What
will it take for us to learn?
(By Francis N. Kateh)
Liberia, our beloved Country is at a crossroads again and the international
community and the world are watching what will happen on November
8, 2005. Are we going to repeat the same mistakes that have led
our Beloved Country down the path she has followed for the last
twenty years plus or are we going to see reason to change the course
of our destructive path and join a community where nepotism is not
the order of the day, nor corruption the agenda?
Liberia
Cannot Afford On-the-job Training For Its President: Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf Should Be Elected
(
By Mohamedu F. Jones)
Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf should be elected the next President
of Liberia; it is the right thing to do. In addition, it is the
logical, reasonable, and long-view thing to do. The pleasure one
gets from cutting off their nose to spite their face is short-lived;
then he or she experiences severe physical and emotional pain from
the gross disfigurement that results from that brash act. Electing
Ambassador Weah to be our next President would be the political
equivalent of cutting off our national nose
The
Second Round of the Liberian Presidential Election
Favors George Manneh Weah
(By Winsley S. Nanka)
The second round of the Liberian presidential election between Ellen
Johnson- Sirleaf and Liberia's soccer millionaire, George Manneh
Weah is likely to favor George Manneh Weah because the Liberian
voters are disillusioned with the Liberian political class.
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Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
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George Weah
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Liberian
Presidential Politics: Our Finest Hour Yet
(
By Theodore T. Hodge)
Now that the first round of elections is over, the real game has
just begun --- pitting George Weah against Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
The winner takes all after this crucial round, which must end in
sudden-death’, figuratively, for one or the other.
It is our fervent hope that Liberians of all stripes will come to
accept the finality of the results instead of creating tensions
that could eventually lead to violence, given our tentative (explosive)
state.
We Remain
Resolute (Forum)
DETRACTOR OF PRESS freedom as well as others who are enemies the
emergence of democracy of purpose, especially at this time when
the Liberian nation was finding every possible outlet to stand again
elected to threaten our staff upon the publication of our last week’s
edition under the banner headline: Secret Hands Behind Weah’s
Presidency: -George Dweh Eyes Defense, Julu Returns Soon.
Women Organization
Expresses Concern Over Inter-Tribal Politics
(Forum)
One of the women organizations operating in the country has expressed
serious concern over what appears to be “inter-tribal politics”
creeping in the face of the run-off elections.
Forum Blacklisted
(Forum)
The FORUM newspaper has been blacklisted by affiliates and sympathizers
of Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) for critically reporting
on issues concerning the party.
Forum Replies
New Broom
(Forum)
The FORUM newspaper has described the 9 October 2005 story published
in the error-packed New Broom newspaper captioned: “Ellen
Secret Media Meeting Exposed,” of which the paper mentioned
that Madam Sirleaf met with certain media heads including The FORUM
Managing Editor, Augustus Fallah at the Urban Hotel...
Terrible
Days Ahead!
(Forum)
(By: F Shelton Gonkerwon )
Tomorrow which is expected to glitter with press freedom, freedom
of speech as well as all essential elements of democracy may drag
under the dust of bad governance with dictatorship its coefficient
if present trend to muzzle the press, intimidate media practitioners
by officials of certain political party
Win or
Not I’ll Stay Here - Ellen Tells Liberians
(Forum)
The Standard-bearer of the Unity Party, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, says
no matter what happens in the elections “I will continue to
live in the country,” adding, “I’m here, I’m
home to stay, period.”
Political
Parties, Politicians Split On Support For George Weah, Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf For Run Off Election
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
With the second round of the 2005 presidential election now set
for November 8 between the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC)
of Amb. George Weah and the Unity Party (UP) of Madam Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf, intense political maneuvering and lobbying characterized
by deep seated division appears to be dominating political parties
and other interest groupings.
There
We Go Again
(By Eric S. Kaba )
Liberia is home to some of the most hopeful, peace-loving, resilient
and determined people on the continent of Africa and in the world.
Sadly though, it seems like some Liberians are once again poised
to repeat one of the most tragic mistakes of the past two decades.
The mistake is that of casting their votes based on emotions rather
than doing so on the basis of what is prudent and sensible.
George
Weah Faces Ellen Johnson Sirleaf In a Live Presidential Debate
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
The two frontrunners in the first round of Liberia’s post-war
elections will come face to face in a live presidential debate in
the lead-up to the run-off on November 8. The debate is scheduled
to be held on November 3rd at the Continental Pavilion in Monrovia.
The election of George
Weah is a danger to Liberia’s recovery
Liberia has been at a cross road for over twenty-five years and is
today an endangered country, which has reached a critical mass and
the bubble of destruction seems inevitable if the right leader is
not elected during these crucial elections.
Combating
and Reversing the Tide of Ethnic Bigotry
Life at the beginning of post-conflict Liberia presents us with
a disturbing reality, one that Liberians are capable of escaping,
if we so desire. Ethnic identity has come to be the hallmark of
whether or not Liberians have the word “target” written
on their backs
The
23rd President Will Arrive Lame
(By Gbe Sneh)
The winner of the looming Presidential Run-Off, the 23rd
President of the Republic of Liberia, will arrive lame. At least,
that is what the general elections is announcing. Both candidates
vying for the Commander-in-Chief title, Mr. George Weah and Mrs.
Sirleaf, fought valiantly at the battle front. But where were their
respective generals (senators on the tickets) and lieutenants (representatives
on the tickets)? They all disappeared, save three generals each
on each side. The Commander-in-Chief would have won the battle,
but would have a clearly visible limp; there will not be enough
soldiers for the War of Congress.
A Case of
Faulty Arithmetic – A Rejoinder to J.M. Addy’s “
Did Liberian Voters Reject George Weah?”
(By George Yuoh )
It is often said that it is an honorable and a humble thing for
one to know his limitations, and thus confine himself to his comfort
zone. To do otherwise is to open oneself up to scorn and mockery.
Mr. J.M. Addy’s feeble and skewed attempt to mathematically
analyze results of the first round of voting in Liberia’s
recent election, as per his article, Did
Liberian Voters Reject George Weah Candidacy?”...
Did Liberian Voters Reject George Weah Candidacy?
(
By J. M. Addy)
By a three to one margin, Liberian voters have rejected George Weah
as a viable candidate for president of Liberia. With nearly ninety percent of the votes cast counted
as of Sunday, October 16, 2005, George Weah has received 30 percent
of the votes. This means that by a 3 to 1 margin, the majority
of Liberian voters are rejecting George Weah's candidacy for president
and embraced competence and substance over celebrity, popularity
and illiteracy.
37,107
Invalid Votes Recorded In Liberia’s Polls
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
In the wake of the counting and tallying of ballots from the October
11 polls by the National Elections Commission (NEC), two multi-national
institutions, who are monitoring these elections have expressed
their concern about the persistent increased of invalid votes.
Will
the Elections Solve Liberia’s Problems?
(
By Eric Kaba)
My intention in this article is to look at whether the just concluded
elections will set the stage for the type of peaceful atmosphere
needed to devise programs and policies that could lead to a solution
of the country’s problems. I had at first planned to write
this article a week or so before the elections.
We Decry
Tribalism in Democracy
(Forum)
WE AGREE THAT the will of the majority regarding the unfolding electoral
events is holding water in the process that is internationally endorsed
as free, fair and transparent.
The Executive
Mansion: Too Close, Yet Far
(Forum)
(By: Lewis K. Glay)
The race to the Executive Mansion which began on 11 October 2005
appears to be tortuous taking into consideration the supports given
the individual presidential candidates by the Liberian voters in
the ongoing elections.
High Expectation
-Liberians Again
(Forum)
(By: A.Bob Fallah)
October 11,2005 has come and gone and is now history-the day, date
and year when Liberians went to the polls to elect the country’s
leadership to the Executive Mansion and the both houses of parliament.
Election
2005 Update
Here is the latest update from the National Elections Commission.
The second update is scheduled for this evening:
Elections
2005 Update
The Chairperson of the National Elections Commission has given the
first update for today, October 13, 2005. The second update for
the day is expected at 7:00 pm this evening. Madam Frances Johnson-Morris
announced the results of 78 stations out of 3070 polling stations.
Thoughts
and Observations on Early Election Returns
(By Theodore T. Hodge)
I know it will probably be a long while before we know who will
become Liberia’s next leader. There will most possibly be
a second round of voting in November to determine the real winner.
In Liberian football parlance: ‘Some of these “fee-see”
or “gbeh-leh” players will be standing on the sidelines
(some could be on their knees praying), holding their jerseys, when
the real players finish the game.
A Quiet
in Monrovia As Liberians Nervously Await Elections Results
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
In the words of the Special Representative of the United Nations
Secretary General to Liberia, Mr. Alan Doss, “it was a great
day for Liberia.” Another international observer said that
Liberians have set the bar higher for other countries in terms of
campaign and electoral conduct. After six weeks of a mostly civil
campaign, Liberian voters went to the polls yesterday to take part
in the first post-war presidential and legislative elections.
Elections
Update
The results from yesterday’s elections in Liberia have started
to arrive in Monrovia. The National Elections Commission (NEC) has
just announced the results from 39 polling centers out of about
3,000 centers. The results are from parts of Bassa County, Maryland
County, Grand Gedeh, Upper Bong and Upper Monserrado. According
to the figures given by the Commission, Unity Party’s Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf is in the lead with 26.4%. She is followed by the
King himself - (CDC’s George Weah) - with 24.6%. Charles Brumskine’s
Liberty Party and Winston Tubman’s NDPL took home 10.2% a
piece.
Liberia
Decides Its Future Today
After fifteen years of senseless civil conflict
that slaughtered over 250,000 hapless people in this West African
country, elections are underway in Liberia. There is a heavy turnout!
Some people claimed to have even slept at the polling centers just
to have a shot at being the first to vote at their respective centers
in these crucial elections. Others joined the queues as early as
4:00 am local time. They took their chairs, benches, stools and
what have you in an effort to prepare for a long day. Some even
sat on the ground. Liberians are voting for education, better health
services, electricity, telecommunication, and better good road network,
while others just vote for a change. UNMIL forces are plying the
streets of Monrovia, to perhaps look for trouble makers or trouble
spots.
Peaceful
Campaign Ends in Liberia
(By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
For a country that has just emerged out of one of the deadliest
civil wars in Africa modern history, Liberia has managed to conduct
a surprisingly peaceful campaign leading to presidential and legislative
elections scheduled for October 11, 2005. Although a few partisans
swirled rocks at the convoys of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Varney
Sherman on the opening day of campaigning, the process has very
calm.
The Final Word: Oh, WhatA Fantastic Voyage
(
By Theodore T. Hodge)
If we trace the history of Liberia, chronicling its upheavals, tribulations,
shortcomings and growth, we must confess we’ve come a long
ways. As we are set to proceed forward, the horizon appears brighter
because we’ve given ourselves another opportunity to begin
again through the use of that most prominent of democratic tenets,
the exercise of suffrage. This has been a fantastic voyage, so far.
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Edwin Snowe
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LPRC
Management Will Not and Can Not Escape the Wrath of Justice
(
A Press Statement Issued By TheCenter for Democratic Empowerment
(CEDE))
The Center for Democratic Empowerment is appalled at the unwillingness
of the NTGL Government to hold its entrusted officials accountable
for alleged misapplication of public monies. This unacceptable situation
is starkly manifested in the Government of Liberia’s decision
to avoid investigating the management of the Liberia Petroleum Refining
Company (LPRC) for the probable misuse and abuse of public funds.
From
Disqualified Football Candidate to Commander-In-Chief: Will Liberians
Clap For This, Too?
(By James Seitua)
Mr. Gabriel Baccus Matthews is on record for saying that Liberia
is what it is because “Liberians are people who clap for anything
that is given them.” Mr. Matthews substantiated his claim
by drawing attention to the arrest and detention of the late Ambassador
Henry Fahnbulleh by the late President William V.S. Tubman on treason
charges.
At Pre-Victory
Rally, CDC Denied Entry At SKD
(Forum)
The Congress for Democratic Change of football star turned politician,
George Weah suffered a set back to their pre-victory march over
the weekend when thousands of supporters were denied entry into
the Samuel Kanyan Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
Judgment
Day Tomorrow!
(Forum)
(By: Shelton F. Gonkerwon )
About 1.5 million registered voters representing half of the Liberian
population will tomorrow storm the polling centers around the length
and breadth of the nation to elect their president and lawmakers
thereby closing the chapter of the period of war and all of its
associates and subsequently open that of constitutional rule under
a democratic environment.
An Appeal To My Countryfolks On The Eve Of A Major National Decision
(
By S. Jabaru Carlon)
In less than two weeks (by schedule on October 11th) Liberians at
home will be going to the polls to elect those who will lead that
war-torn country for the next six years or more. Unfortunately for
those of us in the Diaspora, we will not be chanced to take part
in such a noble and sacred activity behooving all citizens of a
democratic country. Even so, those of us in the Diaspora are no
less concerned about the outcome of the votes cast on that eventful
day
Roadmap
for Genuine National Reconciliation
(John S. M. Russell)
The genuine national reconciliation needed for lasting peace and
stability in Liberia will come after certain programs are put in
place. Among them are the following:
The
Self and the Emergence of Tragedy in Liberian Society
(A Tribute By: Tarnue Johnson)
I write this article in memory of our dear friend and brother, D.
Sumoiwu Pewu, who passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2005, after
a struggle with cancer. Pewu was always animated by the spirit of
free discourse and social criticism. He showed permanent interest
in the affairs of his country, and countrymen and women. Pewu was
also a man of strong intellect and character who had a rare zeal
for genuine social change in his native country.
Debunking
The George Weah Myth
(
By Dionysius Sebwe)
No matter how much spin we employ or rationalize about a candidate’s leadership deficiency, the election of 2005 is about substance. Thus, Liberians should be encouraged to make honest and objective analysis on each candidate. Moreover, perception is sometimes deceptive, and that’s exactly the
dilemma we find ourselves in today. Let’s analyze
what George Weah’s supporters are saying
Looking
for a President who cares and stands up for others- an examination
of the five leading candidates
(
By Tiawan S. Gongloe)
The 2005 elections is about choosing a good servant who will commit
his or her life to the security, rights, welfare and happiness of
the Liberian people for the next six years. In order to make this
choice, it is important for the voters to have an idea of each of
the candidate. It is for this purpose that some of the candidates
have published crucial information about themselves...
Violence,
Lies And Smear-Tactics Intended To Undermine The Positive Message
Of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf And The Unity Party Campaign
(Issued By The National Communications and Strategy Committee
(USA) Ellen-for-President, Unity Party
David K. Williams, Christopher F. Konneh, Tarnue Mawolo, William
F. Ponder, David F. Williams, and Francis Sorsor)
It will be foolhardy to suggest that lies, violence and political
deceptions have just been introduced to the political landscape
during our current election season. These are methods that were
employed in the past to consolidate power and sustain the status
quo of previous administrations.
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Ellen's supporters on Broad Street
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Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf: UP and Re-launching From The Top
If today were October 11, Ellen would have been all smiles at the
top. Her campaign Team relaunched the campaign today: it was a simultaneous
re-launch throughout the country. As early as 6:00 am supporters started
converging on central Monrovia. Even those who work in central Monrovia
had to start their journey around that time. By 11:00 AM the traffic
in Monrovia came to a standstill: Broad street was like a parking
lot. Paynseville, New Georgia, Barnesville, Gardnersville and other
areas seemed to be even worse than central Monrovia.
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Ellen on Broad Street
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Lessons
in Democracy: Liberia and America
(
By Theodore T. Hodge)
The United States of America is supposed to be the modern champion
of democracy, although its cradle lies in ancient Greece. But as
one lives and observes life in America, it becomes convincingly
clear that the American public still has a lot to learn about this
phenomenon called democracy; One has only to watch television to
learn that America is “selling” the ideas of democracy
to other countries around the world, as if she herself practices
with a full commitment. Nothing could be further than the truth.
An
Opportunity of a Lifetime – ‘NOW or NEVER’
(Issued by the National Communications Committee, (USA)
Ellen-for-President ’05, Unity Party)
As we go through this election cycle, we have seen a proliferation
of political parties and the recent Supreme Court’s decision
could increase that number further. The common expression would
be that this is what democracy is all about. Clearly, there are
different schools of thoughts on this issue, especially so, a country
of approximately 3 million people.
“There
is No reason for us to be poor,” says Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
The Standard Bearer of Unity Party, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
accorded an exclusive to the German Television station ARD at her
residence on Sunday, October 2, 2005. Mrs. Sirleaf touched on a
number of subjects and we have transcribed her answers to the questions
posed to her by the German television
Government
Sponsored Food Production Program Creates
Jobs for Combatants, Makes Rural Towns Habitable, Reduces Poverty,
etc.
(By J. Yanqui Zaza)
Liberians, if they intend to put a dent in poverty, should embrace
the call by world leaders to abandon market-driven policies such
as leaving the production of Liberia’s staple food (rice)
in the hands of subsistence farmers ad profiteers. At the United
Nations General Assembly in September 2005, for example...
A Conspiracy
Of Silence Which Must Be Challenged
(By Lawrence S. Green)
When one considers that Liberia and its people have over the years
suffered massively because of personal greed, and that that greed
is still prevalent today, one realizes that in order for the country
to progress under any incoming administration, the next President
must be honest, fearless and outspoken and set a standard which
will demonstrate to all that he or she is serious and determined
to face up-to and deal with problems, both past and present, which
have reduced the country to a level of “high disrepute”
among the community of nations.
Twenty-two
Presidential Aspirants Silent On ‘Gender Issues’
(By: Ekena Wesley)
Throughout the presidential debate there has been complete lack
of clarity within the purview of ‘gender issues’ among
leaders who are desperately harnessing every effort to secure the
mandate of the Liberian people despite the significant number of
women voters.
October
11 Is Our Hope And Last Chance: A New Beginning
(James Torh)
I was in West Africa and ran a conference in Dakar for a project
that is taking shape- building a network of Human Rights Defenders
in the sub region. On my way back to Canada, I made a brief stop
over to my dear country-Liberia in the first week of August and
saw most moving experiences in the streets of Monrovia...
