27 October 2017

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Elections 2017 - What Went Wrong?, Sources: All Africa and New DEMOCRAT

Some major political parties that participated in the just-ended 10 October elections have complained the polls were fraught with fraud and irregularities with calls that the elections go for a rerun. But addressing journalists Wednesday in Monrovia, National Elections Commission (NEC) chairman, Cllr. Jerome Korkoya said there were "inconsequential misbehavior" from some NEC's staff that does not amount to fraud and rigging. Cllr. Korkoya said there is no denying there were irregularities but the election was free, fair and transparent.

"You know that the elections were not rigged. People may have allegations about irregularities, other misbehavior from some of our staff. We don't deny that. Those are things that go with elections everywhere around the world. Any allegation that these elections were rigged would simply be an allegation without any support. And I think allegation with that nature clearly will be misplaced…,” the NEC chairman said. Read more

Complexities in Unity Party Overshadows Sirleaf Support to Boakai Presidential Bid, Source: FrontPage Africa

A FrontPage Africa investigation has found that contrary to widespread reports, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been directly involved in sourcing funding from Morocco, Guinea, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and a host of other countries for the presidential bid of her Vice President Joseph Boakai of the ruling Unity Party (UP). The finding appears to contradict growing perceptions within the Boakai campaign that President Sirleaf has not been supportive of the presidential bid of the man who has been by her side in the past 12 years.

Executive Mansion sources are being tight-lipped about the investigation and presidential press secretary Jerolinmek Piah when contacted Thursday, could not confirm or deny when inquiries were made regarding reports that the president directly engineered aid to Boakai from several of her international connections including Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Ghana and a host of others.

The findings come amid a recent admission from Montserrado Representative Edwin Snowe, who was recently appointed as campaign chairman of the UP November 7 runoff activities.

Speaking Thursday on a local radio talk show, Representative Snowe acknowledged that the extra campaign process has posed serious burdens on the party and pleaded for the incumbent first partisan, President Sirleaf to intervene.

While aides from both Sirleaf and Boakai campaigns continue to lay the blame on a long-running feud between the pair over the perceived lack of financial support, FrontPage Africa has learned that some of those on Boakai’s campaign team betrayed his trust and misused thousands of dollars intended to pay poll watchers and campaign workers. Read more

UP Campaign Chairman Calls on President Sirleaf for Support in Runoff Election, Source: FrontPage Africa

The ruling Unity Party (UP) says its campaign activities have taken a trend that needs the support of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. UP campaign mobilization chairman for the runoff election, Representative Edwin Snowe said in this round of the election all hands including that of the party’s former standard bearer, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf are needed on deck in order to win the election for the party.

“I have a good relationship with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, I have and good relationship with Vice President Joseph Boakai. As far I am concerned, I don’t see a rift between the two of them; they have a nation to protect and we need support from everyone including her. Our campaign is going forward; it will not be disturbed or distracted,” Representative Snowe said.

He noted on a local radio show recently that many deceptions from some former members of the party have made campaigning a challenge. According to him, it is regrettable that many attacks are being thrown at Vice President Joseph Boakai for mistakes made by some of the very ‘escapees’ who are singing praises to opposition political parties’ leaders. Read more

Prince Johnson Tips Weah Over Boakai For Liberia’s Presidential Runoff, Sources: Daily OBSERVER, FrontPage Africa, and The NEWS

The standard bearer of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) Thursday endorsed the candidacy of Senator George Weah, the standard bearer of the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), dealing a major blow to Vice President Joseph Boakai’s bid to succeed President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Addressing a news conference, Senator Johnson said his decision is in line with the Ganta Declaration. “Pursuant to a historic meeting of opposition political parties I called in Ganta in September of 2016, which gave birth to the Ganta Declaration, we committed ourselves to ensuring an opposition victory for change in 2017 presidential elections,” Johnson said Thursday. Read more

Nimba County Chiefs Reject Prince Johnson Endorsement of George Weah, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa

The media reports that Nimba County is said to be divided. The elders and chiefs are at one side of the political divide, while the most prominent political actor in the county, Senator Prince Johnson is on the opposite side.

While Senator Johnson was at his Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) headquarters in Congo Town endorsing Senator George Weah’s candidacy for the runoff election, the Nimba chiefs were at the residence of Vice President Joseph Boakai of the ruling Unity Party (UP) in Paynesville distancing themselves from Johnson’s endorsement. The head of the Chiefs Council of Nimba, Chief Peter Barloun told reporters Thursday that Senator Johnson’s decision did not meet the approval of the Chiefs Council of the county.

The chiefs’ revelation contradicts Senator Johnson’s assertion during the endorsement ceremony that he had consulted all major stakeholders in Nimba before coming up with the decision to endorse Senator Weah’s candidacy in the runoff election.

Chief Barloun described Johnson’s decision as a betrayal of the several discussions held that the county would support Mr. Boakai in the runoff election. Read more

Dunah Warns Prince Johnson Against Using Nimba to Enrich Himself, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Nimba Country Electoral District #7 Representative Worlea Saywah Dunah has warned Senator Prince Johnson of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) to desist from “making business with the county for his personal benefit.” Nimba is not a commodity to be traded for the purpose of getting profit in return, Representative Dunah said, adding that Nimbaians are responsible people who make decisions that will improve their living conditions, which does not in any way suggest that Senator Johnson also a Nimbaian should commercialize the county for his selfish interest.

The outgoing Nimba lawmaker frowned on his kinsman for often using the county in political situations to enrich himself, adding, “this has to stop because Nimbaians put their trust in him to benefit the entire residents but not to enrich himself by giving them a bad leader in return.”

Dunah cautioned Johnson that getting the highest votes in Nimba does not mean that he is capable of delivering the county to the opposition.  Read more

5,220 Security Officers in Liberian Receive Election Allowance, Source: FrontPage Africa

UNDP deputy country director said the payment of election officers was delayed due to wrong accounts details presented. Mr. Cleophas Torori said UNDP is working with officers to complete the payment despite their wrongful bank pieces of information provided. Torori stated that 5,448 officer names and accounts were given to UNDP to pay officers through the banks.

He dismissed rumors that the money was given to Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman as has been reported by some media outlets. Police officers have previously claimed that their money wasn’t paid accusing IG Coleman of misappropriating the funds. Read more

Information Minister Throws Light on Liberia’s Fight Against Corruption, Source: FrontPage Africa

Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe has shared Liberia’s experience in curbing corruption with the Global Governance and Fight Against Corruption at the Crans Montana Forum in Brussels, Belgium. According to Mr. Nagbe, Liberia sees the dialogue as very strategic, especially because of the country’s recent history and the current heart-breaking rise of terrorism in the region.

“Liberia and its neighbors have experienced first-hand how corruption, abuse of public resources and economic crimes in general can fuel wars, undermine state authority and human security,” the information minister said. Read more

New Nigeria Ambassador to Liberia Makes Plea to President Sirleaf, Source: FrontPage Africa

Nigeria’s new ambassador accredited to Liberia is seeking collaborative efforts from the Liberian government to stop the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which he said is posing serious security challenges in the sub-region. Ambassador James Dimka said preventing small arms proliferation is important considering the destruction of lives and properties occasioned by militant groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria and its immediate neighbors, and others in Mali, and also cited the recent disturbances in Burkina Faso.

Presenting his Letter of Credence to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Thursday at the Foreign Ministry, the Nigerian diplomat said he has a mandate to ensure the well-being of his law-abiding compatriots in Liberia in line with the objectives of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

 

“I intend to encourage them to continue the good work of helping in the development of the host country. This brings to the fore the work being done by the Nigerian contingent in UNMIL and those being done by our technical aid corps members and the private sector,” Ambassador Dimka said. Read more

Six Charge in Connection With Assault on Talk Show Host Henry Costa, Source: FrontPage Africa

Six persons have been arrested and charged by the Liberia National Police (LNP) in connection with a gang attack on talk show host, Henry Costa. Leroy Kolleh, along with Suleiman Fofana, Junior Gibson, Nardoh Parley, Dennis Kanneh, and Jeremiah Sackie were arrested by the police on Wednesday following a complaint filed to the LNP by Mr. Costa, lead presenter of The Costa Show who alleged that he was attacked on Tuesday, 24 October at about 1p.m. by unknown individuals while coming from a meeting on Mechlin Street in Monrovia.

According to the police charged sheet, Costa told police investigators that following the threats, defendant Leroy Kolleh and co-defendants began to throw objects at him and one of them hit him in the chest on ground that he insulted Senator George Weah of the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) on his talk show. Read more

Lawmaker Charged for Threatening to Beat Woman, Strip Her Naked, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Montserrado Representative Solomon George of the main Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Thursday appeared before the Monrovia City Court to stand trial on his alleged threat to strip naked an employee of the Commerce Ministry. Representative George is facing multiple criminal offenses that include disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, and munching. The Montserrado lawmaker admitted to the charges when he was arraigned at the court.

At Thursday’s hearing, Representative George’s case did not go as scheduled because his legal team appealed for the case to be re-scheduled, which both parties accepted. After accepting his request, Magistrate Kennedy Peabody immediately allowed Representative George to go home without securing a criminal appearance bond, on grounds that he was a lawmaker and could not escape the country. Read more

‘No Witch Hunt’ …Weah Tells Liberians, Source: The NEWS

The standard bearer of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Senator George Weah has told Liberians that there will be no witch hunt and discrimination under his administration. Addressing thousands of partisans and supporters Wednesday at CDC headquarters in Congo Town, Senator Weah said a CDC-led government would be inclusive; irrespective of political or tribal affiliations.

He told the jubilant crowd, who gathered at CDC headquarters upon his return from Nigeria that his administration will not engage in divisive acts.

Weah said the CDC has its own agenda that has nothing to do with the National Patriotic Party (NPP) or former President Charles Taylor’s agenda. He said claims that his administration will be influenced by former president Taylor are false and misleading. Read more

Weah, Boakai To Sign Youth Manifesto …As FLY Celebrates National Youth Day, Source: The NEWS

The Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) has announced that Senator George Weah of the main opposition Coalition and Democratic Change (CDC) and Vice President Joseph Boakai of the ruling Unity Party (UP) will next Monday sign the National Youth Manifesto (NYM).

Addressing a news conference Thursday in Monday, FLY president Augustine Tamba said by signing the manifesto, the two political leaders will be committing themselves to youth development in Liberia during and after the election.  According to Mr. Tamba, FLY sees the NYM as a complimentary youth development document that supports the National Youth Act of 2013, which is yet to be passed into law by the legislature. Read more

President Sirleaf Lauds Liberian Women Quilters, Source: Executive Mansion News

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has lauded the Associations of Liberian Women who produced quilts for national and international use urging them to work together and be strong in lifting Liberia. “Let me commend you for what you have been doing and encouraged them to stay together and be strong in promoting Liberia,” President Sirleaf noted.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement on Thursday at her Foreign Ministry office in Monrovia when she received in audience over 23 female quilters from different communities in Monrovia and parts adjacent including the Robertsfield Highway, Somalia Drive, Stephen Tolbert Estate, Caldwell, Barnesville, among others. Read more

Liberia’s Quest: Leadership or Dealership?, Source: IN PROFILE DAILY

What is being suspected of politicians in determining Liberia’s quest for governance appears to be gradually unfolding in the wake of the presidential runoff expected to be held on 7 November.

Poised with their voting cards close to their chests, while Liberians are awaiting the day for the runoff between the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the ruling Unity Party (UP) to decide who takes the mantle of power after Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in January 2018, negotiations for political consensus are said to be held between defeated presidential candidates and the two candidates who are going to the runoff.

Narrowed down to only two parties for the runoff, the campaign is now taking place across the country between the CDC and UP, as supporters of both parties have begun appealing to the electorates for their votes to make either candidate be elected.

Apparently sitting on the fence but not seemingly inactive on the political scene are eighteen presidential candidates whose support to either CDC or UP is being regarded in some quarters as one of the determining factors to get a CDC or UP elected for the presidency. Read more

Cummings Donates USD10K to Liberia Marketing Association Daycare School, Source: FrontPage Africa

The political leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander Cummings has donated USD10,000 to the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) for the renovation of the Rally Town Market Day Care School in Central Monrovia.

Presenting the check on behalf of the Cummings Africa Foundation (CAF) to the LMA president, Alice Yeebahn at the organization headquarters on Thursday, Mr. Cummings noted that the gesture is in fulfillment of his promise to the school and the LMA during the campaign period. He pledged his Foundation’s commitment to the LMA and stressed that in order to drive the economy; there is a need to empower the business community. Read more

ILO to Conduct Seminar on Work Improvement in Small Enterprises, Source: Daily OBSERVER

A ‘Training of Trainers’ (TOT) workshop on participatory action-oriented training methodology focusing on the Work Improvement in Small Enterprises (WISE) program will be held on Tuesday, October 31 – November 2 in Monrovia, a statement from the entity has said.

The three-day TOT workshop, according to the statement issued Thursday will bring together 30 stakeholders consisting of potential officials from the tripartite-partner government, employers and workers organizations especially Labor Commissioners and inspectors.

The workshop will be organized by the International Labor Organization (ILO) Office in Liberia and facilitated by Tonthat Khai, ILO occupational safety and health specialist. Read more

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ON LIBERIA

George Weah receives backing from Liberia powerhouse, Source: Anadolu Agency and Information Nigeria

Former World Footballer of the year, George Weah has received backing from former Liberian powerhouse, Prince Johnson for president ahead of a November 7 runoff vote between the former soccer star and current Vice President Joseph Boakai.

Mr. Johnson took more than eight percent of votes in the first round and his support is seen as a crucial boost for Mr. Weah, who won 38.4 percent, shy of the 50.1 percent needed to win outright in one round.

NAN reports that a consignment of ballot papers for the election is expected to arrive in the country on October 28, the National Elections Commission (NEC) disclosed on Wednesday.

NEC chairman, Jerome Korkoya, said the commission had ordered 3,053,435 ballots, the same quantity printed for the first round of the elections. “The ballots are being printed in Slovenia,’’ the commissioner said. Read more

Election complaints overshadow Liberia presidential runoff, Sources: AFP and Mail Online

"REMEMBER TO VOTE" wrote Liberia's National Elections Commission (NEC) on its Facebook page on Wednesday, a daily reminder to Liberians that the final stage of selecting their president is fast approaching.

"REMEMBER NOT TO CHEAT AGAIN NEC!" came the swift reply in the comments.

Former international footballer George Weah and incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai face a runoff for Liberia's presidency on November 7 -- a crucial test of the country's stability.

But complaints about the conduct of the first round of voting on October 10 are drowning out their efforts to campaign in the small west African nation.

As Weah and Boakai mount last-minute pushes for funding and support at home and abroad, Liberians are preoccupied with another political process playing out at the electoral commission and potentially in the country's courts.

Three political parties have alleged irregularities in the voting process: telecoms tycoon Benoni Urey's All Liberian Party (ALP), former Coca-Cola executive Alexander Cummings' Alternative National Congress (ANC) and veteran opposition candidate Charles Brumskine's Liberty Party. Read more

Liberia’s election runoff: A choice between two imperfect options, Source” African Arguments

Keeping the incumbent party in office may be difficult to bear, but hope that the opposition will bring change may also be misplaced.

Musa Lamine was sitting under his market stall listening attentively to his radio when the news came over the airwaves. None of the 20 contestants in Liberia’s 10 October presidential election had won outright, the presenter announced. That meant there would be a run-off between the two frontrunners, one of whom, it was confirmed, is his candidate. Lamine jumped up to rapturous celebration.

“Finally, I am happy that even though my candidate did not win, we will go for a second round,” he exclaimed. “Now I will campaign harder to make sure my country doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”

As Liberia gears up for the 7 November run-off, talk of the “right hands” and “wrong hands” has dominated the political discourse. But voters are divided on which option represents which.  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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