31 October 2017

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

President’s Office Debunks Alleged Interference In Elections, Sources: Daily OBSERVER, FAAPA, FrontPage Africa, LINA, and The NEWS

The office of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has termed as “baseless” comments made by representatives of three political parties alleging that the president has interfered with the nation’s electoral process. “We like to be specifically clear, that at no time has president Sirleaf interfered with the electoral process, or the outcome or the results of the 2017 general and presidential elections,” presidential press secretary, Jerolimek Piah said Monday at a press conference in Monrovia.

Terming the allegations as “works of agent provocateurs,” Mr. Piah said the claims by representatives of the ruling Unity Party (UP), Liberty Party (LP), and All Liberian Party (ALP) falls in the category of “hate speech and inciting language” which should be condemned and disavowed by all peace-loving Liberians. Piah said the office of the President further deems the allegations by the three parties as “an attempt to undermine Liberia’s democratic process.”

The presidential press secretary clarified that all meetings, interactions or exchanges of the office of the president and the National Elections Commission (NEC) were consistent with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s constitutional role to ensure that the electoral process was supported and that such interactions were initiated at the request of the Elections Commission and were never held secretly. Read more

Fate of November 7 Runoff to Be Decided Today, Source: Daily OBSERVER

A decision whether or not the November 7 runoff will go on as planned now rests with Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh, presiding chamber justice of the Supreme Court, who is expected to make the decision today Tuesday.

Justice Ja’neh gave the assurance Monday when he listened to legal arguments between the Liberty Party (LP) seeking cancellation of the result of the October 10 presidential and legislative elections due to alleged fraud and irregularities and the failure of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to hear its October 24 complaint.

However, the NEC also argued that it is mandated by the constitution to determine any complaint within 30 days, meaning it has the right to hear and decide the LP’s complaint of irregularities by November 23, by which time the runoff should have been concluded. Read more

Supreme Court Full Bench To Rule In Liberty Party Petition, Sources: FAAPA, LINA, and The NEWS

Justice-in-Chamber Kabineh Ja’neh has said he will refer the petition of the opposition Liberty Party (LP) to the full bench of the Supreme Court to make a determination on whether to issue the writ of prohibition requested by the party. LP on October 27 requested the high court to issue the writ in an attempt to restrain the National Election Commission (NEC) from proceeding further with the pending presidential runoff slated for November 7.

The pronouncement follows a conference with the legal representations of both parties which was open to the public. In argument, LP said while the NEC has 30 days to hear and determine complaint before it, they ran earlier in order to be on the safe side. They argued that since the filing of the complaint with the NEC hearing officers they are yet to decide the matter while the commission has announced the official date for the runoff election.

Relying on Article 83 ‘C’, NEC, represented by Cllr. Musa Dean and other in-house counsels said it is not in any wrong as it is working in line with powers provided by the elections law and the constitution of the land. Article 83 ‘C’ provides that the returns of the elections shall be declared by the Elections Commission not later than fifteen days after the casting of ballots. Any party or candidate who complains about the manner in which the elections were conducted or who challenges the results thereof shall have the right to file a complaint with the Elections Commission. Read more

Uphold Farmington River Declaration … Inter-Religious Council Urged Political Parties, Source: The NEWS

The Inter-Religious Council of Liberia (IRCL) is calling on political parties, who are signatories to the Farmington River Declaration to uphold their commitment and keep the peace as part of the responsibilities contained in the document.

In a statement issued in Monrovia on Monday, the Council said it was important for political parties and the citizenry to remain calm, stating that the IRCL strongly opposes any statements that could incite violence, derail the peace and stability.

The statement read by the Most Reverend Bishop Jonathan Hart, said the peace and stability of Liberia rest upon everyone, adding that Liberians should refrain from making derogatory remarks and incitements in any form including the use of hate messages on social media.

The IRCL also cautioned President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of her responsibility to play her part in keeping the spirit and commitment of the Farmington River Declaration alive, while challenging the National Elections Commission (NEC) to address all complaints of irregularities expeditiously in preparation for the runoff election to ensure free, fair, transparent, and credible electoral process. Read more

Liberty Party Refutes Rumors of Party Call For Interim Government, Source: FrontPage Africa

The opposition Liberty Party (LP) has dismissed rumors about it going into a deal with the ruling Unity Party (UP) for a possible interim government. LP vice chairman for political affairs, Abraham Darius Dillon, told a local radio station outside Monrovia, Monday that the party's stance against election irregularities and massive corruption does not suggest collaboration with the governing UP for an interim government.

“There is no room for interim government in this country, there will be no room. You have an interim government when there is constitutional disruption of the governance of our country like war, the constitution is clear,” Mr. Dillon said.

Dillon made reference to Article 64 of the Liberian Constitution and noted that there has not been any constitutional disruption of Liberia's governance system that would introduce an interim leadership.

His comments come in the wake of public condemnation on its joint press conference with the All Liberian Party (ALP) and the UP, which was held Sunday, at the UP National Headquarters in Congo Town. Read more

MOVEE Condemns Call for Rerun of Elections; Endorses George Weah Presidential Bid, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa

The media reports that while the ruling Unity Party (UP) is teaming up with some opposition political parties for the cancellation of the October 10 presidential election results and calling for a rerun, other members of the opposition bloc are expressing confidence in the Coalition for Democratic Change’s (CDC) ability to lead the country.

The CDC led by Senator George Weah and the ex-wife of former President Charles Taylor, Senator Jewel Howard Taylor topped the October 10 elections but failed to obtain the constitutional requirement of 50 percent plus one vote of the overall votes.

On Monday, the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) condemned the call for a rerun. Speaking at the endorsement ceremony, MOVEE chairman, D. Maxwell Kemayan said the party is determined to continually engage the political processes and activities and, therefore, acknowledges there were irregularities during the October 10, however, the magnitude is negligible but not sufficient to nullify the results. Read more

MacDella Cooper of LRP Endorses CDC’s George Weah, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Liberia Restoration Party (LRP) standard bearer, MacDella Cooper, is throwing her weight behind her Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) counterpart and long-time associate, Senator George Weah, for the upcoming November 7 runoff election.

At Monday’s ceremony, Ms. Cooper said Liberia is in a new era that needs total change for the improvement of the lives of the younger ones. She said she saw her visions also embedded in the platform of the CDC, and as such, she deems it necessary to join the drive for change by giving her support to the party in the runoff election. The LRP political leader added that the young people have seen the real change and development in the leadership of Senator Weah [as] President of Liberia, which is why they gave him their support.

Ms. Cooper called on women who supported her at the October 10 polls to join the CDC for the betterment of the country because it is a new day for Liberia, and they must respect the decision of the youth. Read more

President Sirleaf Launches National Biometric Identification System of Liberia; Attributes Accomplishment to Government, Sources: Executive Mansion News and FrontPage Africa

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has formally launched the National Biometric Identification Registry; describing the launch as a significant accomplishment of the government. “This occasion marks a significant accomplishment of the Government of the Republic of Liberia,” President Sirleaf said. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement on Monday in Congo Town when she formally launched and performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the National Biometric Identification System of Liberia.

The Liberian leader credited the accomplishment of the National Biometric Identification Registry to the support received from international partners including the World Bank. She said the birth of the National Identification Registry (NIR) will allow the entity gather and manage factual information about citizens in a timely manner.

Speaking further, President Sirleaf emphasized that the NIR will reduce the huge spending on the production of passports, driver license, and others. She expressed deep gratitude to individuals and institutions including the Legislature for their meaningful contribution toward national development.

Making remarks, NIR executive director Tiah Nagbe, said the Registry will comprise of two major components - the Dynamic Database and the Identification Card. He said the ID card will contain 10 digits while the database will be the storage of all essential information for all Liberians. Mr. Nagbe further pointed out among other things, that the NIR will serve as a base for other major institutions to keep accurate and balanced record system for revenue generation, health, education, and the National Elections Commission (NEC). Read more

Weah Rallies Liberians To Sustain Peace, Stability, Sources: FAAPA, LINA, and The NEWS

Ahead of the November 7 presidential runoff election, the political leader of the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has called on partisans as well as all Liberians to uphold and maintain the nation’s peace and stability. Senator George Weah said at a press conference held at the Capitol Building Monday that as Liberia progresses to the runoff, Liberians must subscribe to the notion that the country remains the common interest that should be protected by all.

“I will do all I can in my power to preserve the peace and stability of our beloved country,” Senator Weah said, noting that “as the political leader of the CDC, I have been a custodian of the peace that we are all enjoying today.”

Describing the November 7 elections as a legitimate democratic process, the CDC standard bearer wants all Liberians to come out in their numbers and form part of the democratic process by exercising their franchise on the voting day. Weah said the CDC stands ready to move throughout the length and breadth of the nation to campaign in order to ensure nothing but victory. Read more

Alleged Police Assault Angers Zogos, Source: Daily OBSERVER

According to the Daily Observer, pandemonium broke loose late Monday afternoon when scores of angry men besieged the main entrance to the compound of the state broadcaster, Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), blocking the main thoroughfare leading to the commercial district of Red-Light in Paynesville. The local area youths were demanding justice for their friend, identified as Armah Barrie, who was allegedly killed by an officer of the Liberia National Police (LNP).

The entire LBS vicinity, the report says was overwhelmed by many of the youths, local community people, and passersby as they expressed their anger over their friend’s death by setting up a roadblock at the LBS junction. The situation brought an abrupt halt to the normal commercial activities at the ELWA Junction and its surroundings as people were seen running helter-skelter, some already leaving the area because they were afraid of a potential clash between the police and the angry mob.

The incident initially took place at a ghetto around the ELWA Junction, from where Barrie’s unconscious body was carried by his friends and deposited at the entrance of the state broadcaster to call attention to his and their plight. Read more

Journalists Undergo Training On SGBV, Source: The NEWS

UN Women’s deputy country representative Tikikel Alemu has urged members of the media to help change the perception of SGBV. Speaking during the formal opening of a weeklong capacity building training for Liberian media practitioners on reporting issues of SGBV and harmful traditional practices, Ms. Alemu told the participants that their work can divert the perceptions on SGBV; maintaining that the UN Women and the UN system generally believe that the media plays an important role in advancing the agenda including an end to SGBV and all forms of discrimination against women and girls.

“The media can create awareness on existing commitments, frameworks as well as gender inequalities,” the UN Women official said stressing that the work of the media can bring people together to put an end to all forms of discrimination and negative stereotypes against women and girls. Read more

USAID Reaffirms Support For PYPP, Sources: FAAPA and LINA

USAID has awarded a new grant to the President’s Young Professionals Program (PYPP) to support the recruitment, training, and mentoring of qualified young Liberian professionals. PYPP prepares young people to assume key positions in the Liberian civil service. The grant also aims at building the capacity of young Liberians to promote good public sector governance. This is the first direct grant from USAID to the PYPP. Read more

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ON LIBERIA

Ballot papers arrive in Liberia for November run-off election, Source: Premium Times

The National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC) says the ballot papers for Tuesday’s presidential re-run election have arrived in the country. NEC said in a statement on its website that the materials were imported from Slovenia and that they landed at the Roberts International Airport in Monrovia on Saturday.

It said the ballot papers “were later conveyed to a safe location under heavy security escort by officers of the Liberia National Police’’. The runoff election holds on November 7 and is between ex-football star, George Weah of the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai of the ruling Unity Party (UP). Read more

Buhari, Ouattara meet to strengthen democracy in Togo, Liberia, Sources: Guardian and The Nation

President Muhammadu Buhari and his Ivoirian counterpart, Alassane Ouattara, have met to strengthen ties and democracy in Togo and Liberia. Addressing State House Correspondents after their closed-door meeting in Abuja yesterday, Ouattara acknowledged Nigeria’s role in the West Africa sub-region and the entire African continent.

“It is a great honor and privilege to be in Abuja to see my brother and exchange views with him on the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire and to see how our sovereign nation is doing and also, we had the opportunity to exchange views on major issues on the continent and the world.

“I will like to thank President Buhari for his invitation. I had expressed the wish to come and see him, we had been in touch and I came to tell him that we are very happy that he is back in good health. Read more

'No amount of fear tactics will stop the Liberian change' – Weah, Source: Africa News

Former world footballer of the year and leading presidential aspirant in Liberia George Weah says the upcoming runoff vote is about the hopes and future of the west African country.

“No amount of fear tactics and intimidation will stop the Liberian people from realizing the change they truly desire,” he added in a message posted on his official Twitter handle.

Weah who leads the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) enters the run-off vote with current vice-president Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party (UP).

Weah polled 38.4% in the first round as against Boakai’s 28.8%. The run-off between the two became necessary because none of them had the fifty percent plus required. 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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