Liberia's foreign policy under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

H.E. Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Introduction: Moses Josephus Gray, a young Liberian diplomat and longtime media practitioner and journalist currently posted to the Liberian Embassy in Pairs France is of the view that under the Johnson Sirleaf administration, the foreign policy initiatives of Liberia has seen a major boost as Africa's first independent country pick up the pieces from war to peace. He says " Our nation was view by the outside world as a failed state. But with the extraordinary display of diplomatic modus operandi and sound leadership, Liberia has since regained its status among the comity of nations..." Mr Gray wants Johnson Sirleaf reelected to another six years term.

Weah and the CDC claims must be investigated!

By: ralph geeplay

The football maestro turn politician George Weah

This week in Monrovia, George Weah, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) vice standard bearer issued strong worded accusations in the Liberian capital against the Liberian presidency and the presidential candidate of the ruling Unity Party standard bearer Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Presidential Age Requirement Is More than Just a Number!!

President Sirleaf &  Vice President Boikah

Introduction: Jackson, a rising Liberian sociopolitical commentator is arguing that the Liberian presidency is aged old, accordingly, the president and the vice president respectively. He posits that if the unity party this election circle had chosen a young professional or technocrat as a vice presidential candidate that gesture would have gone a long way in stabilizing the political future of the country, and thereby appealing to the youth who make about 60 percent of the population. Says Jackson, " But I am honestly worried about the future complexities of two aging old leaders at the helm of power for the next six years."

Winston Tubman and his Congress for Democratic Change

By ralph geeplay

                  
                     Tubman and Weah feel off the crowd in Monrovia

Winston Tubman and his Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) are showing their true colors as national elections approaches. They are showing the Liberian people the other side of the coin. That coin being the violent bearing with which its partisans have behaved constantly since 2005, resulting to violence every opportunity that arises to express their displeasure with the body politics of which they are part. This certainly, is a tell tale says analysts that they will not accept anything short of electoral victory when the presidential and legislative elections result are announced later this year by the National Elections Commission of Liberia.

Hello Christina Tah

By: ralph geeplay

Christina Tah

Introduction: As Liberians enter a crucial election year, security remains a paramount yard stick by which to gauge the Sirleaf administration’s handling of the nation’s safety since she assumed the mantle of state in 2005. A lot of pundits argue that lawlessness is pervasive: armed robbery, rape, mob justice, to name a few. The rule of law has seen undersized efforts from the Unity Party led government and much needs to be done as the country grapples with its stability in the aftermath of war. For example, is there a data base for criminals in the country and that of former combatants in the wake of a deadly uncivil war...? The high profile murder of Keith Jubah, in November 2009, a Sirleaf confidant and chief of the National Procurement Commission highlights a Liberia teeming with violence and armed banditry. Last week also witness an ugly election violence and threats on several candidates across the country, and prominently against Lenn Eugene Nagbe of the ruling Unity Party. The below piece was written in Sept. 2, 2009, highlighting these issues.

Firestone Plantations escapes justice

By: ralph geeplay

U.S. : Rights campaigners rally against Firestone

The Liberian based Firestone plantations company, few week ago won a land mark case in federal courts in the United States. The class action lawsuit brought originally by International Labor Rights Fund (ILRF), in 2005 on behalf of 23 children was thrown out by federal magistrates for the second time. No matter the defeat, analysts say, the lights are now being shown on this company; and that gradually people have woken up to Firestone and its viciousness.

Ellen dares Liberia’s political opposition!

By ralph geeplay

Introduction: The Liberian constitution demands the president of the Republic of Liberia address the joint section of the Liberian Assembly during the last working Monday in January of every year. During such address, the president must deal with the health and wealth of the nation: the country’s socio-economic and political growth. That Sirleaf did during her 5^{th annual} address in 2010, but she went further, declaring she would contest the elections, removing any doubts in the minds of her opponents in the wake of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report which barred her and others from holding political office for 30 years. She also became the first Liberian sitting president to pronounce her reelection campaign before the Liberian Congress, when she declared: "I WILL BE A FORMIDABLE CANDIDATE!” The elections are finally here, and this is the piece as it was written on February 3^rd 2010.