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The Capitol
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Not to Accept
nor Reject but to Consult
(By Ezekiel Pajibo)
The political atmosphere in Monrovia in the last few days has
been characterized by sharp disagreement on where the country should
be heading. The Comprehensive Peace Accord agreed to in Accra is perhaps
about to encounter one of its greatest tests to date. The National Election
Commission submitted a draft law on Electoral Reforms to the National
Transitional Legislative Assembly about three months ago. The bill was
passed but with provisions that make the October 2005 elections impossible.
This provision requires that a census should happen in order to establish
electoral districts prior to the conduct of elections.
Forgery Uncovered
at the Capitol (Forum)
Forgery has reportedly been uncovered at the National Transitional
Legislative Assembly (NTLA) involving Assemblyman Stephen Gbeh Kofa
and Chief Custom Examiner, Malakie Dukuly and a Nigerian Businessman
Prince Ola.
Bryant Faces
Court Action (Forum)
In the wake of the recent eviction from its premises, the Parents/Teachers
Association of the Early Learning Foundation School has threatened
to take NTGL Chairman Gyude Bryant to court.
GRC Wants NTGL
to Perform to Int'l Standard (Forum)
The Governance Reform Commission (GRC) has raised an eyebrow at the
low performance of the National Transitional Government of Liberia
in steering the affairs of the state.
Attny.
Brownell Advocates Amendment on Environmental Law (Forum)
The President of Green Advocates, Attorney Alfred L. Brownell, has
emphasized the need for Liberia's environmental and natural resources
laws to be reviewed to conform to present day realities.
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Dr. Harry Moniba
|
Liberia's Former
Vice President Harry Moniba Is Dead
On Thursday, November 24, 2004, The Perspective learned with regrets
the death of Liberia's former Vice President Harry Moniba. According
to family sources, Dr. Moniba had traveled to Michigan on the eve of
the Thanksgiving Day for a political meeting. It was during the trip
that he was involved in an auto accident. The former VP was riding with
Dr. Kormei and his wife when the accident occurred. Dr. Moniba and Mrs.
Kormei were pronounced dead at the scene, while Dr. Kormei is said to
be in critical condition.
A Rousing
Welcome For King George
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
Thousands of Liberians mainly the youth on Tuesday, 24 November
04, thronged the principal streets of Monrovia and the suburb of Paynesville
to give Liberia's soccer legend and former World Footballer of the Year
a rousing welcome, as he arrived in the country to seek the nation's
highest office - the Presidency. Mr. Weah is Liberia's soccer ambassador
and UNICEF Goodwill ambassador
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Cllr. Frances Johnson-Morris
Chair, National Elections Commission
|
How
To Constitutionally Limit The Number Of Presidential Candidates
(
By John Morlu, II)
I find it difficult to believe that Liberia can hold a serious Presidential
election with 43 plus candidates. I am all for a free-wheeling election
process, as opposed to the rigid two party system that has evolved in
the United States; however, I don't think Liberia can have a meaningful
and manageable election when any Tom, Dick or Harry who has the urge
to run is placed on the ballot. Just try to imagine a Presidential debate
with 43 plus candidates; I think "riot" would be a more apt
term. The stakes are much higher. First, the president has a six year
term. Second, the country is coming off of a decade of civil war and
needs a legitimate leader with a strong mandate. Liberia can't afford
to screw this up.
George
Weah is not a Presidential Material
(A letter from Dionysius Sebwe - a former
player of the Liberian Lone Star)
I'm very excited about the existence of "The Perspective."
After being told about this website, I eagerly scurried on-line to
access it. Very interesting articles, coupled with relevant news stories
and diverse opinions on Liberia.
Liberia - United
States Relations: Shifts And Turning Points
(
By D. Elwood Dunn)
Ravaged by instability and civil war in the last quarter of the 20th
century and into the new millennium, the events of mid 2003 catapulted
Liberia, and with it, the peculiar relationship with the US onto the
global headlines. As warring factions and government militias attacked
the civilian population in their fight for power, a simple refrain echoed
around the world: that as former colonial powers Britain and France
had each engaged to end civil war in their respective former colonies
of Sierra Leone and Cote d'Ivoire, the US was challenged similarly to
engage in its former ward to help end the carnage and restore normalcy.
University
of Liberia President Induction Set for December 1st
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
Finally, a date has been set for the inaugural ceremonies for the induction
of the newly appointed President of the University of Liberia (UL),
Dr. Al Hassan Conteh, whose appointment in recent weeks trickled confusion
at the nation's highest institution of learning, the University of Liberia.
This particular convocation ceremony will put to an end the long standing
dispute and counter-claims over the University of Liberia presidency.
To
Lead Liberia: "I will Buy Best Brains", Says George Oppong
Weah (Forum)
Liberia's soccer legend now turning politician, George Oppong Weah
has synchronized his fundamental step that would render his political
sojourn as president of the land fruitful. Speaking to VOA recently
Weah, who is expected in the country tomorrow said, it is not brilliance
or ingenuity that matters as regards a successful leadership, saying
that he is prepared to purchase the best of brains that would be used
as his political instruments to do the job.
Rice Price
Goes Up! - Bryant Winds Up Hunger, Poverty (Forum)
The FORUM, last weekend received credible information that the difficulty
in controlling the price structure of the commodity is a result of
the economic benefit (royalty) demanded by the Chairman of the Transitional
Government, Charles Gyude Bryant.
In Central Liberia: Teachers Abandon Schools
for NGOs (Forum)
Teachers in Central Liberia, in a bid to seek greener pasture, have
decided to leave the classrooms in search of lucrative jobs with non-governmental
organizations operating in the area.
Remember
the 1979 Rice Riot (Forum)
CONTRARY TO HIS induction speech where he pledged not to repeat "business
as usual" Transitional Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant seems to
be piloting the ship of state against the expectation of the Liberian
people evidenced by the unusual price hike on commodities of which
rice stands in the middle.
George Weah's
Bid for Liberia Presidency Sparks Debates in Monrovia
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
The Liberian Sports Ambassador and former soccer player George Oppong
Weah has finally declared his intention to bid for the presidency of
Liberia in 2005. His declaration has sparked public debates across various
segments of the Liberian capital and its surroundings. Mr. Weah is currently
a UNICEF-Goodwill Ambassador. George Weah's candidacy brings close to
43, the number of persons who have so far declared their intentions
to vie for the presidency during the general and presidential elections
scheduled for October 2005.
Of the
Presidency and Ambition: A letter to George Weah
(An Open Letter by Omari Jackson)
I am risking another step to draw your attention to an important issue
that has been raised concerning the forthcoming presidential elections
in Liberia. It is interesting that the Liberia National Congress (LNC)
has petitioned you to run as an independent candidate for the presidency.
When I first read the petition, I must confess that I was somehow
amused and a smile came across my lips.
Would
UN Sanctions Bring Peace To Cote d'Ivoire?
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
In response to the outbreak of violence in Cote d'Ivoire during the
November 6-8, 2004 weekend, the United Nations Security Council unanimously
voted to provide France with the tool it thought it needed to take control
of the conflict in her former colony. After giving the green light to
the government of Laurent Gbagbo to "take care of the rebels",
President Chirac ordered his troops - although under UN command - to
neutralize Ivorian air power.
Liberians
Should Learn to be Accountable for Their Actions or Inactions
(A Letter by Raymond Jallah)
I am compelled to write you this commendation because I have been
a regular visitor to your web site. Most times, I have actually enjoyed
reading the articles you carry on your site. I like the way you follow
up on issues and continue to keep the world informed.
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Bai Gbala
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"The
Intellectuals" : A Rejoinder to Emmanuel T. Dolo
(
By Bai Gbala)
I believe that the objective of any public discourse or exchange of
views, particularly regarding the Liberian experience, is or should
be to present un-ambiguous ideas designed to inform or educate, persuade
and convince in the effort to pave the way forward, dedicated to peaceful,
structural and socio-political change for national healing and unity,
security and the "pursuit of happiness" for all Liberians.
Given our fifteen-year, "ethnically-driven, deeply-divisive"
national tragedy, Liberians cannot afford to do or be committed to anything
less.
Querying
Bai Gbala's Surrogate: Teaching Lessons in Social Justice
(By Emmanuel Dolo)
"I will write a rebuttal. I will write a rebuttal. You are attacking
me because of my ethnicity……" Mr. Bai Gbala told
me on the day after my article criticizing his piece on African
intellectuals was published on The Perspective website.
A lengthy conversation followed between Mr. Gbala and I, during which
I explained the rationale for my response. I assured him that my response
to his article had nothing to do with his ethnicity.
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The Jacob Town Violence
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Liberia
Needs Good Governance
(
By Dweh Siehwloh Boley)
News about the recent wave of violence in Monrovia is shameful and disappointing.
The use of violence to settle civil disputes has re-enforced the need
to develop the private business sector in Liberia to address the high
rate of unemployment of our brothers and sisters. As long as over 50
percent of Liberia's current 3.6 million population is under 43 years
of age and a majority of them have a little or no formal education or
job skills, Liberia will continue to rotate in a circle of violence
and hopelessness.
On Powerlessness
and the Liberian Presidency
(
By George Kronnisanyon Werner)
During the year prior to his death, Jesuit Anthony de Mello spoke about
the power of illusions. They shape our behavior, he noted, and influence
the ways in which we think. De Mello illustrated his point with this
simple example. Well into a flight from New York to Toronto, De Mello
was interrupted in his reading by an announcement from the plane's pilot.
"Look out the windows on the left," said the voice on the
loudspeaker, "You'll see the border of the United States."
De Mello realized immediately that the pilot was mistaken. After all,
you cannot see the border of the United States...
Former Liberian
Leader Disappointed (Forum)
Madam Ruth Sando Perry, the lady who is credited for making a significant
political gain in the Liberian peace process when she headed the then
six-man Council of State Government that ushered in the 1997 democratic
government, has expressed disappointment with the way past leaders
in Liberia are treated; writes Josiah S. Hallie.
JPC Wants NTLA
to Pass into Law Electoral Reform Bill without Delay (Forum)
The Catholic Justice & Peace Commission (JPC), is calling on the
National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) to pass into law
Electoral Reform Bill submitted to it by the National Elections Commission
(NEC).
UNICEF
Launches Girls' Education Program (Forum)
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the
Ministry of Education, FAWE and other educational partners recently
launched a National Girls Enrollment Initiative simultaneously in
Bomi, Bong, and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
Let The
Sun Shine When It's Day (Forum)
THE PRESS UNION of Liberia at the weekend elected a veteran female
journalist, Mrs. Elizabeth Hoff as president to head the Union for
a two-year period, thus reversing the tradition of masculinity with
respect to the presidency of PUL since its formation forty years ago.
George
Weah: Education, Character and Commitment are Important
(By John S. Morlu, II)
Since Mr. George Oppong Weah's name has been added to the list of growing
potential presidential candidates, some political operatives have challenged
me to comment on Mr. Weah. I have been reluctant to join the fray surrounding
Mr. Weah's candidacy. Unlike the authors of several recent articles
concerning Mr. Weah, I wanted to study the situation and make an informed
dispassionate appraisal of Mr. Weah's candidacy. I believe that many
of Mr. Weah's detractors have missed the salient point.
Liberian
Journalists Elect Female President
By Josephus Moses Gray
For the first time in the 40-year history of the Liberian media -
known as the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), a female is elected to
the Union's highest office, the presidency. Madam Elizabeth E. Hoff,
a Liberian female journalist with long years of experience in print
and electronic media, was elected on November 13 to head the Union.
Liberia's
Political Future: Can We Afford The Gamble?
(By Banabas Kofa )
Since the historic eruption of political violence and civil strife
in 1980, Liberian political tragedies seem to never end. Every time
a hope of normalcy - political stability, civility, etc., is seen
within a reach, the more distant it becomes because of poor and fatal
exercise of our emotions, trust, influence and uncompromising ambition
of few persons to relentlessly parade the corridors of power.
Executive
Mansion Buys Bullet Proof Jeeps (Forum)
Latest reports reaching The FORUM newspaper reveal that Transitional
Chairman Gyude Bryant has reportedly purchased two-bullet proof vehicles
as a way of strengthening his security.
Secret
Killings On The Increase In Bong County (Forum)
The body of an unidentified man was recently discovered lying in a
pool of blood between Sergeant Kollie Town (SKT), and Gbarnga City,
Bong County.
NEC Reinforces
Lobby For Bill (Forum)
Though the National Transitional Legislative Assembly remains critical
to pass the Electoral Reform Bill submitted by the National Elections
Commission, lobby for such passage is continuing.
Criminals
Jail Prison Supt. in Gbarnga (Forum)
Credible information reaching this paper from Gbarnga City, Bong County,
indicate that criminals who are serving various jail sentences for
crimes they might have committed have broken the cell.
What a Sorry
Site: Reflection on the Recent Violence in Monrovia
(
By Ezekiel Pajibo)
As a law abiding citizen, I stayed in door when the curfew was imposed
but that is only the partial truth. On Friday, October 29, 2004, I was
scheduled to travel to Greenville, Sinoe County via an UNMIL Flight.
I left my home in Congo Town and while driving towards the Airport,
I saw students walking away from their school buildings. I had just
listened to the early morning radio broadcast at which time mentioned
was made about an outbreak of violence in the Paynesville Red Light
area. Some how violence always seems to break out in this place and
perhaps for very good reasons too. I am an adherent to the principle
that deprivation goes hand in hand with violence. I know that in Liberia's
deprivation is as pervasive as they air we breath but just like the
air we breath, which is fresh in some places and foul in others, there
are communities within the country where deprivation is so entrenched
that it has become wretchedness and Paynesville Red Light is one such
place.
Pinpointing
The Misfits Among Us: Understanding The Mistrust Of An Earlier Generation
(By: Emmanuel Dolo, Ph. D.)
The conflict in Liberia and the resulting displacement of Liberians
have invited a discourse on a growing mistrust of some members of
the society whose ineptitude and flaunting of the goodwill of the
citizens led to the steep erosion of the social fabric of Liberia.
I have in the past months taken on the charge to expose those same
tendencies that made it possible for such persons to risk and subject
the livelihoods of thousands and even millions of Liberians to chaos,
hostility, and relentless grief. Yet, with each passing moment, it
has seemed that a generational war is brewing given that many of the
actors whom I have criticized fall in an age cohort that generally
worked in the public sector during the TWP, Doe, and Taylor regimes,
and/or played roles in the outgrowth and entrenchment of an insurgency
ethos in Liberia.
Education
and Social Change in Liberia: New Perspectives for the 21st century
(Tarnue Johnson Comments on his new Book)
After fourteen years of dwelling in the doldrums and a state of what
a sociologist would aptly describe as anomie; and others would yet
appropriately describe as self-destruction, the country is now attempting
to draw lines under the sand-by engaging in a total overhaul-through
the assiduous efforts of the international community and well-meaning
citizens. It is worth noting that perhaps these changes speak to the
dawning of a new era where new regimes of peace and stability would
be secured.
Keeping
the Peace in Monrovia
(
By Ezekiel Pajibo)
The last weekend of October 2004 has presented Liberians another opportunity
to fully appreciate the dilemma confronting the country. It is important
to note that during every such opportunity, Liberians should seek to
find additional explanations as to where the country is heading; why
and how dutiful citizens of the country can guide and inform that process.
Whereas, some view the latest violence in Monrovia as attempts by "hidden
hands" (NTGL Chairman Charles G. Bryant Statement to the Nation,
Friday, October 29, 2004) to frustrate the peace process, sufficient
evidence have been garnered to suggest that this is more of the kind
of criminality that has characterized the Liberian society since 1980.
We do not need a "hidden hand" to explain the riot carried
out by a bunch of hooligans and thugs, during which time Mosques and
Churches were reportedly burned and at least 16 persons killed (BBC
Network Africa November 1, 2004) and scores of others injured while
tens of thousands of dollars worth of properties destroyed (The News
November 1, 2004). We don't need to visit on this event a Christian
Moslem divide either.
The
October Violence: A Taylor's Booby -Trap Unleashed?
(By James Thomas-Queh)
It is worth noting that there are calls from several quarters for
a national commission to investigate and propose recommendations to
avoid any recurrence of such dramatic incidents. Notwithstanding,
there is an emerging consensus as to the likely causes of this sudden
national tragedy: corruption, injustices, arrogance, misguided priorities,
frustrated youths, and the list could go on forever- by the Interim
leadership (read: Abdoulaye W. Dukulé: ‘Liberia On Fire,
Again' - www.theperspective.org - Nov. 1, 2004 and Brownie Samukai:
It Is Time To Rethink' -www.theperspective.org - Nov. 3, 2004).
That said, we would like to mention few troubling questions that may
already be on the minds of many.
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George Weah
|
Is Mr. George
Weah Ready for National Leadership?
(By: Theodore T. Hodge)
Much has been written in recent times about the possibility
of "running" the former soccer super star, George Oppong Manneh
Weah, for president in the up coming Liberian general elections. Although
the majority of the write-ups are favorable to Mr. Weah, there have
been a number of writers who are furiously opposed to the idea. The
pros and cons have clashed in this forum. In politics, the saying is,
"Publicity is good". Some go as far as saying, "It is
better to get bad publicity than no publicity at all". Judging
by these measurements, Mr. Weah is doing well. For someone who hasn't
officially declared his intention to contest the election, being treated
as a potential front-runner is already a tremendous accomplishment
The
LIHEDE Greensboro Meeting: Liberians Want a National Conference
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
The weekend outbreak of violence was a sad reminder to all those who
attended the Liberian History, Education Development (LIHEDE) symposium
(October 29 -30, 2004) in Greensboro, North Carolina, that the country
is far from peace. As the conference opened on Friday morning, news
of deadly civil disturbances in Monrovia took precedence over the issues
being debated by the tens of Liberians who traveled hundreds of miles
to meet and discuss the future of their war torn country.
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Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh
|
Interview With
The New President Of The University Of Liberia
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
In the aftermath of the development at the University, Josephus Moses
Gray of The Perspective visited Dr. Conteh at his Mamba Point residence
on 11 September for an exclusive interview, which focused on a wide
range of issues, especially the University of Liberia. See below the
full text of the interview.
Cote d'Ivoire:
France, Gbagbo and the Rebels at War
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
As any observer could have predicted, patience ran out in Cote d'Ivoire
and guns that had been silent for two years became active over the past
weekend, with the government of Laurent Gbagbo launching an all-out
air attack on rebel positions, and in the process "mistakenly"
killing 9 French soldiers. In retaliation, President Jacques Chirac
of France ordered his troops in Cote d'Ivoire to neutralize Ivorian
air power. The French military destroyed Ivorian military planes, took
control of the airport in Abidjan and closed it to civilian flights
after a long battle with Ivorian military. President Gbagbo called on
Ivorians to get out and "liberate" the airport.
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Bai Gbala
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A Response To
Gbai Gbala's Assertions about African Intellectuals in the Diaspora
(
By Emmanuel T. Dolo, Ph. D. )
Mr. Bai Gbala has written that African scholars living in exile have
no right to criticize leaders of their homeland while living abroad.
As an exiled journalist and academic who sternly criticized the Doe
and Taylor regimes, I take issue with Mr. Gbala's perspective. Why?
You may ask. Because, I see his article in the same vein as a pattern
of articles in which individuals who played significant roles in disadvantaging
and displacing their fellow Liberians via their attachments to failed
regimes are now seeking to "reinvent" themselves, a syndrome
that I discussed at length in a previous article.
Response
to the Rhetorical Question, "Is 3-7-7-4-7 Better for Liberia
Than 2-3-1?"
(By Stephen O. Adams)
When I read the article dated October 8, 2004, asking the question
whether Liberians were better off with the 2-3-1 country code or the
patched Monaco country code that facilitated terrestrial uplink to
Liberia during the Taylor years of Misrule, several things came to
mind. The first and most pressing concern was that the writer really
may not have understood all of the ramifications and direct economic
implications regarding traffic volume to a particular region and,
more specifically, to a particular country.
Exiled
African Intellectuals Have the Right to Criticize Misrule in Africa
(By Winsley S. Nanka)
I read with disbelief Bai Gbala's article, Those Intellectuals… posted on the November 5,
2004 edition of the Perspective Magazine in which he accused African
intellectuals and professionals of abandoning the African continent,
therefore foreclosing their rights to criticize the misrule in Africa.
On
Recent Religious Violence in Monrovia
(Press Statement Issued by LIHEDE )
The Liberian History, Education, and Development, Inc. (LIHEDE) is
deeply concerned with and disturbed by news of recent communal violence
in Monrovia involving members of the Liberian Christian and Moslem
communities. We are especially saddened by the turn of events and
growing tensions between two of Liberia's foremost religious communities,
which have heretofore lived together in relative peace and prosperity
throughout Liberian history during Liberia's two brutal civil wars
between 1990 and 2003.
Those
Intellectuals …
(
By Bai Gbala)
A recent BBC Focus On Africa program requested Africans on the continent
as well as elsewhere in foreign countries to respond to the question
of whether or not Africans living abroad, particularly those who posses
social, economic, and political knowledge or expertise - intellectuals
- have the right to criticize the socio-economic and political policies
and programs of their native homelands.
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Cllr. Varney Sherman
|
Cllr. H.
Varney G. Sherman Issues Statement of Condolences to Victims of the
Recent Riots in Liberia
I speak to you today through the electronic and print media with a heavy
heart, a very, very heavy heart. I consider myself an eternal optimist,
with faith in the goodness and resilience of our people and hope for
the future of our country. Everywhere I go, I talk to Liberians about
the enormous possibilities and the tremendous opportunities before us
to transform our country and make it a peaceful, more stable and highly
prosperous place for all of us. While I am still committed to that dream
about our tomorrows, the violence, injuries, death and destruction which
started on the night of October 28, 2004 are disheartening to me. The
experiences of these past few days are very distressful because those
hours of violence and destruction took on a new dimension in our civil
conflict - a dimension of religious intolerance and religious hatred.
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George Weah
|
Elections
2005 Rejoinder
(
By George-Daweh Yuoh)
Kindly permit me to drop a note to Mr. Banabas Kofa, in response to
his article,
"Elections 2005:
The Wild Card - A Rejoinder", published by The Perspective
on November 3, 2004. I would have preferred to contact Mr. Kofa directly
had I known how, and we probably would have argued like civilized people
without being insulting, and referring to one or the other as being
"shameful" and "unacademic" as repeatedly decreed
of me by my brother in his article. Normally, I would have considered
such retorts as the usual angry and petulant outburst from an unintelligent
chatterer, and waved it away. However, the issue at hand is no simple
matter, and I believe that Bro. Kofa's criticisms are well intentioned,
hence the need for clarification.
Book People
To Clean Up The Mess Left Behind By Quasi Educated Presidents
(A Letter from William E. Allen, Ph.D.)
I would like to commend Wonderr Freeman for writing the article, "On
Behalf of the Book People" (The Perspective October
25, 2004). The author pointed out the flaw in the misguided suggestion
that "book people" are to be blamed for Liberia's unsettling
problems.
A Case
For Electing George Oppong Weah President Of Liberia
(By Bushuben M. Keita)
I have followed recent development in Liberia regarding communal violence
with dismay. Liberia appears to be moving around in a circle of violence
and the violence seems incoherent at most times. I have contemplated
this desolately, and have sometimes thought that we may be condemned
to live like this for a long time to come. Today, a thought came to
mind regarding Liberia's history and I began to reflect on recent
news report that Liberian soccer star George Weah was thinking of
running for president of Liberia in the elections next year.
Send Peace,
Not hate Messages to Your Family and Friends in Liberia: An Appeal to
Liberians in the Diaspora
(
By Tiawan S. Gongloe)
In the wake of the reports of renewed killings of people and burning
of mosques, churches and homes in Liberia, it is imperative that all
Liberians living outside Liberia call upon their family members, friends
and associates to exercise restraint, irrespective of the temptation
and capacity for violent response. Liberians have nothing to gain as
a people by encouraging more violence from abroad.
Liberia
Is Not A Football Field
(
By Albert Andrews )
A friend called the other day to express concern about the silence of
political commentators on the issue of George Weah's presidential ambitions.
He was surprised that there have only been write-ups from the former
footballer's propaganda machine and that just one effort has been made
to balance the debate and bring into the fore issues that the propagandists
will normally avoid.
Falsehood
in Disguise: A rejoinder to "Erecting Checkpoints against falsehood"
(By Sheikh Kafumba Dukuly, II)
It is indisputable that human understanding is the most elevating
faculty of the soul. This assertion induces me to pinpoint the flaws
that are gravid and replete in Isaac Jackson's "checkpoints".
It Is Time To
Rethink
(
By B. J. Samukai)
The weekend desperado violence in Monrovia and its environment
is a vivid reminder of the arrogance of an incompetent and shortsighted
leadership in our country, hell-bent on taking us on the path of failure.
The NTGL must take full responsibility for the madness that took place,
and must seek to broaden its support for stability through a National
Conference in Liberia before elections 2005.
Elections
2005: The Wild Card - A
Rejoinder
(By Banabas Kofa)
I recently read the article "Elections 2005: The Wild
Card" on "The Perspective" dated October 25,
2004 with both amusement and concern. The author (Mr. George Yuoh)
attempted to articulate what he believes to be the views and emotions
of the young generation of Liberians - at least that is what he conveyed,
regarding the vacuum in political leadership and how and with whom
it should, or my I say, it's going to be filled.
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|
Courtesy of Ap
|
The Jacob Town
Crisis - How It All Happened? (Forum)
Monrovia, Liberia's capital has witnessed the worst of violence in recent
days, despite the presence of United Nations peacekeepers in the country.
The sustained hostilities have been characterized by the burning of
worship centers, private properties including school buildings by rival
groups, who are assumed sympathizers of both Christian and Muslim religions.
The Ball Is
In UNMIL's Court (Forum)
ALL ALONG, THE United Nations Military Missions in Liberia (UNMIL) had
announced that following the end of the official disarmament process
(October 31) anyone found with arms would be considered enemies of peace
and treated as such.
In The Wake
Of Lawlessness: NTGL, UNMIL Blamed (Forum)
Barely three days to the dissolution of all warring factions in the
Liberian crisis, the situation took another dimension by wooing into
fore, a religious trend that cost lives and property damage within
the city of Monrovia and its environs.
Over
100 Bags of Rice Missing at Postal Affairs (Forum)
When Postal Affairs Minister Eugene Nagbe took over the ministry months
ago, he was regarded as the "messiah" simply because he
paved the way for employees to benefit from incentives including rice
ration.
Cllr. Scott Joins
Unity Party (Forum)
Former Chief Justice of Liberia, Cllr. Gloria Maya Musu- Scott, has
formally joined the Unity Party (UP); writes Josiah S. Hallie.
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|
UNMIL
|
Religious
Warfare In Monrovia and Kakata…
Over 200 Injuries, 172 Detained, …Churches, Mosques,
schools Burnt, Several Businesses looted
(
By: Josephus Moses Gray)
Just as Liberians were thinking that the 14-years of bloody and devastating
ethnic war in Liberia is over the conflict has taken a new dimension
- with Christians and Muslims at each other throats, engaging into lawlessness
and inflicting massive destruction on religious shrines and personal
prosperities.
Liberia
On Fire, Again
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
For the past two decades, Liberian civil population has fallen prey
to warlords and their armies of drugged teenagers who killed, raped
and burned at will. Among them, the handful of Liberia warlords killed
some 250,000 people and destroyed every viable infrastructure in the
nation. They pillaged and ransacked the meager resources and left the
greatest majority of the people naked, hungry and frustrated. Every
peace accord brought a new brand of warlords to power that displayed
their newfound wealth in the most insulting way to the mass of poor,
angry and resentful population. Every "liberation" brought
a new set of arrogant, simple-minded, selfish leaders who had no regard
for the common good.
Good
Governance in Liberia Depends on the Balance of Power in Government
(By Winsley S. Nanka)
Liberian politicians and stakeholders are preparing for the 2005 national
elections in Liberia under the illusion the only office that matters
is the presidency. Almost any Liberian of consequence believes that
he or she can make his or her greatest contribution to the development
of sustainable democracy and economic development in Liberia from
the Executive Mansion.
Mass
arrests after Liberia riots (BBC)
The violence is a reminder of how volatile Liberia remains
United Nations peacekeepers in the Liberian capital have arrested
up to 250 people following days of unrest in which at least 14 people
died.
