Liberia 2023 Elections: Caught Between the New Rogues and the Old Rogues
After the election, Mr. Boakai willingly conceded his defeat to Mr. Weah, becoming the first sitting vice president in Liberia to do so. How Weah disappointed LiberiansGeorge Weah’s election five years ago as Liberian president was greeted with great enthusiasm and expectation. Since Mr. Weah came to power, Liberia’s unemployment rate has increased from 3% in 2017 to 4.1%. Mr. Boakai headed the senate and presided over its functions which made him the second most influential person in Liberia. Truth be told, Mr. Boakai has failed woefully and today turns around to declare his so-called rescue mission.
Source:Daily Observer
October 03, 2023 12:28 UTC
Liberia: Pres. Weah’s Media Confidante Warns of Chaos
Philipbert Browne, a newspaper publisher and a confidante of President George Weah, has warned of a chaotic outcome of the October 10 polls. “If NEC [the electoral body] rules in CDC’s favor, do you think the Unity Party will accept the result? As simple as that,” Browne told the Daily Observer in a phone interview. The Daily Observer had called Browne to get clarity on his social media ‘warnings,’ which had received widespread condemnation. As simple as that,” Browne told the Daily Observer.
Source:Daily Observer
October 03, 2023 05:37 UTC
Liberia: National Elections Commission Rejects Election Rigging Claims
MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission (NEC) has said its attention has been drawn to an article in the Liberian Observer Newspaper and circulated on social media, attributed to former Liberia Information Minister Lamini Waritay, under the caption “Only NEC Can Rig Election”. Henry Karmo [email protected]In the article, Mr. Waritay is reported as saying that the National Elections Commission (NEC) is the “only body” that has the power to “categorically rig” the October 10 polls. The NEC assures the Liberian people and the public that the Commission does not “rig elections” as there is no record to prove such a dangerous and baseless claim. “The NEC calls on all Liberians registered to go to the polls on October 10 to vote, and assures that their votes will count. Additionally, the announcement of winners begins at the polling place when the record of the count is posted on the wall in the polling place in full view of candidates and party agents and local, regional, and international observers.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 03, 2023 04:43 UTC
Global Leaders Showed Their Pledge to Work for Global Peace
18 peace monuments and 32 peace libraries have been established nationwide, and peace education across the country has been introduced to develop peace as a culture through the partnership with educational institutions including the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). These include religious leaders’ comparative study of scriptures, religious peace camps that promote respect and understanding among younger generations from religious backgrounds, and the HWPL Solidarity of Religions’ Peace Committee, which delivers messages of unity about peace to the world as world religious leaders. The HWPL Religious Peace Academy (RPA) was introduced to deepen religious knowledge exchange and understanding beyond a basic level of comprehension of different religious scriptures. Peace Education “Beyond School”HWPL’s Peace Education is also actively in operation so that future generations can become citizens of peace who cultivate the spirit of peace and maintain a world of peace. Peace education will prepare our children to solve global issues peacefully and grow into future citizens of peace and leaders of peace, who can turn the world into a world of peace,” said H.E.
Source:GNN Liberia
October 03, 2023 02:20 UTC
Liberia: NEC Holds Dialogue On Election Results Management With Stakeholders
MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission (NEC) held a daylong Elections Results Management System dialogue on Friday, September 29, 2023, with political parties, civil society organizations, and candidates participating in the October 10, 2023 Presidential and General Elections. By Henry Karmo, [email protected]During this extensive dialogue, discussions covered various aspects of the results management process and election day operations. Madam Browne-Lansanah stated, “This has been a recurring practice by political parties to stay away from these meetings. Mr. Ansu Dorley of ALCORP, speaking on behalf of political parties, cautioned the NEC to spare no effort in ensuring a free, fair, and transparent election. He stressed that Liberians expect nothing less and expressed concern about political parties declining invitations to NEC meetings.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 02, 2023 14:12 UTC
Liberia: APM Terminals Presents US$15M Mobile Harbor Cranes to Port Stakeholders
This historic project has been driven by the notable partnership between APM Terminals Liberia, the National Port Authority (NPA), Liberian Maritime Authority (LiMA) and the Government of Liberia (GOL). Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel D. Tweah Jr., the keynote speaker, commended APM Terminals Liberia for the historic and transformative purchase. “Today is a very significant day in the history of the FreePort of Monrovia, and for APM Terminals Liberia. Diana Nebo, Managing Director, National Port Authority (NPA), highlighted the importance of the new equipment and how, in due course, it would enhance the mandate and goals of the Port Authority. “As the regulatory authority of ports in Liberia, we are invested in deepening our long-term and collaborative partnership with APM Terminals Liberia.
Source:Daily Observer
October 02, 2023 13:00 UTC
Liberia: No Life Is Worth Losing Over Elections
The Foya violence, no matter who provoked it, is a reprehensible act and undermines the values of human dignity and respect for life. Therefore, we call on the Liberia National Police to rise to the occasion, acting with urgency, diligence and impartiality, to investigate the Foya electoral violence. Electoral violence, we note, if not reined in by the Police, will undermine the progress made towards national reconciliation. The world is watching and the people of Liberia deserve an electoral process free from violence, intimidation, and fear. We, therefore, call upon Weah and Boakai to play a proactive role, respectively, to ensure the prevention of further electoral violence.
Source:Daily Observer
October 02, 2023 11:45 UTC
Liberia: Swedish Envoy Urges Young Voters to Be Ambassadors for Democracy
He conveyed the message that no one can deprive them of their right to participate in shaping the future of Liberia through the democratic process. He stressed that the democratic process in Liberia holds immense importance on a regional and global scale, citing Sweden's commitment to supporting the country's democratic journey. The panelists shared personal voting experiences and provided valuable insights on dos and don'ts for Election Day, sparking thoughtful questions from the eager audience of first-time voters. These events laid the foundation for the September 29th climaxing event, which saw the participation of at least 100 eager young voters. SIANL firmly believes that focusing on young individuals, especially school-going first-time voters, is crucial for fostering inclusiveness in Liberia's democratic process.
Source:Daily Observer
October 02, 2023 11:45 UTC
Liberia, Alexander Cummings, George Weah and Joseph Boakai
Promising a different way of doing things, Alexander Cummings faces an uphill task of defeating President George Weah and former Vice President Joseph Boakai but he remains hopeful he can. He seeks to reinvigorate the country with a technocratic style of governance and bring an end to the dominant control of the opposition Unity Unity and ruling Coalition for Democratic Change for the last 20 years. In the mind of Cummings, Liberia’s numerous problems boil down to the way the economy is structured and the limited impact on the people. In 2017, Cummings performed poorly in the county despite having Jeremiah Sulunteh, a son of Bong as his running mate. Brumskine denounced the 12-year rule of the Unity Party for rampant corruption and the six-year inept leadership of President Weah for massive fraud and poor governance.
Source:Daily Observer
October 02, 2023 06:07 UTC
Rep. Korgar “Narrowly Escapes” Death In Nimba’s Bwehlay Town after Being Denied Access to Town for “Failing to Deliver on Campaign Promises
Buutuo, Nimba — Violence erupted Friday in Bwehlay Town, Nimba County after angry residents took up single barrel guns to prevent incumbent lawmaker Rep. Samuel Korgar access to the town. BY Franklin Doloquee, Contributing WriterThe residents accused the People’s Unification Party lawmaker of failing to deliver on his promises since they elected him as representative, citing his inability to commission a single project in the town. But Korgar, who is seeking a third term, denied the allegation, and said he has constructed a town hall in the area. Several residents were wounded in the process after the district’s lawmaker defied the crowd make his way in the town. The Joint Security assigned in the county moved in quickly to calm the situation and arrested two suspects.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 01, 2023 13:25 UTC
Liberia: Ruling Party, Opposition Trade Blame for ‘Electoral Violence’
Tweh claimed that supporters of the Unity Party “were attacked” while on their way to “welcome some members of the party diaspora” who were visiting Foya. He added that “during this interaction, the group of [ruling party] supporters initiated unnecessary confrontations and engaged in various forms of provocation towards our partisans. In a Facebook post, Fallah wrote that while at home, he heard vitriolic chants originating from Unity Party members who had gathered at a junction leading to his home — which also houses the headquarters of the ruling party. Fallah claimed that the situation took a dangerous turn as Unity Party supporters surrounded his compound, leading to a violent altercation that resulted in the tragic loss of lives. “The chants grew louder and more disturbing as Unity Partisans began throwing stones in my compound and destroying streetlights,” Fallah wrote yesterday.
Source:Daily Observer
October 01, 2023 13:19 UTC
Liberia: Pres. Weah Leads Condemnation of Electoral Violence
.... As the international community calls for a speedy and impartial investigationPresident George Weah has strongly condemned the deadly electoral violence in Lofa County, which tragically resulted in the loss of lives and property destruction. Addressing a crowd of supporters in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, the President said that the Foya violence was an affront to the country's democracy and unnecessary. Liberians need to desist from any acts of violence," the President publicly said on September 29. When our country is peaceful, everybody will have the opportunity and get something to do," Weah added. The Collaborating Political Party, of which Alexander Cummings, a rival of Weah and Boakai, heads as the presidential candidate, has also "strongly condemned" the violence.
Source:Daily Observer
October 01, 2023 13:19 UTC
Ecowas and UN Condemn Violence that Led to Loss of Lives in Lofa’s District One
MONROVIA — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations (UN) have condemned the recent violence in Lofa’s first district that led to the loss of lives Friday, September 29. ECOWAS and UN further, meanwhile, invite the UP and CDC to fully cooperate with the LNP in the ongoing investigations. “ECOWAS and the UN commend the LiberiaNational Police(LNP) for promptly restoring calm,” the release added. ECOWAS and UN, however, urged the LNP to conduct speedy and impartial investigations and make public their findings and ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted. “ECOWAS and the UN call on the media to be responsible in their reporting so as to avoid inflaming the volatile situation,” an ECOWAS and UN release added.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 01, 2023 05:09 UTC
U.S ‘Commends’ Pres.Weah for Commitment to Credible Elections
.... "The U.S. government fully supports this commitment, and we continue to urge political leaders and parties in Liberia to keep their pledge to a nonviolent electoral process through their commitment to the 2023 Farmington River Declaration," he added. Michael Heath, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa at the US State Department, has commended President George Weah for his commitment to credible and transparent elections on October 10. "The U.S. government fully supports this commitment, and we continue to urge political leaders and parties in Liberia to keep their pledge to a nonviolent electoral process through their commitment to the 2023 Farmington River Declaration," he added. The President also cited the signing of the Farmington River Declaration, which commits political parties and electoral stakeholders to promote peace, as an example of their commitment to a nonviolent electoral process. Meanwhile, Heath noted that in his meetings with government officials, civil society leaders, political parties, and the National Elections Commission, he appreciated the candor and focus on ensuring the success of the upcoming elections.
Source:Daily Observer
September 29, 2023 20:54 UTC
Liberia: CPP Vice Standard Bearer Charlyne Brumskine Criticizes Political Leaders Beating War Drum Ahead of October 10
MONROVIA — The Vice Standard Bearer of the opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Cllr. No more fear, Liberians don’t have fear anymore,” Sen. Johnson said. “The CPP condemns any narrative that tends to threaten the peace Liberians now enjoy. Brumskine called on all Liberians to desist from making statements that may incite violence or disrupt our democratic process. Brumskine said the CPP has been mindful of preaching a rhetoric that will instill fear in Liberians during the campaign.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 29, 2023 19:12 UTC