First convoy of humanitarian aid passes through Egypt border into Gaza
By Don Jacobson |Oct. 21 (UPI) — A small convoy of 20 trucks carrying aid to besieged Palestinian civilians in Gaza passed through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Saturday, marking the first such relief since the start of the conflict. The trucks carrying humanitarian aid such as food, water and medical supplies, passed into Gaza through the border crossing and will be distributed within the Palestinian enclave, the Palestinian Red Crescent announced. Palestinian health officials said Saturday 4,385 people in Gaza have died in the resulting Israeli bombardment campaign, including 1,756 children and 967 women. “Today’s entry of 20 trucks is a welcomed glimpse of hope, but this miniscule aid represents a drop in the ocean,” the Red Crescent said in a statement. “We call on the international community to secure the continued flow humanitarian aid into Gaza including through the Israeli-controlled crossings.”“We welcome today’s announcement that an aid convoy has entered Gaza, the first since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7,” added Martin Griffiths, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Source:GNN Liberia
October 21, 2023 20:56 UTC
CPP Reportedly Concludes Discussion With UP For Collaboration Ahead Of Run-off
Credible Report says CPP Political Leader Alexander Cummings has concluded a meeting aimed at surrendering his support to UP Joseph Boakai during the impending runoff election. According to an anonymous executive of the CPP, Mr. Cummings told his Party’s officials that he will remain committed to an opposition support during the runoff. Notable among the Executives who opposed Mr. Cummings’s decision include CPP Chairman Musa Bility, Vice Running-mate Charlyne Brumskine, Martin Kolleh among others. However, effort by the GNN to verify such information via mobile phone to contact the Secretary General of the UP, Amos Tweh proved unsuccessful, as his mobile phone rang endlessly. The runoff election is expected within two weeks.
Source:GNN Liberia
October 21, 2023 17:24 UTC
Leading by Example: Tony Elumelu's Leadership Principles
Just as I say about business success, leadership has many components – luck, being in the right place at the right time. These are some of the leadership values I learnt from my time with Chief Banigo, and I practise them all today. Leaders must impart knowledge: I benefitted from the mentorship of Chief Banigo at Allstates Trust Bank. Today, when I am faced with an impossible situation, I ask myself, ‘What Would Chief Banigo Do?’. I worked with Chief Banigo from 1988 - 1995, till this day, he is the one I turn to, when I need advice.
Source:Daily Observer
October 21, 2023 12:29 UTC
Liberia's Election: Public Concerned over High Number of Invalid Votes
Public Concerned over High Number of Invalid VotesWhile the October 10 presidential and legislative elections witnessed a huge turnout, the overshadowing issue has been the unexpectedly high number of invalid votes that the National Elections Commission (NEC) has been announcing since the closure of polls. Like Kiatamba, the high number of invalid votes has also drawn the attention of the media, political parties, and international observers. The number of invalid votes is too huge,” Esther Williams said on a local radio station. Perhaps this was also transferred to the ballots.”The high percentage of invalid votes in Liberia’s post-war elections and referendums has been an ongoing concern. In the 2017 presidential and legislative elections, around five percent of the votes in the first round of the presidential elections were invalid.
Source:Daily Observer
October 20, 2023 19:11 UTC
Liberia: PUL Concerned about Freedom FM’s Allegation against Army Chief
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has expressed deep concern regarding the recent broadcast on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, by Freedom FM. According to Freedom FM, (20) commissioned officers within the AFL are allegedly being decommissioned and dismissed from the force outside the established standards. During an evening talk show, host and manager at Freedom FM, Abraham Wheon, claimed that Major Gen. The American Government maintains a Defense Attaché in Monrovia to work with the Armed Forces of Liberia on its professionalism. The Press Union of Liberia says it finds these allegations deeply troubling and potentially damaging to the reputation and integrity of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
Source:Daily Observer
October 20, 2023 13:12 UTC
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets Liberian Foreign Minister
Africa Press Release |HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met at his Amiri Diwan office on Thursday with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah Sr. who is visiting the country. The meeting discussed aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of promoting them. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar. Visited 21 times, 21 visit(s) today
Source:GNN Liberia
October 20, 2023 10:16 UTC
Armed Forces of Liberia Arrests Deputy NSA Director Sam Siryon over Criticisms of Chief of Staff on Freedom FM
Armed Forces of Liberia Arrests, Interrogates Deputy NSA Director Sam Siryon over Criticisms of Chief of Staff on Freedom FMThe Deputy Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), who also happens to be the owner of the pro-government Freedom FM, was taken into custody by the Armed Forces of Liberia on Thursday. During his regular talk show this week, Mr. Abraham Wheon of Freedom FM insinuated that members of the Armed Forces did not vote for Pres. George Weah in the October 10 presidential elections due to the ill-treatment they had been getting from the Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Confirming his arrest, the NSA Deputy Director Sam Siryon, told FrontPageAfrica that he was humiliated by the soldiers. Speaking to FrontPageAfrica about the controversial broadcast, Wheon said what he disclosed during the controversial broadcast was not given his boss.
Source:GNN Liberia
October 20, 2023 10:16 UTC
Boakai Seeks Opposition Support Ahead of Runoff Election
Presidential candidate Joseph N. Boakai is rallying support of opposition members in the run-off election. The Unity Party will face the ruling CDC in a runoff election to determine the president of Liberia for the next six years. Boakai told a press conference that the UP encourages the support of opposition political parties and independent candidates "to redeem the nation from a failed administration led by President Weah." The appeal came at a time that some opposition leaders including Alexander Cummings of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) earlier vowed to support any opposition party that made it to the run-off. My fellow Liberians, our country needs to be rescued and then we can embark on getting it fixed.
Source:Daily Observer
October 19, 2023 23:45 UTC
DR Congo expels peacekeepers
The Congolese government has said a regional peacekeeping mission will have to leave the country by Dec. 8 due to poor performance. Kinshasa wanted the force to militarily engage the M23, but that proved tricky given that Rwanda is an EAC member state. Fighting between the M23 and pro-government militias has intensified since the beginning of this month, rupturing a shaky ceasefire. The UN force has been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for over two decades but has lost local legitimacy as conflict has become entrenched. Read more of this reportVisited 11 times, 11 visit(s) today
Source:GNN Liberia
October 19, 2023 21:45 UTC
Russia detains journalist with dual Russian and US citizenship
Russia’s detention of US journalists has drawn criticism from press freedom groups. Russia has detained a Russian-American journalist at a government-funded US media outlet for failing to register as a “foreign agent” when she entered the country during a family emergency. Russia has tightened controls over the media following its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, designating many reporters as “foreign agents”. Press freedom groups and the US government have strongly criticised such detentions as a form of stifling dissent. CPJ called the charges against Kurmasheva “spurious” in its statement with RFE/RL.
Source:GNN Liberia
October 19, 2023 21:11 UTC
“Setting the Record Straight, Upholding Democracy Amidst Potential Unrest”
In a recent statement, I clarified my position on what appears to be a controversial post made on October 15, 2023, regarding Peace Island. I vehemently deny any intention to undermine Liberia’s democracy or jeopardize the nation’s peace. I will like to extend appreciation to the peace-loving people of Peace Island, saluting their commitment to the nation’s peace. I recognize and respect the people of Peace Island pledge to support, build and working towards a united community and prosperous future for the children. I hope this message echos the importance of peaceful and democratic transitions of power, ensuring the stability and progress of Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 19, 2023 18:13 UTC
Liberia: Senator Prince Johnson Likely to Face War Crime Court after Election
MONROVIA – Nimba County Senator Prince Johnson, now the biggest political ally of Unity Party’s Joseph, delivered the vote-rich county to the Unity Party in the October 10 election. “If we sincerely want to bring to check public officials who mismanage public funds, we need to establish a war and economic crimes court,” Sen. Dillon said. Senator Dillon’s recommendation triggered rage from Senator Johnson who staged a walkout from session, terming Senator Dillon’s suggestions as “an attack on his character.” “Every time Sen. Dillon sees me, it is when he talks about war crimes court,” Sen. Johnson said. However, in recent times, Mayor Koijee has intensified his call and specifically called for the prosecution of Sen. Johnson. The TRC recommended, amongst a host of recommendations, the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia to try those responsible for the commission of atrocities and economic crimes.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 19, 2023 16:32 UTC
Liberia's Election: Weah, Boakai Head to Runoff, with 99.9% of Votes Counted
As of Oct. 18, the former football legend turned President has accumulated a total of 803,674 votes, constituting 43.84% of the ballots counted. Hot on his heels is Boakai, a seasoned politician who closely follows with 796,313 votes, making up 43.44% of the total count. With neither candidate able to secure the necessary 50% plus one vote to claim an outright victory, the country is now headed for a runoff election. The runoff election would be more than a battle of ideas and policies. Lusinee Kamara ranked four with 35,977 votes, constituting 1.96% of the total vote, while Cummings took fifth place, with around 29,611 votes, constituting 1.62%.
Source:Daily Observer
October 19, 2023 15:00 UTC
Invalid Votes 2005-2023: NEC Did Well, But Could Have Done Better
With 98.40% of the votes counted, there were over 112,875 invalid votes. This is the highest number of invalid votes within the last 18 years, going back to the 2005 general elections. In this article, we will analyze the valid and invalid votes from 2005 to 2023. The lack of adequate voter education may have been the reason for such an extremely high number of invalid votes – 112,875. In order to reduce the number of invalid votes to 3% or below, NEC certainly needs to do a much better job in voter education.
Source:Daily Observer
October 19, 2023 12:51 UTC
Nimba County Senatorial Candidate, James Hallowanger Concede Defeat, Congratulates Senator Prince Johnson
Mr. James D Hallowanger, a Senatorial Candidate of Nimba County in the just ended general and presidential elections has conceded defeat, and as also congratulated his rival, Senator Prince Y Johnson for maintaining his position as Senator. In a press release issued and signed Mr. Hallowanger said, he will always remain engage with politics of and messages during election, like the ritualistic killings in Nimba, making sure that all tribes in the county be part of the administrative job distributions. He noted that scholarships for Nimba students, building a vocational or Junior college in Tappita and Karnplay ,and to make sure the University of Nimba remains open at all time. Meanwhile, Mr. Hallowanger, has pledged his support to the Unity Party of Ambassador Joseph N. Boikai and is calling Nimbaians to vote the Unity Party for a resounding victory during these electionsVisited 102 times, 5 visit(s) today
Source:GNN Liberia
October 18, 2023 22:27 UTC