09 October 2017

 

 


LIBERIA AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Liberians choose new president as Sirleaf steps aside

Monrovia - Liberians head to the polls on Tuesday to elect a successor to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, with hopes for a leader who will kickstart the economy and safeguard a fragile peace.

Sirleaf will step down after 12 years at the helm of Africa's first republic, whose back-to-back civil wars (1989-2003) and Ebola crisis (2014-16) have stunted growth and left Liberia among the world's poorest nations.

Twenty candidates are vying to replace Sirleaf, with footballing icon George Weah, incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai, longtime opposition figure Charles Brumskine and soft drinks millionaire Alexander Cummings considered front-runners.

Just one woman is seeking to follow Africa's first elected female head of state - model-turned-humanitarian MacDella Cooper - but she has near-zero chance of winning, diplomats and analysts told AFP.

The elections of a president, vice president and members of the House of Representatives are a "crucial test for the democratic process in Liberia," Maria Arena, chief observer of the European Union, told journalists in Monrovia this week.

"A peaceful transition from one elected president to another is important not only for Liberia but also as an example for the region," she said.

Such a transition would be the first in living memory after seven decades of coups, assassinations and exiled dictators.

 Infrastructure and aid dependency

While ordinary Liberians are grateful that peace has held through Sirleaf's two terms in office, living standards in Liberia remain dire for most and have become the focus of the campaign.

"We are doing everything ourselves to survive," Emmet Garokapee, a market trader, said as his head was shaved with a single razor blade at a backstreet barber for lack of electricity.

Liberia ranks 177 of 188 countries in the UN's Human Development Index and 174 of 190 nations in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index, and every candidate has laid out their plans to change the nation's gloomy outlook.

Vice President Boakai has made infrastructure, especially road building, central to his campaign.

But he faces accusations his government did too little on corruption and spent two terms pressing for donor funds abroad rather than innovate at home.

Sirleaf, in her defence, said in an October 2 speech that "if we did not have those (UN) agencies and those programs here, with our limited resources we would not have achieved the things we wanted."

But candidates such as telecoms tycoon Benoni Urey have lashed out at what he calls a "dependency" on foreign aid.

A former executive vice president at Coca-Cola, Cummings cites handling a budget larger than that of Liberia's government as evidence of his competence to lead, and he is seen as the dark horse of the campaign.

Development, Cummings said at a rally on Thursday, "is not too much to ask of ourselves after 170 years," in reference to the nation's founding by freed African-American slaves in 1847.

Liberia's most famous son, footballer-turned-senator George Weah, attracts huge crowds and has a faithful youth following in a country where a fifth of the electorate is aged 18 to 22, but is blamed for issuing vague promises and for his long absences from the country.

Liberians have praised the nation's first presidential debates, which were held in Weah's absence.

Some also question his pick for vice president -- Jewel Howard-Taylor, the ex-wife of Liberian warlord and former president Charles Taylor.

Charles Taylor is currently serving time in Britain for war crimes committed in neighbouring Sierra Leone, and rumours swirl he is issuing orders by phone from his jail cell. Weah denies contact with him.

Praying for peace

While campaigning has been "largely peaceful" according to the NEC, with just one clash between Weah and Brumskine supporters, some Liberians remain worried after sparks of violence at the last elections in 2011 that killed two people.

"We are just praying for free and calm elections," said Tina Davis, a wigmaker working at a stall in the Joe Bar market of Monrovia.

One women's group has even held fasting and prayer sessions for three weeks in an echo of their actions towards the end of the civil war, when they forced warring parties into dialogue.

The group coordinator Delphine Morris told AFP several premature "victory marches" could turn violent if there is a disputed result.

The election is the first national-scale test for Liberia's police and army since the war after taking back control of national security from the country's UN peacekeeping mission just last year.

Peacekeepers would only step up "in the event of a deterioration of the security situation that could risk a strategic reversal of peace and stability in the country," UN spokesperson Shpend Berbatovci told AFP.

Polls will open at0800 GMT and close at 6pm (1800 GMT) for Liberia's 2.1 million registered voters, with the first provisional official results expected within 48 hours, according to the National Elections Commission (NEC).

 

Ballot Boxes Reportedly Held Hostage by Campaign Traffic Ahead of Liberia Elections, Source: FrontPage Africa

 

FrontPage Africa (FPA) reports that officials in Liberia are raising fears that some ballot boxes making their way to the rural parts of the country may not get to some parts of the country by voting day Tuesday.  A senior security official confirmed to FrontPage Africa Saturday that a back line of traffic in the capital has left cars stranded for several hours. Several other security officials also confirmed to FPA that ballot boxes have as of Saturday night not made their way through the traffic making it likely that they might not reach their destinations.

 

AU Head of Election Observation Team Arrives, Source: Daily OBSERVER

 

The AU former deputy chairperson, Erastus Mwencha, has arrived in Liberia as head of the AU Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), according to a release. Mwencha is a champion of regional integration. Present in Liberia since September 2, the AUEOM will observe and assess tomorrow’s elections with a view to contribute to the peacefulness, transparency, and integrity of the elections. The AUEOM is in the country at the invitation of the government and the National Elections Commission (NEC).

 

Real Change is imminent, Source: The New Dawn

 

About 2.1 million Liberian registered voters are expected to head to the polls on Tuesday,  10 October to elect a new president and members of the House of Representatives, with many desiring a real change.

 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is stepping down after two consecutive terms of office. Her vice President, Joseph Boakai is seeking to continue the ruling Unity Party’s agenda but many Liberians have been calling for a change and are hopeful that real change is imminent at Tuesday’s polls.

 

Liberty Party presidential candidate, Cllr. Charles Brumskine, who has campaigned on the “Real Change” slogan, believes that his message for a real change and not just change has resonated well with the electorates across the nation.

 

Cummings Reaches for Round One Win, Source: Daily OBSERVER

 

In a brief but firm statement to his supporters on Saturday at his final campaign gathering at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia, presidential candidate Alexander Cummings of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) said: “I don’t want to go the second round; I want to win the first round so come all out and vote for me and Amb. Jeremiah Sulunteh on Tuesday, October 10. Also, vote for the ANC representative candidates. We’ll fundamentally change everything about our country.”

 

Mr. Cummings continued: “After 170 years, we need a better Liberia: health, roads, electricity, and infrastructure. Can we depend on you to vote for the ANC? Together, we can change this country; together, we can commit ourselves to stop corruption.”

 

 

 

 

Veep Boakai Offers Thanksgiving to God for October 10 Victory, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa

 

At a gathering on Saturday at the Unity Party (UP) headquarters in Congo Town, presidential candidate Joseph Boakai thanked God for giving him and his running mate, J. Emmanuel Nuquay strength for the campaign. Mr. Boakai reminded his supporters and others who were listening via radio and the internet that the gathering of UP partisans was not a political rally but one of thanksgiving to God.

 

The UP presidential candidate used the occasion to express gratitude to all partisans, well-wishers, and supporters who put so much energy and effort into running what he called one of the most effective campaigns.

 

 “Let us make it clear that today’s event is actually not a closing rally. This quest continues until the last ballot drops in the ballot box. What we are here to do today principally is to thank our supporters and the auxiliaries for their role in the historic tsunamic show of strength on the 16th of September. Indeed, your message was loud and clear,” Boakai emphasized.

 

The ruling party presidential candidate assured Liberians that when they elect him and Mr. Nuquay into office on Tuesday, they will strive with every fiber in their veins to uphold their confidence and trust in their leadership.

 

CDC George Weah Promises To Connect Liberia, Source: FrontPage Africa

 

Presidential candidate, George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has promised among many other things, to make available good roads when he is elected President. Senator Weah, his wife Clar, and vice presidential candidate, Senator Jewel Howard Taylor were seen on live video via social media in the hinterland traveling through deplorable roads to get across to voters in order to solicit votes for Tuesday’s polls.

 

On Friday, Senator Weah told his supporters during the climax of his campaign at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia that Liberia can only get better under his leadership. “The government that we seek will be the government that will bring about good roads, interconnected roads”, the CDC presidential candidate disclosed.

 

President Sirleaf Opens Women’s Situation Room, Source: Daily OBSERVER

 

The Women’s Situation Room (WSR) for the promotion of peace before, during and after the 2017 elections has been inaugurated by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. At the launch, President Sirleaf expressed thanks to Liberian youth for maintaining the peace the country now enjoys as they are now getting to understand the importance of a peaceful nation. According to the president, Liberians have contributed to the success of the country and that the youths have made it possible that during the campaign there has been no violence in the nation.

 

The WSR is a women’s peacebuilding mechanism to mitigate conflict before, during and after elections in African countries. It mobilizes women in collaboration with youth to ensure their active participation in peaceful electoral processes.

 

Ganta Residents Face Election Day with Caution, Source: Daily OBSERVER

 

Ahead of Tuesday’s polls, many residents of Ganta City in Nimba County are approaching the day with caution, for fear of electoral violence, which they perceive to be associated with the elections. On Saturday, large groups of people including children were gathered at the various bus/taxi stations with some important household supplies heading to their towns and villages as their way of taking precautionary measures.

 

A businesswoman in the Ganta market told the Daily Observer, “most of my friends selling here have fled for their home villages because they heard rumors that some political candidates and their supporters were threatening to instigate confusion in case a candidate of their choice should lose the election.”

 

ALJA Calls for Non-Violent Election in Liberia, Source: Daily OBSERVER

 

The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) is calling on the National Elections Commission (NEC), candidates, leaders, and members of political parties to avoid acts of violence and intimidation during Tuesday’s elections. ALJA in a release urged the NEC and the international community to ensure that the election is free, fair, transparent, and participatory.

 

The association said it would personally hold responsible anyone, candidate or political leader whose statements or actions instigate violence, disrupt the election or negatively impact the smooth democratic process.

 

Elections Observation Network Announces Opening Of Data Center, Sources: GNN Liberia and The New Dawn

 

The Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON) says it has opened its operations and data center at the headquarters of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) in Monrovia. LEON says it will analyze the data as it arrives from the field by SMS submitted by 140 LEON Long Terms Observers (LTOs) and 1000 Short Terms Observers (STOs). These SMS will go directly in the LEON database through specially developed software.

 

LEON is a platform of four Liberian CSOs – Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC), Federation of Liberia Youth (FLY), Liberia Crusaders for Peace (LCP), and the National Union of Organizations for the Disabled (NUOD)

 

Defense refute IRRED report, Source: The New Dawn

 

Authorities at the Defense Ministry have refuted a report by the Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD) accusing defense minister Brownie Samukai of authorizing the participation of Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) soldiers in a district political rally under the auspices of the ruling Unity Party (UP).

 

IRRED in its report published by this paper and several other dailies alleged that Minister Samukai deployed AFL officers to provide security for the contractors hired to construct a podium in Barnesville for the launch of its representative candidates’ campaign ahead of Vice President Joseph Boakai’s visit there.

 

“The report is totally untrue as at no time and date, as mentioned by IREDD, and published by the supra mentioned local dailies did any military personnel participate in any political rally,” the Defense Ministry said in a release issued Friday.

 

“Perimeter security at the rally was provided by clearly uniformed personnel from the Executive Security Consultancy (EXECON) firm. The stage and truss were built by a team of young Liberian technicians while the public address system and musical equipment at the rally were provided by the musical crew known as the “Beast””, the release added.

 

Charles Brumskine’s Daughter Promises Increment in Education Budget, Source: FrontPage Africa

 

Ms. Charlyne Brumskine, daughter of Liberty Party’s presidential candidate, Charles Brumskine, has admonished students of the University of Liberia to vote for the Liberty Party in Tuesday’s election for increment in the country’s education budget.

 

“We know the young people, we know the students will be the deciding factors, the majority voters on Tuesday, and that is why I made it my business to come and speak to you. You are what we call the change agents because you and I together will decide which way our country will move,” Ms. Brumskine said Friday during an interactive forum with UL students at its Fendell Campus. According to Ms. Brumskine, Liberia can only move forward if the illiteracy rate in the country is reduced to the minimum level by providing quality education.

 

CONEX Group response to FPA, Source: The New Dawn

 

Authorities at the Conex Group, an international trading and investment holding company have reacted sharply to publications by FrontPage Africa, which accused the entity of milking the country through the International Gateway Monitoring System (IGMS). The company has not only refuted the allegations of off-book payments worth tens of millions of United States Dollars to officials of the ruling Unity Party to fund the party’s 2011 campaign but has also provided detailed information to set the records straight.

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ON LIBERIA

 

Election Day, a national holiday in Liberia, Sources: APA and Journal du Cameroun

 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by proclamation declared a national holiday on Tuesday, October 10 when Liberians go to the polls to elect her successor and 73 members of a new National Assembly. Sunday’s proclamation by Sirleaf called on all citizens and foreign residents within Liberia to respect, specifically this holiday, which is expected to lead to the first peaceful transfer of power since the end of the country’s last civil war. It further directed all government offices, business houses, and market closed for the duration of the exercise.

Liberia’s National Elections Commission is using most school facilities around the country as polling centers, thereby causing them to be off-limit on Election Day.

 

The outgoing government of Liberia said it is desirous of ensuring the unhindered movement of voters, including workers, students, marketers, granting them access to exercise their political franchise throughout the country.

 

As Johnson Sirleaf exits, Liberians thankful for peace, excited about change, Sources: Euro News and Reuters

 

After a dozen years of recovery under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for helping bring peace after the civil war turned her country into a wasteland, Liberians are hopeful about their first democratic power transfer for 73 years.

 

Twenty candidates are standing to replace Johnson Sirleaf in a first round on Tuesday. With nobody likely to win a majority outright, the top two are expected to face each other in a run-off in around a month. While the election campaign has been rambunctious, it has been mainly peaceful so far, and most expectations are that it will come off without bloodshed. Johnson Sirleaf, 78, has many accomplishments to boast since she became Africa’s first modern female head of state.

 

Liberian poll: Second time lucky for George Weah?, Sources: APA and Journal du Cameroun

 

George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah will never have a more realistic chance of winning the Liberian presidency than on Tuesday, October 10 when his compatriots go to the polls to replace Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Of all the contenders for president, his candidacy is seen as the one that poses the most credible threat to Vice-President Joseph Boakai’s chances of succeeding Sirleaf, rendering the race too close to call as the clock ticks inexorably to Election Day. Political pundits in Liberia say it is now or never for Weah, whose best shot at the presidency could never have put the ruling Unity Party at a more vulnerable position. 

 

The 51-year-old retired football had gone head-to-head with outgoing President Johnson-Sirleaf in the 2005 election, losing to her as Liberians preferred experience to inexperience in the form of an educated upper-class woman instead of a young upstart. The now retired professional footballer was relying largely on his popularity as Liberia’s most illustrious player who had gone out of his way to serve his country on and off the pitch.

 

International observer chiefs strategize on Liberian elections, Sources: APA and Journal du Cameroun

 

Heads of international election observation missions to Liberia met in Monrovia on Saturday to share information and experiences ahead of the country’s landmark presidential and legislative polls. The head of the Ecowas 71-member mission, John Mahama, who chaired the meeting, told his counterparts that the Liberian vote, coming on the heels of the highly contested August election in Kenya, had raised the assessment bar for international observers.

 

“We need to exchange information on the issues that are bubbling up so that we can be on the same wavelength,’ said the immediate-past president of Ghana, who also led the Commonwealth observer mission to the Kenyan election, which result was overturned by the Supreme Court, over “irregularities and illegalities” related to vote tallying and result transmission. He said the outcome of the Liberian election could impact peace and security in the country, the region, and the continent.

 

Liberia's jailed warlord Charles Taylor looms large as his ex-wife runs for office with former footballer George Weah, Source: The Telegraph

 

As a former foot soldier in warlord Charles Taylor's "Wild Geese" militia, William Sumo only has to roll up his shirt sleeve to remind himself how he suffered for his loyalty. His arms are covered in scars and bullet wounds, the result of countless battles he fought during his time in Liberia's 14-year civil war. Yet a decade and a half on from Africa's most brutal modern conflict, Mr. Sumo recalls his days in Taylor’s service with pride, not shame.

 

And while his old boss may now be serving a 50-year war crimes sentence in Britain, Mr. Sumo believes he belongs elsewhere - not just as a free man back in Liberia, but on the ballot paper in next week's presidential elections.

 

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf touts legacy as she prepares to step down, Sources: Africa News and Reuters

 

Harvard-trained economist, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first democratically elected woman president in Africa when she won the Liberian elections in 2005, and the second to win a Nobel Peace Prize. She is stepping down after 12 years at the helm of the fragile West-African state. Liberians go to the polls on October the 10 for the first round of the presidential and legislative elections.

 

I have an opportunity to open the doors for more African women to hold high-level political positions, challenging because I represent the aspirations and expectations of Liberian African women, maybe women all over the world, therefore, the pressure is on me to make sure that I succeed. When she was sworn in for her first mandate in 2005, Sirleaf inherited a country ruined by 14 years of civil war that killed more than 250,000 people, rampant corruption, a battered economy and about $4.5 billion, which creditors took 5 years to cancel.

 

Asamoah Gyan backs George Weah's Presidential bid, Source: Ghana Web

 

Football legend George Weah has received unflinching support from Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan to become President of Liberia. Liberia is heading to the polls on October 10 with twenty candidates on the ballot paper and the list includes the only African to have won the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

 

This is his second attempt after missing out in 2005 to the incumbent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Gyan has called on Liberians to vote massively for the ''noble achiever'' to lead the West African country for the next six years.

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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