26 October 2017

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Conmany Wesseh praises UN role in Liberia, Source: The INQUIRER

The orator of United Nations Day celebration in Monrovia, Senator Conmany Wesseh has lauded the UN role in the restoration of peace and stability in Liberia. Speaking at the 72nd anniversary event of UN Day in Monrovia Tuesday, Senator Wesseh said the UN and its agencies are sources of economic well-being, employment agencies, and social cohesion.  He attributed the peace and stability of the country to the UN presence.

In October 10 polls, “no frauds”, NEC trashes Liberty Party’s claims, Source: INSIGHT

The National Elections Commission (NEC) chairman, Cllr. Jerome Korkoya has rejected the opposition Liberty Party’s (LP) claims of vote rigging, fraud, and irregularities in the 10 October presidential and legislative elections at a press briefing Wednesday in Monrovia. Cllr. Korkoya said the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. But LP standard bearer, Cllr. Charles Brumskine said the polls were characterized by fraud and irregularities.

102-year-old Voter Calls for Peaceful Run-off Election, Source: Daily OBSERVER

One of Liberia’s oldest citizens, Millie Zumogar, 102, Wednesday called on all Liberians to ensure the peaceful conduct of the pending November 7 runoff presidential election. Mrs. Zumogar voted on October 10, as she had done in many other elections in the country’s political history.

In a Daily Observer exclusive interview, the centenarian warned supporters of the two political parties in the runoff, the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the governing Unity Party (UP), as well as their sympathizers against electoral violence.

“I am calling on all my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren not to cause trouble for the country. We need peace and we should all do our best to keep it,” she said. Born in 1915, Mrs. Zumogar said the elections she witnessed and participated in, during the 1930s, 40s and onward, were usually held peacefully and the results were accepted gracefully by the electorates without anyone seeking legal redress. Read more

CTIL Condemns Violence, Mob Justice, Source: The ANALYST

The president of the Civil Society and Trade Union Institutions of Liberia (CTIL) has condemned violence actions by Liberians during political periods. Mr. Jefferson Knight made specific reference to the recent incident which led to the failed arson attack on the OK FM general manager Smith Toby’s house, and the attack on talk show host and political commentator Henry Costa in Monrovia, amongst others.

“Liberia cannot condone happenings of such acts in these modern times of the world, especially when Liberia is expected to witness the transition of power from one democratic government to another if possible,” Mr. Knight averred. 

Man claims of being attacked, Source: The INQUIRER

A man, Stephen Hermon has claimed that he was attacked by supporters of a political party while he was discussing the pending runoff election. He told The Inquirer that about seven men attacked him and who stated that he supports Unity Party (UP) standard bearer, Vice President Joseph Boakai because he is benefiting from the ruling party’s administration.

Christians Urged to Refrain from Violence, Source: Daily OBSERVER

A prelate of the Assembly of God (AG) Church in the Old Road Community, outside Monrovia, has called on fellow Christians to practice pure worship by shunning acts that have the tendency to make the devil triumph over them.

Rev. Francis Kollie, in a recent Daily Observer interview, said that if Christians follow the example of Jesus Christ, Liberia will remain a peaceful nation. Rev. Kollie said no nation can become successful if the citizens are not united to work for the common good.

The AG clergyman then urged politicians to remain committed to the idea of rebuilding a stronger nation. He said that Liberians have suffered for so long through many crises, including the civil war and the devastating Ebola outbreak. Read more

Islamic Scholar Calls for Peaceful Coexistence among Faiths, Source: Daily OBSERVER

United States-based Islamic scholar, Sheik Khalid Yasin, has said the peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims along with other faiths is needed to protect the future of Liberia. Sheik Yasin said coexistence is an essential Islamic principle which must be practiced.

The 71-year-old Muslim teacher advised the youth of all faiths against undermining the country’s coexistence by causing division. Yasin told over 15,000 young Muslims on Sunday at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia to respect “scriptures, social, and family values” in their drive to coexist with Liberians of different faiths.

Sheikh Yasin, who said he was a former gang member, urged the youth to seek academic or technical education and to refrain from violence, terror, and destructive behaviors. He advised them not to allow themselves to be used to bring chaos and division in the country. Read more

Peace Building Office ends nonviolence training for youths in Bomi, Source: INSIGHT

The Peace Building Office (PBO) in Liberia and the National Peace Ambassador has ended a two-day violence training workshop in Tubmanburg, Bomi County. The PBO assistant program manager, Togar Tarpeh said some 100 youths benefited from the workshop, which he said was meant to enhance youth participation in the 2017 presidential and legislative elections. Mr. Tarpeh said the youths were selected through their performance.

Man sentenced for manslaughter, Source: The INQUIRER

The Monrovia City Court has sent to prison Daniel Thomas for allegedly killing his friend in the Chocolate City community. He was arrested by police and charged with manslaughter. The investigation report reveals that Thomas stabbed his friend with a sharp object whom he suspected of having a relationship with his fiancé.

President Sirleaf Commends Education Minister - George Werner for Apology, Source: Executive Mansion News

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commended education minister, George Werner for the apology he made in response to his recent social media post for which he was reprimanded. Unfortunately, the reprimand was transmitted before his apology, which is an adequate rebuke for the act committed.

President Sirleaf stands firmly with the education minister and his team in their effort to transform Liberia’s challenged Educational Sector. The president has further assured Mr. Werner of her continued support in all of his official endeavors as the country’s education minister.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ON LIBERIA

CDC Reacts to Attacks, Sources: All Africa and The New Republic

The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has reacted and condemned recent strain of attacks on peaceful citizens in the country. Controversial talk show host Henry Costa was allegedly attacked by some Liberians on Mechlin Street after reportedly raining invectives at the political leader of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Senator George Weah.

The action followed the play of a recorded phone conversation between him and Senator Weah. He claimed Weah begged him (Costa) to join the CDC ahead of the runoff elections slated for November 7, 2017.

Costa said he refused such decision, but decided to castigate the CDC in a way that reportedly angered several Liberians, some of whom said to be followers of the CDC and Senator Weah.

Before the alleged attack on Costa, men yet to be identified attempted burning the home of the station manager of OK FM, Smith Toby. His house located on the Robertsfield Highway suffered a minor burn. Journalist James Karimu of Prime FM sometimes ago suffered a similar attack on Capitol By-Pass. 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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