This was all new to me, recently appointed minister and my first state visit, still donning a clean shave, necktie, with no gray hair, and ignorant to the rules diplomatic protocol. As we looked back, naturally, everyone was looking for our guy, we wanted to be in the photo, be a part of history. He belonged to the people’s party, and he enjoyed the people’s work. I remember him once chastising a younger photographer about “when they send you to do the people’s work, you better do it. In spite of it all, he was ready for the camera, although most times, he was the one behind it.

Making the presentation on behalf of the United Nations Development Program to the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms (LiNCSA),Mr. James P. Monibah, Team Leader on Governance and Public Institutions extended greetings to the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms on behalf of UNDP’s Residence Representative Dr. Pa Lamin. Reaffirming their partnership, Mr. Monibah said the Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep is UNDP’s way of support to the Liberia National Commission Small Arms. Welcoming the team from UNDP, the Coordinator of the Small Arms Commission Mr. A. Blamoh Sieh, elaborated on the ECOWAS-EU Small Arms project, which he said was launched in Grand Gedeh, River Gee and Maryland Counties. The Coordinator of the Liberia National commission on Small Arms (LiNCSA) thanked UNDP on behalf of the Commission for the Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep and said the handover was very timely. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms Atty.

Mr. Arkoi, on behalf of BFF cautioned the audience, including reintegrated Ivorian refugees, to at all times remain law-abiding and constructively engage in promoting cross-border cooperation, as community citizens of ECOWAS. T. Wleh Cheaty Gaye lauded the BFF and partners for what he described as a very resourceful seminar with revealing material contents aimed at nurturing marital relationships and the promotion of peace and harmony in the communities and nation. For his part, Mr. Serge Kalto, Chairman of the reintegrated Ivorian refugees in Saclepea, Nimba County, along with 14 Ivorian couples who also participated in the marital workshop, expressed delight over the contents of the seminar. According to BFF communication, from November 2019 to present (November 2020), a total of 410 cohabiters and married couples, representing Lofa, Montserrado and Nimba Counties, including Ivorian reintegrated refugees have successfully participated in the BFF marriage and family seminars, and certificated. Better Future Foundation (BFF), is a civil society organization dedicated to the postwar reconstruction and development of Liberia.

The one-day prosecutors’ training was held Monday, November 23, 2020 in Monrovia and was organized by Heritage Partners Associates (HPA) with support from the Multistakeholder Forest Governance and Accountability Project (MFGAP). In support of Liberia’s objectives for strengthening forest governance, MFGAP is contributing directly towards FGMC’s outcome to bring about governance and market reforms that reduce the illegal use of forest resources and increase benefit for poor people. MFGAP also contributes to Forest Governance Markets and Climate (FGMC) impact to improve management of forests for poverty reduction, biodiversity conservation, and climate protection. “This training is intended for us to have a frank conversation about laws governing our forest sector. Gbala of HPA, explained that HPA is among a consortium working together to improve the forest sector.

RIVER CESS – Two men have been injured and a village destroyed in a riot over potentially mineral-rich forestland over the weekend in River Cess County, local authorities said. Two other men—Amos Jettee and Garmonyou Togo, both 36—have been arrested for illegal possession of firearms, River Cess Police Commander Fasu Sheriff told FrontPage Africa. For instance, the entire Timbo District—where the mining village burned in the riot is located—has zero licenses, records of the Ministry of Mines and Energy show (as of November 23). The Central River Cess District has only two licenses. Tobo refutes that claim, saying the humid woodland is on its side of the Doewein River that divides them.

Minister McGill dispelled the rumor that the Supreme Court ruling suggests that the Referendum is cancelled and would, therefore, not be held on December 8. According to him, the government has agreed to place all eight propositions on the ballot paper instead of the initial condensed three propositions. He argued that the Supreme Court in its ruling, instructed the complainants to revert to the resolution by both houses, instead of the process being halted, as being reported in the public. According to Minister McGill, the National Elections Commission has informed the President that it has already started the process of printing ballot for the National Referendum in line with the Supreme Court’s mandate. Meanwhile, Minister McGill has stated that President Weah has agreed not to contest more than two terms, even if the referendum is conducted.

Monrovia – Former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has admonished participants of the Young Political Leadership School Africa Cohort Seven to be steadfast in shaping the destiny of the African continent. The former Liberian leader made the assertion Monday when she served as a motivational speaker to young participants at the cohort seven of the Young Political Leadership School Africa at the Bella Cassa Hotel in Sinkor. Madam Sirleaf stressed that governments in Africa should be people-driven, something she says should unmatch the potential of it women and youthful population. Strive to be someone who will be missed when you are not there.”Also speaking, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Liberia, H.E. This can be done by demonstrating integrity and a commitment to solve problems.”The Young Political Leadership School Africa every year, for one week, convenes young politicians and youth activists with a passion for supporting good governance, policy advocacy and fostering transparency in government.

At his Monday press conference, Mr. Morlu also called on all partisans of the CDC to vote all candidates on the CDC ticket across the country. According to him, voting CDC candidates will help protect and support President George Weah’s developmental agenda. He asked all to go out to campaign for their party candidates across the country by voting one, voting all. Unfortunately, the Unity Party was defeated by the then opposition Coalition for Democratic Change of President George Weah. Fortunately for Nuquay, he was among President George Weah’s first cabinet Ministers when he was appointed as head of the Liberia Aviation Authority (LAA), a position that raised eyebrow amongst opposition including the ruling CDC.

Mr. Strother is the chairman of ‘Blojay’, a mass-based grass root organization that is deeply rooted in the eight administrative districts of River Cess. “To demonstrate my support to you Mr. Steve Tequah, I’m telling all of my supporters to go out and campaign for you. River Cess is the only county in Liberia that has one semi-functional high school, situated in the administrative seat, Cestos City. He promised to push for additional high schools for River Cess if elected senator in the upcoming December 8 senatorial elections. Steve Tequah is the latest to announce his candidacy in the race for River Cess.

The Training of Trainers on the ECOWAS Free Movement Manual kicked off on Monday, November 23, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County. According to him, the Manual remains a key factor to the successful implementation of ECOWAS free movement protocols and migration instruments. These types of trainings are crucial to the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol. To facilitate the free movement of people in the ECOWAS region, member States established a common passport, formally known as the ECOWAS travel certificate. Most ECOWAS member States have, in this regards, instituted the ECOWAS brown card, which is an insurance of motor vehicles that covers the civil responsibly of the owner in the ECOWAS region.

Dumoe said The Special Court for Sierra Leone and the UK government are not above International law, citing the International Human Rights Standards governing the treatment of prisoners, which states “The principal international human rights documents clearly protect the human rights of prisoners. Dumoe argues that the Special Court for Sierra Leone has so many options, and for that court to insist on keeping Taylor in the UK where he faces a high risk of infection is simply inhumane and falls beneath the standard of international law. Dumoe said The Special Court for Sierra Leone and the UK government are not above International law, citing the International Human Rights Standards governing the treatment of prisoners, which states “The principal international human rights documents clearly protect the human rights of prisoners. He used the occasion to dispel rumors that his ambition for the Senate is being supported by Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor. Howard-Taylor had said that she won’t support Yallah despite him being the candidate of the Coalition of Democratic Change in Bong.

MONROVIA – The Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), during its November 17, 2020 sitting, approved to retain the monetary policy rate of 25.0 percent in the previous quarter. Monetary policy rates in advanced economies remained stable at 0.25 percent and 0.10 percent in the United States and the United Kingdom, respectively. On the regional front, monetary policy rates in most countries of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) remained stable, except in Nigeria, where the rate was lowered. In quarter 3, the banking industry generally remained stable, despite the rise of non-performing loans by 4.4 percent above the regulatory tolerable limit. Currency outside the banking system rose by 8.2 percent to L$20.83 billion, while currency in the banking system declined by 15.4 percent to L$1.27 billion during the period.

The Court also mandated the Guinean government to compensate 15 other victims with about 3.6 billion Guinea Francs in total, an equivalent of 312,144 euros. The case was filed before the ECOWAS Court of Justice for redress on October 18, 2018 after Guinean authorities failed to investigate the massacre five years after its occurrence in 2012. Following arguments by the parties, the Court adjudged that Guinea was responsible for the murder, arbitrary arrest, and torture of residents of Zogota. The Court also mandated the Guinean government to compensate 15 other victims with about 3.6 billion Guinea Francs in total, an equivalent of 312,144 euros. Utilizing the preliminary evidence assembled by the ECOWAS Court, Alfred challenged “The Special Prosecutor of the ICC to get seized of the matter under the principle of complementarity to investigate and prosecute individuals who it determines would be most responsible for these crimes”.

The one-day media training, which brought together editors and senior reporters from various media outlets including the print, electronic and online media, was held at the Crown Hotel in Paynesville, outside Monrovia. “The intention of this training is to bring media manager up to speed so that they are aware of what we are doing in the forest sector. This is meant for us to brainstorm on issues bordering the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) and other issues regarding the forest sector,” he stated. In remarks, Officer-In-Charge of the LMC, Victor A. Menyou, the one-day training was geared to capacitating editors to learn more about the forest sector. “There is need that we cover the forest sector effectively and efficiently.

The Abidjan Principles came into being as a result of a group of human rights experts from around the world who adopted the instrument on the right to education. “If we continue to mix politics with education than our education sector will continue to go backward,” Min. Also, the Coordinator of the Civil Society Human Rights Platform of Liberia, Adama Dempster said the gathering was important as it provided journalists with the relevant pieces of information on human rights issues. “In order to show commitment as a country, we have to consider the implementation of the different protocols, especially the Abidjan Principles,” he said. It was organized by the Coalition for Transparency and Accountability in Education (COTAE) with support from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).