06 November 2017

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Catholic Bishops Want Courts “Resolve Elections Matters Expeditiously”, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The Daily Observer reports that as the Supreme Court renders its opinion on whether or not the temporary stay order placed on all preparations leading to the November 7 runoff election will be officially granted to the Liberty Party (LP), the Catholic Church is admonishing the high court to handle the case expeditiously and with care, as well as within the confines of the Constitution.

“Of more serious concern is the allegation by some political parties of electoral frauds,” the Church said in a statement. “They are channeling their grievances through the judiciary system. We commend such political parties who did not seek redress through means of violent demonstration but rather through the pacific means of our court system. We believe that this is the right direction for our emerging democracy. And we urge our courts to expeditiously resolve these matters as part of their national duty to preserve our peace and ensure that our collective national interest is protected,” the Catholic bishops said in the statement.

CABICOL said like any other human society, irregularities and frauds are part of electoral systems but efforts in good faith to curtail or eliminate them through peaceful and judicious means is a welcome ideology that should be hailed by all.

The Liberty Party (LP) filed a complaint with the National Elections Commission (NEC) alleging electoral irregularities and frauds carried out by some stakeholders in the elections processes. While the LP complaint was being investigated, NEC went on with preparations for the runoff election, which action caused the party to go to the Supreme Court begging for a writ of prohibition on all preparations for the runoff election until the electoral commission would deliberate on the party’s complaint. Read more

Ellen Legacy of Smooth Transition At Stake - Supreme Court Makes Decision on Runoff November 6, Sources: FrontPage Africa and The NEWS

The media reports that when President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf delivered her last address to the United Nations General Assembly in September this year, she was applauded for boasting that she would be the first democratically elected President of Liberia to peacefully transfer power to another democratically elected government in 76 years, but that legacy is now on the brink of not being achieved.

The presidential election in Liberia is now in turmoil and as the Liberty Party (LP) seeks from the Supreme Court a writ of prohibition on the runoff until the National Elections Commission (NEC) can investigate its compliant into alleged electoral fraud and irregularities.

The Temple of Justice – ground of the Supreme Court – was tension-packed as many Liberians anticipated a supreme opinion on the matter; the full bench of the Supreme Court reserved their ruling till today, Monday, 6 November.

President Sirleaf’s legacy of being the first Liberian President to peacefully transfer political power from one democratically elected government to another in 73 years now hinges on the decision the high court will make on the runoff election today. Read more

Information Minister Says Brumskine’s Comments ‘Reckless, Unfounded’, Sources: Daily OBSERVER, FAAPA, and LINA

Information Minister Eugene Nagbe has termed as “reckless and unfounded” recent comments by Liberty Party (LP) standard bearer Charles Brumskine, accusing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of directly interfering with the just-ended October 10 elections.

Mr. Nagbe noted that Cllr. Brumskine should understand that his rejection at the polls by the Liberian people represents their will, which he must accept instead of scapegoating by making baseless comments.

Cllr. Brumskine in a BBC interview on Thursday alleged that President Sirleaf directly interfered with the polls to ensure rigging. He also accused the Liberian leader of rejecting the outcome of the 1985 elections in which she won as Senator of Montserrado County and subsequently brought war on the Liberian people.

 But on the information minister Friday, rubbished Brumskine’s claims, terming it as a “demonstration of desperation and dishonesty’, something he claimed the country does not deserve. According to Mr. Nagbe, the behavior exhibited by Cllr. Brumskine demonstrates his lack of leadership and respect for the constitutional and democratic will of the Liberian people and of those who they place in authority through their votes.

Nagbe further pointed out that it is shameful for Cllr. Brumskine to be accusing President Sirleaf of bringing war when he served as legal counsel to the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) and subsequently as President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate under former President Charles Taylor who led the war. “For the so-called learned counselor to resort to misinformation in the mass media and the distortion of the facts of history while his frivolous contention is being addressed by the Supreme Court, shows his lack of respect and confidence in the judicial and legal process,” the information minister emphasized. Read more

‘Liberia’s Democracy Still Under Threat’ – Kofi Woods, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Renowned human rights activist and former labor and public works minister, Atty. Samuel Kofi Woods has said that Liberia’s democracy is still vulnerable and constantly threatened by leadership deficits which have plagued the nation. In spite of criticisms of this view, Atty. Woods said, “I held that to be true (in the past) and do so now.”

With the growing tension and discontent provoked by the electoral impasse emanating from the recent October 10 elections currently before the Supreme Court, Woods declared that the only hope for the country now lies with the highest court. “Our hope ultimately lies in our judiciary, which must now redeem our country. God give us men and women whose integrity will be unblemished, whose love for the nation will be tested and whose faith in you will lead them to give purpose and meaning of their existence,” he implored.

He urged Liberians to respect the rule of law. The pursuit of no man’s ambition is worth a drop of human blood,” the respected human rights activist cautioned.

Speaking at the induction ceremony for officers of the Liberia Federation of Labor Unions yesterday in Monrovia, Atty. Woods said, “After years of elusive peace, tenuous transitional justice (the Truth and Reconciliation process) and cosmetic national reconciliation, our attempt to consolidate our democratic credentials is under threat because we failed to properly reform our institutions.” Read more

“Rerunning Elections Less Expensive Than Violence” – Tiawon Gongloe, Source: FrontPage Africa

Respected human rights lawyer and former labor minister and solicitor general, Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe says it would cost Liberia less to have a rerun election as compared to the cost of conflict or war when he responded to a question as to whether Liberia had the economic strength to conduct a rerun election.

Speaking to reporters Friday on the grounds of the Supreme Court, Cllr. Gongloe said, in terms of peace and stability the cost to re-run the election is less costly. “War is more costly than everything.” He also said he is optimistic that the high court's opinion will be in line with the due process and the integrity of the electoral process. The Supreme Court Friday delayed ruling into the Writ of Prohibition on the November 7 runoff election till today Monday 10:00 a.m. Read more

‘We’ll Work With Anyone Who Wins’ - Catholic Church, Source: FrontPage Africa

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Liberia (CABICOL) says it is ready to work with anyone who emerges as the winner from the pending run-off election. CABICOL in a statement over the weekend said it is committed to working with any political party that will win the presidential election runoff.

“Nonetheless, the respect and protection of the inalienable rights of each and every Liberian, and all those living within our territories remain a sine qua noncondition for a harmonious working relationship,” the Catholic bishops said.

The secretary general of CABICOL, Rev. Fr. Dennis Nimene, says they stand to promote a society where all are considered equal, the rights of every citizen will be respected and human dignity preserved. “We want free, fair and transparent elections that produce a legitimate leadership that all can support to develop our country and preserve our peace. In peace, we will develop our country.” Read more

Younquoi Finally Wins in Nimba District #8, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Incumbent Representative of Nimba County Electoral District #8, Larry Younquoi has been declared the winner in the October 10 legislative election of that district. Representative Younquoi’s victory follows a recount of the vote after his main rival, Saye Miannah was announced by authorities of the National Election Commission (NEC) as a winner earlier. Mr. Miannah in the previous counting won with 19 votes more than the incumbent, but the result was challenged by Mr. Younquoi for a recount.

The recount that took place in Saclepea on Saturday, 4 November gave Representative Younquoi 6,191 votes while Miannah obtained 6,174 votes. Read more

Condé Warns Ellen to “Stay above the Fray”, Source: Daily OBSERVER

President Alpha Condé in his capacity as chairman of the African Union (AU) has warned President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to play a neutral role that would bring credibility and trustworthiness to the ongoing electoral process so as to pave the way for a smooth transition of her administration.

At the end of a political conference held in Monrovia last Wednesday, when he and ECOWAS chairman Faure Gnassingbé, President of Togo, interacted with stakeholders about the country’s ongoing political stalemate, President Condé said he has asked President Sirleaf to stay above the fray — not to get involved with the current electoral contention. “We have asked our sister to stay above the fray,” the Guinean president said.

According to him, Africa and the sub-region are concerned about what is going on in the aftermath of the elections in Liberia, “we found it necessary that it was our duty to identify with our brothers and sisters in Liberia; listen to them; analyze the situation, and so we consulted with the diplomatic corps, the election commission, the supreme court and the inter-religious council.” Condé said from the discussions, all stakeholders involved in the electoral process acknowledged that there were irregularities, adding, “Everybody is aware that there were some mishaps at the polls.” Read more

Don’t Foment Chaos …Chief Imam Tells NEC, Source: The NEWS

The Chief Imam of the Liberia Imam Council has cautioned the National Elections Commission (NEC) to avoid act that has the propensity to foment chaos. Sheikh Ali Krayee said failure by the NEC to publish the final voter roll is responsible for the reported irregularities and fraud during the October 10 polls.

Imam Krayee said it was unacceptable for the electoral commission to say that once you have a valid voter’s registration card but your name is not on the voter’s roll, you will still vote. This, he said, was wrong because it has the proclivity to vote rigging.

He contended that there is nowhere in the world such is done because doing so is a clear indication that the process will not be free, fair, and credible. Krayee spoke last Friday at the Unity Mosque in the Monrovia suburb of Sinkor. Read more

MOVEE Youth League Expels 2 Members, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The National Youth League of the Movement for the Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) has announced the expulsion of two of its members. A press release named the two members as Prince Jugbe, national vice chairman on membership, mobilization, and recruitment and Daniel Woart, chairman of the Jones Intellectual Brigade, a youth-driven auxiliary of MOVEE. Read more

President Sirleaf Commissions Cllr. Lois Brutus as Ambassador to U.S., Sources: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Friday commissioned Cllr. Lois Brutus as Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States replacing Ambassador Jeremiah Sulunteh. President Sirleaf commended Cllr. Brutus for demonstrating commitment and efficiency at previous assignments stressing: “I am most pleased first of all to welcome the Ambassador and her family and as well commend you for demonstrating commitment and efficiency in all that you’ve done; I look forward to seeing you demonstrate same as you demonstrated over the years.” According to an Executive Mansion release, the president urged Cllr. Brutus to remain steadfast in the performance of her duties as assigned. Read more

27 IT Specialists Trained in Cyber Security, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Twenty-seven Liberian IT specialists from public and private sector institutions have completed intensive three-day training in ‘Cybersecurity Level 1.’ The training was held from 30 October  to 1 November 1 at the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LIBTELCO) in Sinkor to build the technicians’ capacity in the fight against hacking – currently one of the major threats in the computer-generated world of technology. The cyber security training was organized by LIBTELCO and facilitated by Hak Technology and TechMedia International in collaboration with the Information Service Architects Limited. Read more

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ON LIBERIA

Supreme Court to rule on election challenge on Monday, Source: Prime News Ghana

Liberia’s Supreme Court has reserved ruling on the poll challenge for Monday after listening to submissions by presidential aspirant and leader of the Liberty Party, Charles Brumskine. Brumskine who finished third in the October 10 poll petitioned the court alleging fraud in the conduct of the poll. His party said widespread fraud had marred the outcome of the process.

The court earlier this week ordered the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to halt preparations for a poll run-off scheduled for November 7. The NEC stated that it will respect the decision of the court adding that its preparations had been affected by the ruling. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) had slated a runoff between former football star George Weah and incumbent vice-president Joseph Boakai. Read more

Liberia's election delay divides already tense nation, Sources: AFP and News24

The extraordinary delay in electing Liberia's new leader amid claims of electoral fraud is entrenching existing divides between the candidates and outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, as voters wait nervously for a resolution.

The Supreme Court will decide on Monday the fate of a presidential runoff vote originally scheduled for November 7, either by setting a new date or prolonging it indefinitely until a legal complaint by the opposition Liberty Party is resolved.

The runoff, to be contested by former international footballer George Weah for the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) against the incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai for the governing Unity Party, is therefore on ice - and no one knows for how long.

The Liberty Party's Charles Brumskine came third in the first round of the presidential vote on October 10, and immediately alleged that fraud and irregularities had tainted the results, claims which were backed soon afterwards by Boakai but downplayed by Weah. Read more

Liberia’s Presidential Runoff Delayed by Fraud Investigation, Source: The New York Times

A presidential election runoff in Liberia scheduled for Tuesday will be delayed by the Supreme Court’s investigation into accusations of fraud, the National Elections Commission said on Friday.

The former soccer star George Weah and Vice President Joseph Boakai are competing to succeed President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose election in 2005 helped draw a line under 14 years of civil war.

The vote would be Liberia’s first democratic transition of power since 1944, but the Supreme Court this week halted preparations while it examined charges by Charles Brumskine’s Liberty Party, the third-place finisher, that the first round, on October 10, was marred by fraud.

Chief Justice Francis Korkpor said the court would issue its decision on Monday morning, one day before what had been the scheduled date of the runoff election. “The election will definitely be delayed, but we don’t know for how long,” the elections commission spokesman Henry Flomo said. Read more

Liberia opposition leader calls for new election commission, Source: eNCA

The Liberian opposition politician who has lodged a legal complaint against the country's election commission on Thursday called for its commissioners to be replaced, citing their actions during a disputed presidential election.

Charles Brumskine came third in the 10 October presidential election and immediately alleged fraud and irregularities tainted the vote. He filed a Supreme Court legal case this week that threatens to derail a 7 November runoff vote between former international footballer George Weah and incumbent Vice-President Joseph Boakai, called after neither man gained more than 50 percent of votes.

In an interview with AFP, Brumskine said the current commissioners serving the National Elections Commission (NEC) should be fired and replaced in the event the Supreme Court decides in his Liberty Party's favor and calls for a full re-run of the 10 October vote. "There is no way NEC can conduct a free and fair election," he told AFP at his mansion in Paynesville, a suburb of the capital. Read more

UNMIL donates IT equipment to LDEA, Source: United Nations Peacekeeping

In support of the fight against drug trafficking in Liberia, UNMIL today handed over Information Technology (IT) equipment to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) at the agency’s headquarters in Monrovia. The donation consisted of 8 laptops, 8 printers, 8 modems and 17 printer cartridges, procured under UNMIL Quick Impact Project (QIP).

“This may just be basic office equipment. But, hopefully, it should support you in your work, particularly in the counties, as you gather intelligence, information and data that will be fed back to the headquarters, so that you can have a better picture of the criminality across Liberia and how you are going to tackle it,” said UNMIL Police Commissioner, Simon Blatchly while handing over the equipment to LDEA Director General, Anthony Souh. The Police Commissioner reassured on UNMIL continued support until the Mission’s closure in March 2018. 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.

 

 

 

 

Online Headlines