreign passport 'renounced his or her Liberian citizenship' and that this person is 'more Liberian' and 'loyal' than another, are what individuals--unable to defend their actions and limited view of other nations--say to substitute for logic and commonsense. Don’t believe the hype. There are a number of Liberians who become naturalized citizens of the U.S., Canada, Israel, the U.K., and other countries without ever having to take a 'renunciation oath.'

Never before in our history have we allowed the legislature to automatically deprive a person of even a privilege. The Constitution must be respected at all times, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with a person’s conduct. If due process of law can apply to the TRC Report regarding government jobs, it can protect Liberians against automatic loss of the right of citizenship.

We appreciate the battle to enforce fundamental rights. Accomplished in his own right as a counselor-at-law, Counselor Alvin Teage Jalloh could have followed the norm, kept his status as a young Liberian-American secret, ignored the selective practice that punishes Liberians for being forced into refugee camps, and perhaps applied for a government job. But we have to be honest with ourselves, and stand up for what is right. We can not condone a practice that disrespects the constitutional rights of Liberians, especially when they answer President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's call to make additional contributions to their beloved Liberia.

Perhaps the legislature will address the divide created by the automatic loss of citizenship controversy and the dual citizenship absurdity, which favors naturalized Liberians over natural-born Liberians. That possibility, however, does not excuse us of our obligation to uphold the Constitution, and assert our fundamental rights as Liberians.

While one can not predict with certainty how the honorable Supreme Court will decide the automatic loss of citizenship case, this much is predictable: when the Supreme Court issues its decision, Liberians at home and abroad will know whether the Liberian Constitution prohibits automatic loss of Liberian citizenship, or whether automatic loss of citizenship is permissible and should be enforced against everyone, regardless of wealth, power, ethnic, religious, or political affiliations.

On April 11, 2011, Counselor Jerome Korkoya appeared before the honorable Supreme Court to convince the Honorable chief justice and four associate justices of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia to explain while Counselor Alvin Teage Jalloh and thousands of Liberians around the world should be awarded due process in retaining or losing their natural Liberian Citizenship. Again, many Liberian and international lawyers, observers from the American bar association; foreign and local journalists witnessed the intimidation tactics by some members of the highest court.
Ahead of the Supreme Court’s decision, it is very important to remember that the principle of equal rights for all Liberians is one of the central themes of our infant democracy. Any law, therefore, that treat a Liberian or group of Liberian as non-citizen or second class citizen is detrimental to the system of social equality as advocated by this administration.

By Sam K. Zinnah
Chairman, Non-Resident Liberians

Supreme Court Hears Argument in Landmark Citizenship Case

Clayton, Delaware.

In what is one of the most closely watched cases on its docket, the Supreme Court of Liberia will on Monday, April 11, 2011, hear oral argument in the automatic loss of citizenship case.

In July 2010, our friend and brother, Counselor Alvin Teage Jalloh filed suit with the High Court, challenging as unconstitutional the automatic loss of citizenship provisions of the Aliens and Nationality Law of Liberia.

The challenged provisions call for automatic loss of Liberian citizenship from the moment a Liberian becomes a naturalized citizen of a foreign country, votes in a foreign election, or serves in a foreign military without approval from the president.

This is by far the largest group-focused case of our time. The constitutional, social, political, and economic stakes are high. How the justices resolve the case will have significant impact not only on the 600,000 plus Liberians in the Diaspora, but also on high-ranking officials of the Liberian government who hold foreign passports.

The many years of arm violence and unrealistic prosecution in Liberia forced more than 900,000 Liberians to flee home in search of security in other countries. As time passed, a sizable number of these exiled Liberians got marry to citizens of other countries, gave birth to thousands of children in their host countries, and became naturalized citizens in their host countries.

Today, some of the very people who coerced thousands of Liberians into refugee camps and other countries around the world are the very people questioning the patriotism of those Liberians challenging the unconstitutionality of the automatic lost of citizenship law, currently before the Supreme Court.

Any law that treats a Liberian or group of Liberian as non-citizen or second class citizen is a violation of our constitution and the system of social equality as advocated by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The problem of a law that condemns without due process was recently addressed in the honorable Supreme Court’s decision about the TRC recommendations, where the Court ruled that the 30-year ban recommendation was in violation of due process of law.

Liberians in the Diaspora have and continue to make substantial contribution to the reconstruction and development of Liberia. Last year, the World Bank report showed that Liberians in the Diaspora remitted more than hundred million dollars to Liberia. How can anyone, group, or institution try to ignore such immense contribution?

The citizenship retention lawsuit is designed to protect all Liberians against involuntary losses of their natural-born Liberian Citizenship. It further addresses the concern that Liberians should not be punished for being forced into refugee camps and other places they would have never gone under normal circumstances.

By Sam K. Zinnah
Chairman, Non-Resident Liberians

Can Alaric Tokpa challenge political gravity in Gbarpolu County?

By: Sam K Zinnah
Delaware State

Clayton, Delaware. The man who was once seeing languishing behind bars in the notorious Belle Yallah prison may soon return as a representative of that part of Liberia.
Ever since his ascendancy to student politics in Liberia, Mr. Alaric Tokpa has had great interest in creating some form of good political governance through peace, unity, accountability and transparency not only at a student level but national level as well.
I’ve recently been looking at Mr. Alaric Tokpa’s educational and political struggles in Liberia and his analogy to unify the now divided electoral district number 3 in Gbarpolu County. While looking at his educational and political struggles/journey, I discovered that his political compass uses the participatory system, while his form of courage and influence among the masses in his political constituency or geography provides somewhat mimic collective political gravitation. Considering the political and traditional complexity and the level of disunity in electoral district number 3 in Gbarpolu County, I’ve been trying to find some computational formula that will fit Mr. Tokpa’s situation.

Who is Alaric Tokpa
Alaric Tokpa is former chairman of the political science department of the University of Liberia and now Assistant Professor of political science at the University of Liberia. Mr.Tokpa provides consultancy for NGOs/CSOs and INGOs at home and abroad. In addition to teaching and research, his engagement with traditional family farming has given him exposure to and knowledge of the conditions of Liberians in urban and rural areas.
From a humble beginning, Alaric rose to become one of the most recognized national student leaders who championed the cause for democracy and economic justice in Liberia. For his part in the struggle for improvement in the conditions of poor and disadvantaged people, he was among the five leaders of the Liberia National Student Union (LINSU) that were sentenced to the firing squad by the military government in January 1982, but who were later reprieved. In 1985, he was again jailed in the notorious, maximum prison of Belle Yellah, where he did hard labour. These experiences did not deter him as his activism for better public services to disadvantage people has earned him an enviable place among prominent members of the Liberian political class.

Having taught government and politics for 27 years, he recently decided to link theory to practice by contesting for a seat in the house of representatives of the Republic of Liberia because he believes that strengthening the quality of the legislature is critical to improvement in the quality of executive leadership and the pursuit of national development. Should he succeed, he will be the representative of District # 3 in Gbarpolu County, the land in which he was a political prisoner in the quest for democracy 25 years ago.

In a recent conversation with Mr. Tokpa, I asked “The Belle District seems to be the most divided district in your political constituency, are you aware of this? If yes, what strategies do you have in place to permanently resolve the disunity problem?” in his respond, Mr. Tokpa said “when society is less differential and change is secured by persuasion and collective efforts, or the development of social norms as by meaningful legislations that would bring development in rural areas, empowerment of local organizations through education all of which government usually do, participatory democracy becomes meaningful to rural residents. In his view, uniting the Belle District is not going to be an even but rather a process that require collective efforts by all stake holder, student organizations and traditional leaders in the District. This, he said, will be one of his first five priorities in his first few months in office if elected as representative of electoral District number three in Gbarpolu County.
Mr. Tokpa said the role of the national government is changing, with modern technology expanding and providing multiple routes to empowerment. He acknowledged serious traditional conflict in the Belle District and the need to quickly begin working on strategies to tackle the problem. Mr. Tokpa who is currently visiting the United States declared his intention to contest the representative seat in electoral District number 3 in Gbarpolu County, a place where he once spent time as a political prisoner. The seat is currently occupied by Hon. Dickson Temo Yarsiah of the ruling Unity Party.
The October 11, 2011 elections will be an important milestone in the current development, political, and traditional crises in electoral district number 3. After five years of representation, the ruling Unity party is to face though opposition from different political front lines.
Over the past years, accountability, transparency & unity remains highly questionable in electoral district number 3 in Gbarpolu County. This, I believe oppositions will take advantage of during the 2011 campaign and elections.
Since the elections in 2005, a number of issues have been raised in the county, including the dispensation of county development funds, the lack of accountability and transparency by the county authorities, and the level of disunity among residents of the Belle District. To date, those issues still exist.
One of the most striking themes is the feeling among electoral district number three that after five years in power, county authorities can no longer pull residents in the electoral district or apply scary tactics to win elections. With majority of the County officials belonging to the ruling Unity Party and preparing to use all available resources to retain their incumbent seats in both upper and lower house , the possibility of Mr. Alaric Tokpa winning as opposition remains a political gravity in Gbarpolu County

The Importance of Dual Citizenship to Liberia's Economic Development

By: Edmund Zar- Zar Bargblor

This article is a contribution to the present debate among Liberians with reference to dual citizenship. The focus of the discussion of this presentation is about economic benefits, relevant to the attainment of US citizenship by Liberians. Subsequently, I will endeavor to highlight some of the essential attributes of dual citizenship and why its implementation in post war Liberia is a necessity.

Dual citizenship in some intellectual circles is perceived as the expression of two major tendencies that are observed in the world today. There is on the one hand globalization, transcendence of all borders, emergence of common identities, multiple new identities that didn't exist before. Another attribute points to the return of nationalism, very often associated with the collapse of empires and old state entities, like the Soviet Union. In dual citizenship, these two tendencies interrelate in a very interesting way. However, for simplicity of definition, dual citizenship or dual nationality is simply an individual being a citizen of two countries or a legal status by which a person is a citizen of two countries. For example, if you as a Liberian relocate to the United States and become a naturalized US citizen, you have dual citizenship. Dual citizens can carry two passports and essentially live and travel freely within their native and naturalized countries.

Bella Consultants (a Consultancy designed for processing dual citizenship applications), emphasized: "dual citizenship is becoming more common in today's increasingly interconnected economy. Countries such as India, the Philippines and Mexico are now seeking the advantages of dual citizenship by liberalizing their citizenship laws. These countries have realized that dual citizenship has the advantages of broadening a country's economic base, fostering trade and investment between the dual citizen's two respective countries".

There exists a prevailing perception among Liberians, that when a Liberian becomes a naturalized US citizen, the individual loses his Liberian citizenship. This point of view is indeed incorrect. According to Bella Consultants, naturalized US citizens are not legally obligated to give up their citizenship of their country. The United States has never ordered any newly naturalized citizens to present themselves to their native country's embassy in order to formally renounce their original citizenship. Legally, there is nothing in the Constitution and there are none from the United States Supreme Court preventing the United States (via the State Department) from requiring all naturalized citizens to officially renounce their citizenship to their native country as a condition for naturalization.

The opponents of dual citizenship debate always draw one's attention to the oath of allegiance that one is required to declare.

The opening lines of the Oath of Allegiance are meant to give the United States sovereignty over the newly naturalized citizen. The important thing to remember about the oath of allegiance is not the renunciation of your original citizenship, which the US does not enforce, but to remember the allegiance and fidelity you swear to the United States of America. The oath is a promise one made to be faithful and true to the laws of America. The Oath is also a demonstration to everyone of one's loyalty and commitment to defend and protect the United States of America at all times. In essence, an individual Liberian who obtained United States Citizenship is still a Liberian, especially on Liberian soil. It is hypocritical to advocate for the adjustment of Liberians' status on TPS to that of US Permanent Residency or naturalized US citizenship and at the same time condemning others seeking the presidency of the Republic of Liberia for obtaining and having dual citizenship. If dual citizenship is such a bad idea, why are Liberians endeavoring through US Congressional hearings on Liberia, to adjust the status of Liberians presently on Temporary Protective Status (TPS)? Mark Fritz of Los Angeles Times wrote: "Scott Wasmuth, the director of a nonprofit refugee relocation agency in New Jersey, deals with a particular type of immigrant said that there are people from Liberia who have managed to survive seven years of merciless combat by avaricious warlords. Or families from Bosnia purged from their homelands by their fellow citizens. They are different from most immigrants in that their lives were so threatened, their living conditions so deadly, they were granted political asylum. To these immigrants, Wasmuth said, U.S. citizenship is more than a passport, economic benefit or immigration status one notch above green card. Citizenship should be about ideals."In the last seven years according to Mark Fritz, Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and most recently, Mexico -- the suppliers of some of the fastest-growing immigrant groups in America -- have allowed their nationals to become citizens elsewhere without losing their original nationality. New leaderships in South Korea and India have expressed support for the same idea.

Mark Fritz explained that Upscale Australians in the United States have been pressuring their government to allow dual citizenship so they can become Americans without losing their native status. Economic is the main motivation here, avoiding the stiff estate taxes that the U.S. government imposes on foreigners operating in the United States.

There is a large degree of evidence of naturalized US citizens operating in official capacities in their former country of origins. Mark Fritz reports on some examples of tacit US support for dual citizenship:
• Previous years, when Secretary of State Madeleine Albright announced an end to a decade-old ban on U.S. travel to Lebanon, she referred to the hardship the ban was causing to thousands of Americans with dual Lebanese citizenship. A man with U.S. and Lebanese citizenship runs Beirut's Marriott Hotel and Casino.
• Also, the U.S. State Department and Slovakia rescinded an old treaty, thereby enabling "the citizens of both countries to hold dual citizenship," the Slovak Embassy in Washington said.
• Washington protested when Israel threatened to revoke the residency rights of Palestinian Americans in Jerusalem unless they surrendered their American passports. In that case, the U.S. was in effect acting to protect dual allegiances.
• The State Department said that as far as it can tell, Hussein Mohammed Aidid, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is still a naturalized American citizen as well as Somalia's most powerful warlord.

All Africa.Com. an internet on line news medium reported on July 21, 2010:
“Abuja — Many years after the Liberian civil war, over 250,000 children born by Nigerian soldiers who were part of the Economic Community Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) peace keeping force in Liberia are still roaming the streets of Liberia, wallowing in poverty and searching for their fathers.” If the population of Liberia is about 3,000,000 people, this number of children is over 8 percent of the nation over all population. These children if come of age will demand for the citizenship of both Liberia and Nigeria. In essence, they are Nigerians and also Liberians. The International institute in the State of
Rhode Island reported years ago, that there are about 15,000 Liberians within Rhode Island and its environs. Let‘s assume that half of this number, each decided to have a child, collectively they will have 7,500 children. There are hundreds of Liberians in New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Washington, DC Metropolitan areas, and other parts of the United States. And these numbers don’t include those born in Europe and other parts of the world.
The question that needs to be answered by the detractors of dual citizenship: will it be fair to deny any of the children born of Liberian parentage from enjoying Liberian citizenship, because, they have dual citizenship?

As society becomes more global and integrated, the value of Dual Citizenship and a second passport is increasingly becoming a necessity. The comforts of being an American Citizen, at the same time maintaining one's original nationality, provides an individual with an abundance of benefits and set of liberties. Economically, Liberia stands to benefit. Dual citizenship provides access to financial investment rights (property, securities, retirement, social security benefits, etc.). American citizenship provides access to adequate medical benefits, including potentially free healthcare, especially for those reaching the age of retirement. Accesses to educational benefits, including potentially free higher education are all possibilities within the reach of Liberians who enjoyed dual citizenships. And most importantly, provides opportunity for children of Liberian parentage to travel freely and reconnect with their cultural background and strengthen the fabric of their African heritage. Never before in the history of Liberia, has the need for international assistance become so urgent and essential. The need to change is apparent; the need to seek and identify individuals whose expertise and experiences transcend the day-to-day norms of the Liberian society is a responsibility, which all Liberians cannot afford to ignore. Is one thing to talk about 163 years of independence, is another to know that Liberians' years of national sovereignty have yet to match the scope of their national development. Currently, developments of road net works, water system, health care facilities, education system, telecommunication facilities, etc. are in a deplorable state of affairs. The endorsing or advocating the development of multiple national attachments should be viewed in terms of national development and economic strategy. Dual citizenship would help Liberian businessmen/women to transact and move freely, especially in and out of the United States. Even the Republic of Ghana has realized the economic benefits of dual citizenship and continues to encourage its citizens since December 1, 2002, to obtain dual citizenship.
The ideals of Free Enterprise and Democracy are complementary. The development and sustaining a strong middle class is essential to attainting stability in Liberia. Dual citizenship has the propensity to bring this about. The future seems to provide a great promise; Dual citizenship will help to democratize the politics of Liberia. As illustrated above, there are hundred upon hundred of children born to Liberian nationals presently residing in the Diaspora. These children with their dual nationalities and exposures could help Liberia to navigate her destiny through the twenty-first century. Democracy indeed, is built on informed citizen participation, especially those who have lived and practiced it in developed countries. The ideal of democracy is meaningful participation of an engaged and informed citizenry. Dual Citizenship is undoubtedly, one of the ways to foster Liberia's future economic development. Leopold Senghor of Senegal was correct when he said: "To build a nation, to create a new civilization which can lay claim to existence because it is humane, we shall try to employ not only enlightened reason but also dynamic imagination."

About the Author;

Edmund Zar-Zar Bargblor is an Educator within the Providence School Department, Providence, Rhode Island. He is a graduate of Cuttington University College, Liberia, Howard University, Washington, D.C, and Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. Mr. Bargblor is a former Vice President of the Liberian Community Association of Rhode Island and President of the African Catholic Community of Rhode Island. He can be contacted at Ezbargblor@aol.com.
Copyright
All rights reserved: No publication of this document without the official notification/permission of the author.

United Nations News

Source: UNMIL daily news summary

UNMIL Boss to Lecture at IBB
[The Inquirer]

• The Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) of the United Nations in Liberia, Ms. Ellen Margrethe Løj has accepted an invitation from the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Liberia to serve as a visiting lecturer during this current semester.
• Ms. Løj will bring her experience to the IBB Graduate School stemming from over 33 years of experience.
• For the first time in the history of the graduate school, someone with the esteem of the SRSG who currently heads the UN Mission in Liberia is a visiting lecturer at the school.
• Her first lecture brought together professors, students from other universities to come and witness first hand Liberia’s SRSG lecture on UN Peacekeeping Operations: Some Lessons from the UN Mission in Liberia.

Local News on Liberian issues

Threshold Bill Case Partially Withdrawn From High Court
[The Inquirer]

• The group of lawmakers who took the Legislature to the Supreme Court on the threshold bill has withdrawn their case.
• The decision followed days of consultations with the complaining lawmakers.
• Senate President Pro-tempore Cletus Wotorson made the announcement Thursday during the sitting of the Senate.
• The lawsuit by the lawmakers was in connection with what they considered the illegal treatment given the first veto by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on the threshold bill.
• Meanwhile, Senator Wotorson says discussions are ongoing with the other complainant, the Concerned Setor Youth to withdraw the case.
• The case by the group represented by one James Doe has already been forwarded to the full bench of the Supreme Court with a conference slated for May 28.
• The group is contesting the 2008 census which it claimed was poorly conducted and must not be used to set the threshold for constituency representations.

Government Condemns Ex-AFL Widows’ Protest Action
[Heritage]
• The government has condemned the protest action by aggrieved ex-Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) widows in Monrovia, demanding unpaid benefits supposedly owed them by the government.
• The ex-AFL widows, in what seems to be an unwavering protest action, are demanding over US$5 million in unpaid benefits to their deceased husbands.
• The women have been staging sit-in-action for the last two days at major streets and intercessions in Monrovia to draw the attention of the government and the international community.
• But at a news conference Thursday Deputy Information Minister for Public Affairs, Jerolinmek M. Piah, said the action by the aggrieved ex-AFL widows was obstructing the normal flow of traffic thus infringing on the rights to movement of other people.
• “We want to condemn the action of our mothers and sisters. Their action to block traffic is in violation of other people’s rights,” Piah said.

NEC Releases Timetable for River Gee By-election
[Front Page Africa, In profile Daily, The Informer, The News, Public Agenda, Daily Observer]

• The National Elections Commission (NEC) has released the official timetable for the pending River Gee County District Number Three by-election.
• The release of the timetable followed a notification the Commission received from the House of Representatives declaring a vacancy in the House as a result of the death of River Gee Representative Albert Toe.
• NEC Chairman James Fromayan told a news conference Thursday, the River Gee by-election is scheduled for Tuesday July 20 and announcement of official results from the first round would take place on July 23rd while a possible run-off date would be set for August 3rd, 2010.
• According to Mr. Fromayan, individuals wishing to contest the process would begin filing their nomination letters from May 27 to June 10.
• The NEC Chairman said replacement of lost or damaged voter cards is June 12-22, while political campaign would begin June 26 to July 18, 2010.
• The release of the election timetable was done simultaneously with the issuance of the writ of elections as required under section 4.3 of the new Election Law of 1986.

CDC Caucus Dismisses Merger Speculations
[Front Page Africa, Heritage, Daily Observer]

• The Legislative Caucus of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has ruled out any possibility of a merger with the ruling Unity Party (UP).
• The Chairman of the Caucus said the CDC as a grassroots political party will not join the UP under any circumstance.
• Montserrado Representative Rufus Neufville made the statement in reaction to reports that the party has merged with the ruling UP describing it as black lies and work of detractors.
• Representative Neufville said contrary to the reports the CDC is strategizing to defeat the governing UP in the 2011 elections.
• He also confirmed the arrival of CDC political leader George Weah into the Country.

Immigration Bureau Dismisses Six Officers
[The Inquirer, Heritage, National Chronicle, The News, Daily Observer]

• Authorities of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) Thursday dismissed with immediate effect six of its officers for facilitating the escape of six Bangladeshi nationals.
• The six Bangladeshis were being held for human trafficking.
• Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Immigration Commissioner Chris Massaquoi said the escapees have been rearrested following a swift and vigorous search operation.
• Commissioner Massaquoi said officers which include Major Solomon Geh, Captain Yancy Karlu, Major Paul Dweh, Augustine Kollie, Captain Roosevelt Weaye, and offer Emmanuel Berrain have been charged with conspiracy and criminal facilitation.
• The BIN boss said the six officers have been turned over to the Justice Ministry for persecution.

LTTP Supports University of Liberia’s Teachers College
[Front Page Africa, In Profile Daily]

• The Liberia Teacher Training Project (LTTP) says it would work with the William V. S. Tubman Teachers College at the University of Liberia to increase its capacity.
• LTTP Chief of Party said increasing the capacity of the college will enable it extend its services and speed up the human resource development.
• Dr. Johnson Odharo speaking Thursday when his entity donated assorted items to the college noted the venture will be a huge capitol investment.
• The items which include three Dell Desktop computers, a Printer with cartridge, one Dell laptop computer and a Dell projector with screen is put at over US$4,000.
• The money to procure the items was provided by the United States Aid for International Development, USAID.
• Receiving the donation, the dean of the college, Professor Euphemia Abdullai expressed gratitude to USAID and LTTP for the gesture.

Opposition Politician Accused of Donating Expired Medical Supplies, But…
[Heritage]

• The chief medical doctor at the Jallah Lone Medical Center in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County has accused Dr. Togba Nah Tipoteh of distributing expired medical supplies at the hospital.
• Mr. Massabory Kamara claimed the medical items donated to the hospital by Dr. Tipoteh a fortnight ago were expired since almost three years and as such, had no medical value.
• Mr. Kamara, who is also the County Health Officer of Gbarpolu, asserted that the donation by the veteran opposition politician was not properly done and described the donation process as lacking what he calls total verification.
• He also asserted that the donation by Dr. Tipoteh has the propensity to destroy the lives of patients at the hospital if they were not observed carefully before use.
• But Dr. Tipoteh commenting on Mr. Kamara’s accusation described the action of the chief medical doctor to reach the press without consulting him as premature.
• He said Susuku, which is the main distributor of those items, has covered other counties in the country without any problem that has been alleged by the Jallah Lone Medical Center.

Star Radio (News monitored today at 09:00 am)
Threshold Bill Case Partially Withdrawn From High Court

Bong Lawmaker Wants Increment in Allowances for Education and Health Workers
• Bong County Senator Jewel Howard Taylor has called for an increase in the allowances of education and health workers in the country.
• In a letter to the Senate, Senator Taylor proposed a two million dollar allotment to target the allowances of education and health workers in the draft budget.

Auditor General Exposes River Gee Representative, But…
• Auditor General John Morlu has released a strongly-worded letter in Monrovia warning River Gee Representative Elijah Seah against interfering in audit matters.
• In the four-page letter, Mr. Morlu warned Representative Seah to stay clear of all audits of the General Auditing Commission (GAC).
• The communication is in reference to a meeting negotiated by Representative Seah through the River Gee County Legislative Caucus with the Auditor General to get the basis of his request to the President to revoke the induction of River Gee Development Superintendent, Alexander Yeaher.
• The letter detailed how during one of the meetings, Representative Seah allegedly made a one-on-one proposal to Mr. Morlu in the fraud case involving Mr. Yeaher.
• The Auditor General claimed he rejected the proposal by Representative Seah something that prompted the lawmaker to leave his office in anger though he did not elaborate.
• He also described as a sad commentary, the intervention of the River Gee Legislative Caucus in audit matters with the aim to protect Mr. Yeaher.
• But Representative Seah said the letter by Mr. Morlu is intended to blackmail him and vowed never to stay clear of GAC audits once a River Gee citizen is accused.
• According to him, the meeting with Mr. Morlu was intended for Mr. Yeaher to be heard and given a copy of the audit reports which indicted him of fraud.

Bassa Institute of Nursing Bill Introduced in House
• A bill seeking the establishment of the Grand Bassa Institute of Nursing Studies has been introduced in the House of Representatives.
• The bill is under the sponsorship of Grand Bassa Representative Baron Brown.
• Representative Brown said if enacted the bill would pave the way for people with interest in the nursing in Grand Bassa to acquire the required basic medical training.
• According to him, the institute will educate young people to become mid-wives, physician assistants and registered nurses.
• Representative Brown said it was important to pass the bill to make the health sector more viable and meet the medical needs of the Country.
• The bill has meanwhile been sent to the House Committees on Health, Judiciary and Ways, Means and Finance for review.
(Also reported Radio Veritas, Sky FM, and ELBC)

Information Minister Off to China
• Information Minister Cletus Sieh has left the country for Shanghai, China to participate in a meeting of World Expo 2010.
• The meeting is of the Steering Committee of the World Expo 2010 of which Liberia is a co-chair.
• The thirty-two nation committee meeting is expected to deal with issues surrounding the Expo 2010 which takes place sometimes this year in China.
• Minister Sieh is expected to preside as Liberia has been asked to chair the Shanghai meeting.

NEC Releases Timetable for River Gee By-election

CDC Caucus Dismisses Merger Speculations
(Also reported Truth FM, Sky FM, and ELBC)

LTTP Supports University of Liberia’s Teachers College

New Higher Education Curricula Validated
• Senior stakeholders in the higher education sub-sector have validated the revised and synchronized curricula for universities and colleges in Liberia.
• The newly standardized curricula would be used for freshman and sophomore students at various institutions of higher learning in the country.
• The chairman of the committee constituted to draft the curricula Arnold Hill, President of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary said the new curricula have created the space for the smooth process of education.
• According to Mr. Hill, the curricula would allow students transfer from one institution to another without difficulty.
• The Director General of the National Commission on Higher Education Dr. Michael Slewion expressed satisfaction over the validation.
• Dr. Slewion said the new curricula would be enforced beginning the next academic year.

Radio Veritas (News monitored today at 09:45 am)
Immigration Bureau Dismisses Six Officers
(Also reported Truth FM, Sky FM, and ELBC)

Truth FM (News monitored today at 10:00 am)
Rights Activist Says Claims of Sexual Harassment Is Political
• A rights activist, Rev. Emmet Hoff has termed claims of sexual harassment against Auditor General John Morlu as politically motivated.
• Rev. Hoff, a former commissioner of the Township of Johnsonville said the allegation of sexual harassment is intended to weaken the General Auditing Commission’s (GAC) ability to fight corruption in the country.
• The rights activist said it is important for the government to begin taking decisive action on the audit reports instead of what he calls fighting back.
• He however concurred with the GAC that the claim of sexual harassment by the Auditor General is being sponsored by the Executive Mansion and the Finance Ministry.

International Clips on Liberia

Supermodel Campbell must testify in Taylor trial, prosecutors say
www.earthtimes.org

The Hague - Supermodel Naomi Campbell should be forced to provide incriminating evidence about an alleged "blood diamond" gift she received from former Liberian leader Charles Taylor, who faces war crime charges in The Hague, prosecutors said Friday. Prosecutors at the Special Court for Sierra Leone were told about the gift from actress Mia Farrow, who was also present at a reception at Nelson Mandela's South African home in 1997 attended by Campbell and Taylor. Farrow told prosecutors that Campbell had told her about being woken up in the middle of the night by "two or three men" and being given a "large" rough diamond on behalf the former president. Campbell has not denied receiving the diamond, but told the Oprah Winfrey Show on May 3 that she did not wish to be involved in the case. "He has done some terrible things and I don't want to put my family in danger," according to an ABC television transcript quoted in a subpoena request dated May 20. Prosecutors say that evidence about the gift is "central" to their case since "it supports the Prosecution allegations that the Accused used rough diamonds for arms purchases for Sierra Leone." Prosecutors in The Hague say the notoriously temperamental supermodel should be forced to provide the evidence in court since their "repeated efforts to interview Ms Campbell about this event have been unsuccessful." A number of phone messages and emails sent to her solicitor went unanswered, prosecutors said. "Ms Campbell's consistent refusals to speak to the Prosecution voluntarily and her statements that she does not want to be involved in the case justify the Trial Chamber's issuance of a subpoena," prosecutors have told judges. The judges must now decide whether to grant the request for a subpoena - a writ issued by a court authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding. Were Campbell to defy such a writ, she could faces charges of contempt of court.

Business Opportunity for Small and Minority Businesses in Liberia
PR Log - Global Press Release Distribution

American small and minority owned businesses will have a chance to learn about conducting business on the global market. American small and minority owned businesses will have a chance to learn about conducting business on the global market. “Runway Liberia” Trade and Tourism Exhibition presented by Lonestar Cell-MTN, the number one cellular service provider in Liberia, West Africa will take place on Friday, July 23, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Silver Springs, MD. Liberia has made great strides in economic development since 2005 and is actively promoting its interest in having American businesses participate in its economic re-development. Liberia, a nation slightly larger than the state of Ohio, with a population of approximately 3.4 million people is rich with natural resources such as iron ore, rubber, timber, tin, gold and diamonds. In recent years, the Government of Liberia has reported that it has discovered sizable deposits of crude oil along its Atlantic Coast. Agriculture is one of the largest sectors in the country. Liberia produces coffee, cocoa, sugarcane, rice, cassava, palm oil, bananas, plantains, citrus, pineapple, sweet potatoes, corn, vegetables and beverages. Runway Liberia is committed to building a brighter, prosperous and sustainable future for Liberia.

International Clips on West Africa

Guinea

World court 'satisfied' with Guinea massacre probe

Guinea (AP) - The head of an International Criminal Court mission to Guinea says the judge investigating the September massacre of more than 150 people at a pro-democracy rally is working independently and free from official interference. Amadi Bah told reporters Friday that 200 people have been interviewed about the massacre, including women who were raped. He says he is satisfied with the progress of the investigation and is confident Guinean authorities will find and punish those responsible. A U.N. commission investigating the deaths has said the killings and rapes may constitute crimes against humanity and may have been ordered by officials. An interim government was established with help from international mediators in the aftermath of the massacre and an assassination attempt against the junta leader now in exile.

Ivory Coast

UNOCI provides human resources and logistical support to transport grey list and documents related to the appeals process

Côte d’Ivoire/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Deputy Spokesman of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), Kenneth Blackman, announced that the Mission had finished transporting the grey list to 19 regions throughout the country during UNOCI’s weekly press conference on Thursday in Abidjan. Mr. Blackman explained that UNOCI continued its support to the electoral process by providing logistical and human resources support. «The Mission had to mobilise land and air transportation for this operation with the participation of the civilian, military and police components of UNOCI» he said. Also as part of its support to the electoral process, the Deputy Spokesman announced that the Mission had transported consignments of claim forms and methodology guides for the processing of appeals to various regions. The regions included the Vallée du Bandama (Bouaké), Savanes (Korhogo), Moyen-Cavally (Guiglo), Denguélé (Odienné), Worodougou (Séguéla) and Bas Sassandra. In addition, Mr. Blackman said that ONUCI FM had provided sensitisation and information for the people concerned through it interviews and reports. «We also hope that the level of sensitisation will increase in order to give ample opportunity to those who have a right to have their names on the provisional electoral list’ » he added. Earlier, the Deputy Spokesman said that the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Côte d’Ivoire, Y. J. Choi, was in New York to take part in a high-level internal meeting which will discuss various issues, including the Ivorian peace process.

A tribute to elder Salia Kpissay

No one is immune from death and the pains that it brings to those who lost their love one. On May 10, 2010, the Towns of Gatima, Lowoma, Kondesu & Sasazu lost a great son, father, uncle, & grand father to the cold hands of death. On that evening, news of elder Salia Kpissay’s death spread around the world like undulating tornado in the dry desert in the Far East. As I pen this tribute in tears, I’m left with painful memories of occurrences and events leading to elder Salia Kpissay’s death. I’m also left with bunch of unanswered questions that only God can provide answers to.
When one finds him/herself in such a painful and tearful dilemma, all one is often left with are memories of painful occurrences. Some (like me) narrates or voice out their feelings while others keep those memories as precious semiprecious stone worth millions of Dollars care. Papa Salia “as he was affectionally called” viewed life in a totally prism form than lots of other people do. He most time saw and treated things in a very special way that probably no one will do after he’s finally laid to rest.
Today, I pen this tribute in a special way in memory of an elder who opened his doors to students who were faced with the daunting task of struggling to meet the expense of their survival and education in a very far away town of Gatima in what used to be called Lower Lofa County (now Gbarpolu County).
Many days we roamed the hallway of elder Kpissay’s home in search of daily bread. In those difficult times, he usually reminded us that he did not define family as those he biologically fathered. He often told us “as long as you are willing to add value to yourself (by going to school), you are one of mine”.
When I received the phone call about elder Salia Kpissay’s unexpected and untimely death at about 11:20 pm eastern standard time (3:20 am Liberian time) on that quiet night, the night became darkened and unending, revealing all the struggles he personally helped encouraged us to successfully pass through. He thought us to begin each day with a new enlightened way so that we would find in solitude the answer to his many traditional proverbs.
I managed to but could not hide my emotion from my two young kids who were with me when I received the phone call. I sat in complete disbelieve that I will never forget or escape.
Elder Salia Kpissay, you are physically gone today but those of us you leave behind will never be the same, we will walk around and through Gatima with out your physical guidance. Now you are on your own, we are here alone.
In the great beyond, you will march with your eyes so bright; your thoughts will become untangle. Today, your wise words, your generosity, & your courage have led lots of us across the world with pride and strength to cope with any form of difficulties. You left behind a dent that will never be filled in your absence.
May the Lord Almighty lead you through eternity & light perpetual shine on you.

By: Sam K Zinnah, APA, OND, B. Sc, candidate for M.B.A.

UNMIL Public Information Office Media Summary

Source: UNMIL News

A visiting UN Under Secretary-General Special Adviser on Innovative Financing for Development, has held talks with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to solicit her government’s support for UNITAID.
• UNITAID is an organization launched by Brazil, Chile, France, Norway and the UK in 2006 to help fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
• Mr. Philippe Douste-Blazy said the UN finds it necessary to help UNITAID in its endeavor to combat the diseases.
• Mr. Douste-Blazy said UNITAID would ask the Liberian government to place one US Dollar on every plane ticket to support the global initiative.
• The UN Under Secretary-General Special Adviser said the one US dollar on the plane ticket will augment funding for the achievement of MDGs four, five and six.
• He said UNITAID is trying to bridge the gap between poor and rich countries mainly in the area of health.
• In response, President Sirleaf welcomed the initiative describing HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis as major challenges to the health care delivery system of the country.

Local News on Liberian issues

Senate Suspends Threshold Debate, Honors High Court Citation Today
[Daily Observer, The Inquirer, The News, The Analyst, New Democrat, The Informer, Heritage]

• The Senate has endorsed a citation by the Supreme Court to suspend all further debates on the controversial population threshold bill.
• The Senate took the decision Tuesday after a heated debate erupted on the merits and demerits of the citation issued by Justice-In-Chambers Kabineh Jan’eh.
• In the citation, Justice Jan’eh mandated the Senate to stay all further proceedings on the threshold bill based on a petition against the National Legislature and other parties.
• The petition relates to a complaint filed by a group identified as Concerned Sector Youth represented by one James Doe against the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services, National Elections Commission and the National Legislature.
• The group claims the results of the 2008 National Population Census among other things were marred by flaws and inaccuracies.
• Meanwhile, the Senate says it will attend Wednesday’s conference called by the Justice-In-Chambers with the petitioner of the writ of prohibition.

LBS Director General-designate Finally Rejected
[Daily Observer, Front Page Africa, National Chronicle, Heritage]

• The Senate has rejected the confirmation of the Director General-designate of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), Darryl Ambrose Nmah.
• The Senate denied the confirmation of Mr. Nmah in its closed-door session Tuesday.
• It was gathered that the once-rejected LBS Director General-designate failed to meet the required confirmation votes of sixteen.
• Although Senate President Pro-Tempore Cletus Wotorson refused to comment on the rejection of Mr. Nmah, he confirmed that one or two Presidential nominees were denied.
• Mr. Nmah was earlier rejected by the Senate on what is thought to be his poor human relations.

Justice Ministry Dismisses Newspaper Claims against Elite Presidential Guard
[The Inquirer, The News, The Analyst, Front Page Africa]

• The Justice Ministry has dismissed a Front Page Africa newspaper caption: “SSS Secret Detention of Innocent People Exposed.”
• In the story, the paper alleged that personnel of the elite presidential guard have been engaged in secret arrest, detention and torture of individuals alleged to have committed crimes.
• The article also reported that the action has become a common practice in the administration of the Unity Party-led government as was done during past regimes.
• But the Ministry of Justice in a release expressed shock at the story and called on the paper to provide evidence to support its allegations.

Double Pay For Single Job, Key Government Official Benefit
[New Democrat]

• The Finance Ministry has confirmed that a select group of cabinet ministers and other top officials are benefiting from a dual remuneration scheme wherein they are paid lucrative sum.
• The pay in lucrative sums comes from both government and the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) capacity development fund.
• Reacting to a newspaper publication, which showed Minister Augustine Ngafuan’s mansion currently under construction, the ministry’s public affairs unit revealed in a statement that the minister is amongst few cabinet officials benefiting from the UNDP’s capacity funding scheme.
• It says the minister receives US$3,000 monthly from the UNDP scheme, arguing that such earning and those from government are the sources of funding enabling the construction of his palace.
• This means that the minister and others are being paid twice for a single job.
• The statement: “Members of Cabinet earn US$3,000 per month and Hon. Ngafuan has been a member of cabinet since January 2006....”

“We Will Vote People Oriented Leaders”…Unity Party Partisans Vow
[The Inquirer, The News, The Analyst, Heritage]

• Ahead of the merger convention scheduled to take place in Ganta, Nimba County this weekend, several delegates and partisans of the ruling Unity Party are pushing for the election of what they call political faces at the hierarchy of the new political institution.
• The partisans, many of whom are youths, described the pending convention as a crucial stage where the future of the three parties forming the merger would be decided, and by extension the future of Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as President of Liberia.
• The concerned partisans, who preferred anonymity, said they are going to the convention with the aim of putting in place a leadership that would be politically attractive and people oriented.
• They also called for change in personalities and strategies; something they said can only be assured if the right kind of leadership emerges from the convention.
• Several personalities including Cllr. Varney Sherman, former Internal Affairs Minister Ambulai Johnson, Assistant Labor Minister Cole Bangalu, Maryland Senator Gloria Scott, Mr. Clemenceau Urey, Montserrado Representative Dusty Wolokolie, former State Minister Morris Dukuly, former Assemblyman Isaac Mannah, former Cabinet Director Medina Wesseh and former Unity Party Secretary General Henry Fahnbulleh are expected to vie for several positions at the Liberia Action Party, Liberia Unification Party and the Unity Party merger convention expected to run from the 6th to the 9th of May in Ganta, Nimba County.

Star Radio (News monitored today at 09:00 am)
UN Under Secretary-General Meets President Sirleaf

Senate Suspends Threshold Debate, Honors High Court Citation Today
(Also reported Radio Veritas, Truth FM, Sky FM, and ELBC)

Senate Confirms Presidential Nominees, Defers and Denies Others
• The Senate has confirmed Harrison Karwea and Soko Sackor as Minister and Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Internal Affairs respectively.
• Also confirmed were Othello Gongar, Education Minister; Mator Kpangbai, Deputy Education Minister and Jerolimek Piah, Deputy Information Minister.
• Others are Grace Kpaan, Superintendent, Montserrado County; Billy Johnson, Chief Medical Officer, John F. Kennedy Medical Centre and several Township Commissioners.
• At the same time, the Senate has put a hold on the confirmation of Assistant Information Minister-designate Isaac Jackson and Assistant Gender Minister-designate Marthalyn Dagoseh.
• Also, the Senate has deferred the confirmation of Deputy Police Director-designate Al Karlay and Deputy Immigration Commissioner Col. Robert Budy.
• Some Senators are requesting a Police or judicial clearance from Mr. Karlay who was earlier dismissed from the Police because of a fuel scandal.
• In another development, the Senate has denied the confirmation of the Assistant Superintendent-designate of Grand Cape Mount County and two commissioners of River Gee County.
(Also reported Truth FM, Sky FM, and ELBC)

LBS Director General-designate finally rejected
(Also reported Truth FM, Sky FM, and ELBC)

Coalition Of ‘Five’ To Monitor Education Sector
• Five civil society groups in the country have formed a coalition known as the Coalition for Transparency and Accountability in Education.
• The group comprises the Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia, the Liberia Education Technical Committee and the Federation of Liberian Youths.
• Other members of the coalition include the Liberia Economic Journalists Association and the Liberia Institute for Certified Public Accountants.
• According to an official of the group Thomas Doe-Nah, the coalition would monitor targeted procurement processes in the education sector, document best practices as well as bad practices in public procurement in the education sector and make recommendations for change.
• Mr. Doe-Nah believes a fraudulent procurement process in the education sector would adversely affect the atmosphere of learning in the classrooms, noting that the coalition would advocate for government to either prosecute or blacklist companies with questionable records in securing procurement contracts.
• Former Education Minister now Executive Director of the Liberia Education Trust Dr. Evelyn Kandakai launched the coalition Tuesday in Monrovia
(Also reported Radio Veritas, Truth FM, Sky FM, and ELBC)

Liberian Embassy in Ghana Faces Logistical Constraints
• The Liberian embassy in Ghana says it is faced with logistical constraints.
• Ambassador Rudolf Von-Balmoos said the embassy has only one vehicle, making it difficult to effectively operate.
• Ambassador Von-Balmoos however said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was working on improving the situation.
• At the same time, the Liberian Ambassador has praised government for the level of support the embassy is receiving.
• Ambassador Von-Balmoos also spoke of good bilateral relationship with the Ghanaian government.
• He disclosed partnerships for support to the education and military sectors are being concluded.
• The Liberian diplomat said a pending visit to Liberia by Ghanaian President John Atta Mills will serve as evidence of the good relationship between the two West African countries.

Truth FM (News monitored today at 10:00 am)
Guinea Encroaches On Liberian Territory, Hoists Flag
• [SIC] The Guinean government has allegedly encroached on Liberian territory along the border town of Yealla, Lofa County.
• The Guinean flag according to reports can be seen across the river on the Liberian side of the border.
• Local residents say the Guinean flag was hoisted on the Liberian territory during the regime of junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara.
• But speaking to newsmen in Zorzor, Lofa County President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said the action of the Guinean government was against international boundary laws, which declare rivers as the legitimate demarcations for neighboring countries.
• President Sirleaf said she will properly review the country’s boundary document and subsequently deal with the matter diplomatically.

Justice Ministry Dismisses Newspaper Claims against Elite Presidential Guard

International Clips on Liberia

Liberia accuses Guinea of encroaching on its territory

APA-Monrovia (Liberia): There is looming conflict between the two Mano River Union member states of Guinea and Liberia, with reports that Guinea has allegedly encroached on Liberian territory near the border town of Yeala in northern Liberia. According to a report published by a local daily here on Wednesday, the Guinean flag can be seen hoisted along the border town of Yeala on the Liberian side of the border. The report quotes local residents as saying that the flag was hoisted during the regime of junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara. The report quotes Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as saying that the Guinea government’s action was against international boundary laws, which declare rivers as the legitimate demarcations for neighboring countries. President Sirleaf said she will properly review the country’s boundary document and subsequently deal with the matter diplomatically. The Liberian president however said Liberia currently enjoys friendly relations with the government led by current leader General Sekouba Konate. A similar boundary dispute is brewing between Sierra Leone and Guinea, with the Sierra Leone government complaining that Guinea has encroached on a portion of land in Sierra Leonean territory near the border town of Koindu. Since then, the town, which once boasted of being a major international market has been reduced to a local market, as Fulas from Guinea who once invested heavily in Koindu, have adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

President Sirleaf Receives UNITAID Proposal on Financing MDGs

http://www.isria.com/pages/5_May_2010_27.php

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Tuesday received a proposal from the head of UNITAID, a United Nations entity, for Liberia to play a role in an innovative project to finance development and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The President was also invited to join the UN Secretary-General and other world leaders in a campaign related to the MDGs, in connection with the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Goals, scheduled for September. The proposal was presented to President Sirleaf by Mr. Philippe Douste-Blazy, UN Under-Secretary-General and Chairman of the Executive Board of UNITAID. Mr. Douste-Blazy spoke of the widening gap between developed and developing countries in the health area, and said UNITAID had come up with new thinking on how to address the problem. Concerning her participation in the MDG campaign, President Sirleaf, responding, said she was already involved in various health initiatives. Her Government’s commitment to the health sector was strong. She had committed to provide free basic health care for all in all Government public health facilities. Continuing, the President noted that malaria remains a big problem in Liberia, so the fact that UNITAID was addressing that health issue was a good thing. The innovative mechanism would be examined in this light.

Visiting Liberian delegation appeals for ideas to reduce poverty

http://runningafrica.com/news-05052010-PRS-Delegation-Appeals.html

A Liberia government delegation currently visiting with Liberians in the United States says the collapse of the Liberian economy can be attributed to the sustained period of instability in the country pre-dating 1990. Long before the scheduled 3 pm start of the program on Sunday, May 2, 2010, scores of Liberians from the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware converged on the venue of the town hall meeting in West Philadelphia. At the kickoff of the formal presentation, two senior government functionaries in the persons of the youthful Liberian Planning and Economic Affairs Minister Mr. Amara Konneh and the Director General of the Civil Service Agency Dr. C. William Allen briefed the gathering on the implementation of Government's Poverty Reduction Strategy Program also known as "Lift Liberia". The PRS has for 4 pillars which include enhancing Peace and Security, revitalization of the Liberian economy, improvement in Governance and Rule of Law and rebuilding of infrastructure and provision of Basic Services. The anxious and attentive gathering of Liberians listened first to Minister Konneh who is the National Coordinator of the Liberia Reconstruction and Development Committee (LRDC). He told the audience that it was Government's intention to tap into the Liberian Diaspora in North America, Europe and Africa and solicit their help in moving the country forward, adding, "Your remittances totaling between $80 - $100 million dollars has significantly helped the Liberian economy."

Somali pirates hijack Russian oil tanker: EU navy

London (Reuters) - Somali pirates hijacked a Russian-owned Liberia-flagged oil tanker off the coast of east Africa on Wednesday with 23 Russian crew members on board. "At the time of the attack, the Moscow University was heading east with a final destination of China," the European Union's EU Navfor naval force said in a statement. "The ship has a crew of 23, all from Russia, and all are believed to be well."

International Clips on West Africa

Guinea

Guinea election won't be delayed, says junta chief

Conakry (Reuters) - Guinea's June 27 presidential election will not be delayed, the head of the West African country's ruling military junta said, amid growing concern that army factions will try to disrupt the vote. The reassurance comes under international pressure for a swift transition to civilian rule in the leading bauxite exporter, after decades of harsh military leadership spanning back to its independence from France in 1958. "No one has the power or the right within my immediate entourage, among my close collaborators, to prolong the transition or to delay elections for any reason," General Sekouba Konate said late on Tuesday on state television. "All of us are leaving after June 27, which will mark the end of our mission and our mandate," he said. Konate took over power in Guinea after former junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara was shot in the head by a would-be assassin in December and evacuated from the country for treatment.

OHCHR and Guinea sign agreement for presence

Source: United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

The UN Human Rights office and the Government of Guinea on 4 May in Geneva signed an agreement establishing OHCHR's presence in the West-African country. The new country office will work to promote and protect human rights in Guinea. The decision to establish an OHCHR country office in Guinea originates from a report by an International Commission of Inquiry mandated by the Secretary-General to investigate the 28 September 2009 violent suppression by Guinea's security forces of a mass demonstration against the military junta. The report confirmed the killing of 156 people and uncovered the rapes of women and the arbitrary arrest of political opponents as well as the looting of their homes. In view of the Commission's findings, the report recommended the establishment of the office as well as a series of reforms which were endorsed by the Secretary-General in January 2010. After signing the 'host country agreement' with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Francophonie of the Republic of Guinea, Mr. Bakary Fofana, the UN Human Rights Chief, Navi Pillay said that "The new office will boost the UN's ability to cooperate with the Government in its efforts to promote and protect the human rights of all Guineans. It is a clear indication of the current Government's commitment to draw a line under the country's troubled history."

Ivory Coast

AU Peace and Security Council briefed on prevailing situation in Cote d'Ivoire

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6973379.html

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union was briefed on the evolution of the situation in Cote d'Ivoire by the special representative of the Chairperson the Commission for Cote d'Ivoire, a statement released to media said on Tuesday. The briefing was also given to the permanent representative of Cote d'Ivoire to UN and diplomatic advisor to the president of Cote d'Ivoire, the ambassador of Nigeria, in her capacity as the representative of the country currently holding the Chairmanship of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) and the representative of the Commission of ECOWAS to the Commission of the African Union. The Council expressed its serious concern with the lack of progress in the process of exit from the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire since its meeting of March 5, 2010. According to the statement, the Council underscored the need for the country's parties to make every effort for the early completion of the process. The Council urged the parties to promote an environment conducive for the completion of this process and the holding of inclusive, free, transparent and fair elections. It particularly urged those to find solutions to outstanding issues, in conformity with relevant provisions in the Ouagadougou Political Agreement and Supplementary Agreements, the statement added.

Adviser Says President Gbagbo Not Cause of Ivory Coast Crisis

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/west/Adviser-Says-President-Gbagbo-Not-Cause-of-Ivory-Coast-Crisis---92824199.html

Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo’s special adviser says the disarmament of rebel forces and the re-unification of the entire country are the two main conditions needed to be achieved before credible elections could be held. Lambert Bahi Serry said there is need for the international community including the African Union to help with the full implementation of the Political Agreement that was recently signed in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou. “I think for the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to state that it means that they are in face with what the president has been saying over and over again that we need to have all these bodies like the African Union, the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States, the U.N. Security Council to put pressure on the signatories of the Ouagadougou agreement so that the last step the 20 percent that we have left to have free and fair elections are completed,” he said.

Sierra Leone

48 Hours Ultimatum to Leave Russia…Via Cairo and Ghana

http://standardtimespress.net/cgi-bin/artman/publish/article_4613.shtml

A letter sent to Sierra Leone’s Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at Gloucester Street, from the Sierra Leone’s Embassy in Moscow written by H.E. Dr. Salieu Mohammed Turay has explained that he was not the one granted persona non- grata, but his son who was allegedly involved in a rape scandal in Moscow. According to Hon. Turay, he had warned his step son Teslime Wilson to refrain from associating himself with night clubs, friends and Russian girls. He said his step son proved to be recalcitrant and as he continues to encourage friends and Russian girls until late one night he was stopped from entering the diplomatic house with Russian girls and friends by the security. Though they were able to persuade the security officer to let them in he later called in the police who came and removed the night visitors from his residence. The Russian Ambassador further explained that preparation was made to repatriate Teslime Wilson to Freetown when he disappeared around 3.00 am, but was located at his hideout through the assistance of the Regional Police Headquarter and the Russian telephone provider, Megafon and was given 48 hours to leave Russia.

UNMIL Daily News

Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, today (Monday 22nd February 2010) started a two-day visit to Liberia in order to launch a new project between his Africa Governance Initiative and President Johnson-Sirleaf’s administration The project which follows a request from President Johnson-Sirleaf will focus on the Ministry of State and will see a small team from the Initiative, under Mr Blair’s guidance, working side-by-side with counterparts in the Liberian government with the aim to build the capacity at the centre of the Liberian administration to deliver for its people. Mr Blair shares President Johnson-Sirleaf’s ambition to “Lift Liberia” and transform the country as envisioned in the national Poverty Reduction Strategy. During the visit, his first to Liberia, Tony Blair will take a part in a series of one-on-one meetings with the President. He will express his strong admiration for the President’s leadership and the progress being made. Tony Blair said: “President Johnson-Sirleaf is rightly regarded as one of Africa’s greatest leaders - that is why I am so pleased to be working with her.

International Clips on West Africa
Guinea

Guinea leader Jean-Marie Dore pleads for election funds
BBC
Guinea urgently needs funds to be ready for an election due later this year, the prime minister has told the BBC. "We need to have money... [but] we will try to do our best to be ready," said Jean-Marie Dore. Election officials announced on Sunday that a vote would be held on 27 June - part of a deal brokered to secure a return to civilian rule. The military took over the country in December
2008, following the death of long-time leader Lansana Conte. Junta leader Capt Moussa Dadis Camara was shot and wounded in December, prompting crisis talks during which the military agreed to organise an election within six months. But Mr Dore told the BBC's Network Africa that the country had no funds for election materials or to conduct a census of Guineans living abroad. He said the government was working with international organisations such as the European Union, United Nations and regional body Ecowas.
"We are looking forward together the best way to organise fair elections," he said.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone: veteran war crimes lawyer tapped as top prosecutor UN-backed court

22 February 2010 - A United States attorney, who leads the prosecution against former Liberian president Charles Taylor, has been named by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as the new Prosecutor of the United Nations-backed tribunal trying the worst acts committed during the decade-long brutal civil war in Sierra Leone. Since 2007, Brenda Joyce Hollis has served as a principal trial attorney in the Office of the Prosecutor in the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), where she heads up the legal team prosecuting Mr. Taylor, who is under indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Prior to that, she was an expert legal consultant on international law and criminal procedure, training judges, prosecutors and investigators at courts and international tribunals in Indonesia, Iraq and Cambodia. Ms. Hollis has helped victims of international crimes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Colombia prepare submissions requesting investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

Ivory Coast

Regional Mediator Holds Crisis Talks in Ivory Coast
Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore is in Ivory Coast for talks with government and opposition leaders about ways to resolve the country's political crisis. President Laurent Gbagbo dissolved the government and electoral commission weeks before expected presidential elections. President Compaore is in Abidjan trying to resolve what he says is the crucial issue of delaying the presidential vote - the dissolution of the Ivory Coast electoral commission. President Compaore says the appointment of an Independent Electoral Commission is essential to keep the process going forward. President Compaore met Sunday with the two leading opposition candidates for president, former president Henri Konan Bedie and former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara. Burkinabe Foreign Minister Alain Yoda read their joint communiqué.

Local Media - Newspaper
Former British Prime Minster is in the Country for a Two-Day Visit
(Daily Observer, The Inquirer, Public Agenda and New Republic)

 Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is in the country on a two-day visit.
 While in Liberia, Mr. Blair will hold bilateral talks with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Vice President Joseph Boakai, Speaker Alex Tyler and the presiding officer of the Senate.
 According to a Foreign Ministry release, Mr. Blair will use his visit to launch a new project between his Africa Governance Initiative and the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration.
 The former British Prime Minister will also hold talks with the Ministers of Public Works, Agriculture, Planning and Economic Affairs among others.

Liberia, Ghana Deepens Cooperation
(Daily Observer, The News, New Republic and Liberian Express)

 Liberia and Ghana have called for the deepening of cooperation between the two countries in the areas of trade, industry, investment, agriculture and the security sector. The decision followed discussions in Accra Saturday between Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and John Evans Atta Mills, during a two-day State Visit to Ghana.
 A Joint Communiqué issued at the end of the visit said the countries will reactivate the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation.
 According to an Executive Mansion release, the two Presidents welcomed the holding of the Ghana-Liberia Trade and Investment Forum, and urged business communities in both countries to promote meaningful investment and private sector participation in the region’s economic development.
 The two leaders acknowledged the need to entrench the culture of democracy, good governance, the rule of law and the respect for human rights.

UN Envoy Lauds Ghana’s Move to Place Female Troops in Forward Positions
(Public Agenda and The Analyst)

 The Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Liberia, Ellen Margrethe Løj, has praised the Republic of Ghana for deploying in the country the first group of female soldiers to forward positions in peacekeeping.
 SRSG Løj described the move as a milestone in the history of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and that of the UN peacekeeping operations worldwide.
 Speaking when she awarded peacekeeping medals to Ghanaian soldiers serving in UNMIL, Ms. Løj praised the courage and resolve of the 54 women in the 700-strong contingent.
 She expressed gratitude government of Ghana for the close collaboration it had extended to UNMIL and for availing the best of its military to serve the cause of peace.
 SRSG Løj then recalled the sacrifices Ghana has made in the country during the sub-regional group ECOWAS’ two peacekeeping missions that preceded UNMIL.

MAC Appeals For Collaboration ….Begins Partnership with CAFOD
(The Inquirer)

 The local media child rights campaigner, the Media in Advocacy for Children (MAC) has begun efforts aimed at forging partnership with the United Kingdom based Catholic Agency for Oversea Development (CAFOD) and other child rights advocacy groups.
 In a statement delivered on its behalf at the just ended CAFOD partnership conference in Freetown, Sierra Leone, MAC Secretary General David N. Targbe said the organization cannot achieve all its goals without the support of other child rights related group, including CAFOD-UK, Don Bosco Homes, UNICEF, Save the Children and others.
 Mr. Targbe said MAC is determined to remain vocal on the condition affecting underprivileged children, orphans and street children but stressed that it cannot be done alone.

Delay of Human Rights Commission Undermines Human Rights, Accountability
(New Republic and The Analyst)

 The International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) says the failure of the Liberian senate to confirm all presidential nominees to the Independent National Commission for Human Rights (INCHR) is a major setback to efforts to protect and promote human rights in Liberia, including moving forward the country’s transitional justice agenda.
 ICTJ’s Interim President, Hanny Megally said seven years after the end of the conflict, it is unfortunate that the INCHR, which is an important human rights protection mechanism mandated by the peace accord, is still not functioning.
