Liberia’s Indicted MD Matilda Parker Entered Non Guilty Plea

MONROVIA—Both the indicted former Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) Matilda Wokie Parker and Comptroller Christina Kpabar Paelay threw out a challenge to state prosecutor on Thursday when they denied all charges against them. Parker dressed in yellow African attire with black spot and a black head-tie while Paelay in white suit worn since the trial begun on November 10, 2015 stood before the court with right hands up while the clerk read the volume of indictment against them.

Liberian House Speaker Alex Tyler’s Selfish Presidential Ambition

Hawa Wesseh

This month, having served as house speaker for almost a decade, Alex J. Tyler resigned from the ruling Unity Party [UP], perhaps sensing the party has spent it political capital with Johnson Sirleaf calling the shots since 2005, or sensing he will not get his party nomination. But whatever recognized public perception there might be, with the ruling UP running up to 2017, there is no way Alex Tyler can extricate himself from the record already laid. Tyler, reports say is contemplating forming his own party to run for the Liberian presidency instead! Tyler’s perceive ambitions to a larger extend is a microcosm of the typical Liberian politician that gallivants from one party to another no matter the circumstance to hold a "Government job.”

By Marilyn Stasio

Playwright Danai Gurira — also the actress best known as Michonne on “The Walking Dead” — delivers politics with a passion in “Eclipsed,” a searing drama about the decisive roles women played in the second Liberian civil war — during which warlords conscripted child soldiers, ate each other’s hearts and performed human sacrifice. Superbly directed by Liesl Tommy and powerfully acted by a strong ensemble led by the Oscar-winning star of “12 Years a Slave,” Lupita Nyong’o, the play gives voice to women ranging from the wives of warlords to activists in Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, the political action group that brought an end to the war.

Matilda Parker 1.2 million Dollars Bond Challenged

Former NPA MD Matilda Parker Pic:www.frontpageafrica.com

The Government prosecutors have challenged the validity of the US$1.2 million criminal appearance bond filed on behalf of the suspended Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) and her Comptroller by Family Dollar Universal Insurance Service (FDUIS).

Charles Taylor’s Aide Benoni Urey Makes Push For Nimba

Hawa Wesseh

M O N R O V I A, July 22—Former Charles Taylor’s aide, ex-Maritime Commissioner, Benoni Urey, reports say is betting on the legacy of his former boss, as he makes a push for the Liberian presidency, which is two years away.

According to observers, views popular amongst the now incarcerated former president [who is in an English jail for war crimes against humanity] and his supporters, is that Taylor’s popularity has not wane in Liberia, and he could possibly win re-elections “if elections were held today,” [if he stood]. Urey has not been shy to also voice those concerns.

DIssecting the politics of Edward Wilmont Blyden

E.D. Blyden www.amazon.com

By Edward Carter

Making remarks at the program marking his 70th natal day, the Orwellian political scientist, the unrelenting Dr. Amos Claudius Sawyer made a rather interesting disclosure: He stressed that he will avail himself in part to establish a “chair of public affairs” at the University of Liberia in honor of the late so-called Pan African Nationalist, Edward Wilmot Blyden.

African Diplomacy And Global Politics

By J. Moses Gray

Modern diplomacy today is in much more demand, because the art has grown exponentially, since there continue to be crisis one after the other especially the last century which saw two world wars fought and a long and costly cold war. But more than that Africa has been a hotspot with varied conflicts in almost every geopolitical zone of the continent, hence, nations continually depend on the practice to foster both domestic and foreign relations in the spheres of conflict and crisis resolutions so much so that, without diplomacy the global world order as we know it, might grind to a halt. In this endeavor, we must draw inspiration from two notable Americans

LIberia Under 23 and Thomas Kojo Go Hunting

Liberia’s Olympic team, the Satellites, will be hoping to upset the Black Meteors as Ghana hosts both legs of the Caf Under-23 Championship tie, beginning on Sunday.

Liberia are emerging out of the Ebola pandemic but are not yet certified to host international games at home and so have secured an agreement to pick Ghana as their home venue for the Caf Under-23 Championship which could lead them to qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

ANC Rejects Liberian Christian State Proposal

Alternative National Congress Press Release

A. Introduction

Please find below the ANC’S positions on the proposed amendments adopted by the recently concluded National Constitution Conference (Conference) in Gbarnga.
By way of background, the Constitution Reform Commission (CRC), whose members were appointed by the President and charged with the responsibility of overseeing a process that would lead to reforms to our Constitution, presented delegates at the Conference with 25 proposed amendments. The CRC claims that the proposed amendments were the result of consultations it had in all 73 legislative districts of Liberia and the Diaspora.

Bound to Secrecy By Vamba Sherif

B O O K-R E V I E W

William Mawolo arrives in a small Liberian town with a secret mission: to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the police chief.

The locals, however – police force and citizens alike – are far from happy about his presence, and their hostility is increasing daily, threatening to boil over. At the same time, Mawolo is drawn to the departed chief’s daughter, Makemeh, who for some reason doesn’t seem to be too concerned about her missing father.

Intrigued, Mawolo decides to stay longer than required – and even attempts to take charge of the town. Little by little, he has started to behave like the despotic man whose disappearance he came to investigate. His desire to uncover the town’s dark secrets puts him in danger . . . but will his heart rule his head?

11 Questions: Wayétu Moore, Writer and Thinker

Wayétu Moore is the Publisher of One Moore Boiteracy rates. Moore graduated with a BA, Journalism from Howard University, subsequently receiving a Masters of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Southern California. As the former ediok. She produces and publishes children’s books specifically focusing on kids in countries with low ltor of “The Coup Magazine”, her objective was “UNIFYING WOMEN OF COLOR” through social and political consciousness. Her work can be found in Guernica Magazine, The Atlantic Magazine, Gawker, The Huffington Post and Waxwing Literary Journal, among others. Her writings can also be read in the respected online publication Conversations on Liberia. She is based in Brooklyn, NY.

Liberian news editor free for 30 days



Sieh is escorted by Liberian security men

By ralph geeplay

Lawyers representing Frontpageafrica Editor Rodney Sieh have secured his release for 30 days in the Liberian capital of Monrovia. The lawyers contended that Sieh's imprisonment violated various provisions of the Liberian constitution of 1986, including the prohibition against debt bondage in Article 12, the Equal Protection Clause of Article 11, the due process clause of Article 20, and the directive against extreme punishment in Article 21. Kwame Clement [Pro bono] a former Liberian journalist and broadcaster in collaboration with Musa Dean and Samuel Kofi woods are leading the charge to see Sieh release.

Liberian Lawyer Accuses President Sirleaf Govt

By Hawa Wesseh

A prominent Liberian human rights lawyer and former Minister of Works in the Sirleaf Unity Party (UP) led administration has accused the Liberian government of being behind the incarceration of FrontPage Africa editor Rodney Sieh. Samuel Kofi woods spoke recently when Justice Minister Christina Tah and Liberia Solicitor General Cllr. Betty Larmie Blamo rubbished attempts by Woods to represent Sieh at the ECOWAS Human Rights Court in Abuja Nigeria. The libel case which has drawn international disapproval from Roy Gutterman, Director of the Tully Center for Free Speech, The World Newspapers Association, the World Editor Forum and the Committee to Protect Journalist, pundits say shows the UP led administration intolerance towards the free press in Liberia. Sieh was arrested on the 21 of August and is currently under heavy security guards at the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Medical Hospital in the Liberian capital of Monrovia. Sieh began a hunger strike about a week ago at the Monrovia Central Prison before he was admitted at the sanatorium for malaria.

President Sileaf: “Hustlers Become Heroes through Poisonous Pens"

By: Hawa Wesseh




Liberian president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says her public officials are assuming their responsibilities in the country at a time when the political environment is a difficult terrain in the country.
The Liberian president made the remarks this week when she commissioned 27 government executives including former controversial city mayor, Mary Broh who now heads the General Services Agency (GSA), a department of government that purchases and manages assets for the government.

Africa: Obama Walks In George W. Bush Shadow

                                            

By ralph geeplay 

It’s the Obama Africa’s trip and everyone is talking. Sure bet, everywhere Obama goes he sure grabs the headlines, and why not? He’s THE American President; leader of the world’s only unipolar power. Yes, China’s influence is spreading and its soft power taking root and getting noticed, especially in Africa. But the United States still commands the bully pulpit, especially where global dynamics and power play are discussed and policies enunciated when the big boys sit around the table [world powers].

Debate: Henry Boima Fahnbulleh jr. Vs. Samuel D. Tweah jr.

H. B. Fahnbulleh[PhD]

                                                 

Introduction: Although these articles are dated from 2005, they nonetheless make for great reading about the larger questions and contexts of recent Liberian History, between two intellectuals who passionately discussed the issues in their country, and Liberia's descend into chaos, the last decades of the 20th century which preceded Tubman despotic 27 years rule and the rise of Doe and Taylor in the 21st century.

A reply to one Samuel D. Tweah, Jr. : A Critique of the Bluster of a Charlatan
By H. Boima Fahnbulleh, Jr.

Will The Loyal Opposition Take a Stand in Liberia?

                               



If the current level of discontent amongst Liberians is anything to judge by, then there is a strong likelihood Liberia may experience severe turbulence in the months ahead. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s second term may not be as quiet as the first. The signs are everywhere.

Albert Porte Versus William V.S. Tubman

A. Porte 1906-1986

Introduction: Veteran Liberian social crusader Albert Porte's letter to President Tubman on August 25, 1951 brought out the best in the veteran Liberian political journalist and pamphleteer. Porte, with verve took on President William V.S. Tubman in an era when it was unwise to do so given Tubman's autocratic tendencies especially at a time when he was near to silencing his critics. He cautioned the Liberian chief executive not to purchase a luxury Presidential yacht which is said to have been 463-tons with a passenger capacity of 36. The posh carrier required an international crew, and a separate department within the Department of State and bought at $125,000.00.  The exchanges gives the reader a comprehensive glimpse into Porte’s character who is also considered by many as the father of social justice in Liberia

President Sirleaf “Enduring Legacy”: A Rejoinder

ralph geeplay

President Sirleaf

                                   

Let’s pick some bones with Ms. Shirley N. Brownell, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Communications Director and her well written op-ed, “Journey to Partnership: An Enduring Legacy for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.”

Liberian editor speaks truth to power

                                 

11 Questions: Activist Stephanie C. Horton

Horton is the managing editor and founder of Sea Breeze Journal of Contemporary Liberian Writings (SBJ), an e-publication that promotes Liberian arts and culture.