Frontpage: Henry Costa Gets Bail

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LAW & ORDER
AVOID REVERSAL OF GAINS MADE IN LIBERIA, UN SECRETARY GENERAL WARNS
ASSESSING LIBERIAS SECURITY
MY HUSBAND BUILT VAMOMA HOUSE

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CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR
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www.frontpageafricaonline.com
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014
FORMER FIRST LADY NANCY DOE HITS BACK
BUYING MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014 SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014 MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2014 L$84.00/US$1 L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1
SELLING L$85.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1 L$86.00/US$1
These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of the foreign exchange market in Monrovia and its environs. The rates are collected from the Forex Bureaux and the commercials banks. The rates are not set by the Central Bank of Liberia.
Source: Research, Policy and Planning Department, Central Bank Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia
VOL 8 NO.558
RELEASED FROM SOUTH BEACH PRISON
I am an opposition to corruption, an opposition to nepotism, cronyism, to bad governance and certainly to the poor justice system we have in our country, I will forever remain resolute and convicted and to preach for that, nothing. Henry Costa
HENRY COSTA GETS BAIL
PRICE L$40
Law & order 11
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Tuesday, March 25, 2014
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Monrovia -
Al-Varney Rogers [email protected]

Officer added. Research has revealed that health care workers have frequently been infected while treating Ebola patients. This has occurred through close contact without the use of correct infection control precautions and adequate barrier nursing procedures. According to Dr. Dahn, the assessment team took with them protective equipment such as masks, gloves and goggles to protect them in the affected facilities. They also took chlorine to disinfect the affected hospital and are strengthening surveillance along the border areas, Dr. Dahn said World Health Organization Advisor to Liberia Dr. Peter Clement said WHO will partner with government of Liberia to further investigate the suspected cases of Ebola. We need to confirm these cases to know what we are dealing with. There are suspected cases that need to be confirmed, Dr. Clement said. According to him, reports have suggested that Ebola virus from Guinea has spread into Liberia and Sierra Leone. Dr. Clement said that Ebola has no treatment or vaccine adding that it can be prevented. This disease has no vaccine but it can be prevented we should not panic. The Liberian government has conducted no laboratory test to back the reported outbreak unlike In Guinea where the virus was found in tests conducted at a laboratory in Lyon, France. Dr. Dahn said that there has been no laboratory tests carried out to confirm the disease adding that their report is based on symptoms from patients similar to cases in Guinea. The specimen that has been taken will be sent out of the country for testing, however the patients we have seen thus far have similar symptoms to cases in Guinea, Dr. Dahn said. Health Minister Dr. Walter Gwenigale said, the Liberian leader is aware of the outbreak adding that the government is allocating funding to tackle the virus. The Health Minister urged, Liberians especially market women trading between Liberia and Guinea to limit their movement to areas considered affected by Ebola. If you are living along the border and you really do not have any reason to go into towns where this disease is reported you do not have to go there, Minister Gwenigale warned. Minister Gwenigale continued: Many of our markets women cross into Guinea to go and buy things [produce] and sell, you dont have to buy your food right now, you can wait when it is safer to go there. Ebola outbreaks have been reported in Congo and Uganda, recently in 2012. The Associated Press quoted the Tropical Disease adviser for Doctors without Borders Dr. Esther Sterk, as saying that the only prior case of a human contracting the virus in West Africa came in 1994 when a scientist fell ill while responding to Ebola cases among chimpanzees in a national park in Ivory Coast. Ebola Virus first appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks in Nzara, Sudan and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter was in a village situated near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name.
he deadly Ebola virus that has killed more than fifty people in neighboring Guinea has crossover to Liberia, Liberias Chief Medical Officer disclosed on Monday. The disease is reported to be spreading along the border with Liberia, specifically in the communities and towns close to Guinea towns of Guekedou, Nzerekore, Kissidougou and Macenta, Liberia Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bernice Dahn said. Dr. Dahn continued:As of this morning the 24th of March 2014, six cases have been reported of which five persons have already died, four female adults and one male child. Dr. Dahn said all the six suspected cases came from Guinea for treatment in hospitals in Foya and Zorzor districts in Lofa County.One of the suspected cases, a female child is under treatment. Ebola virus is often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, Muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. The Ebola virus can cause severe viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) outbreaks in humans with a case fatality rate of up to 90%. According to a statement from the Ministry of Health a team has been dispatched since Friday to investigate the situation in Lofa. The team is already investigating the situation, tracing contacts, collecting blood samples and sensitizing local health authority on the disease, Liberia Chief Medical
he Ebola virus is knocking on the doors of Liberia yet the government of Liberia has remained mute and immobilized. Zero attention is being paid to this virulent and deadly virus. Ebola is a virus that doesnt discriminate among its victims. However, there has been no information given to the Liberia public about this impending disaster. To date, 59 Guinean citizens have succumbed to Ebola. Guinea is a very close neighbor of Liberia. As a matter of fact, most of the produce and bush meat that are sold in Liberia are imported from Guinea; if not daily, then weekly. To those who think that avoiding purchases from local vendors is the solution, think again. One would be hard-pressed to inquire about the origins of the produce sold in the local supermarkets. The ingredients of most meals travel many paths before resting on various dining tables. Have I got your attention? As defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is one of numerous Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. It is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola HF is caused by infection with a virus of the genus Ebolavirus. When infection occurs, symptoms usually begin abruptly. The first Ebola virus species was discovered in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo near the Ebola River. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically. There are five identified subspecies of Ebolavirus. Four of the five have caused disease in humans: Ebola virus; Sudan virus; Ta Forest virus; and Bundibugyo virus. The fifth, Reston virus, has caused disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans. The USA Today, VOA, and the BBC have all reported this crisis in Guinea. Moreover, it was reported on Sunday, March 23 in the USA Today that one confirmed case had traveled to Liberia. I cannot impress any further upon the Ministry of Health the urgency needed in curtailing this virus. I urge you to bring awareness to the general public in Liberia and begin reviewing and implementing any disaster response contingency plans immediately. Given the fragile infrastructure of the current healthcare system, any second spent on inaction is a death sentence. The Ebola virus is highly virulent. It is documented that the case mortality rate is up to 90%, according to the World Health Organization. Furthermore, I believe that this rate may be even higher because not every death is reported. The Ebola virus is transmitted into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. In Africa, infection has been documented by health officials through the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found dead or ill in the rainforest. To the public, it would be advisable to wash your hands, produce, and refrain from making purchases from vendors that are importing their
AS DEADLY VIRUS THREATENS LIBERIA, WHERE IS THE OUTCRY?
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goods from Guinea for now. Be vigilant and pay attention to your vendors. Some of the signs and symptoms of Ebola are very similar to those of malaria. Do not be mistaken. There is no treatment or vaccine available.
SYMPTOMS OF EBOLA HF TYPICALLY INCLUDE

SOME PATIENTS MAY EXPERIENCE: A Rash, Red Eyes, Hiccups, Cough, Sore throat, Chest pain, Difficulty breathing, Difficulty swallowing, Bleeding inside and outside of the body
SIGNS Fever, Headache, Joint and muscle aches, Weakness, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Stomach pain, Lack of appetite
fricas biggest Ebola outbreak in seven years has probably spread from Guinea to neighboring Liberia and also threatens Sierra Leone. Five people are suspected to have died from the disease in Lofa county in northern Liberia, Bernice Dahn, Liberias chief medical officer, said at a briefing today. At least 86 cases and 59 deaths have been recorded across Guinea, the west African countrys health ministry said today. The capital, Conakry, hasnt been affected, government spokesman Albert Damantang Camara said, after the United Nations Childrens Fund said the outbreak had spread there. The forest region where Unicef delivered the emergency assistance on Saturday is located along the border with Sierra Leone and Liberia with many people doing business and moving between the three countries, said Laurent Duvillier, a Unicef spokesman, in an e-mail today. Risk of international spread should be taken seriously. Unicef plans to dispatch 5 metric tons of aid, including medical supplies, to the worst-affected areas. Suspected cases of the lethal hemorrhagic disease were being investigated in Guineas southeast border areas, the World Health Organization said yesterday. The three cases, which were registered in Conakry, have no link with Ebola, Camara said. The analyses were made abroad. The outbreak of the disease may be heavier than 59 but the health ministry will release a statement on the disease soon. Particularly Devastating The Geneva-based WHO hasnt previously recorded any outbreaks of Ebola in Guinea, the worlds biggest exporter of bauxite, the ore used to make aluminum. At least eight health-care workers who were in contact with infected patients have died, hindering the response and threatening normal care in a country already lacking in medical personnel, Unicef said. This outbreak is particularly devastating because medical staff are among the first victims, New York-based Unicef said. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Ebola.
DEVASTATING OUTBREAK
DEATHS IN LIBERIA, HEIGHTEN AS DISEASE STORMS WEST AFRICA
HOW FATAL Not every case would result in death; it all depends on ones personal health status and innate immunity. Nevertheless, the lack of proper education and awareness about the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in Liberia would be a great disservice to the Liberian people
Supplies delivered over the weekend are being distributed to health-care workers, said Timothy La Rose, a Unicef spokesman, in an e-mail today. We are focusing on prevention, La Rose said. We are alerting the public on how to avoid contracting Ebola. Since there is no treatment, this is the best way to stop the spread. Isolation Units Medecins Sans Frontieres is setting up isolation and treatment units while workers at Rio Tinto Plcs operations have been issued with personal protection equipment. The five latest cases were in the towns of Gueckedou and Macenta, it said. The Ebola virus is transmitted through contact with blood or bodily fluids of an infected person or wild animal, according to the WHO. It was first identified in 1976 in Congo and Sudan, when two different strains of the virus killed 431 of the 602 people
infected. Mali and Ivory Coast called for vigilance to prevent the disease from spreading across their borders. The countries border Guinea along with Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. Malis health ministry held a crisis meeting yesterday and called on citizens to be vigilant on its website. Liberias New Democrat newspaper ran an editorial in which it said there was an immediate need for increased surveillance on all border posts with Guinea. Many of the goods sold in Monrovia, Liberias capital, come from Guinea. Ivory Coast set up a coordinating post in Man on the border with Guinea and will increase surveillance and run awareness campaigns, the countrys health ministry said. Recent Ebola outbreaks have occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2012 and in Uganda in 2011, according to the WHO.
FrontPage COMMENTARY EDITORIAL .THE PATH OF WAR WHEN I

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Commentary
HUSH THINK TO FORGIVE SOMEONE. MONEY M

Frederick W. Sonpon, [email protected], Contributing Writer
LIBERIANS OWED EXPLANATION OVER $500K PAID TO NIGERIAN BUSINESSMANS
REPORTS that the Liberian government has secretly paid US$500,000 to Nigerian businessman, Valentine Ayika is very disturbing. ANY TIME A GOVERNMENT transacts business in the dark; it suggests that something sinister is in play. This is why we are urging the Ellen-Sirleaf-led administration to lay the cards on the table and explain to the Liberian people how this money was disbursed. WHILE WE AGREE that the saga was a major embarrassment for the administration, we feel strongly that the government should have first investigated how the money was seized and used initially when the saga was first unearthed. THOSE INVOLVED in the disbursement should be brought to book and if possible an audit of the entire process undertaken. TOO MUCH money is being spent on security sector under the guise of national security matters. Why would any agency decide on its own to disburse money seized from a passenger on the plane and use it unilaterally? Dont these security agencies have money in the national budget to take care of the daily needs? GIVING UNLIMITED powers to security firms under the guise of national security is not a good way for any government to conduct business. This is why we feel strongly that the Liberian government needs to be more transparent in dealing with its people. THIS SAGA HAD all the markings of secrecy from the start. A businessman was searched upon arrival at the Roberts International Airport and the money found in his possession immediately vanished into thin air. IT WAS NOT UNTIL later that security apparatus wrote a script that the money was divided amongst various security sectors that Liberians first got to know about the activity. LAST JULY, the ECOWAS Court based in Nigeria came down with a ruling dealing a blow to Liberia that authorities here acted illegally and demanded that the seized money be returned to Mr. Ayika. Liberia was found guilty by the court set up by member countries of the West African region. ECOWAS COURT judges contended that the Liberian Government acted illegally by seizing the then Nigerian businessman money, and as such should pay back the money in the tune of US$508,200 to Mr. Ayika. AYIKA, WHO IS currently a member of the Nigeria parliament, took Liberia to court in 2011. Liberia countered that the ECOWAS Court should dismiss the lawsuit on grounds that the time it was filed was belated as required by law in line with the treaty signed by member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). THE NEWS newspaper, quoted the Innocent Project Africa (INPA), the judicial watchdog for access to justice, rule of law and democracy in Africa as saying that the payment was a victory of good over evil. WE SHARE THE frustration with the watchdog group that it is not a good thing that after all the noise surrounding this country; Liberia decides to pay such an astronomical amount under the cloud of darkness. TOO MANY things are done in the dark in this country; too many lives have been lost for such unscrupulous practices. IF WE MUST TURN THE TIDE against the past, we must be willing and ready to do away from those things which led us to war, chaos and violence. FOR WHATEVER reason the government decided to pay Mr. Ayika, they should have informed the people of Liberia. Now we have a situation where this government which has been complaining that it does not have money to fill the void in the budget, has been forced to cough up US$508,000 to pay money to a passenger on a plane only because of the action of some unserious and corrupt security executives who illegally took a businessmans money from him. JUSTICE IS LOST in Liberia today because we as a people continue to tread the path that led us to a very painful past, one that we seem all too eager to forget repeat but never ready to lay to rest.
an on earth is somehow symbolically shadowed by two sides of life. There is the good time, and on the other side bad to also face. Taking note of that in life, for any human being as a whole,is a lesson that life gives to any man the sense of the two directions he or she has to be careful about. Either he is aware of the one side, or not, for what he must try to always do is by maintaining a good side of life. Everything about life you must work it out to be that good, which could make you to live better also. Never have you to be that wearied in anyway. I was born unto a life of nowhere. My parents were the first who really have experienced the boiling pot of poverty that, a day survival became a dream to make. They live in this situation of uncertaintyfor so long and almost got old into it. But I can remember each time my father was always there to ask himself, especially when he was downhearted, if there would be transformation for him anymore, looking at the way his life was found. In that quest of knowing, sometimes when he and his colleagues from his town are in conversation, he was always being winded by the wowing bitterness of his life. But in that life of improbability still, and for years, he and my mother gave birth to me. Now his pondering about life turned to be a two-sided issue. Logically his life was somehow foursided in the trouble, because of the child like me he had, who never knew anything about life either. He was thinking about the life that should be about me, while then for him too. He got so paranoid each time the way life had really got him to be. Hope was seemed in a different world of dreamers. The only think he believes at the time since there was few years at least left in his human calendar for his age, and to return to his maker, but was to try and send me to school. So, the first start of school for the transformationfor me started in 1986. Before the war 1989 up to 1998, Liberia was one of the best nations in Africa, to say, life was better. But all that has changed now. While individual like me had my own way for change, but my country also had its own political way for change too, which led to a civil war. Surely, change in my country has now made its own monument of regret somehowno matter what, for everyone to see. It has now been as a foregone conclusion that the war has done to our lives whatever it could and ended. I do really accept to make a change of my life, because the war ended. Recounting the days, I was blessed to have been on a mission before 1989, when the war had then started. But everything changed that life has breezed me to a different situation to accept. In 1992, the heat of the war--I had a friend who the two of us used to do things almost together. I was a bit older than him, which of course, there was about five years between the both of us. We slept on the same bed at times. Our days, before the war, at the Zorzor Rural Teaching Training Demonstration and Elementary School really was rewarding! He was studying Mathematics, while I was studying Chemistry. But when the war came, since lives were sheltered, he said he was taking up arms. Truly he did. Quite interestingly, while was the war ongoing, that is between 1990 and 1998, my friend became a freedom gladiator. He was involved in fighting even a cross border war. According to him, his act of fighting in the war was due to the fact that he wanted transformation in his life which couldnt just be delay by the war. He said life, as he was faced with two sides, either he was to follow the root to the other side, or better go the other way. So, my friend said the best way he could find the best side of life during the war was to take arm. And he became a good fighter in his own right. Each time my friend would come to my house, the same place we used to live, but with huge goods and money. And he could always make fun that he was finding the best side of life, which has manifested by the success of his survival, wherehe was able to come with material goods and money from his fighting site to see his family and I. Since economically life was ugly still, I was surviving on my friends activity in the war to be making my own life too. It was like jigger live by toes situation of life I was facing with him. He got to always lavished money and other essentials on me just to seeing me survive too. And I care not to know how he got his wealth either, because survival was my concern. There was no work. Besides, there was no easy way out of the menace the war had got me into then. Each time I had it to say to my friend that since he chose to be a fighter, which is a side of life he wanted to be on yet, but for me, like I said, I was choosing to go to school and never wanted to be like him. He laughed loud. So, one day I told him that it was the time that I leave Lofa County to come to Monrovia for school. And the hope was still being alive. God be first in my struggle, but I believe the torch would be lit if education was the case to consider paramount. Really, I was like a bedfellow to my friend because of the civil war. Even though I didnt hold arm, but I was somehow a part of the war too, because my friend, who was a fighter, the gifts he lavished on me, proved I was part of the war. But not knowing he was a looter. One bitter day came when the eminent attack on Monrovia in 1992 called the Octopus came. At the time I have already left Lofa County. However, I wonder how could I forget this menace which seeks to dump my hope? Each time I try to mend my broken pieces it was another different story of war again and again. But there was a watershed that good days were to come someday, despite what the war had it to be. In that quagmire of a lose hope, I made exercises of hope for my soul, especially where every day I and some of my colleagues got to pray each time for Gods mercy. Late one evening, fear of bullet widened, when one of the rebel forces, including the West African Peace Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) had to lambast each other and human bodies were made as mats to walk on,
while every citizen was escaping Logan Town for safe havens to go to Central Monrovia. Nevertheless, after several days of mourning of widening fear, at least the bullet subsided a bit. My family I made a return to Logan Town again. The next thing I heard during one evening hour upon our return by ten oclock was that, while in bed a more threatening sound came. Luckily few of my family members, including me didnt sleep together that night, like it used to be always as family, because we went to find a way each to get food for our struggling family. Surprisingly the curfew caught up with us. Thats how we were lucky not to have been present when my friend came hysterically to my house. For me, luckily the moment, I was near the area, and that I never wanted to go home that night. My heart made a huge confusion within me not to go home either but to pass the night to my friends place. This family cant be slaughtered. I wont sit here to see it happen! My longtime friend luckily in a fierce mood, he and his colleagues of rebel forces, came to shoot and kill my family because someone pinched him that we live around that area. That day the judgment of the gun was being passed, and I lost six persons out of the family of ten persons. And after that, however, my friend escaped the area. That was a past away event or story thento remember after several years when the war has ended. And I then, tried putting my broken pieces together and maintained schooling to see life being a better one. Luckily, the civil war ended in 2003. Wonderfully few years after then, I started thinking and struggling for my daily bread by selling used clothing. And I made it through to have at least completed high school and went to college. It was a special day again, when my friend, the freedom gladiator, but came to say sorry at least for all that he has done to me. He brought me gifts again: car, clothes, money and others, as a way of saying sorry. Too many persons, to be my neighbors were there. The usual formalities of us, the Africans doingwere done and we trashed out our differences of war and I forgave him. But I started to wonder, really how could I forget my troubled past. Are my two sided emblematic parts of life meant to be more of focus with bad, then good, as I see it to be then? Surely, life became very bitter. My friend Tonato, as he is commonly called, economically he became a giant in the eyes of me--the ordinary person. His life became very good, because he got lots of money and a company started on his own from the huge wealth he got from the war. But my life was still the same. You could see that hope was like in a dead bed of shame somehow. My proud, really as a person, was shamed to disgrace that moment to think, finding a living by going to friend who was the cause of the death of some of my family members. However, thats the controllable thing of the two-sided life to think. We were still friend because forgiveness has taken place. But I try to first keep a distance in mind that he and I were never the same no more. No matter the status of my friend, but after many years of colleges life, I try to look for a job. My feet got sorely for years by the walking. The only place of work on mind upon walking all-round and couldnt just find any job, was to go to my friend to ask him for a job. His company was the talk of the time. Failure to have gone back to my friend, my life was still making switchboard of sufferings, reminding me that those who do evil are sometimes paid well, than those who do or reserved to be good, but are paid evil instead. And luckily, I got a job from my friends company as the general manager. For the first two monthson the job my soul was disturbed in me, because I felt I have dumped my proud to shame, by taking a job from my friend, a man who was the death of my family. But my mind was occupied about the two sides of life, and to accept my ordeal yet. My faculty was signaling in me, that, if I wasnt going to take a job from my colleagues company either, when I know that it is the only place of seeking survival, because the war has destroyed everything in my country, which means my remaining family members would have peacefully seen death too economically. Therefore, I asked myself then, if I could really forget my past, when the economy of the pocket was the worst still, after many years of struggle of being in college? What to do!However, I was then employed. After many years of service, my friend looked me in the eyesone faithful day and said that, he couldnt just understand my style of life, thekind of human I was, when I have been there to see him survive andprosperous, helping his business to earn him more income, whereas he has brought sorrow on me in the past. But I told him that life has two sides. And these two sides, it is only the maker of us can decide which way is better for any man. But we just need to try each to find a way on any side of it. Regrettably, one day he asked me to resign because he felt my behavior was getting him complicated to accept considering me as his friend anymore. My guise, as he said, was always shaming him to guiltiness for what he did. He said he felt reminded that doing evil was not the path he needed to follow at the time. But that was ironicfor me to accept, when I know that the wealth of war got him prominent in the land of a huge class difference. Even though, I never meant any harm to him, but he sees my life as salient weapon each time to bump guilt at him, where he was remembering the past of his wrongdoing. But that meant nothing to me either. However, I left the job. I went on a drawing board of conscience, and designed a business plan when I then became a hero of my own life. Our friendship didnt really end either. I fought hard to see it be maintained still, despite his behavior towards me. But this was a story to wonder how, couldI really have then forget my past.
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FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS UNDER SERIOUS ATTACK BY SIRLEAFTOCRATS
JAY WION WORKS AT NPRC Brother Costa, we are with you regardless. We admire your courage despite the brutal repression of this regime to s suppress free speech. Soon these same people will trade sleeping. place with you. They are desperate to stop the inevitable but time is not on their side. This is another chapter in our turbulent history toward true democracy, and we will get there. Your sacrifice is noted. Be strong. No jail can break the ideal of freedom. We learn from. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela not to give in. We shall overcome one day. Your brother in the struggle, Jerry Wehtee Wion, also fighting from this part of the world for our freedom. MATTHEW GEORGE WENTWORTH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Melba, Ellen is the worst president Liberia ever had. You absolutely right. Believe me Melba,when i say Ellen and her entourage days are numbers. We won't allow that woman her corrupt officials to mortgage Liberia. When it's take us 1000 of years, Ellen and her children will pay the price. Excuse me for using profanity. When that dump ass refuse to relinquish the presidency, Liberia will be in stage of lawlessness. It's is time to ANNUAL the Liberian government. BETTY WYREN WORKS AT RETIRED Woods Nyanton is right it is time to stand up to the government. Let's see 3,000,000 people in Liberia and your jails hold how many people? Right now Liberia must look like a joke to the rest of the world. How can the government be so scared of one man. Being able to disagree in a democracy is a fundamental right. All the government is doing is turning Henry Costa into another Martin Luther King, Jr. or Henry Mandela. Mr. Brewer, I hate to tell you this but you have been sucked in by your government also. Once you understand you really don't live in a democracy all these incidents will fall into place for you, an intelligent man. God bless Henry Costa who does care about the Liberian people. SYLVESTER MOSES TOP COMMENTER We hope that cool headedness prevails in this issue, the aspirations of ordinary citizens will not be served by distractions, tensions and crises. Liberia is now a democracy striving toward rule of law, so were a heartened that Mr. Costa was not grabbed from his bed by soldiers. Under the cover of darkness, and dragged to an undisclosed location. It is imperative he gets his bail soon because the alleged manner of denial was suspicious, and could dampen the transparency with which Director Sirleaf has acted in this case. Meanwhile, supporters of Costa should advise him to remain the serious and entertaining journalist he is, and not allow peace-loving people to consider him an agitator. The last thing the poor needs in Liberia is instability and chaos that will freeze the efforts of small business holders and Liberians engaged in other economic, social and developmental activities. Once again, we must remind our fellow Liberians that the Arab Spring is now an Arab Winter with deaths, refugee camps and suffering replacing the original singing. DEGAN BALLAYAN WORKS AT UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS After viewing Mr. Costa's arrest video and the numerous comments that followed, I am afraid to say the inevitable is creeping again at our doors in Liberia. What we have here is a tall glass of water filled up to the rim, sitting at the edge of a shaking table that has only three legs instead of four legs. Sooner or later, this tall glass of water is going to be bombed either intentionally or by accident, causing the glass of water to turn over or be wasted. The table might even crumble. The only logical way to avoid this unnecessary accident is to remove this tall glass of water from the shaking table to a safe place or keep it in our hands if we must. Liberia is no longer interested in any form of war or chaos.
TERRORIST PROVOCATEUR: HENRY COSTA LAST WORD EN ROUTE TO JAIL
It is almost forty eight hours (48) since the Nelson Mandela of Liberia, Henry Costa a talk show host rights was unjustly tamped with, by the Son of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Fombah Sirleaf, director of the National Security Agency of Liberia (NSA). Who used his position of power to illegitimately descend down on one of Liberia fearless political commentator, Henry Costa? Liberians all around the world including the United States, Europe, and Liberia are now comparing Henry Costa struggle to that of the late president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. It is now an open secret that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government has lost the fight against corruption. That has now become the cancer of Liberia. Corruption has now turned out to be the norms of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf regime. Even with the establishment of the Liberian anti -corruption Commission,( LACC),the good governance commission and other government entities to curtail corruption. It is now conspicuous that the Sirleaf government will be written in the anus of history as one of the most horrible administration Liberia ever had. The major question that remains un-answered for some of us who over the years who build our faith and trust in Dr. Henry Boimah Fahnbulleh, the current national security advisor to president Sirleaf. Dr. Amos Claudia Sawyer, current chairman of the good governance commission, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, current Minister of Foreign affairs, where are you peopled? Liberia is bleeding. Liberians are suffering, Most Liberian are now living in entrench poverty. Our future mothers now see no faith in their government and turned to prostitution as their new normal. Dr. Henry Boimah Fahnbulleh and others mentioned please speak out and say truth to power. Liberians now need you people the most to rescue them from the trenches and gutters of poverty through advocacy. Thank God for that great and courageous political commentator Henry Costa. His name will be written in the anus of history for his fearless stand against corruption, nepotism, and bad governance in national government. We must take time to categorically denounce the recent and unjustifiable arrest of Henry Costa, host of the famous talk show, the Costa show. Henry Costa did nothing wrong and is protected under article 15 of the Liberian constitution. Lastly, we are now crafting a comprehensive document to be sent to the State department of the United States denouncing the wrongful arrest of the popular talk show host Henry Costa. Encouraging the state department to take note of this human rights violation by Fombah Sirleaf, son of President Sirleaf, who is now using his position of authority as head of the National Security Agency (NSA) to unjustly arrest peaceful citizens of Liberia? The struggle of Henry Costa can now be measure up to the struggle of the Late Nelson Mandela of South Africa, who in the mist of the suppression and dictatorship in south Africa spoke up for Justice. We are with you Henry Costa. We will use our intellectual pens to restore your rights. Restore Henry Costa rights now! The author of this article Dashward A. Wumah is a political commentator, he hold a degree in Police Science, from the Saint Marys University of Minnesota, a degree in Criminal Justice, North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Law-enforcement Certificate from the Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Academic English Language proficiency Certificate, North Hennepin Community College. He can be contacted at 763-400-6828 or by email [email protected] DASHWARD A. WUMAH [email protected]
The Editor, The anger of most Liberians is increasing very fast against a regime whose primary motive is to suppress the voices of truth and keep majority of its citizens in abject poverty. The constant intimidation, threat, and harassment of peaceful Liberians by big hands in government must stop now! We cannot continue to live in fear for exposing injustices and inequalities in society. In recent times, beneficiaries of this oligarchichal empire have been hiding behind our Judiciary system to threaten freedom of speech. It was Rodney few months ago, and now its Costa! This smart attempt by some family members and cronies of the president to silence critical voices is gaining ground and we must stand up against it with a collective courage and unbending determination. How can we profess to live in a democratic society when the basic rights of all citizens are yet too far from being protected by state authorities? Our liberty and freedom is under serious attack by Sirleaftocrats and we must do all we can to regain an unconditional independence? Costa has done nothing wrong to deserve such an inhumane treatment. It is sad to see him handcuffed today for saying what is right, while economic pillagers who have been indicted by the GAC and LACC for corruption are walking freely downtown with their heads up high. The old order of elitism, egocentrism, and bigotry continues to show its ugly face even after fifteen years of civil unrest. The peace we enjoy today can only be sustained through free speech and press freedom. After two successive democratic elections, most Liberians, especially poor citizens are anxious to reclaim a just and free society from a network of imperialists and opportunists. Regrettably, their will to engender a new beginning of equality and justice is being censored by their oppressors. However, we refuse to accept that Liberia is a family farm or plantation where only the Sirleafs, Bernards, etc. can order the arrest and flogging of the Siehs, Costas, Flomos, and Yakpawolos. This country belongs to all Liberians regardless of your background or status; as such, the laws that protect the rich must also protect the poor! The sustainability of our young democracy depends on an independent and credible judiciary system. Unfortunately, some of our judges and legal practitioners are still drinking from the greedy pockets of the rich to render unfair verdicts in their favor. We want to call for an end to this anti-democratic tendency that is gradually ravaging our motherland. A French Philosopher, Voltaire, once said "I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"? Why was Henry Costa prevented from airing his talk show on Hott FM? Is it because he was exposing the wrongdoings of your government to Liberians and International Partners? Or, because he refused to accept any offer to blow your trumpet as others are doing now? Today, his belief and conviction for a better Liberia is being muzzled by this regime without any regard for human dignity. So, the signing of the Table Mountain Declaration wish guarantees free expression was just another mere bluff evident by what journalists continue to experience? Free Henry Costa now, because he has not committed any crime. Is it a crime to challenge the status quo by speaking truth to power? Certainly, I dont think so. Therefore, let it be known today that Costa and others have a national responsibility to ensure an equal and just Liberia! This sacred obligation cannot be undermined by unfair arrest and imprisonment. This government has no plan to improve the living condition of the oppressed majority; instead its mission is to seal the mouths of vocal citizens who are thirsty and hungry for inclusive change. When public servants become public enemies, we expect nothing more, but witch-hunting, patronage, and all forms of undemocratic practices. It is time for this government to take a relook at our ugly past as a nation and begin to right the wrongs. Liberia can become a better place if those in authority recognize that other citizens have equal rights like them. Liberia can become a great nation if public trustees begin to properly manage state resources. This country can still regain its position as an icon of hope for Africa if smiles are on the faces of the majority. I wonder how this government intends to reconcile this country when some citizens go to bed hungry. When Henry Costa is mal-treated in handcuffed en route to jail because of a complaint against him by the presidents son, then it is visible that Liberia is now a police state. I carefully read through the writ of arrest from the court charging Costa for Terroristic Threats, Menacing, & Criminal Coercion. This writ is a shameful attempt to bury free speech and press freedom. If we cannot support Costa now as Liberians, our history will be written by our oppressors. It was Rodney, now its Costa, and it could be you tomorrow! The governance system of this nation is built on democratic principles.
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hile Acknowledging the existence of a U.S. Government funded report on governance labeled Sensitive But Unclassified(SBU) which was recently obtained by FrontPageAfrica and used as the backdrop for a number of publications this week, to highlight several governance lapses in the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf-led government, the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia says FrontPageAfrica
LIBERIA GOVERNANCE STAKEHOLDER SURVEY THE REPORT LIBERIAS STAKEHOLDERS DID NOT WANT YOU TO SEE
quoted selectively from the document and took many things out of context. The US Embassy statement reads: Recent articles in Front Page Africa (FPA) quote a U.S. Government funded report on governance. This was a report intended for internal use to assist us in project development. The U.S. Government conducts such assessments in countries where it works to better understand the
LIBERIA
impact of our programming and assistance. Unfortunately, the newspaper quoted selectively from the document, taking many things out of context. We urge all members of the media to remain objective in their reporting. Beginning today, we will begin publishing verbatim in both online and print, the entire 124-page LEAKED document and let our readers judge the report and its context for themselves.

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Zorzor,
COSTAS ARREST UNDERMINES LIBERIAS COMMITMENT TO DECRIMINALIZE SPEECH
iberia Press Union of Liberia (PUL) President Abdullai Kamara has condemned the arrest and prosecution of Radio host Henry Costa as an action which effectively undermines the governments commitment to decriminalize speech in Liberia. Mr. Kamara says this action takes away from President Sirleafs signing of the Declaration of the Table Mountain and repeated claims that the government is talking action to repeal all laws which make speech offenses criminal. When we met this week to further our conversations about the way forward in repealing speech laws, the Press Union was determined to laud the commitment of the government to repeal these laws, but as it now stand, we are seriously reconsidering whether that is the way to go, the PUL Chief lamented. Agreeing to decriminalize speech offenses mean that high public officials must accept comments, criticism and innuendoes that could even be considered derogatory and reckless, Kamara added. The truth in this is if we cannot accept such unfettered criticism, then we are not prepared to
F MEDIA ISSUES JOURNALISTS UNDER THREAT, FREE SPEECH UNDER ATTACK: LIBERIA FALLING BACKWARDS AGAIN
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J. Aloysius Toe, [email protected], President, LIPI, Contributing Writer
allow a civil discussion of our stewardship of public resources. Furthermore, given Mr. Sirleafs strategic role, family connection, affluence and influence, it is not reasonable to accept that an utterance by Mr. Costa could really threaten his standing. By all accounts, this will simply translate into misuse of power, and no pretense at going to court will convince an already susceptible public otherwise. The best way out of this situation is for the government to unconditionally drop the charges and allow Mr. Costa to go about his business.
PUL PREXY CHALLENGES COMMUNITY RADIOS TO REMAIN VOICE OF INCLUSION
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Zorzor,
iberia Press Union of Liberia (PUL) President Abdullai Kamara has admonished community radio stations across Liberia to insist upon their role of strengthening inclusion in Liberian society. Mr. Kamara said, with the evolution of community radio stations in 2004, the national agenda has now generously included the voice of more Liberians across the country, engendering positive participation in development, electoral, reconciliation and peace building issues. He said with this history of support to significant developments in our country, community radios should not give in to any action that excludes others. Kamara recalled that exclusionary policies and practices were responsible for various theaters of conflicts in Liberian history, and warned community radio practitioners to resist any attempts to resuscitate this. The PUL President made the remarks at the 3rd General Assembly of the Association of Community Radio (ALICOR), in Zorzor, Lofa County on Saturday. Kamara regretted that there is a growing sense of exclusion in Liberia, which is permeating various social and political activities in recent times, including the Legislature, youth & student groupings, sporting bodies, political parties, local government, as well as community radio actors. Community Radios cannot support this form of exclusion, as it is a reversal of your historic role of bringing people together to voice their convictions, Kamara argued. Meanwhile, the PUL President has announced new measures aimed at enhancing inclusion within the media community. The measures include increasing the number of community radio practitioners within the PUL, and expressed hope that this will make the PUL more inclusive, drawing its strength from the groundswell of members across the country. Kamara then challenged members to be more professional and ethical in their practice, as their contribution to improving media practice and participating in the development of Liberia.
he Liberia Institute for Public Integrity (LIPI) expresses deep concern about the rapid decline and steady erosion of the rule of law and freedom of expression - including freedom of the press in Liberia. More importantly, LIPI is gravely appalled about the unfolding culture of subservient loyalty and willingness of the Liberian Judiciary by knowingly or unknowingly implementing the dirty deeds of the Executive Branch in silencing, harassing and intimidating journalists and civil society actors who are watch dogs in a democraticsociety. The Separate but Equal and Coordinate Branches of Government doctrine requires the Judiciary to serve as a comforting bulwark of justice and a calming and refreshing cushion of human rights protection for victimized citizens at the hands of a repressive Executive Branch. Unfortunately, the Liberian Judiciary appears to be moving away from this sacred obligation as evidenced by recent attacks on journalists. LIPI says the current course of conduct of the Liberian Judiciary, in which the Judiciary uncritically condones and romantically entertains bogus and unmeritorious charges, unsupported by probable cause as required by law, to be filed against journalists by officials of the Executive Branch, is an insult and dishonor to the memory of the legendary Albert Porte, Charles Gbenyon and thousands of Liberians who shed their blood in defense of press freedom. Such conduct also insults and dishonors the memory of Jurists Louise Arthur Grimes and James A. A Peirre. LIPI says this continued trend by the Executive Branch is a cleverly designed scheme to deflect attention and criticisms of press freedom violation away from the Executive Branch under the pretext of following the court process, but in effect makes the Judiciary appears like the real violator and abuser of press freedom. LIPI calls on the leadership of the Liberian Judiciary (most of whom are former human rights advocates) to remind and require lower court judges and magistrates to reject and resist these dangerous maneuvers from officials of the Executive Branch. Chief Justice Francis Kokpor is former Chairman of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC). Associate Justice Kabineh Janeh is former human rights lawyer also associated with the JPC. Associate Justice Jamesetta Wollokollie is former women rights advocate and executive of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL). Associate Justice Sie-A- Nyene Youh is also a womens rights advocate and executive of AFELL. In this regard, LIPI condemns the arrest, the refusal to admit to bail and the subsequent detention of journalist and radio-talk show host Henry Costa based on complaints of Terroristic Threats, Menacing and Criminal Coercion by the Director of the National Security Agency and step-son of Liberias President, Mr. Fombah Sirleaf. These charges against Costa are nothing but cover-up retaliatory strikes for Costas unwavering and unrelenting stance of exposing corruption, nepotism and abuse of political power by the President, her family members in government and other officials. Costa has been a thorn in the flesh of many political actors in Liberia, exposing their corrupt practices and abuse of power in the West African Country. Costa was abruptly shut off the air while broadcasting his morning show on February 26, 2014. According to media reports, he resigned in protest from the Hot FM and decided to open his own radio station. He was set to begin broadcasting on Voice FM 102.7 on Monday, March 24, 2014. The station has been conducting test. And finally, the drama kicked off around 2:15 pm local time Friday, March 21, 2014 when plain clothes officers from the National Security Agency (NSA) showed up at Costas office on Ashmun Street to issue him a Writ of Arrest.We cannot understand why Costas arrest was effected by agents of the NSA and not the police as is customarily the practice. It is unbelievable and certainly ironical that the justice system is punishing Henry Costa for exposing corruption in government, while allowing corrupt members of the presidential first family and corrupt inner circle members of the president (who should be serving jail time) to go with impunity. LIPI says the Justice Ministrys decision to charge Mr. Costa is an abuse of the Ministrys charging discretion, which must only be exercised based on a showing of probable cause. LIPI further contends that judges and magistrates are prohibited by law not to allow the arrest and detention of a citizen without a showing or prove of probable cause, a basic requirement
which has been breached in the Costas case. Probable Cause to charge and detain a human being requires the magistrate to have trustworthy evidence that would make a reasonable person to think more likely than not that the charges Mr. Costa is accused of are justified. LIPI denounces such rapid deterioration of the judicial system thus placing the emerging democracy at a self-facilitated threat by the Sirleafs administration LIPI says when Mr. Costa, openly and on his radio talk show, challenged the person of the head of the National Security Agency (NSA), Mr. Fombah Sirleaf, to a duel on Broad Street on Friday, February 28 at 4PM, in order to afford Mr. Fomba Sirleaf the opportunity to make good on several threats, Costa says, had been made toward him through intermediaries, he (Costa) may have been uttering a protected speech quintessentially intended to state that he would effectively, if confronted, defend himself against threats of attack allegedly made against him by Mr. Fombah Sirleaf. By verbally inviting Mr. Sirleaf (through radio message) into a violent fight - an invitation or challenge that could as well have been declined by Mr. Sirleaf by simply not appearing in the fight on Broad Street on February 28 at 4pm, it is clear that Mr. Costa was not threatening to commit any crime of violence with the purpose to terrorize Fombah Sirleaf, for which Costa should be charged with Terroristic Threat and Menacing. It is called free speech, which is protected by the Constitution of Liberia. The proof is not evident and the presumption not great that Mr. Costas statement was intended, or that he acted with the purpose or intent to harm, injure or place Mr. Fombah Sirleaf in reasonable fear of substantial bodily harm so as to support the finding of probable cause to sustain the charges of Terroristic Threat and Menacing. Under such circumstances, a judge or magistrate should and may not permit the issuance of the writ of arrest; and even if the issuance of the writ of arrest already occurs, the Magistrate is permitted by law to admit Mr. Costa to bail. And to the extent that Mr. Costa could not afford sufficient bail, the magistrate could, on his own cognizance, have released Mr. Costa to the custody of the President of the Press Union of Liberia, his lawyers or any other reputable citizen. There was nothing to show that Mr. Costa was a flight risk or his release would pose threat to public safety. Even if the government argues that Costas comments are unprotected free speech because the statements constituted illegal fighting and hostile words directed to Mr. Fomba Sirleaf with the likelihood of producing violent response from Mr. Sirleaf, or that Mr. Costas statement were incitement of violent activity, the government cannot and will not be able to prove that Mr. Costas statement presented clear and present danger, or that his advocacy could imminently incite public violence. Mere pronouncement of violence or advocacy of self-defense by force is not enough to fall within the clear and present danger doctrine. There must be a clear and present danger that the speech will lead to a violation of law. Mr. Costa was not on Broad Street, neither was Mr. Sirleaf. There is no guarantee that they would even meet for the fight, or that the fight was imminently certain to happen as to satisfy the clear and present danger requirement. The United States Supreme Court employs the clear and present danger test to determine whether speech and/or expression is unprotected incitement. Under this approach, speech allegedly inciting illegal conduct can only be punished when there is a clear and present danger that the speech will lead to imminent illegal conduct and the speech is directed to causing imminent illegality. Abstract teachings or general discussions of violence (or other illegal conduct) is not enough to constitute unprotected incitement. LIPI notes the foundation of every democracy hinges on the independence and of their political views. We are concerned that the judiciary has persistently opted to reduce itself to a subservient body to the Executive Branch to the effect that it has become the slaughter house of free speech and independent voices in Liberia. The trend and pattern which president Sirleaf and her government use to stifle independent voices through the judiciary has become a culture and has invariably weakened the doctrine of separation of power and rule of law.
MONROVIAhe freedom or lets say temporary freedom of radio talk show host Henry Costa came late Monday evening at about 5pm, after lawyers were able to secure a bond of an undisclosed amount. Friends, well wishers and sympathizers of Costa flooded the grounds of the temple of justice early Monday morning hoping to see him a free man before midday but that was not to be so. Lawyers were seen moving back and forth at the Monrovia City Court trying to secure a valid bail bond for the terroristic threat charges that has been brought upon Costa by the court in favor of the head of the National Security Agency, Fomba Sirleaf, who happens to be the son of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Many who assembled at the court in support of Costa expressed dismay that the head of the NSA would bring such charges against an ordinary citizen. We are here in defense of Henry Costa, that was arrested arbitrarily taken to the Monrovia Central Prison, not under the direct time of the supervision of the court because we have come to realize that you cannot go to jail after 6pm, said Janjay Baipkeh a civil rights activist. The court violated the rights of Mr. Henry Costa, by sending him to jail after 6pm. This is a signal we want to send to Madam Sirleaf and her people; we dont want selective justice in this country. Baipkeh criticized the first family for bringing frivolous lawsuits against individuals who disagree with them or the governments policies. We have come to say to Madam Sirleaf and her children, this country does not belong to the Sirleafs, it belongs to each and every one of us, he said. We went to war because of injustice and selective justice, so we have come to inform the court; this judge who in his wisdom can refuse to sign a proper bond filed by the defense team of Henry Costa on grounds that he did not pay this bond fee in United States Dollars. Costa on his release from the Monrovia Central Prison told a crowd of supporters who had promptly trooped there after hearing that the legitimate bond had been secured, expressed gratitude for the support adding that he will not cower into submission. My brothers and sisters, I thank you very much from the bottom of my heart, for the support that you showed me, he said. Continued Costa:It has not been an easy thing, but to know that you stand with us matters more than anything else. It has given me and us renewed conviction that what indeed we are doing has a purpose because it is appreciated by you, you gave your time, you were in the sun, you were out there for us and I am just overwhelmed, what I have seen has given me conviction that indeed the majority of the people of this country means good. The talk show host who claims not to be a journalist said he believes Liberia has a great future in terms of promoting that freedoms that many Liberians like himself are standing up for. He said his imprisonment has cost the Ellen Johnson Sirleafled government more harm in terms of image than good. Someone of us are nothing but mere instruments, an insignificant Henry Costa you putting me in jail to do what? You lose so much of your image, you place our cause, it is not about me, it is about the cause, I stand for something, said Costa. I am an opposition to corruption, an opposition to nepotism, cronyism, to bad governance and certainly to the poor justice system we have in our country, I will forever remain resolute and convicted and to preach for that, nothing. Costa said he is prepared to go to jail any time adding that he is not afraid of being imprison based on his conviction. In fact I am going to secure an open ended bond, which mean I am going to prepare a bond that will never take me to court, I will present my bond and we ill keep testing the system, we will keep testing, he said. If it were not for you perhaps, I would not be standing here today, it is because of your presence, you intimidated them by that and we need to do more of that and when we do that, I believe we will change this country. Costa did not mince his words in expressing his dislike for President Sirleaf and her family members who he says he holds responsible for his imprisonment. One day, we will take our country back, thank you very much, thank you very much, he said. This country does not belong to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, it does not belong to Robert Sirleaf, does not belong to Fombah Sirleaf and we want to say to them that we are not afraid of them, we are not afraid. PUL in Costas Defense Although Costa has stated on several occasions that he is not
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HENRY COSTA GETS BAIL

Wade C.L Williams, [email protected]
RELEASED FROM SOUTH BEACH PRISON
LAW & ORDER
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I am an opposition to corruption, an opposition to nepotism, cronyism, to bad governance and certainly to the poor justice system we have in our country, I will forever remain resolute and convicted and to preach for that, nothing. Henry Costa
a journalist, the umbrella organization governing journalists in Liberia, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) through its President Abdullai Kamara issued a statement late Sunday evening condemning the arrest and prosecution of Costa, terming it an action, which effectively undermines the governments commitment to decriminalize speech in Liberia. When we met this week to further our conversations about the way forward in repealing speech laws, the Press Union was determined to laud the commitment of the government to repeal these laws, but as it now stand, we are seriously reconsidering whether that is the way to go, said Kamara. Agreeing to decriminalize speech offenses mean that high public officials must accept comments, criticism and innuendos that could even be considered derogatory and reckless. The truth in this is if we cannot accept such unfettered criticism, then we are not prepared to allow a civil discussion of our stewardship of public resources. The Union maintains that given Mr. Sirleafs strategic role, family connection, affluence and influence, it is not reasonable to accept that an utterance by Mr. Costa could really threaten his standing. By all accounts, this will simply translate into misuse of power, and no pretense at going to court will convince an already susceptible public otherwise, stated Kamara. The best way out of this situation is for the government to unconditionally drop the charges and allow Mr. Costa to go about his business. President Sirleaf Expresses concern over imprisonments President Sirleaf at the weekend during the one-year review
of the governments Agenda for Transformation expressed concern over the widespread pretrial detention in the country. The President said it is a major problem and it is too easy for people to get put in jail in Liberia because of a system that allows it to be so. The justice and the rule of law, I know that the judicial reform as Associate Justice Janeh had said is ongoing, but pretrial detention is still a major, major problem, our prisons are full of people, it is too easy to be put in jail in this country, too easy, said President Sirleaf. That means the Justice Ministry working with the court system, particularly through the Supreme Court need to find a way to stop a system where somebody can just go to a magistrate and pay $25 and somebody gets put into jail, and sometimes you dont even know they are there. Work beyond resource constraints She challenged the Justice and Rule of Law pillar of the AFT to work beyond resource constraints in getting the countrys judicial system on the right path. So there are some of these things that I ask the pillars to get practical when they sit down to discuss these issues, resource is a constraint, no doubt, but we still have to go beyond the resource constraint and look at some of the systems and the processes and the procedures and see how we can change some of them to be able to achieve the objectives, said President Sirleaf. Costas detention and the judge refusal to grant him bail on a statutory fee left many to wonder whether there is justice for the poor in Liberia.
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ASSESSING LIBERIAS SECURITY U

nited Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says every precaution must be taken to prevent any reversal of the hard-won gains made by peace operations in West Africa over the past decade. Careful and prudent planning is required to keep our missions adequately equipped to fulfill their mandated tasks, the UN Chief said in his twentyseventh progress report to the UN Security Council. l The United Nations Secretary General told the security that in his report, he will provide recommendations on the final stage of the drawdown by UNMIL from Liberia. SG Moon Stated In my next report, I intend to provide recommendations on the appropriateness of proceeding to the final stage of the UNMIL military drawdown to bring it to its residual military strength, which will remain until the withdrawal of the Mission. Those recommendations will be based on the security situation and a strategic review of the core political and security tasks of the Mission, to be conducted in February. The UN Secretary General commended the world body special envoy to Liberia and personnel of the mission for dedication to sustaining peace in Liberia. In conclusion, I wish to thank my Special Representative for Liberia, Karin Landgren, as well as all United Nations security According to the Secretary General Moon, the overall security situation remained generally stable, though fragile describing mob violence as a significant challenge along with sexual violence with 15 per cent of reported incidents involving children under the age of 10. He stated in the report that mob violence and vigilantism demonstrates weaknesses and lack of public confidence in the justice institutions. The prevalence of mob violence and vigilantism continued to demonstrate the weaknesses of and lack of public confidence in the justice institutions of Liberia. These forms of violence also continued to test the quick response capacity of security institutions. Since my last report, 37 incidents of mob violence were reported, with 9 occurring so far in 2014. The police, with limited presence and mobility, were on some occasions overwhelmed by large crowds and required intervention by UNMIL to restore order and protect civilians. In a November 2013 study, UNMIL reported a 44 per cent increase in incidents of mob violence over a five-month period in 2013 compared with the same period in 2012. The study also indicated that mobs had become more violent and volatile, prompting increased police intervention with lethal force, SG Moon indicated.
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UN NEWS
AVOID REVERSAL OF GAINS MADE IN LIBERIA, UN SECRETARY GENERAL WARNS
personnel, for their dedication towards sustaining peace and stability in Liberia. I would also like to thank all troop- and police-contributing countries, the African Union, ECOWAS, the Mano River Union, other regional and subregional organizations, multilateral and bilateral development partners, the Peacebuilding Commission, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, and Liberian and international civil society organizations for their commitment and contributions to peace and development
s Liberia enters its second postconflict decade, it faces great challenges to institutionalizing critical sector reforms and building capacity for effective governance, a senior United Nations official said today, adding that seizing the present window of opportunity would be critical for consolidating the countrys hard-won peace and charting a future of inclusive development. These are complex and daunting processes, as even before the war, Liberia had few well-functioning meritocratic institutions and effective accountability mechanisms, said Karin Landgren, head of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). She said that despite a relatively stable political and security landscape, the country still faced daunting challenges in reforming critical sectors. Voices across a wide spectrum continued to express dissatisfaction with national authorities and policies, she said, explaining that unions were holding demonstrations, health workers had staged two strikes since December, and protesting students shuttered
SECURITY COUNCIL: UN ENVOY SAYS SOLID BASIS FOR REFORM NEEDED TO CONSOLIDATE LIBERIAS PEACE
efforts to secure greater public accountability included an investigation into bribery allegations involving the National Oil Company, and the indictment on conspiracy charges of former senior officials in the logging sector. A Liberian was now leading the Armed Forces for the first time since the end of the civil war in 2003, and commitments undertaken by the Minister for Finance, as well as the President, were expected to boost the security sector, she noted. In addition, a United Nations development framework was due to be signed with the Liberian National Police next week. Yet concerns remained, she said. With elections due in October, only 60,000 out of 400,000 voters had registered, and public trust in the criminal justice system remained low. Despite a long period of calm, the situation along the eastern border with Cte dIvoire and Liberia remained fragile. As UNMIL prepares to complete the second of its three-phase military drawdown in June, she said, UN troops are already withdrawing from areas around the border with Sierra Leone. The Missions and the Governments joint transition plan is an example of exceptional collaboration, but the coming phases need careful management, including dialogue with communities and making clear the goals for Liberias security institutions, she cautioned. Continuing to manage an appropriate exit strategy from Liberia, in whose stability the international community has invested so much, will remain a delicate challenge for UNMIL. Also briefing the Council was Staffan Tillander, of Sweden, Chair of the Liberia Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, who called for a sustained focus on challenges in key sectors, including justice and the rule of law, where progress had been slow. Advances were seen in managing land and natural
in Liberia, stated Secretary general Moon. On the human rights situation in Liberia, the UN Secretary General said although some progress has been made there are still limitations in gaining access t justice and basic services. Notwithstanding some progress, limitations persisted in gaining access to justice and basic services, and efforts have been slow to create a protective environment for civilians. In December, the Ministry of Justice launched a five-year
national human rights action plan to promote compliance with human rights standards, incorporating a national strategy for implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which had been validated in September. A national strategy for fulfilling the human rights obligations of Liberia, including treaty ratification, is being validated by the Ministry of Justice, stated the UN secretary general. People lack confidence in
The report pinpointed high unemployment as a matter of concern in Liberia, stating High unemployment among young people and associated socioeconomic and security risks continued to be a concern. Government efforts had minimal effect, with the Government-funded Liberia Youth Empowerment Programme employing only 3,219 young people since March 2013, falling short of its targeted 10,000 jobs. Over the past 11 years Liberia has enjoyed the presence of one of the largest United Nations peace keeping missions in world, a force of over 15,000. The United Nations began the deployment of the large force to Liberia in 2003, taking over from a small contingent of mainly Nigerians who stepped foot on the soil of fragile Liberia when rebel forces were fighting to seize power from President Charles Taylor. The UN has helped in maintaining a stable Liberia for a decade and with the country now enjoying relative peace, the mission is gradually slowing down its activities and is expected to withdraw from the country completely in less than two years. Through the transition plan, the UN mission has assisted in the training of Liberian security forces including the Liberian National police and others to take over the security of the country.
the main university for three months. Much is at stake here and stability and confidence will need to be maintained, she said. As Liberia entered its second post-conflict decade since the end of a 14-year-long civil war that caused 150,000 deaths and displaced 750,000 citizens, progress in constitutional, electoral, health and education
reforms were fundamentally important for Liberias future character, which should link to national reconciliation. The National Reconciliation Roadmap provided a path forward in that respect, yet the Governments contribution to its implementation had been limited so far, she added. Still, some gains could be seen across sectors, Ms. Landgren continued. Recent
resources, and in fighting corruption, according to Government officials, but more needed to be done, including ensuring sustainable management of the former and strengthening oversight of the latter. Police training must also improve, he emphasized. He recalled that during his recent visit to Liberia, he had called for strengthening weak public trust by adopting a comprehensive approach to revamping political and judicial services to ensure strong oversight. Regional justice and security hubs in three counties were now delivering services and preventing conflicts from escalating, he said, warning, however, that such positive developments are not happening fast enough, especially in view of UNMILs drawdown later this year. While the international community certainly could play an important supporting role, there is no substitute for Liberian ownership, political will and leadership, he stressed.
WAGE BILL STALEMATE

WORKER UNIONS ENGAGE LAW MAKERS, MOL ON MINIMUN WAGE BILL PASSAGE
ALPHA DAFFAE SENKPENI, MONROVIA
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GOVERNMENT NEWS
LNP ANNOUNCES INVESTIGATION INTO SIME DARBY FIRE
Frontpage
Page 13
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CRIME WATCH
T
Monrovia-
he Liberia National Police has commenced an investigation into the cause of fire that burned over 200 hectares of palms belonging to the Sime Darby Plantation, operating in Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Counties. Deputy police boss Col. Rose E. Stryker said that such acts of lawlessness they will not be tolerated. She has called on residents of the plantation to provide the LNP information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the crime. The Acting LNP Boss said that deliberate acts of arson that are intended to destroy crops and products are tantamount to economic sabotage. Stryker warned that there would be serious consequences for anyone that is caught trying to undermine the prevailing peace and security of the country. Col. Stryker would like to assure the management of Sime Darby that the Liberia National Police will do everything within its power to ascertain the cause of the fire, stated a police release. The Liberia National Police would also like to stress that in no uncertain terms will it tolerate any form of disharmony in concession areas, and assures all concession companies operating in the country that they have the cooperation of the police as they strive to protect their investment.
SWAL Issues Media Blackout on LFA
GBOYAH AGAIN?

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SPORTS
Buchanan, Grand Bassa County orkers union leaderships from all concessions and major companies in the country have expressed fear that their respective members (workers) are threatening a mass go-slow action if the continuous delays over the passage of minimum wage bill. Expressing their concerns during a one day interaction with the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on Labor, the Deputy Labor Minister for Man Power and Planning and the MoL Assistant Minister for Trade Union Affairs, the unionists stressed that they are being pressured by their people to ensure that the Government pass into law the US$6.00 as the minimum wage in Liberia. During the more than two hours dialogue at the headquarters of United Workers Union (UWU) in JJY Community, Gardnesville several issues pertaining to the status of the bill and workers concerns were highlighted. Speaking earlier during the discussion, Ministry of Labor (MOL) Deputy Minister for Man Power and Planning, Neto Zaza Lighe said the round table discussion was important because it would avert any potential go-slow action, something that could have an adverse effect on companies in the country and even the National budget. According to the Deputy Minister, experts analysis has established and recommended US$ 4.80 as the minimum wage instead of the US$6.00 per day. The MOL and House committee on Labor clarified that the figure was suggested by the experts after numerous studies in 18 West African countries. Series of studies was done and another by the Department of Economics at the University of Liberia corroborated with results from the foreign experts, according to the MOL. On the passage of the bill by the House of Representatives, Rep. Christian Chea, chairman on the House committee on Labor, agreed that the bill has over stay and his statement hinted that several political and legal processes at the level of the executive and Legislature have created the delays. Rep. Chea assured the Workers Unions Leadership that a joint resolution between the Upper and Lower House has been agreed and hes hopeful of the new version introduce shortly on the floor of the Houses plenary by the Speaker. He said all parties stand to enjoy political relevance once the bill is passed into law. Despite the experts views and suggestions, the Chair on the House Labor committee reaffirmed his committees support for the US46.00 version of the bill stressing that it will be impossible for them to accept two versions of the bill. Rep. Chea pleaded with the Unionists to abandon any go-slow plan and continue to engage in dialogue which he assured will yield the right results. The Workers then requested Rep. Chea to give a specific time frame
as to when the bill will pass considering the level of pressure they face from their fellow workers. The President of the Liberia Agriculture Workers Union (LAWU) said if a time frame is given the law makers it will ensure they work proactive for the speedy passage of the bill. For his part, the Chair on the Senate Labor Committee, Senator Matthew Jay (River Gee County) outlined that it is the optimism of the Senate that the bill is speedily pass, adding that it will be embarrassing for he and other officials of government to attend the upcoming International Labor Organization (ILO) conference in Geneva, Switzerland once the bill remains in limbo at the Legislature. It has been reported that the ILO has threaten to reduce support from the Liberian Labor sector if the bill is persistently delay. The President of the COCOPA Rubber Plantation Workers Union in Nimba County said that the situation of the bill was at its melting point in the county, adding that workers might protest soon if theres continues delays. While the Worker Union President of ArcelorMittal, Chea Romeo Brooks wants the House committee to consider occupational health and safety issue considering the disadvantages in certain working sector. Baryo Wallace, Secretary General of the Petroleum Union, said workers in the country are tired of waiting for the bill passage, stressing that workers will bounce back if they are being continuously push to the wall. When FrontPage Africa spoke with several Unionists after the interaction, they termed the meeting as unsuccessful giving the numerous down-turns the bill-passage has encountered over the years and that they anticipated a more positive response from the government as to the time the bill will pass. Firestone Workers Union President, Austin Nyanti said the last resolve will be a mass go-slow by workers all over the country, something he said is the only action that will pressure government over the matter. For over 5 years now the minimum wage bill has lingered between the lower and upper Houses of the National Legislature prompting several observers and lawmakers to assert that the bill is being delayed on political background and the argument of who gets political relevance Senate, Representatives or Executive- once the bill is passed. Early this year, Trade and Workers Unions from across the country toke a one day go-slow action which was in solidarity with their leaders who had travelled at the Capitol to present a petition to the National Legislature for the speedy passage of the minimum wage bill. The Unionists say if the lawmakers in concurrence passed the bill, it will be difficult for the president to reject whatever version sent to her for approval. Workers have however promise to wait until the end of the month to hear again from the law makers.
Monrovia he Sports Writers Association of Liberia (Swal) have, with immediate effect, announced an indefinite media blackout on the Liberia Football Association (LFA). Swal said its decision followed an ugly behavior melted out on sports journalists during the FAs 19th ordinary congress in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on March 22. According to a release issued on Sunday, members, who had travelled to the congress, were humiliated and insulted by Victor Gboyah, a security friend to LFA president Musa Bility. The release said those who were denied by Gboyah were with entry tag while Gboyah allegedly called journalists rebels. LFA communications director Henry Flomo, an ex-Swal president, is accused of describing Swal members as insignificant and irrelevant to the dissemination of LFA information, adding that he will use Facebook to spread information about Swal. Flomo, according to release, also said he has his own media team beside facebook that will disseminate information. Swal sees these comments and attitudes on the parts of Flomo and Gboyah and the failure of higher-ups at the LFA to intervene (despite Swal efforts in contacting all relevant authorities to settle the matter) as a complete mockery to the hard working efforts of sports journalists, who have contributed immensely, to the development of football over the years. Swal is meanwhile calling on members to immediately disengage their reportage on all activities involving the LFA and its executives as of the date of this release. Swal also wants media institutions to support this media blackout on the LFA as the denial of sports journalists and media practitioners, who were given accreditations to cover the congress, is a total disrespect to the Liberian media, Secretary-general Kolubah Zazay wrote. Gboyah, the former head of former President Charles Taylors feared special operations division (SOD) of the Liberia National Police, is fast becoming public enemy to Swal, having manhandled and brutalized then vice president Fombah Kanneh when Ghana beat Liberia 4-0 in a female All Africa Game qualifier at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium on February 13, 2011.
Page 14 | Frontpage
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LAW&ORDER
THE $200M LOBBYING TALK IN MONROVIA IS MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

About two years ago, I was in a conversation with some people in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, who accused the Liberian government of spending over US$ 200 million on lobbying in the United States. These individuals provided the website, www.foreignlobby.org as their source of information. I read all the reports on the website, but was curious that it was showing LISCR spending millions on lobbying. I called ProPublica and Sunlight Foundation, the two owners of the website, to get the source of their information. I was again referred to a US government website, www.fara.gov . For almost two years, I have made it my duty to learn how to navigate that website and understand the documents in there. In subsequent years, the story has grown from a basement discussion into a major social media topic. I am surprised that it is now a political hotcake in Monrovia. The information is readily available, so I do not understand the continued lingering of this issue, especially at the highest level of the government. I think political zealotry, an ineffective government bureaucracy and a press that is eager for scandal are the contributing factors. Did Liberia spend US$200,000,000 on lobbying in the United States? We will use the source, the FARA website to seek an answer. By the way, what is FARA? The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) was enacted in 1938. FARA is a disclosure statute that requires persons acting as agents of foreign principals in a political or quasi-political capacity to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those activities. The agents being referred to here are US persons or firms. The foreign principals can either be a foreign government or a foreign company. Let it also be made clear that FARA is not solely responsible for reporting on lobbying. It reporting scope is much wider. Transactions reported to FARA are not entirely related to lobbying; all kinds of professional services are reported to that US government agency. The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA), 2 U.S.C. 1601, administered by Congress is strictly about lobbying. We will now examine the government of Liberia, its agencies and Liberian companies that have appeared in reports to congress - requirement of FARA for the period January 2006 to December 2012. The Government of Liberia (GOL), the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of State and Presidential Affairs and a Liberian company, AmLib United Minerals are the entities from Liberia mentioned in all the reports covering the period. The United States firms that have dealt with these entities are LISCR; KRL International; JWI, LLC; Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, LLP; Radelet, Steven Charles (Center for Global Development) and BKSH & Associates. Please find below a table summarizing the relationships and transactions between them: Transactions for Liberia as reported to FARA 1/1/2006 to 12/31/2012
American Firms LISCR Liberian Entity GOL $ amount of Type of Comments transaction Transaction $295,257, 336.00 Maritime LISCR has a contract with GOL to manage its Fees-Revenue maritime program. The company collects fees and pay expenses associated with the program. The net income is remitted to the Liberian government. The following links will give details: http://www.fara.gov/docs/5490- Supplemental-Statement-20060620-3.pdf , http://www.fara.gov/docs/5490- Supplemental-Statement-20061220-4.pdf , http://www.fara.gov/docs/5490- Supplemental-Statement-20070627-5.pdf , http://www.fara.gov/docs/5490- Supplemental-Statement-20071130-6.pdf , etc. I have another comprehensive letter on the Maritime program, but there are no reports to show that LISCR has paid or received lobby fees. We can erase the claim that $295,257, 336.00 was spent on lobbying. At least it is not on FARA website. $532,018.00 Lobby GOL This is a relationship solely for lobbying expenses purpose. $532,018.00 is a sum of fees for the six years covered. $412, 425.00 Public Relation I was suspicious of this relationship, but the companies had a relationship that predates 2006. It is strictly an affair without the GOL involvement. I could be wrong!!!!! However, FARA does not show that. $544,500.00 Compensation This International Law firm provided Legal for providing services during the debt restructuring Legal Services process. This relationship cannot be GOL expense counting as lobbying. The deal was compensation for providing legal services. $90,000.00 Economic Mr. Radelet works in the Office of the Advisor OSI President as an economic advisor during the expense early days of the government. His services were paid for by the Open Society Institute. However, reports show that he got $40,000.00 as reimbursement for travel and other expenses. $50,000.00 Lobby GOL The relationship was strictly for lobbying. expense
PERSPECTIVE
Alex Knott
[email protected], Contributing Writer
MY HUSBAND BUILT VAMOMA HOUSE

Former First Lady Nancy Doe Hits Back
Kennedy L. Yangian [email protected] 077296781
he legal fight for the ownership of the Vamoma House in Sinkor which is left with the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice to decide is still an issue of contention between the family of slain Liberia President Samuel K. Doe and that of the family of former Finance Minister, G. Alvin Jones. Contrary to earlier claims made by the Jones family that the Vamoma House is the sole property of the former Finance Minister, former first lady Nancy Doe who has been in the back seat since the ongoing case for the ownership of the building bounced back Monday as witness and told the court that it was her late husband who built the house. Taking the witness stand at the Civil Law Court in continuation of hearing in the petition of declaratory judgment filed by the Jones family for ownership of Vamoma House, former first lady Nancy Doe frowned on the claim and told the court that it was her late husband, Samuel Kanyon Doe that built Vamoma House describing claim by the Jones family of ownership as false. Alvin Jones was just an agent employed by my late husband to oversee the Varmoma Corporation this is why we gave him a 10% share said former first lady Nancy Doe. She told the court that the name Varmoma was given to two children of Doe and that of G, Alvin Jones, Roland and Varney Doe named after the former Secretary General of the defunct Peoples Redemption Council, Fallah Varney while Alvin Jones gave the name Maxwell and Momolu Jones. Testifying further former lady Doe stated that in the preparation for the articles of incorporation for Varmoma Corporation, the meeting was held in the Executive Mansion 4th Floor office of her late husband former President Doe, between G. Alvin Jones, his wife Francess and the late Johnny Kooh who got 4% share of Varmoma House and after the meeting the articles of incorporation of Varmoma was brought to her office. According to her Varmoma Corporation has up to 40 properties managed by the former Finance Minister Jones and all other things regarding the deeds for those properties were put into his care and could not get other representative to work with him because former President Doe trusted him so much. We trusted him that is why we give him the agent position and could not get another person to be our representative for us said Madam Doe. Responding to claim that brought laughter in the court room that the Varmoma House had a lot of statute of prominent Liberians which was erected by the former Finance Minister Jones, former lady Doe appeared angry and said that erecting the statute and other photos could not give the former Finance Minister ownership of the building adding with President Tubman statute been built on the campus of the University Of Liberia does that means that the University of Liberia is for President Tubman?, she wondered. She told the court and jury that she was not in the country after the construction of Vamoma House because of the civil unrest when she took refuge in England with her children but after she returned to the country in 2004 and went to the building site she was insulted by the wife of Jones and told to leave the area because she does not own the property. The former first lady said the court proceeding is good and it would establish who owns the property. Former first lady Doe was later discharged from the witness stand after spending two days to give way to another witness as the case continues at the Civil Law Court today.
KRL International, LLC JWI, LLC
Ministry State
of
AmLib United Minerals
Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, LLP Radelet, Steven Charles (Center for Global Development) BKSH & Associates
Ministry Finance
of
Ministry State
of
Ministry State
of
The $200M lobbying talk in Monrovia is much ado about nothing. My accounting instinct tells me that somebody is misreading reports. As shown in my table above, the claim that the government of Liberia has spent over $200,000,000 on lobbying for the period covering 1/1/2006 to 12/31/2012 is erroneous. I do not work for nor represent the Government of Liberia, but as an individual who desires an honest and sincere fight against corruption, that is void of politics, I felt constrained to provide the facts I have gleaned from study of these documents. An additional purpose of this letter is to move this conversation away from political rhetoric and sentiments to one based purely on facts and evidence. I am open to a serious rebuttal from folks who can provide solid facts contrary to those I have outlined. Some will attempt to use Alex Knotts Roll Call article, Lobbying by Foreign Countries Decreases, as one of the sources to support their argument. Knotts article makes a passing reference to Liberia spending $45.9 M in 2010; however he provides no data to substantiate this claim. If he used the information on the FARA website for his September 15, 2011 article, he made a faulty conclusion by including the LISCR transactions as lobbying fees. I have written him series of letters to disprove his piece, but he has not responded to my letters. Anybody can follow up with him at [email protected]. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to contribute to a national discourse. * My sources are semi-annual reports to congress (listed on the website) and supplemental statements for each of the registrants that dealt with Liberia in the six years (2006 to 2012)
L
Monrovia -
Laffor scores as Sundowns beats Arrows 4-1 in Nedbank Cup

Danesius Marteh, [email protected]
LIBERIAN EXPORT
Sports
Frontpage
Page 15
SPORT BRIEF
A NUMBER TO FORGET FOR WENGER AND ARSENAL
iberia international Anthony Laffor produced an assist and a goal as Mamelodi Sundowns booked a quarterfinals place in the Nedbank Cup with a 4-1 Golden Arrows on Saturday. Laffor got the third goal by dribbling two defenders before finishing off superbly with the outside of his boot. It was a game in which Philani Shange opened the scoring for the hosts but the Brazilians fought back and ended comfortable winners in the end, thanks to goals from Dove Wome, Lebohang Mokoena, Laffor and Percy Tau at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi. Shange produced a thunderous finish following great work by Siyanda Zwane down the right flank. Christopher Katongo missed a glorious chance to double the hosts lead before Dove Wome leveled matters in the 39th minute. The Togolese midfielder ran onto a superb through ball by Laffor before directing the ball past the goalkeeper to send the teams into the break deadlocked.
fficials of the Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) Sports Association at the weekend held an appreciation match for Fans of the association at the association Headquarters on Lynch Street. Mandela Porson who spoke on behalf of the BYC family told journalists that the program was intended to show a sign of appreciation to their fans for their tireless support since the takeover of the club by the Board of Director Mr. Robert Sirleaf. As you may know that BYC Sports Association is made up of first and second division clubs that are participating in the Liberia Football Association (LFA) national leagues and we have realized that most of our successes came through the support we got from our fans and so we cannot like this season to pass without saying thank you to them Porson said. Porson emphasized that the fans have been very instrumental towards the team progress locally and on the international scene saying that it was time for the association to give them their
BYC SPORTS ASSOCIATION APPRECIATES FANS FOR TIRELESS SUPPORT

A. Macaulay Sombai, [email protected]
LONDON -o often, these kind of landmark occasions end up as flat affairs, but few could have expected that Arsenal would get absolutely flattened 6-0. As regards a collapse in another big name, not least that it came on the day of such a milestone for their manager, that is another issue altogether. The nature of this defeat was all too familiar; it was just taken further than ever before. For reasons even beyond his 1000th game as Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger had talked this up beforehand as the biggest game of his teams season so far. Oh, it ended up big, all right: Arsenal suffered their heaviest ever defeat at Chelsea and Jose Mourinho enjoyed his biggest win as manager at Stamford Bridge. It said more than all the tributes paid to him this week that Wenger did not make a single comment to the international media afterward, refusing to come out for his press conference. The Arsenal manager did speak to the BBC and admitted that, on what was supposed to be one of finest celebrations of his career, it was instead one of the worst days, adding, "This defeat is my fault, I take full responsibility for it.
KAKA: AC MILAN PLAYERS UNITED IN SUPPORT OF SEEDORF
A
flowers of appreciation. To you all as fans of BYC that have come to this appreciation program today we say thank you plenty for the tireless support you have given and continue to give to our team we will always remember you all as we all struggle to place BYC among the best playing teams in African and world football. He added. The program was climaxed with three football matches, the first was played between BYC Council men and BYC officials and the officials conquered Councilmen 3-0. Porson, Francis Grant and Sekou Sheriff scored Councilmen three goals. The second match was played between team (a) and (b) from Cece United football academy, which ended 0-0 and BYC II, defeated All Star 4-3 in the last battle all at the Blue Field sports ground.
C Milan star Kaka insists the club's players remain united in their support of under-fire coach Clarence Seedorf. The Dutchman has lost seven of his 12 games in charge since replacing Massimiliano Allegri at the helm in January, and it was reported during the week that the former Rossoneri midfielder had already lost the dressing room. However, Kaka says everyone at San Siro is rowing at the same direction. "I personally am happy but, just like my teammates, I cannot be satisfied with the results," the attacking midfielder told Mediaset. "The dressing room is united. We are trying to get out of this situation and it's up to us because we are we the ones that have to play.
FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com
VOL 8 NO.558
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014
Sports
PRICE L$40
NOTORIOUS ARMED ROBBER ARRESTED
LIBERIAN EXPORT FrontPage Spot News

Laffor scores as Sundowns beats Arrows 4-1 in Nedbank Cup
Monroviahe Liberia National Police has arrested one of the notorious armed robbers who were involved into an armed robbery of a white land cruiser Jeep that was conveying US$150,000.00from Monrovia to the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC) in Grand Bassa County on August 29, 2012. Emmanuel S. Kennedy the rang leader of the armed robbers and his Girl friend Linda Cooper were arrested on March 24, 2014 from a criminal hideout in the Chicken Soup Factory community in Gardnerville. The release issued Monday, March 24, 2014 said two single barrel short guns and ammunitions including other proceed of crime were discovered from his home. A release from the LNP quoted as saying suspect Emmanuel S. Kennedy AkA Shakaveh connived with suspect Bill Nicol, Constance Jallah, and Sam Howard and storm EcoBank sub branch on Cuttington Campus in Bong County.

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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

To be continue in next edition

COSTAS ARREST UNDERMINES LIBERIAS COMMITMENT TO DECRIMINALIZE SPEECH

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

J. Aloysius Toe, [email protected], President, LIPI, Contributing Writer

PUL PREXY CHALLENGES COMMUNITY RADIOS TO REMAIN VOICE OF INCLUSION

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

HENRY COSTA GETS BAIL

RELEASED FROM SOUTH BEACH PRISON

LAW & ORDER

ASSESSING LIBERIAS SECURITY U

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

AVOID REVERSAL OF GAINS MADE IN LIBERIA, UN SECRETARY GENERAL WARNS

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

WAGE BILL STALEMATE

LNP ANNOUNCES INVESTIGATION INTO SIME DARBY FIRE

SWAL Issues Media Blackout on LFA

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

THE $200M LOBBYING TALK IN MONROVIA IS MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

[email protected], Contributing Writer

MY HUSBAND BUILT VAMOMA HOUSE

Kennedy L. Yangian [email protected] 077296781

KRL International, LLC JWI, LLC

AmLib United Minerals

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Laffor scores as Sundowns beats Arrows 4-1 in Nedbank Cup

A NUMBER TO FORGET FOR WENGER AND ARSENAL

BYC SPORTS ASSOCIATION APPRECIATES FANS FOR TIRELESS SUPPORT

KAKA: AC MILAN PLAYERS UNITED IN SUPPORT OF SEEDORF