Liberianlistener

Must we allow an opportunist like Sylla to pollute Liberia’s political corridors with such parochial agenda once more? No..No..No. We must be bold and honest about how we do politics or business in Liberia. The action of Sylla can only fit in the triangle of opportunism, egocentrism, and sectarianism. Since Pres. Weah along with his government has become so unpopular, Weah's intent is to rig 2020 and 2023 polls.

The Three-Facedness of Ali Sylla – ALCOP, CDC, or UP? – Part 1

July 7, 2020 admin2Alcop, Ali Sylla, Politics0 comment

By Martin K. N. Kollie In 2014, young Ali Sylla had a golden opportunity to etch his name in Liberia’s political history. The Unity Party (UP) chose Sylla as its Senatorial Hopeful to contest in Liberia’s populous County, Montserrado. Young Sylla cheerfully chose to eat his lunch before recess period. This was a missed opportunity. Even though Sylla was never the most qualified or the most competent candidate to contest on UP’s ticket in 2014 Senatorial Election, but he was preferred, through a democratic process, because the Unity Party thought that…

Many at times brothers and sisters attribute all our present problems to the age-old story of slavery, colonialism or another. The fact though but it doesn't entirely make sense cause there's present and opportunities. This kind of assertion must be exhausted and retired—that is, we can use the present and opportunities to redefine our past and secure a better future for generations to come. In my view, the essence of reading history is to mirror the past, to teach the present and project a future. Indeed, Liberia has a semi-barbaric past, yet there are present and opportunities. Conclusion

Op-ed

The Path To Democracy Remains Elusive: A Metaphor Of Elegy And Eulogy

July 2, 2020 admin2Boimah Fahnbulleh, Speech0 comment

DR. H. BOIMA FAHNBULLEH, JR. I speak to you all today from my heart and I hope you will listen to me very carefully and try to understand that the future of your children can be decided by the way you think and act now. Over the years, you have suffered a lot. Your country is destroyed; many of your friends and relatives died during years of war. Your children are looking into the future without hope. Many of your daughters are scattered across West Africa living a sorrowful…

Op-ed

I might have been better on a hilltop in Nepal

July 2, 2020July 3, 2020 admin2Dag Walker, Ecuador, Writer0 comment

Introduction: Dag Walker is an amazing writer traveling the world, who currently finds himself in Quito, Ecuador, where he enjoys the beautiful weather far from his own home– in North America. In the mountains and hills of his current residence, he finds time, and solace to contemplate writing and structuring his thoughts as he pound ideas we need in a world that seeks to self destruct, writing that he is “hopeful”! Walker wrote this short essay as— a reflection of what writers go through before they get published, but also…

Some years ago, I had a discussion with Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State in Nigeria. I commended his vision for a plan to attract large numbers of tourists from around the world, impacting positively on the economy of the state and the nation. I observed that a large number of leaders in Nigeria can’t envision Nigeria as a developed nation, and talk more of mobilizing citizens to actualize the vision. He replied with an illustration: Nigeria, he said, is like an aircraft that is being flown by pilots that did not go to flying school. He added that when the plane crashes, everyone blames the pilot. The question therefore is: where are Africa’s leadership “flying schools?” How and where do Africans acquire sophistication in the leadership skills required to guide the continent into development?

Op-ed

Africa doesn’t need charity, it needs good leadership

June 27, 2020 admin2Africa, Aid, Leaders0 comment

By Sam Adeyem There is an ongoing discussion on the effectiveness of foreign aid in helping the economic development of Africa. One thing is obvious: the results are not exactly what Africa’s development partners have expected, and the reasons are not far-fetched. Dambisa Moyo, global economist and author, contends in her book Dead Aid that while foreign aid that addresses humanitarian needs caused by drought and conflict is helpful, most of the aid given to African countries is rather harmful. The OECD provides comprehensive statistics on the kinds and volume of aid…

Op-ed

Berlin 1884: Remembering the conference that divided Africa

June 27, 2020 admin2Africa, Berlin Conference0 comment

135 years ago, European leaders sat around a horseshoe-shaped table to set the rules for Africa’s colonization. On the afternoon of Saturday, November 15, 1884, an international conference was opened by the chancellor of the newly-created German Empire at his official residence on Wilhelmstrasse, in Berlin. Sat around a horseshoe-shaped table in a room overlooking the garden with representatives from every European country, apart from Switzerland, as well as those from the United States and the Ottoman Empire. The only clue as to the purpose of the November gathering of white…

Note: While the political superstructure may have changed its features since the second imperialist war, the economic base of the society has remained the same. Under Tubman, it was a Black Apartheid state in the service of imperialist capitalism. Under Doe, it was a military dictatorship in the service of imperialist capitalism. Under Taylor, it was Black Fascism in the service of capitalism. The Ellen’s era ushered in a liberal democracy; not a popular democracy but a democracy in the service of neo-liberal capitalism. In the current era under the soccer dolt, the fatherland is drifting away from liberal democracy and neo-colonial capitalism back to Black fascism in the service of private ownership of the properties of production, free market economy and free trade. Under these different conditions, the major aim of the state has been to create the condition for the wholesale exploitation of labor and resources by foreign capital.

Public Policy

The Liberian Election Of 1951: A Witness To History

June 24, 2020 admin21951 election, D. Twe, Liberia, Tubman0 comment

By Dagbayonoh Kiah Nyanfore ll The presidential election of 1951 in Liberia was one of the interesting events in the country’s electoral politics. I was five years old during the election. I write about what I witnessed and what I later learned and understood through research. The race was between sitting President William V.S. Tubman and his challenger Didwho Welleh Twe pictured above with Tubman on the right. Tubman knew that Twe would easily win the election because of Twe’s native background. Twe was the first Liberian…

Interestingly, the 2017 elections have come and gone and many are clinging on to the CDC victory as if it’s the triumph of their lives. Some of these very ones, like myself have always considered George Oppong Weah, grossly incompetent and unfit for the office of the President of the Republic of Liberia. But some of these people are somersaulting suddenly and are singing praises to Weah. You will not believe who they’re scapegoats, THE PROGRESSIVES!

News

Gbarpolu Celebrates as Comrade Alaric Tokpa declares Senatorial Intent

June 24, 2020 admin2Alaric Tokpa, Senate0 comment

After weeks of declaration of intent for senator in one of the most “underrepresented and developed” counties, Gbarpolu, citizens of this part of Liberia have started celebrating the desire of Dr. Alaric Topka to context for the position. The decision comes after a long period of “cries” from citizens in the county calling on the professor to take on the senatorial position in the county. The declaration of intent which occurred on Sunday, 14 June in Fallah Clan of Gbarpolu County brought together chiefs, elders, women and youth…

ATTORNEY BLOH of the ECC told FrontPageAfrica Wednesday that the nominee to co-chair NEC, Cllr. Reeves has strong ties to the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change because she contested on the party’s ticket in the 2017 elections as Representative Candidate for River Cess County.

Editor's Desk

Alarm Bells Over Partisan Appointments National Elections Commission By Weah

June 19, 2020June 19, 2020 admin2Liberia, NEC, Tarplah Reeves0 comment

E D I T O R I A L OVER THE PAST SEVERAL weeks, there has been a lot of wrangling over the nominations of chairperson and commissioners at the National Elections Commission. BACK IN MARCH, the largest civil society group which oversees electoral matters out-rightly rejected President George Weah’s picks to the NEC. THE ECC expressed concerns that the President’s nominations lacked broad-based consultations with stakeholders. WHILE IT REALIZED that the President has the power to appoint, ECC took serious exception to the nomination of Cllr. Ndubuisi Nwabudike,…

These are the fruits of the heroic struggle of the Soweto Uprising and the people determination to achieve a resplendent South African through permanent struggle. The historical antecedents of this day is a tribute to the Soweto Uprising inspired by a younger generation on the African continent, reminds us to always not tremble at the indignation of injustice anywhere and to rise to the demands for better welfare and the advancement of our given rights. With our right arms up, we give in red, green, and black salutes to the memories of the heroic student and the general masses of South Africa for the role they played in crippling imperialism on the African soil. To the commemoration of the African youth day, this occasion should not just be a mere jamboree of fine speeches and flattering activities. We must struggle to lift Africa in a new era of new beginnings!

Op-ed

In remembrance of the Soweto Uprising on June and 16, 1976 and African youth day.

June 16, 2020 admin2Africa, Soweto Uprising, struggle0 comment

By: Jusu Kamara We appreciate the history of resistance and the role played by African men and women who took the risk of protesting to honor the race and restore their people’s dignity. It is with this understanding that we join conscious men and women in the world and Africa in remembrance of the heroic struggle and sacrifice of the Soweto Uprising, and the commemoration of The African Youth Day. History has taught us that on this day, African school going students from the bantustans and native reserves of South…

For example, Article 19 (3) (a) and (b) of the ICCPR provides that restriction of the rights to freedom of expression can be limited: a. ‘for the respect of the rights or reputations of others; b. for the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.’ Additionally, Article 27 (2) of the ACHPR provides that ‘[t]he rights and freedoms of each individual shall be exercised with due regard to the rights of others, collective security, morality, and common interest.’

Op-ed

‘COVID-19 and State of Emergency: implication for freedom of expression in Liberia’

June 16, 2020 admin2Covid19, Liberia, Speech0 comment

By Urias Teh The surge of the global COVID-19 pandemic has provided a compelling reason for States to impose restrictive measures, some in the form of health protocols to beat back the spread of the deadly disease. These measures have provoked debate, essentially around the nature and scope of these restrictions vis-à-vis the protection of human rights. While limitations for public health reason is legitimate, there have been concerns that the outbreak is opening a window of opportunity for some States to further entrench repressive measures and far overreach…