23 October 2017

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Liberia’s Police Chief Threatens Resignation, If…, Source: FrontPage Africa

Police Inspector General (IG) Gregory Coleman has dismissed allegations that he has been asked by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to take a side between the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of Senator George Weah and the ruling Unity Party (UP) of Vice President Joseph Boakai.

“I’m going to vote and that is my right. Do I have to give political support and start to give concession probably because I want to maintain a job? No! I will gladly walk away than to take a side,” IG Coleman said. The IGP further disclosed in a FrontPage Africa interview that he had never been asked and if he is asked, he would rather step down then take a side.

IG Coleman who currently heads the election security body that comprises the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Liberia National Police (LNP), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS), and the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) says the reports have no iota of truth as President Sirleaf has expressed overwhelming confidence in the LNP. Read more

Prince Johnson, Weah Seeking The ‘Face of God’ in Nigeria, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa

The media reports that the relationship between Senators George Weah and Prince Johnson has not been exactly rosy in the recent past but as images of the two political leaders of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) at church together in Nigeria with Pastor T. B. Joshua went viral on Sunday afternoon, the debate as to whether or not Senator Weah had won Senator Johnson’s endorsement reached a new level.

From the photos, which first appeared on T. B. Joshua’s Facebook page, it appears to be a rather positive vibe between the two Liberian senators, who also happen to be the two people representing their country at the ECOWAS Parliament of which is the head of the Liberian delegation.

The heat between the two opposition politicians turned in a new dimension when, just a few weeks ago, both were vying for the nation’s highest seat. At one point, as part of a larger collaborative — the Ganta Declaration, they called it —Johnson and Weah, along with all the other opposition party leaders, pledged a joint effort to unseat the ruling Unity Party. Read more

George Weah to Serve as Poll Watcher in Runoff Elections, Source: FrontPage Africa

The standard bearer of the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) will be protecting his own votes in the November 7 runoff by serving as a poll watcher during the elections. This decision, according to CDC Youth Wing chairman, Jefferson Koijee, is a resultant of the many irregularities and alleged electoral fraud witnessed during the October 10 presidential and legislative elections.

“Amb. Weah has been listed as one of the poll watchers. He has made himself available to serve as one of the poll watchers. Every Liberian must be prepared to protect their votes and he is going to lead by example,” Mr. Koijee told FrontPage Africa.

According to him, Senator Weah’s presence at a polling station will show the level at which the CDC will not condone “voters’ manipulation or infiltration to steal votes”. Koijee further said:  “Amb. Weah serving as a poll watcher is a clear manifestation of our preparedness and our sophistication to jealously protect our votes.” Read more

Anti -Taylor campaign works for Weah, Sources: FrontPage Africa and The New Dawn

Liberian National Union (LINU) chairman Nathaniel Blama says branding supporters of the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) as followers of imprisoned ex-President Charles Taylor is wrong but also promotional for the campaign of CDC standard bearer, Senator George Weah.

Endorsing Senator Weah’s presidential bid for the runoff polls over the weekend in Monrovia, Mr. Blama insisted that Mr. Taylor is the most popular Liberian politician, thus claiming that it is a positive campaign for Weah’s presidency for any political party to be branding CDCians as rebels or the kind of Taylor.

“We want to call on all of our partisans and well-wishers to go out in their mass to support the CDC in the second round of the elections for the presidency,” the LINU chairman said. He encourages all other opposition parties to join hands with the CDC in the spirit of the Ganta Declaration in order to bring about the needed change for the Liberian people. Read more

CDC Gets Boost …As Liberty Party Partisans Crossover, Source: The NEWS

As the campaign for the presidential runoff intensifies, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has received a major boost with 22 partisans from the Liberty Party (LP) pledging support to the party. In a statement Sunday read at the CDC headquarters in Congo Town,  the partisans under the banner, Political Response Unit – Liberty Party (PRU-LP), said it is their collective views that while the October 10 elections had some irregularities and possibly isolated instances of attempted fraud, they have accepted the results as released by the National Elections Commission (NEC).

Reading the press statement, Jah Quayeson of the PRU-UP, said they do not support LP’s call for a re-run of the elections because the ‘minor’ irregularities did not have a major impact on the outcome of the process; as such, they have decided to support CDC in the runoff. They, however, clarified that they still maintained their identities with the LP.

According to the LP partisans, as a consequence of their unconditional acceptance of the results of the October 10 elections, it is their political rights to identify with one of the opposition parties that is in the runoff in the spirit of the Ganta and Gbarnga Declarations. Read more

“We Have The Capacity to Lead” – Senator Taylor Source: FrontPage Africa

At a press conference late Friday, the vice standard bearer of the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Senator Jewel Howard Taylor iterated that the CDC should not be taken for granted as it is poised to massively win the runoff election. “Let there be no doubt, CDC has the capacity to win and the ability to lead and we will lead,” Senator Taylor asserted. She thanked partisans and supporters who ensured that the party proved its supremacy at the October 10 polls. The CDC vice standard bearer boasted that the party won the ruling Unity Party (UP) in the first round of the elections with more than 150,000 votes and could perform far better in the runoff election slated for 7 November. Read more

‘Scared Tactics’ … Senator Taylor Blasts UP, Sources: The New Dawn and The NEWS

The vice standard bearer of the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor, has accused the ruling Unity Party (UP) of using scare tactics to deceive the Liberian people. According to Senator Taylor, one of the scare tactics being propagated by the UP is that Mr. Charles Taylor will return to Liberia under a CDC government.

The CDC vice standard bearer also accuses the ruling party of saying the peace of Liberia would be disturbed should CDC wins the presidential runoff election, adding “they are also spreading misinformation that Senator Jewel Howard Taylor, vice standard bearer of the CDC is in support of this plan because of her previous marriage to former President Charles G. Taylor.”

In a strongly worded press statement, Senator Taylor said, “we are aware of the desperate campaign of misinformation and disinformation being waged against us by the politically embattled UP and its surrogate media outlets, with the intent of distraction and vilification. We are aware of their mischievous game plan and political machinations and shall not be deterred by such tactics and lies. Joseph Boakai has become a confused desperado who wants power at any cost.” Read more

President Sirleaf Condemns Electoral Violence, Sources: Executive Mansion News, FAAPA, LINA, and The NEWS

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, with barely a week after the end of first round of elections, has decried electoral violence as counter-productive to the peace a stability of the nation. According to an Executive Mansion release, the government’s attention has been drawn to displays on social media that are “extremely inimical” to the survival of Liberia’s peace and democracy.

The Liberian leader condemned the abuse and misuse of social media through the use of invectives, hate speeches and outright vulgarities, which seek to denigrate adversaries with whom others supposedly might hold disagreement.

President Sirleaf said: “In light of the progress we have collectively made, I call on our fellow citizens to remain civil, responsible and continue to be tolerant of diverging opinions and views that might not necessarily be favorable to ours.” Full statement

Representative Pennue abstains from runoff election, Source: The New Dawn

Grand Gedeh County Electoral District #1 Representative Zoe Pennue says he is abstaining from the 7 November presidential runoff election, having won his district for a third term. Representative Pennue told a local radio in Grand Gedeh that he ran as an independent candidate during the October 10 elections and will remain an independent as such. His comment is in reaction to rumors in the county that he is replacing Senator G. Alphonso Gaye as the ruling Unity Party (UP) campaign chairman.

Mr. Pennue has meanwhile called on his supporters to make any decision of their own, adding that any decision made by the residents of the county will be highly supported by him. He is also encouraging Grand Gedeans to turn out in their numbers during the runoff and remain peaceful as usual during and after the runoff.

1,955 deaf did not vote in First Round of election, Source: The New Dawn

A situation election report of the national director of the Organization for the Social Integration of the Deaf in Liberia (OSILD), Adrian Sandi, claims that over 1,955 deaf people in seven counties did not vote during the October 10 elections. The October 21 report names Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Gbarpolu, Bomi, Bong, and Nimba counties as areas where the deaf people in question did not vote. According to the report,  375 are from Montserrado, 450 from Grand Bassa, 300 from Nimba, 50 from Grand Cape Mount, 300 from Gbarpolu, 40 from Bomi, and 450 from Bong Counties, respectively. Read more

ALJA Cautions NEC against Electoral Irregularities, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) has called on the National Elections Commission (NEC) to take steps that would ensure that some of the lapses that evolved out of the October 10 general and presidential elections are not repeated in the November 7 runoff.

ALJA in a press release said it is alarmed by the numerous complaints of alleged electoral irregularities and the number of invalid votes that engulfed the first round of the elections.

The association called on the NEC and political parties to ensure that election workers are properly trained for the smooth execution of the runoff presidential election. ALJA also urged the electoral commission to ensure that voters are fully educated about the location of polling centers and how to cast their ballots.

The Liberian media advocacy group, based in the United States, further urged political parties alleging electoral irregularities in the first round of the presidential and legislative elections to fully exhaust the election guidelines and the legal process to resolve their grievances without any acts of violence. Read more

PUL Warns Members about “Combustible Posture”, Sources: FAAPA, LINA, and The NEWS

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has warned sections of the Liberian media to end their “increasing combustible posture” during the 2017 presidential runoff elections. It said news contents of some media institutions during the elections have been marred by opinions, skewed in the interest of media owners who are mainly politicians.

“Social media has also seen unmeasurable ton of destructive and vulgar rhetoric from journalists in support of rival political parties,” the PUL noted.  It is, therefore, calling on its members and journalists in Liberia to reframe from dispositions which could tear down democratic gains made in the country.

PUL president Charles Coffey told a mass meeting of journalists in Monrovia Friday that media practitioners should avoid acts that will tarnish the reputation of journalism. The very principle of journalism “truth-telling” is being ignored shamefully by some journalists at the time when they are needed most.

Solicitor General Applauds Supreme Court for Upholding Verdict in Rape Case, Source: FrontPage Africa

Despite the Senate making rape bailable, the solicitor general, Cllr. Betty Lamin Blamo says the Justice Ministry remains unwavering in prosecuting all rape and sexual exploitation cases. Cllr. Blamo said the SGBV Unit at the ministry is fully ready to tackle such cases. She disclosed that the only court in the country to prosecute sexual abuse cases is also impeding the prosecution of rape cases.

The solicitor general further stated that the unit is working with stakeholders including the Gender Ministry and the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) to plead with the Members of the 54th Legislature specifically the House of Representatives to not concur with the Senate’s amendment of the rape law.

Blamo’s statement followed the Supreme Court's recent confirmation of the guilty verdict of a 20-year-old man, who raped a 10-year-old girl in 2011. Read more

Liberia Joins In Observing ‘African Union Human Rights Day’, Sources: FAAPA, LINA, and The New Dawn

Liberia Saturday joined the rest of Africa to observe the AU Human Rights Day (AUHRD) throughout the country following a proclamation issued by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for the day to be observed throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the commemoration of the AUHRD is to continuously awaken greater awareness of the African people and the international community about the value of life and humanity and to renew our collective commitment to protect and uphold fundamental human rights.

“This day is symbolic as it expresses the gratitude of the partnership and continued collaboration aimed at strengthening the cooperation between the Department of Political Affairs of the AU Commission, the Secretariat of the Network of the African National Human Rights institutions (NANHRIs) and Independent National Commission on Human Rights and the Liberian people,” the proclamation further stated. Read more

AU Donates 3 Vehicles To Foreign Ministry, Sources: FAAPA, LINA, The New Dawn, and The NEWS

The AU Commission Friday donated three used vehicles to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enhance its logistical capacity. The consignment comprises a Toyota Hilux single cabin pickup, Nissan Patrol jeep, and a Toyota 18-seater bus. The vehicles were previously part of the logistics of the AU Support to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (AU-ASEOWA) during the fight against the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Liberia.

 According to a release, presenting the keys to authorities at the ministry on behalf of the AU Commission, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Ambassador Ibrahim Kamara, said the donation is intended to enhance and address the growing challenges the ministry faces in terms of mobility. “It is indeed a pleasure to hand over these keys to you as instructed by AU headquarters as a little contribution to the functioning of your ministry,” Ambassador Kamara said.

The AU diplomat also noted that it had taken a long time since the recommendation was made to hand over the vehicles; but the authorization had not been finalized until now, which he said led to the cars being parked for so long. Read more

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ON LIBERIA

Will TB Joshua become Liberia’s kingmaker?, Source: The Cable

Front Page Africa, Liberia’s leading investigate online magazine, has released a report claiming controversial Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua is set to play a critical role in the ongoing elections in Liberia. In an article titled, ‘Who Gets PYJ? Nigerian Pastor Reportedly Courting MDR Standard Bearer’, the media house suggests that Joshua will sway influential Liberian Senator Prince Yormie Johnson to support George Weah in the runoff elections in Liberia. “Multiple sources speaking to FrontPage Africa say… plans are in the works to fly the Nimba County senior senator to Nigeria where efforts are reportedly being made to have his pastor in Nigeria, T.B. Joshua intervene,” reported the online magazine.

Johnson, who finished fourth in the first round of this year’s elections with a total vote count of 127,666, was initially said to be indecisive about whom to back in the upcoming runoff between current Vice President Joseph Boakai and footballing legend Weah.

If the former warlord throws his weight behind Weah, it will significantly bolster the former footballer’s chances in the runoff, after he won the largest number of votes in the initial round by a sizeable margin. Read more

TB Joshua speaks on Liberia election as George Weah visits church in Lagos, Sources: Daily Post and GNN Liberia

Leading presidential candidate in Liberia and football legend George Weah attended a service of The Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), led by Pastor T.B. Joshua on Sunday. During his sermon, Joshua warmly welcomed Weah and spoke directly to him. “My brother is here today because he loves his country and wants God’s choice for his country,” Joshua stated. “He is not here to impose himself. What does God say about his country, Liberia? What is God’s opinion? That is why he is here.” The cleric reiterated that he was not favoring any particular side of the political spectrum but his own role was to pray for “the will of God” to be done in the nation of Liberia.

“We are not herbalists or witch-doctors; we are people of God. God’s choice is our choice. We cannot pray against God’s will. Without God’s corresponding power, we cannot pray to Him. For every step we take – every movement and action – intimation comes first. There must be a suggestion from the Spirit to move before we move. If truly I am a man of God, I must hear from God – move or don’t move.”

Joshua disclosed that Liberia’s incumbent Vice President and Weah’s contender in the upcoming presidential run-off, Joseph Boakai had also contacted him to request a meeting. 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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