“We can now begin to build Liberia into the solid bridge across the continents it was originally envisioned to be,” President Boakai declared. Reflecting on Liberia’s history, President Boakai expressed gratitude to his predecessors, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and President George Weah, recognizing their contributions to the nation. Acknowledging Liberia’s divided society, President Boakai called for unity in nation-building, emphasizing the need to overcome historical narratives, ethnicity, and exclusion. “There is no contest between ‘Green Liberia’ and ‘Blue Liberia’, ‘Southeastern Liberia’ and ‘North Central Liberia’. He emphasized the fight against corruption, announcing the establishment of an office to explore the feasibility of a War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) to address war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 23, 2024 20:40 UTC
Joel Cholo Brooks is a Liberian journalist who previously worked for several international news outlets including the BBC African Service. He is the CEO of the Global News Network which publishes two local weeklies, The Star and The GNN-Liberia Newspapers. He is a member of the Press Union Of Liberia (PUL) since 1986, and several other international organizations of journalists, and is currently contributing to the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation as Liberia Correspondent.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 23, 2024 15:09 UTC
advancements, climate, and environmental concerns, and socio-cultural dynamics,” Dr Musah, a former Director, West African Division, United Nations, affirmed. Governance and development deficits (State capture, economic mismanagement, currency instability, retreat from the periphery, marginalization, and selective provision of basic services; identity politics, youth crisis, and corruption. Manipulation of constitutional and electoral norms and the weaponization of the judiciary to enable unconstitutional maintenance of power. Emerging strategic choices by leaders of the region towards traditional and emerging powers without a clear exit strategy from the dependency syndrome. But more than ever before, elections have become triggers and drivers of divisive and deep-rooted political crises in Africa, exacerbated by the undemocratic influence of money and overbearing interference of the judiciary.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 23, 2024 11:28 UTC
Full Text: President Weah's Farewell MessageMessage H.E. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your president and commander-in-chief for the past six years. The total cash balance in the Government's Consolidated accounts is UNITED STATES FORTY MILLION, FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE DOLLARS AND NINETY CENTS. In 2018, my government inherited a Consolidated cash position of about SEVEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS. I am immensely proud that during my tenure, Liberia remained at peace with itself, and at peace with its neighbors.
Source:Daily Observer
January 23, 2024 03:26 UTC
The group expressed concern that McGill’s selection might jeopardize this support, hindering progress and impacting the ability to provide quality education for all Liberian children. The group argued that the moral implications of appointing a sanctioned individual to lead the Senate Committee on Education cannot be understated. They emphasized the need for leaders in the education sector to possess high moral standing, expertise, and commitment to the betterment of students and educational institutions. As representatives of the education community, Liberia Educators communicated their concerns to the Senate Pro Temp Nyongblee Karnga Lawrence. Furthermore, Liberia Educators urged the government and relevant stakeholders to establish a transparent and inclusive selection process for key positions within the education sector.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 22, 2024 22:11 UTC
Led by Eminent Emmanuel S. Wettee and his dedicated team, the All Liberian Conference on Dual Citizenship (ALCOD) has tirelessly championed reforms in the 2022 Dual Citizenship Act. Eminent Emmanuel S. Wettee and other patriots are resolute in their call for a revision, aiming to eliminate the disenfranchisement of Liberian-born citizens living abroad, as highlighted by Capitol Times Liberia (source: Capitol Times Liberia). The current Dual Citizenship Act fosters exclusionary political representation, hindering democratically-minded Liberians abroad from participating in electoral processes, a viewpoint echoed by the Liberian Observer (source: Liberian Observer). Given the significant economic contributions of diaspora Liberians through remittances, denying them a voice in national governance is considered a gross injustice. ALCOD’s commendable battle, guided by Eminent Emmanuel S. Wettee and his team for revising the 2022 Dual Citizenship Act, is crucial for fostering a fair democratic process.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 22, 2024 21:53 UTC
President of Liberia, Joseph Nyumah Boakai, giving his inauguration speech after taking the oath of office on January 22, 2024. During his campaign, Boakai emphasized his commitment to addressing key challenges faced by the country, including corruption, poverty, and infrastructural development. President Boakai, who was sworn in at noon today, had been delivering his speech for over 30 minutes when the incident occurred. Dressed in traditional country cloth attire over a bullet-proof vest, President Boakai began to show signs of uneasiness reportedly due to the high temperature. Despite the unexpected interruptions, sources have confirmed that President Boakai is in good condition.
Source:Daily Observer
January 22, 2024 21:00 UTC
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your president and commander-in-chief for the past six years. There is a bigger net international reserve position than was handed to me in 2018. This is a 136 percent increase in net international reserve position. The total cash balance in the Government’s Consolidated accounts is UNITED STATES FORTY MILLION, FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE DOLLARS AND NINETY CENTS. In 2018, my government inherited a Consolidated cash position of about SEVEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS.
Source:Daily Observer
January 22, 2024 11:15 UTC
Al-Hasakah province: A US plane carrying weapons and military equipment in addition to several soldiers, protected by two US helicopters, landed in Kharab Al-Jeir that is a base of the International Coalition in Ramilan countryside northern of Al-Hasakah, amid extensive security tension in the vicinity of the base and flight of drones over the region. This comes in light of the ongoing reinforcements for US bases in Syria, in light of repeated attacks by Iran-backed militias under the name of the “Islamic Resistance” in Iraq. On January 19, a US cargo plane carrying logistic and military equipment such as weapons and ammunition, landed in an “International Coalition” Base in Kharab Al-Jeir in Ramilan countryside in northern Al-Hasakah, coming from Iraqi territory. Read more of this storyVisited 34 times, 17 visit(s) today
Source:GNN Liberia
January 22, 2024 09:41 UTC
Last week the President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Joseph Boakai on Monday, January 22, 2024, in Monrovia. Amongst those designated to represent the U.S. President in Liberia are the Honorable Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, will lead the delegation. Also in Liberia to grace the occasion are several other African and world leaders including the Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean Presidents among others. Arrived today in Monrovia for the event is the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Sello Malema of South Africa. Recently the outgoing President George Weah extended an open invitation to regional leaders to grace the peaceful transfer of power from him to President-Elect Boakai on January 22, 2023.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 22, 2024 02:59 UTC
By Jeremiah Mulbah |President George M. Weah is set to deliver his farewell message to the nation at 8 pm today, January 21, 2024. President Weah, who secured an overwhelming mandate from the Liberian people in 2017, faced a shift in political tides as he was defeated by former Vice President Boakai in the second round of the 2023 presidential election on November 14, 2023. The Liberian leader’s farewell address is anticipated to focus on the transition from his administration to the incoming Boakai-led government, addressing key national concerns along the way. As he bids farewell to the citizens and residents of Liberia, President Weah is expected to reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of his tenure. The inauguration of President-elect Boakai signifies a new chapter for Liberia, as the nation looks ahead to the policies and vision that will shape its future under the Boakai administration.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 22, 2024 02:09 UTC
The political tension in Sierra Leone following the disputed June 2023 presidential election had heightened with an alleged coup attempt reported on 26th November, which the government blamed on officials of the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC), including former President Koroma. Meanwhile, during the ECOWAS end-of-year summit in December 2023, President Bio had requested the regional economic bloc to send a mediation mission to Sierra Leone. Former President Koroma was said to have rejected the Bio suggestion, but following persuasion by the ECOWAS delegation, the three parties (Koroma, ECOWAS, and Bio) eventually agreed to the exile plan with Nigeria as Koroma’s host country. This was on the condition that the Sierra Leone government should drop all legal and administrative charges against Koroma, who should also retain his entitlements as former head of state. The government said 15 of Koroma’s serving and former bodyguards are implicated in the alleged coup attempt, while the former president insists on his innocence.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 20, 2024 17:30 UTC
With just 4 days, to begin the “recovery mission,” “Rescue Missionaries” are unaware of their roles, leaving everyone, except the President-Elect, in uncertainty. The term “Black Book” is on everyone’s lips, but instead of joking about it, we should talk about its characteristics and prevent it from entering the post inauguration policy making and governance process. We need a “White Book” which symbolizes transparency and broad-based consultation, not a “Black Book” that symbolizes secrecy and lack of broad consultation. Some “missionaries” may need to resign from other jobs, conclude consultancies, or relocate to Liberia to fully commit to public service. In 21st century governance, the accolades are for those who run gov based on broad-based consultation and transparency, not secrecy and exclusive decision-making.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 20, 2024 07:17 UTC
Lenn Eugene Nagbe, the 2023 Natioal Campaign Manager of the outgoing Coalition Change (CDC), and Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority has reportedly resigned his position as Maritime Commission with two years remaining tenure. Commissioner Nagbe’s lucrative position at the Liberia Maritime Authority reportedly provided him opportunity for unbelievable wealth as compared to his many peers in government, most importantly his proximity to the outgoing presidency. Many political analysts believe that his untimely resignation from his lucrative position at the Liberia Maritime Authority could be due to fear of reprisal from members of the incoming Boakai-led Government who during the 2023 general and presidential elections he allegedly badmouthed. During one of his campaign rallies, the than CDC National Campaign Manager publicly declared, “When CDC wins this election, UP partisans will not get employment in our next government”. This statement uttered by Mr. Nagbe, a stalwart of the CDC aroused negative interpretations to many Liberians, especially supporters of the Unity Party (UP) government.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 20, 2024 05:03 UTC
Monrovia – The Liberia Diplomatic Think Tank (LiDTT) is urging the incoming government to rebrand the image of Liberia to the outside world by sending quality and integrity individuals to serve the Foreign Mission. The group aims to create opportunities for the promotion of Liberia’s foreign policy internationally as well as the promotion of diplomats with academic credentials and experiences in diplomacy. In a release signed on January 17, 2024, by Hilary K.D Gbegeah, Chairperson of the group says rebranding the country’s foreign service will motivate investors to come to Liberia. “The Liberia Diplomatic Think Tank encourages the incoming government to focus on rebranding Liberia’s diplomatic image by assembling the most qualified and experienced minds for the Foreign Service, thereby strengthening the trust and confidence of international partners and investors,” the group says. Also, as Liberia goes through a peaceful transition, the Liberia Diplomatic Think Tank calls on every actor involved with the ongoing transitional process to adhere to best practices regarding the smooth turnover from the current administration to the incoming administration.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 19, 2024 20:49 UTC