17 November 2017

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Chief Justice Warns NEC to Speedily Forward Elections Cases Intended For High Court, Source: FrontPage Africa

As complaints of electoral fraud and irregularities filed before the National Elections Commission (NEC) by the opposition Liberty Party (LP) are being investigated, Chief Justice Francis Korkpor Thursday warned the elections body to speedily forward election cases intended for the high court to it for determination. “You see five of us sitting on this bench we can hear 10 election cases in a two-day period and make determinations. Election cases should be taken seriously by NEC,” Chief Justice Korkpor said Thursday during hearing into the Bill of Information filed before the high court by the legal counsels of the ruling Unity Party (UP).

Because of the dispute, the runoff presidential election, which had been slated initially for 7 November, was paused by the Supreme Court until the LP’s complaints are heard and disposed of by the NEC.

The chief justice’s warning comes amid growing report of over 50 cases of un-heard complaints pending before that electoral commission from the October polls hereby hindering the runoff election. Read more

UP Disagrees with US Position on Runoff Election, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The lawyer representing the ruling Unity Party (UP) has openly expressed concern over a statement the US Government issued through its Embassy in Monrovia urging authorities of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to proceed with the runoff election despite unresolved allegations of irregularities and fraud.

Arguing for a request demanding that the NEC makes available to the UP all records of the October 10 elections, which is now at the center of the controversy, Cllr. Benedict Sannoh accused the US Government of losing sight of the fact and nature of the party’s complaint.

Before his argument, Cllr. Sannoh told the gathering that for elections to be free, fair, and transparent, “it must first be legal and meet the approval of all parties.” He continued:  “For the embassy and other international bodies to say we should proceed with the run-off, because it was free, fair and transparent, is not the matter, but its outcomes must reflect the will of the Liberian people.”  Read more

NEC Rejects 182 VR Cards As Evidence, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The chief hearing officer at the National Elections Commission (NEC)Thursday denied the ruling Unity Party’s (UP) request to mark into evidence 182 voter registration cards testified to by one of its witnesses. Cllr. Muana Ville’s action followed the NEC legal team’s argument that the witness, Neboe Kenneth, was wrong for collecting other people’s cards that he claimed did not vote on October 10 because their names were not found on the Final Registration Roll (FRR).

“Were these hearings not an administrative sitting intended only in fact finding the witness on the stand should have been arrested and charged with criminally having in his possession other people’s voting cards. He has provided no affidavit granting him the right to submit into evidence at this hearing these voters’ cards,” Cllr. Alexander Zoe of the NEC said.

Cllr. Zoe, who supported his colleague Frank Musa Dean’s vehement objection to the marking and placement into evidence the 182 VR cards, noted that Kenneth, who was part of the campaign team of defeated incumbent representative candidate Sekou Kanneh of Montserrado County Electoral District #2, knows that his boss Representative Kanneh was accused of buying voters’ cards during the voter registration process. Read more

We are pressurized, Source: The New Dawn

The governing Unity Party (UP), co-complainant in the electoral dispute case before the National Elections Commission (NEC) says it is being pressurized to present evidence at the ongoing hearing before the NEC while its request for crucial documents had not been decided.

"I am saying Your Honor, we are pressurized to go and present evidence," UP lawyer Cllr. Benedict Sannoh said when the ruling party, the NEC, and the opposition Liberty Party (LP) appeared before the Supreme Court Thursday to argue a bill of information filed by the UP.

Following Thursday’s arguments, the Supreme Court reserves ruling for today Friday, 17 November at 2 pm. Read more

Wicked plot, Source: The New Dawn

The former chairman of the opposition All Liberian Party (ALP), Mr. Emmanuel Lomax is accusing two former National Elections Commission (NEC) chairpersons James Fromayan and Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison of being allegedly wicked, saying they lack moral grounds to testify in the ongoing elections fraud and irregularities case at the electoral commission.

The case filed by the opposition Liberty Party (LP) and backed by the ruling Unity Party (UP) has stalled a presidential runoff between the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the governing party.

Mr. Lomax claims Cllr. Allison's appearance before the NEC hearing officer just to base her testimony on media reports is a total disservice to the democratic space being created by the government and the international community.

Speaking at a program marking the endorsement of the presidential bid of Senator George Weah of the CDC, Lomax intimated that Allison’s action is a sign of deception and mere envy. Read more

UP lawmaker seeks party withdrawal, Sources: The New Dawn and The NEWS

A ruling Unity Party (UP) lawmaker,  Nimba Representative Worlea Saywah Dunah has called on the UP and its presidential candidate Vice President Joseph Boakai to withdraw their application filed before the National Elections Commission (NEC). Representative Dunah wants the party to convene a meeting of the National Executive Committee to talk about why there is a lawsuit, how the party stands to benefit, and how it affects the country.

The UP lawmaker told journalist Thursday in Monrovia that the party has rules and procedures that govern decision making, noting that in the absence of convention, their rules require that the National Executive Committee makes the decision. Read more

Former NEC boss denies calling for interim government, Source: The New Dawn

A former chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC) has denied claims of calling for an interim government. Cllr. Frances Johnson  Allison, who took the witness stand at the NEC on behalf of the ruling Unity Party (UP), told the NEC hearing officer in her testimony that at no point in time did she call for a formation of an interim government to the country elections upon expiration of the tenure of incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

When questioned by NEC lawyer Cllr. Frank Musa Dean whether she is the same Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison, who went on a talk show, calling for an interim government, she replied, “I did not call for an interim government, those that said it did not listen properly.”

The former chairperson of the NEC was testifying in the case filed by the opposition Liberty Party (LP) against the poll results, something which prompted the ruling party and other opposition political parties to form a compulsory joiner in challenge to the result. Read more

Association of Blind President Wants Speedy Adjudication of Electoral Matter, Source: FrontPage Africa

The president of the Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) has called on aggrieved parties in the ongoing hearing taking place at the National Elections Commission (NEC) to exercise restraint and ensure a speedy adjudication of the process. Addressing the media at CAB headquarters in Paynesville Wednesday, Mr. Beyan Kota warned that the process, if not speedily adjudicated would lead the country into a constitutional crisis, which may send it backward.

“We are calling on the parties involved, the Liberty Party (LP) and its collaborators to exercise restraint and ensure a speedy adjudication of the process. Also, this goes to authorities of NEC to ensure a speedy hearing and adjudication of the case so that we can go into a runoff and determine our next President,” he stated.

Mr. Kota noted that although the LP and its collaborators are on the right track by adhering to the rule of law, the allegations of fraud and irregularities are not sufficient enough, for nullifying the October 10 polls. He lamented that the electoral impasse is posing serious economic problems to the majority of Liberians including the blind and the disabled community at large. Read more

We do not want to be child soldiers, Source: The New Dawn

The 2017 United Kingdom ‘Princess Diana Award’ Winner, Ambassador Israeli Tarway has appealed to Liberians to maintain the country’s peace for the sake of Liberian children, saying if anything bad happened to Liberia, the children will be highly affected. Ambassador Tarway said as children, they do not want to become child soldiers and sex slaves, but to continue their education.

Addressing a regular press briefing at the Information Ministry in Monrovia Thursday, Ambassador Tarway called on the United Nations, ECOWAS, the Liberian government, and political leaders to collaborate so that Liberia can continue to enjoy peace and children’s rights will not be violated or die from hunger and sicknesses. Read more

Chesson-Wureh Urges Respect for Constitution, Supreme Court, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The initiator of the Women’s Situation Room (WSR), Cllr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh, says while the United States Embassy in Monrovia has said it has confidence in the integrity of the October 10 elections, it is important to note that the ongoing electoral crisis demands respect for the Constitution of Liberia and the Supreme Court regarding credible elections.

Cllr. Chesson-Wureh was speaking Thursday at a one-day dialogue in Monrovia organized by the Liberia Media Development Program in Promoting Democracy, Preventing Elections Violence through Dialogue.

As a CSO, WSR finds it expedient to speak out on the issue to protect Liberia’s peace; and as a lawyer, the WSR initiator is very happy to see the justice system at work. “We would (rather) see the case in court than see somebody’s child in the hospital. We are appealing to everybody to please give them the space to do it; we know that we are all concerned so that we do not run into the time and over to January. We could run into problems, so we are still hopeful that we are going to have a transition of power in January, so let the justice system do its work,” Cllr. Chesson-Wureh said. Read more

PSU Officer “Pulls Gun” on Protesting UL Students, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The Daily Observer reports that an officer of the Police Special Unit (PSU) Wednesday pulled a gun at protesting students who demanded that he deleted pictures taken with his mobile phone. The incident took place at the Fendall Campus of the University of Liberia (UL) where protesting students were demanding the UL Administration to reopen the registration process which the administration said the deadline was October 30.

An eyewitness told the Daily Observer that the officer who pulled the gun on the students and another officer were separated from a group of PSU officers who had been called to the campus to control the situation. “The officer saw the students and began to take pictures,” said an eyewitness. “When they saw him do that, the students asked him to delete the pictures he had taken.”

Several students rushed on the officer and forcefully made attempts to take the mobile phone that he had used to take the pictures.

“The mobile phone dropped from the officer’s hand and it was when one of the students was picking up the phone that the officer pulled out his pistol and directed at the students,” the eyewitness said. Read more

UNWTO Vows to Boost Liberia’s Tourism Sector, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has expressed a firm commitment to boost Liberia’s roadmap to enable the country to become a prime tourist destination.

UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai said Liberia has always had a special relationship with the UNWTO, stressing that Liberia represents a ‘Story of Pride’ on the African continent.

Speaking in London on Wednesday when he received Liberia’s five-year Tourism Trade Strategy and Plan of Action, presented by information minister Eugene Nagbe, Rifai laid out an exhaustive and collaborative approach that positions the UNWTO at the heart of Liberia’s efforts toward attracting international visitors to its pristine beaches, historical and cultural sites along with its huge eco-tourism possibilities. The UNWTO chief scribe also suggested that Liberia’s approach must be focused on a particular area within its rich tourism sector. Read more

LNRCS Admits to Fraud, Corruption, Sources: FrontPage Africa and The NEWS

The Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) has admitted and deeply regretted the shaming fraud and corruption saga in which donations from local and international partners and the Liberian Government for the people of Liberia, especially victims and those affected by the Ebola virus were stolen in 2014/15.

The fraud and corruption saga was uncovered following an audit which reports the LNRCS received with dismay and extends further apologies for the loss of USD2.7 million in Liberia.

While the LNRCS regrets this embarrassing situation, its new leadership wishes to inform the general public that significant progress is being made to avert the reoccurrence of the situation and strong measures are being taken to investigate and legally pursue any persons involved in the fraud saga. Read more

Government Investigates Red Cross USD2.7M Ebola Fund Scandal, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Authorities of the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) said that the Justice Ministry has opened a formal investigation into the reported corruption scandals that have rocked the entity in recent months, and would subsequently prosecute all those who were allegedly involved in the corruption scandals.

In a statement issued in Monrovia Thursday, the LNRCS expressed regrets that humanitarian gestures intended to combat the deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD) that devastated Liberia in 2014 and 2015 were diverted to personal use by some of its senior staff.

The LNRCS said individuals and business entities involved in the saga are being investigated by the Justice Ministry. “The audit and investigation report indicted several individuals including former members of the management teams, as well as individuals and business entities that allegedly colluded in the fraud and corruption saga. And these are the people who are now being probed by the Ministry of Justice,” the statement said. Read more

Labor halts redundancy at Sime Darby, Source: The New Dawn

The Labor Ministry has ordered an immediate halt to the planned redundancy exercise by Sime Darby Plantation. According to a release, the Ministry is calling on the management of the company to put a halt to the process and revert to the legal course under the law. Read more

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ON LIBERIA

Accelerate Gender Equality Drive …Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Implores Akufo-Addo, Source: Peace FM Online

The outgoing Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has indicated that although African countries have achieved some level of gender parity, much still remains to be done to bring women who are sitting on the thresholds to have a voice in playing significant roles to bring change in politics.

She, however, charged President Akufo-Addo to lead the efforts to widen the participation of women in active politics and decision-making process.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was speaking at the Gender and Development Initiative for Africa (GADIA) conference yesterday where she indicated that women have risen up to the top with determination, courage in many countries but there still remains efforts to achieve equal justice, equity and equal opportunities for all. Read more

Reversing the tide of rising violence against women in Liberia, Source: UN Women

Liberia is grappling with rising incidences of sexual and gender-based violence. Children as young as six are being raped, with devastating impact on their health and wellbeing. Little Decontee from Nimba County was returning from the farm when a 22-year old male relative raped her. She is among a minority of survivors whose rapist was eventually prosecuted and sentenced to prison. Under Liberia’s Rape Law of 2005, statutory rape or sexual intercourse with minors is a non-bailable offence. However, a proposed amendment that is now with the House of Representatives, could make statutory rape a bailable offence. UN Women, together with partners is advocating for stronger laws and engaging community leaders to prevent violence against women and girls. Read more

Disclaimer
 

This media summary consists of selected local media articles for the information of UN personnel. The public distribution of this media summary is a courtesy service extended by UNMIL on the understanding that the choice of articles included is exclusive, and the contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership. The inclusion of articles in this summary does not imply endorsement by UNMIL.

 

 

 

 

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