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In what country can you continuous attack on peaceful protesters and expect the society to be at peace? In what country can you kill more than 250,000 people and refused to allow war crimes tribunal and the economic crimes court? So, I stand here today to amplify the demand for a war crimes court in Liberia and to amplify the demand for an economic crime court in Liberia. This is the only way that our children and grandchildren will live better lives and live in peace,” he declared.

Prof. Tokpa: “You have chosen to struggle under a dangerous dictatorship”

January 14, 2020January 14, 2020 admin2Liberia, One People Revolution0 comment

Monrovia – In the wake of recent Police’s clampdown on peaceful protesters at the Capitol, a veteran Liberian Political scientist and prominent figure of Pan Africanism, Professor Alaric Tokpa, has branded the Government of George Weah as a “dangerous dictatorship that is killing democracy.” Speaking at the dedication of the One People Revolutionary Movement’s national headquarters Friday in Paynesville, Prof. Tokpa said under the Weah’s Government, peace has become negative and elusive because vices that once led to Liberia’s brutal civil war have now resurfaced at an increasingly alarming rate.…

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.”

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President Paul Kagame wants to retire from office

January 10, 2020January 10, 2020 admin2Africa, Kagame, Rwanda0 comment

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 recently. 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.…

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema was definitely not woke, added Mazwai, who claimed to be closer to Robert Sobukwe and Steve Biko in ideology than Malema. In a video she posted on social media on Friday, she said: “Julius Malema is not woke. He’s a man that holds a lot of power. He’s thriving in our community because he’s the type of man that Christianity has created.”

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EFF leader Julius Malema is definitely not woke, says South African poet

January 7, 2020 admin2Eff, Idealogy, Malema0 comment

“The outspoken poet has attempted to deconstruct the EFF’s leader ideology and concluded he’s not what Steve Biko would have promoted.”–The Citizen Poet Ntsiki Mazwai has caused a stir on social media following her comments on black consciousness and being woke. According to Mazwai, she is more woke and conscious than most men who are deemed to be, only that South Africa listens more to men than women. She said The Daily Show host Trevor Noah and Sizwe Dhlomo were smart – book smart, according to the poet and musician,…

In IG Sudue’s account, the vehicles were abandoned by protesters at the entrance of the Capitol Building and they (LNP) drove them to their Police Headquarters, which is within the same vicinity. According to him, there he immediately ordered his officers to search the vehicles and while they were searching that was when they allegedly found the arms and ammunitions along with a knife and other deadly objects in the lawmaker’s official car marked ‘HOR 65.’ Based on the discovery of the weapons, IG Sudue said he immediately halted the exercise and ordered his men to call the press to continue with the search in order to ensure transparency in the process.

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Unprovoked: Liberian police attacked peaceful protestors in Monrovia on Jan 6

January 7, 2020 admin2Liberia, Police, protestors0 comment

Capitol Hill, Monrovia – Following the announcement of an alleged discovery of firearms in two of the vehicles belonging to officials of the Council of Patriots, Police Inspector General Patrick Sudue and the Director of the Executive Protection Services (EPS), Trokon Roberts, have given contradictory accounts surrounding the incident. Following the forceful dispersing of the protesters on Monday, January 6, the Liberia National Police (LNP) announced that it found several weapons including a 9-Millimeter Lugar black pistol with one magazine and four rounds and a barrister Pistol in…

CoP also referred to the intervention of Liberia’s international partners at this 11th hour as “an intrusion” into the internal affairs of the state. “We do not object to intervention or intrusion, as much as we feel they are getting too much involved in our domestic affairs — that’s not necessarily a bad thing. But we hope that same level of intrusion will be made when it comes to the US$25 million [infusion]; that same level of intrusion will be made when it comes to other bread-and-butter issues like the L$16 billion; that same level of intrusion will be made when it comes to the attacks on Honorable Yekeh Kolubah, Senator Dillon, or Henry Costa or Mo Ali…”

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CoP declares January 6, D-Day: Showdown with Weah govt. over rights to protest

January 3, 2020 admin2CoP, Liberia, Protest0 comment

Monrovia – The Council of Patriots (COP), through its Chairman, Henry Costa has termed as ‘undemocratic and unconstitutional’ the proposing of separate dates by the Government of Liberia (GOL) and Ambassadors of the United States, European Union, United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the holding of its ‘peaceful assembly’ in the country. The Liberian government, through the Ministry of Justice previously vowed not to issue permit to citizens to stage protests until January 30. But following the intervention of Liberia’s international partners,…

It has already made history with Miss Myanmar, Swe Zin Htet, who says she's the first openly gay contestant. Last year's winner, Catriona Gray from the Philippines spoke during Sunday's pageant, saying the past year has been "unforgettable, life-changing and purposeful. We're getting this amazing platform to voice the things we're passionate about, the things we care about," she said in a video. "I always had a voice, but Miss Universe allowed me to amplify it."

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Miss South Africa rule captures world crown

December 9, 2019 admin2Miss Universe, South Africa, Zozibini Tunzi0 comment

Associated Press—Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe Sunday night after excelling through rounds of swimsuit and evening gown struts, questions on social issues and one final chance to explain why she was the right choice. “I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me — with my kind of skin and my kind of hair — was never considered to be beautiful,” she said in her last response. “I think it is time that that stops today. I want children to look at me…

MONROVIA – Thursday’s meeting at the Unity Party’s headquarters was quite unprecedented. Such had not happened in about two years because bloods were boiling. Yet, the former standard-bearer, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, opened another Pandora’s box – she wants a change in leadership at the party. The meeting brought together former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the current standard-bearer, Joseph N. Boakai, who during his quest for the presidency in 2017 disclosed that Madam Sirleaf, to whom he served as Vice President for 12 years, did not support his quest.

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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf wants change in leadership at Unity Party

November 27, 2019November 27, 2019 admin2Sirleaf, Unity Party, Wilmont Paye0 comment

MONROVIA – Thursday’s meeting at the Unity Party’s headquarters was quite unprecedented. Such had not happened in about two years because bloods were boiling. Yet, the former standard-bearer, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, opened another Pandora’s box – she wants a change in leadership at the party. The meeting brought together former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the current standard-bearer, Joseph N. Boakai, who during his quest for the presidency in 2017 disclosed that Madam Sirleaf, to whom he served as Vice President for 12 years, did not support his quest. But…

“According to the Urban Councils Act passed in 2018 section 212(1) signed by the minister of local government, renaming streets or numbering of structures is a prerogative of the local authority. So if we don’t endorse it, by law it shouldn’t go through,” he said.

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Zimbabwe Dictator Emerson Mnangagwa names 10 streets after himself

November 24, 2019 admin20 comment

There’s uproar over Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s decision to rename ten roads in eight urban centres after himself. Following a cabinet meeting on Thursday, it was announced that numerous roads countrywide would be renamed after liberation heroes — most of whom had died. But it is the number of roads named after the sitting president that has rubbed many up the wrong way. Former deputy prime minister in the inclusive government of 2009 to 2013, Prof Arthur Mutambara, told TimesLIVE that the renaming of the roads in Mnangagwa’s…

"I Senator Oscar A. Cooper take this opportunity to formally withdraw my membership and a role as advisor to the Council of Patriots (COP). I greatly appreciate the opportunity to have been one of the initial organizers with other great Patriots," Senator Cooper said.

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Liberian Senate rejects money printing, says no to Pres. Weah

November 6, 2019 admin2Liberia, New Bank Notes, Weah0 comment

Monrovia—-Members of the Liberian Senate have rejected the requested for printing of new Liberian banknotes by the Executive through the Central Bank of Liberia.Addressing the official closing of the 54th session of the Liberian Senate Friday, October 04 in the chambers at the Capitol, Senate President Pro-Tempore Albert Chie explained that senators raised, among others, concerns of proper internal controls at the Central Bank as was indicated in the Kroll Report, including confidence factor and source of the US$31 Million being requested to pay for the printing of…

Bendu Kabba, a resident in the district, expressed frustration about the continuous silence of her Representative. “They cannot be keeping us in limbo about our own lawmaker and people want us be happy about the process. We need to know what’s going on with Munah, we don’t want our so-called opposition to keep asking about her.” Prince Guye, also a resident in the district, hoped the CDC lawmaker returns soon and starts her workings for the district. “If she is sick and cannot make it anymore let her office say it. We are the only district right now in Liberia, which lawmaker is living but cannot seen; we cannot hear from her and we don’t know her whereabouts Moses Quannue: “Let Munah Pelham leave and turn the seat over so we can go for a by- election because she’s missing in action, if she even gets well today, it is my advice that she leaves our job.”

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AWOL: Where is Representative. Munah Pelham-Youngblood?

November 3, 2019 admin2Assembly, Liberian, Munah Pelham-Youngblood0 comment

MONROVIA – Montserrado County District 9 Representative Munah Pelham-Youngblood has been out of session for nine consecutive months and even residents of her district do not know her whereabouts, neither has the House of Representatives nor her family cared to clarify the multiple rumors of her death news or wellbeing. Rule 21.1 of the House Standing Rules forbids any member from being absent from sessions for two weeks without obtaining approval from the Speaker and violators must be penalized in a manner deemed appropriate by the leadership in consultation with…