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During the Legislative conference, Professor Olympia Beko, head of the international criminal justice unit of the human rights law centre, University of Nottingham, and David Scheffer, first U.S. Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues (1997-2001), will provide expert advice to members of the Legislature and Liberian stakeholders working on the Draft Act to Establish an Extraordinary Tribunal for War and Economic Crimes for Liberia via video-conference.

Emmanuel Savice: We can not afford to let these murderers go free with impunity!

February 18, 2020February 18, 2020 admin2Emmanuel Savice, Liberia, Luja0 comment

By Emmanuel Savice As a kid growing up, I knew nothing about violence. I lived in a peaceful country (Liberia), where our parents had little opportunities to provide for the family. As little the opportunities were, they took advantage of it. They fed us with their sweat. They went fishing, hunting and they were happy to work as cooks, house cleaners and securities for the powers that be. Out of that peanut income, they managed to provide life basic necessities for their children. It was never the most decent homes,…

Society Arts & Leisure

Jockk Brand vs. the Man at the Top of the Stairs: excerpts from a Novel

February 17, 2020February 17, 2020 admin2Dag Walker, Jockk Brand, Writer0 comment

Jockk Brand vs. the Man at the Top of the Stairs and Other Men Hiding in the Shadows in the Garden Evening. Icy Cafe, Street of the Monkeys, Phom Phen. By Dag Walker By 9:00 p.m the temperature had dropped to the low 100s in the city. Seated on a quiet back street outside of Icy Cafe, a small group of young backpackers and a few older ex-pats sat sipping beer and rum and smoking endless cigarettes, sweating heavily under the dim pig-tail light bulb above the low doorway of…

Prior to his demise, Zenu worked with several institutions including Truth FM, owned and operated by the Renaissance Communications Incorporated. The nation will continue to remember him as a remarkable radio personality who positively impacted his audience and professional colleagues. meanwhile, the government of Liberia, which the journalist accused of beating him which subsequently led to his death is yet to issue a statement on the death of the popular journalist. The Press Union of Liberia or the pul, which is also the umbrella organization has not commented on the issue. The committee to protect journalist or the CPU, in a twitter feed over the weekend, called for an impartial investigation in the death of the journalist. By W. Selmah/Newspublictrust/Liberianlistener

News

Press Union, Liberian Government hush on popular Journalist Zenu’s death

February 17, 2020February 17, 2020 admin2Death, Journalist, Liberia0 comment

While the exact cause of his death is yet to be determined, Liberian broadcast Journalist Zenu Korboi Miller of the private owned OK Fm 99.5, who died on Saturday, February 15, 2020, received flogging from the elite presidential security, Executive Protection Force (EPS). That attack took place during the National County Sports meet at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia’s Paynesville suburb. Journalist Miller complained to the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) after being victimized by the state security brutality, did not return to work for a protracted…

Open submission date: March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020

Society Arts & Leisure

Call for Submissions: “Breaking the Silence: Anthology of Liberian Literature”

February 17, 2020February 17, 2020 admin2Anthology, Submission0 comment

CALLING ALL LIBERIAN WRITERS: Poets, Short Story Writers, Short Memoir Articles, Autobiography, Emerging & Established, to Submit Call for Submissions: “Breaking the Silence: Anthology of Liberian Literature” With the support of the Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, Author of several books, Poet, & Professor of English, Creative Writing, and Literature of Penn State University is seeking manuscripts from Liberian writers and all writers of Liberian origin or descent, established and emerging writers to submit their manuscripts of poetry, fiction, memoir articles, true stories, prose poems, and spoken word…

By filing a defense brief, the government has undermined settlement talks —having in the past informed the plaintiffs and ECOWAS Court, orally and in writing, that it wishes to settle this matter out of court. Survivors and persons affected by Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, still deal with lots of post-Ebola related health complications, and that they are being ignored/abandoned. By: Peter Quaqua

Public Policy

Sierra Leone Ebola Survivors Run to the ECOWAS COURT

February 16, 2020February 16, 2020 admin2Ebola, Ecowas0 comment

On 6 February 2020, the ECOWAS Court seating in Abuja, Nigeria, heard the matter of two Ebola survivor healthcare workers and the Center for Accountability and Rule of Law-Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) who sued the Government of Sierra Leone for violating Sierra Leoneans’ Rights to Life and Health due to the “MISMANAGEMENT of Emergency and Relief funds” which greatly undermined the response to the Ebola outbreak in 2014. In 2015, the Sierra Leone Audit Service reported significant mismanagement and possible loss of funds meant for Sierra Leone’s Ebola response. According…

MONROVIA – Zenu Miller has died. The unfortunate incident occurred Saturday morning after suddenly falling off and was rushed to the ELWA Hospital, family sources told FrontPageAfrica. While the cause of his death is yet to be made public, Zenu had been complaining of chest pain since he was manhandled by officers of the Executive Protection Service late January at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium during the National County Sports Meet. He served as editor, talk show host and news director at Truth FM 96.1, owned by Liberian businessman. Musa Bility, and T-Five radio station of Representative Thomas Fallah. He also worked at the Lone Star Cell Communications Incorporated and OK FM99.5 in Monrovia – where he worked until his demise. It can be recalled that Mr. Miller was reportedly flogged during the final football match of the 2020 National County Meet between Nimba and Grand Kru Counties at Samuel Kanyon Doe Sport Complex on January 26, 2020. Related Posts Liberia Quietly Tackling Coronavirus; 71 Travelers from… Feb 15, 2020 Liberia Moves to Minimize Gasoline Shortage After Days of… Feb 15, 2020 Liberia: Chinese Doctor Has Heart on Homeland As Coronovirus… Feb 15, 2020 “I was attacked tonight at the SKD [“Samuel Kanyon Doe” Stadium] by EPS [Executive Protective Service] officers in the full view of the EPS director. Gosh!!!” Zenu Miller posted on his Facebook page. The Executive Protective Service (EPS) is President George Weah’s elite security forces. Miller complained that he suffered severe pains in the chest and legs as a result of the assault, forcing him to seek medical treatment. Several Liberian journalists took to the social media on Saturday expressing their regrets and sympathies for the passing of one of their colleagues. Family members and workmates are presently gathering at the hospital to arrange for the removal of the journalist remains, or to take a glance of the corpse.

News

Journalist allegedly manhandled by George Weah’s elite security died of wounds

February 15, 2020 admin2Beaten, Dead, Journalist0 comment

MONROVIA, FPA– Zenu Miller has died. The unfortunate incident occurred Saturday morning after suddenly falling off and was rushed to the ELWA Hospital, family sources told FrontPageAfrica. While the cause of his death is yet to be made public, Zenu had been complaining of chest pain since he was manhandled by officers of the Executive Protection Service late January at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium during the National County Sports Meet. He served as editor, talk show host, and news director at Truth FM 96.1, owned by…

Does President GMW understand "The Politics of Rice and Gas" and its corresponding consequences? April 14, 1979 Riot was provoked by RICE and GAS. The President along with his idol worshipers needs to read dialectics. The high demand for gas due to its prolonged shortage is sharply increasing the prices of basic goods and services under this regime. The "Change for Hope" slogan has become another mere fiasco and a promise betrayed.

Op-ed

Weah’s Monstrous Complex Vs. The Tiny 14th Military Hospital – 10 Reasons

February 15, 2020 admin2Hospital, Liberia, Properties, Weah0 comment

The Editor, As men and women in arms observe the 63rd Armed Forces Day, President George M. Weah has for the third time toured the 14th Military Hospital even though it is yet to be fully completed and equipped with medical facilities and the requisite manpower. The hospital, which sits on 5 of 75 acres, was inspected again by the Commander-in-Chief on Monday, February 10, 2020. This project appears to be the biggest achievement of the CDC-led government after 2 years in power. But pro-CDC fanatics and pro-Weah…

Op-ed

Own the Mess at LPRC, Mr President, the last buck stops with you

February 14, 2020 admin2Liberia, LPRC0 comment

In all respect, the government of Liberia must and should immediately take responsibility for the missing petroleum products at LPRC. It makes no sense for merchants commodities entrusted to the government to go missing and the very government is ordering products to replace these merchants as an importer. Unless we are being convinced that this is just a way of putting these importers out of business, only fanatics will see this differently. When a scoping investigation showed that more money than required was printed at the CBL, Weeks…

I am asking all of my friends and other patriotic Liberians to join this cause. Weah and his Ministers have gotten emboldened and diabolical in their abuse of power. The firing of Ms. Bollie was retaliatory and grossly retributive; time to say NO to this bullshit political disaster!

Op-ed

Eye Servants: Piso Tarr you can fire civil servants just to please president!

February 14, 2020 admin2Liberia, minister, Piso Tarr0 comment

The Editor, The firing of Ms. Precious Bollie begs an ethical and Equal Employment Opportunity question. Are ordinary un-appointed career civil servants now employed at the will and pleasure of the President and his ministers? Is their employment not merit-based and subject to the rule of law? Can they be fired for any whimsical reason or for publicly criticizing the President or having an opinion on national issues? When does firing in the Liberian government become retaliatory? What happens when 300 ordinary civil servants go on Facebook and…

President Paul Kagame has talked about the possibility of not running for a fourth term, noting that his wish is for a woman to replace him when he retires from office. “My wish is that one day, a woman takes up this position that you gave me,” Kagame told delegates during the Nation Address at the 17th National Annual Dialogue last Thursday. He has previously made similar claims, notably in 2017 when he said he “can only accept” to run for a third term after being persuaded by the Rwandan population. While it would be difficult to dislodge a president who is credited with the nation’s economic transformation, no woman has made it to the ballot for the presidency in Rwanda’s history despite the president’s wish. Only two women have attempted to run for the top seat—Victoire Ingabire in 2010 and Diane Rwigara in 2017. Their attempts were, however, short-lived and unsuccessful as both were arrested shortly after announcing their bids to run against Kagame. Related Stories KAGAME: Less talk, more action will bring the change we need in EA KAGAME: Less talk, more action will bring the change we need in EA Rwanda as a City State, and Africa’s World Cup win Rwanda as a City State, and Africa’s World Cup win Advertisement Potential successors The ruling party, RPF, has notable women who have previously risen through the ranks and are seen as potential successors once Kagame decides to pass on the button. Experts say Rwanda has a pool of women leaders who can match the challenge. The Cabinet is 52 per cent female while they make up 68 per cent of parliament. “There are many young and experienced women in political offices now. One name that comes up to me easily is Louise Mushikiwabo, who has vast experience in leadership and can take the challenge,” Ismail Buchanan, a professor of politics told The EastAfrican. “But most importantly, I think it is not about a particular individual but the need for continuation of Rwanda’s (upward) trajectory.” Still energetic Ms Mushikiwabo is the secretary-general of Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie and previously served as Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation of Rwanda from 2009 to 2018. A week ago, President Kagame had again talked up his retirement, this time in a more subtle manner. While attending the 2019 Doha Forum, he answered “most likely not” to a question on whether he will seek for a fourth term in 2024. “I don’t know yet, but most likely no. When I say most likely, I mean I don’t want to lock myself into anything. I want to have some breathing space,” Kagame said. “But I think that given the way things are or have been in the past, it depends on two things. But I think I have made up my mind where am concerned personally that it is not going to happen next time.” President Kagame won a resounding third term in 2017 by 99 per cent of the vote, following a referendum in 2015 that suspended term limits. Before that, Kagame had made several suggestions that he might not seek a third term, but changed his mind after the constitution was amended in 2015 with 98 per cent voting to amend article 101 on presidential term limits. Now having served as president since 2000, he is alongside President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda as the longest-serving leader in the East African Community. The constitution allows him to run for another two five-year terms until 2034, and Mr Kagame says he still has a “lot of energy left to keep going” despite the economic transformation that he has overseen since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “I can go on for several more years; I am not tired of doing what I am doing. I am working with my people and my country, and moving from the past of tremendous challenges but also making progress and creating hope for the people of Rwanda,” he said in Doha. He added: “It is never mission accomplished. As far as we are concerned, it is work-in-progress.”

Public Policy

AU Elects Pres. Paul Kagame to Drive Africa’s 2063 Agenda

February 14, 2020 admin2African Union, Reforms0 comment

The African Union (AU) has unanimously elected President Paul Kagame as the new chairperson of one of its new agencies that will drive the continent towards vision 2063. Kagame was yesterday, elected chairperson of African Union Development Agency- New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC). The AUDA-NEPAD is an integral component of the AU which brings both institutions together to work effectively, and Kagame said it’s everyone’s duty to make it happen. The election that was held at the 37th HSGOC…