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This was a very meaningful conversation I had with my fellow Liberian writer, Eudora Aletta. So besides the political talks and photo ops, meeting Eudora who I have communicated with for years was one of the highlights of the convention for me. I hope to read and review her novel, The Wind of Change.

Book Review: The Land of My Father’s Birth, by Nvasekie N. Konneh

August 13, 2019 admin2 Konneh, The Land of My Father's Birth

A Book Review by Theodore T. Hodge The author’s primary purpose is to set the record straight about his nationality, and that of his father before him. That is too easy a case to make. He uses strong and impressive arguments from the outset by using general history and personal genealogy. To borrow a popular cliché of our times, it is a slam-dunk. Besides nationality, Konneh addresses the sub-themes of tribalism, religion, and patriotism. Commonly held beliefs among many Liberians include the false point of view that…

If one were to couple the mayor’s statements with recent acts of violence, this would lead to a decision by the ICC to open an investigation into violence in Liberia because it falls within the category of crimes against humanity which will lead to future prosecutions of state-supported atrocities. Failure by the President of Liberia to forcefully and publicly reject and sanction the mayor may be deemed as silent support of Koijee.

Public Policy

Jefferson Koijee Risks Prosecution by the ICC for Election Related Violence

August 11, 2019 admin2 CDC, Election, Jefferson Koigee, Violence

Washington–– Liberia is slowly inching towards state-sponsored terrorism and violence against its citizens. Fatou Bensouda, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), stated, ‘when passions run high during elections, and people do not act with restraint, this may lead to large-scale crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC. In such a case, the office of the prosecutor will not hesitate to act under the criteria defined by the Rome Statute. She went on to say, “Political leaders are equally obliged to ensure that the electoral process…

In November 1967, Mr. Porte wrote a pamphlet titled “Thinking About Unthinkable Things In a Democracy,” wondering how Liberia, with its constitution, its adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, could be a nation where “anyone could do any wrong, and once he had the President and his office behind him, he could go free and no one, not even the Chief Justice could do anything about it. That was very dangerous for any country,” (Page 184). Indeed lawlessness at the highest level of governance was dangerous and Liberia were to find it later, in a devastating way.

Artists & Reviews

A Life of Rebellion: The Biography Of Albert Porte

August 11, 2019 admin2 Albert porte, Kenneth Y. Best, Liberia

Kenneth Y. Best: Albert Porte, A Life Time Trying to Save Liberia By the time William V.S. Tubman became president of Liberia, the country had already abandoned any semblance of democracy and the people had lost the right to elect their leaders. This privilege was left to a party caucus, made of the President, the Speaker and a handful of people in the True Whig Party and government hierarchy. The system had been introduced by President King in 1925. Once the Caucus decided who would run for…

Weah: “What was damaged during the 14 years of civil war,” he said, “cannot be fixed in a day’s time. This government is focused on rehabilitating Liberians whose lives were damaged. I want you not to join those who are undermining the country through protests. Join me to rebuild the country.” As part of his development plans, President Weah said the government was exerting efforts to change the lives of Liberians, by building concrete homes in place of the huts they have been living in over so many decades.

News

Weah: “I Am A Record Breaker, Talk-and-Do President”

August 10, 2019 admin2 Liberian President, Weah

Tells marketers as he warns Liberian media against “negative reportage” Liberian Observer, Monrovia—President George Weah has referred to himself as “a record breaker, talk-and-do” President, calling on Liberians not to listen to those in whose care the country was entrusted for more than 100 years and had nothing to show in terms of their achievements. Though the President recently decriminalized free speech through the legislature, he has challenged the Liberian media to report the “positive developments,” and desist from reporting what he portrayed as “negative image” of the country….

The two were discussing the Tanzanian delegation’s reaction to the vote after delegates danced in the chamber. “To watch that thing on television, as I did, to see those, those monkeys from those African countries – damn them, they’re still uncomfortable wearing shoes!” Reagan tells Nixon, who erupts in laughter. The recording was first published in the Atlantic magazine in an article written by Tim Naftali, who directed the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum from 2007 to 2011.

Public Policy

Reagan called African leaders ‘monkeys’ in call to Richard Nixon

August 10, 2019 admin2 Africa, Reagan, samuel Doe

Ronald Reagan made racist remarks about African delegates to the United Nations, calling them “monkeys” and saying they were still “uncomfortable wearing shoes”, newly released audio recordings have revealed. Reagan, the actor turned politician who was a popular two-term president, made the comments in a phone call with the disgraced former president Richard Nixon as the two discussed a 1971 vote by the UN to recognize China, instead of the US ally Taiwan. At the time of the call, Nixon was still president and Reagan was governor of California, both the BBC…

Making sure that the rule of law is upheld and Taylor brought to justice for his heinous crimes, sadly not for Liberia, but Sierra Leone, James Verdier worked pro bono to helped indict the war criminal, currently incarcerated in England. His commitment to the welfare of the Liberian people has always been paramount and this character has been impeccable. Observers say as Liberia looks to buried it past and move away from leaders who are so easily consumed by power, as they quickly forsake the national interest for personal aggrandizement, Jerome Verdier are those kinds that Liberia needs, as is indicative in the TRC report which he released with his fellow commissioners.

Public Policy

Former TRC Chair concerned about violence rule of law under Weah

August 9, 2019 admin2 Jerome Verdier, Liberia, Rule of Law

Speaking with journalists Thursday from Washington DC, Capital of the United States of America, a press statement of the IJG quoted the learned Counselor at Law as condemning the acts of criminal elements within government to pervert the ends of justice which got Cllr Varney Sherman off the hook in the Sable Mining bribery scandal case in Liberia. The IJG statement said the Justice advocacy group has reliably unearthed that the presiding Judge in the Sable Mining case, His Honor Judge Peter Gbenewelee, the prosecution team headed by the…

Truth be told, this practice is brutish, backward, reactionary and of no significance today, and thus, should be jettisoned. It merely glorifies the masters’ way of intimidating their subjects, inciting imminent fear among the people by divisions and classifications. culled from, www.face2faceafrica

Public Policy

African courts are glorifying colonialism with wigs

August 9, 2019 admin2 Africa, Court, judges, Wigs

SIKA-AYIWA AFRIYIE SAFO | Contributor The tradition of wearing horsehair wigs, perukes, ‘a term derived from the French word perruque (weaving wig)’ and gowns by the judiciary predates the 15th Century. In the 14th Century, during the reign of King Edward III, the accepted costume for nobles who appeared before the Court of the king was the robe. Later in the 17th Century, the gown was adopted together with the peruke (horsehair wig) as the formal apparel of judges and lawyers, a bid to differentiate the elite from the commoners. Originally, judges were…

I see President Weah as being passive/negative. When he faces criticism he, too, becomes critical and negative. He does not respond as if he is in charge; he allows his subordinates around him to lead when he’s the leader; he doesn’t act on issues going on around him even if the sky may be falling; and he seems to have a tough time deciding on big issues so those around him with more active personalities take the lead.

Op-ed

George and Clar Weah are getting rich on the back of Liberia

August 9, 2019 admin2 Calr Weah, George Weah, Properties

The Editor, Why are some Liberians feeling so let down by President George Weah now? I have watched folks express so much anger at the President in the last week. Some have insulted him and others are even making threats. There’s a saying that one should not get mad at someone for being who they have always been. Instead, be upset with yourself for not coming to terms with it sooner. He has been showing his true colors and he is who he is, yet the majority…

It was now time for her to go to the river with her entourage to wash away the red ochre that was her only face and body lotion while she was kept in that sacred room. When she was done, her father was there to fetch her to bring her home as part of the tradition. Other girls followed behind them singing. At home, she had to put on a short black skirt, and her uncle put the uMhlwehlwe on her shoulders. Then she had to go out to the crowd waiting for her to sing and dance.

Society Arts & Leisure

The Suitor: A short Story

August 9, 2019 admin2 Short story, South Africa, The Suitor

BY Mizzyy Nkwali The Drakensberg is the name given to the eastern portion of the great escarpment, which encloses the central Southern African plateau. It is located in South Africa and Lesotho. This is such a beautiful, amazing place that it would take your breath away. Tugela Falls in the Drakensberg has the highest waterfall in Africa, a place that is automatically welcoming. This place is also known as the “Dragon Mountains” because of the size of the peaks. This is one of the wonders of South…

“The renaming of a street in Windhoek in honour of the late Garvey is anticipated to give a tremendous boost in the relations between Namibia and Jamaica and to serve as a permanent reminder to citizens of both countries of where our forefathers have come from and where the next generation needs to go so as to merge the two nations as they are vying for their rightful place in the new world order,” a statement by the government read.

News

Namibia names street after Pan African leader Garvey

August 9, 2019 admin2 Marcus Garvey, Namibia, street

NDUTA WAWERU | contributor Namibia has renamed one of its streets after Jamaica’s first national hero, Dr. Marcus Garvey. The event was held during the visit of Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who was in Namibia to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries. “Naming a street in this capital city of Windhoek in honor of Marcus Garvey represents a demonstration of the posterity of the value of the contribution of one who has played a lead role in countering negative appellations forced on black people in Africa and…