28 September 2017

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Liberia, others to benefit from UN Trust Fund, Source: INSIGHT

UN Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Atul Khare has announced that 10 contributors have committed themselves to make contributions to the Trust Fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. The countries, a release said joined Bhutan, Cyrus, India, Japan, and Norway which has already contributed. The move the release said re-enforces the Secretary-General’s commitment to putting the rights and dignity of victims first.

DDC threatens Simeon Freeman with lawsuit, Source: Source: Daily OBSERVER 

The Deepening Democracy Coalition (DDC), the organizer of the just-concluded presidential debates has threatened to file a lawsuit against the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) presidential candidate, Simeon Freeman on allegation that the DDC was soliciting USD10,000 from him to place him on the list of candidates for the presidential debate it held Tuesday in Paynesville.  The group said Mr. Freeman has 24-hour to prove his allegation or face a lawsuit.

Win or Lose … CDC Assures Peaceful Elections, Source: New DEMOCRAT

This paper reports that following its alleged involvement in violent clashes in Montserrado and Nimba Counties with rival parties, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has vowed to remain peaceful regardless of winning or losing the upcoming elections in October.

The Coalition’s message to maintain peaceful elections was conveyed by the youth wing chairman, Jefferson Koijee when he presented fruits to a group of women who have been praying on the Airfield for non-violence elections. Mr. Koijee said the CDC presidential candidate, Senator George Weah also sent white head ties to symbolize peace as they pray for non-violent and peaceful elections.

LP complains CDC –NEC, Source: The New Dawn

The Liberty Party (LP) has filed formal complaints with the National Elections Commission (NEC) against the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) for alleged electoral violence in Sanniquellie, Nimba County and alleged unfair charges in Voinjama, Lofa County.

Addressing a regular press briefing on Wednesday at the NEC headquarters in Monrovia, chairman Jerome Korkoya said: “This complaint  has been referred to our independent hearing office for investigation. A second complaint was submitted by Mr. Bill Twehway, a candidate for the House of Representatives on the ticket of the CDC, against Mr. Ceebee Barshall, a House of Representatives candidate of the Unity Party. That complaint has also been referred for investigation. The Liberty Party also filed a complaint against the Mayoress of Voinjama, Lofa County, alleging unfair charges for campaign banners in the city.”

ORWOCH Conducts Training for First Time Female Candidates, Source: FrontPage Africa

The Organization for Women and Children (ORWOCH) has ended a one-day training of female candidates and CSOs in Monrovia. According to ORWOCH, the training targeted young female politicians, decision-makers, and heads of CSOs in and out of Montserrado County in order to champion the prevention of violence against women and be role models for women’s participation in democratic process. The training was organized by ORWOCH with sponsorship from OXFAM and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

What Dr. Wiles actually said about gays? , Source: The New Dawn

Presidential candidate Isaac Wiles of the Democratic Justice Party (DJP) was not definite about his comments on gays. But said if there was a law that allows it, he would enforce such law. “Just quickly, Gay Rights. I love women. I love women very much. I have a beautiful wife. My wife, my mother is a woman. My sisters, my daughter, they are all women. I love them. I mentioned to you that the Democratic Justice Party, one of the pillars of the DMA was to enforce the law. If there is a law that allows it, we will have no choice but to enforce it. But if there is no law to affect that, then, we are going to discourage it by enforcing the law and this is the position of the Justice Party on this. We will enforce the law as it exists,” Dr. Wiles said Saturday in Tubmanburg, Bomi County when he appeared on the Ducor Debates.

Presidential candidates showcase development plans, Source: INSIGHT

Speaking at a presidential debate this week, Alternative National Congress (ANC) presidential candidate, Alexander Cummings called on Liberians to stop electing the same politicians who failed the country over the years or else the country will remain backward.

Foreign Ministry opens expedited passport service to the public, Sources: INSIGHT and The INQUIRER

The Passport Division at the Foreign Ministry has unveiled an Expedited Service System. Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs, Deweh Gray speaking when the ministry announced the new system, said it would ensure efficiency in its passport service to passport applicants who wish to make urgent travel.  Under the new system, an applicant can receive a passport within an hour on the same day of the request at a cost of USD100.00.

Justice Ministry probes township commissioner for illegal land sale, Source: Daily OBSERVER 

The Ministry of Justice says it is investigating the commissioner of the Township of Louisiana in Montserrado County on an allegation that he sold 19 acres of land illegally. This follows a preliminary investigation carried out by the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) that Solomon Miller issued fake land deeds to buyers, findings which were sent to the ministry.

Commerce Ministry refutes bogus ‘FAO Alert’ on Bella Lona Rice, Source: Daily OBSERVER 

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has reacted to a leaflet circulated in Monrovia quoting the FAO as warning that the ‘Bella Lona rice’ is not good for human consumption. In a release issued Wednesday, the ministry said the FAO has not issued such a warning and said it was an attempt to blackmail the importer, West Africa Traders Incorporated.

Magistrate Fallah Matthews Vows to Dispense Justice, Sources: New DEMOCRAT and The INQUIRER

The magistrate of the Brewerville Magisterial Court (BMC) has vowed to dispense justice in keeping with the moral and ethical conduct of judges. Magistrate Fallah Matthews warned that magisterial courts must administer impartial justice. Delivering his charge, Wednesday at the BMC, Magistrate Matthews said impartial justice can be achieved when judges desist from receiving bribe from party litigants and lawyers appearing before them.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ON LIBERIA

“Under My Administration Civil Will Get Consistent and Fair Pay” –Cummings Brags, Source: GNN Liberia

The presidential candidate of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander Benedict has assured Liberians and his supporters that his administration as President of Liberia will focus on the well-being of the Liberian people, stressing the need for all civil servants to receive their just pay and on time.

Addressing various supporting groups for his presidency, including independent women, youth, religious and civil society groups at the party’s national headquarters in Monrovia on today Thursday, Mr. Cummings said: “There is no reason why, any teacher – someone who is taking care of children, or police who protect us, or the nurses who take care of our health, should be making less than $200.00 a month, and least of all worry if they are going to see that two hundred dollars and be able to take care of their families. Under my administration, I promise that all civil servants will get consistent and fair pay.”

Candidates promise economic revival —Liberia, Source: The Herald

Presidential candidates for the October 10 Liberia elections have promised to revive the economy and provide jobs — subjects that topped the second debate on Monday. A fall in the prices of iron ore, one of the country’s biggest exports has pushed the economy to a crisis. The only female contender in the race, MacDella Cooper, wants to tap into other lucrative sectors. “I want to focus on the agriculture industry, the eco-tourism and also the fishery industry. As you very well know, Liberia has one of the most flora swell across West Africa but we haven’t done much about the agriculture industry.” Cooper is standing on the Liberia Restoration Party ticket. Alexander Cummings of the Alternative National Congress has promised to create jobs and expand the economy.

Mohamed Jabateh Trial Starts October 2nd, 2017 In U.S., Source: GNN Liberia

The U.S. Government’s immigration fraud case against Liberian citizen, Pennsylvania resident, and alleged war criminal Mohamed Jabateh affectionately call “Jungle Jabbah” begins on October 2, 2017, in Philadelphia. Jabateh has been charged by the US attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania with two counts of fraud in immigration documents and two counts of perjury.

During the course of the trial victims and witnesses of war crimes in Liberia will testify against the accused. The trial is a unique and historical step by the US attorney’s office to present a case of war crimes in a national courtroom. The indictment, which was unsealed on April 13, 2016, can be viewed here.

“This defendant allegedly committed unspeakable crimes in his home country, brutalizing numerous innocent victims. He then sought to escape to the United States where he lied about his criminal background on federal immigration forms. This office will use whatever tools are available to bring to justice serious criminals who abuse our immigration process by concealing their background and history,” the US attorney office stated.

Funding struggle: Can Liberia's controversial private school pilot continue?, Source: Devex

Three weeks before Liberia’s general election, the future of a controversial pilot outsourcing more than 200 public schools to private operators appears uncertain as the country’s president steps up fundraising efforts to secure the $4.6 million needed to keep the program running.

 
  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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