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Africa Subsaharan

Liberia: close results, towards a second round of the presidential election

2023-10-20

[AFRICANEWS] Liberia's presidential election appears headed for a runoff, with the main candidates neck and neck and votes almost completely counted. President George Weah , who is seeking a second term, received 43.8% of the vote and his main opponent, Joseph Boakai , 43.4%, according to the National Electoral Commission. A candidate must obtain more than 50% of the votes to win. Once the votes for this round are finalized, the second round will take place within 15 days. The elections of October 10 are the closest in almost 20 years, that is to say since the end of the civil war which left some 250,000 dead. The final tally will have to wait until the end of the week, when re-voting is expected in two locations in Nimba County because ballot boxes were stolen, the commission said. Nimba County is an opposition stronghold , but analysts believe the result will not significantly change the results or push anyone over the finish line. Mr. Weah, 57, a former international soccer star , came to power six years ago in the first democratic transfer of power in the West African country since the end of two civil wars there. were succeeded between 1989 and 2003. Mr. Weah won this election thanks to high hopes raised by his promise to fight poverty and promote infrastructure development in Africa's oldest republic. His goal, he said in 2017, was to move Liberia from low-income to middle-income status. But Mr. Weah has been accused of failing to deliver on his main campaign promises , namely to fight corruption and guarantee justice for victims of the civil wars that ravaged the country. This is the second time he has faced Boakai, whom he defeated by a margin of more than 20% in the 2017 election. Boakai, who served as vice president under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf , Africa's first democratically elected female leader, campaigned on a promise to save Liberia from what he calls Weah's failed leadership, dubbing himself and his running mate "Rescue 1" and "Rescue 2" . Many election observers thought there would be a stronger third-party candidate to split the vote, but that was not the case, said Ibrahim al-bakri Nyei, a political analyst and director of the Ducor Institute for Elections. social and economic research. "There is no clear winner. This shows that the president is strong in some areas, but also that people's dissatisfaction with the government is high, given the overwhelming support for the opposition." , did he declare.

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Africa Subsaharan

US charity school in Liberia in rape scandal storm

2018-10-14

[PULSE.NG] An acclaimed US charity operating in Liberia has admitted to major failings after girls at a school set up to save them from a life of sexual exploitation were systematically raped. "We are profoundly, deeply sorry," the charity More Than Me said on its website on Saturday after US investigative media said girls at a pioneering school in a slum had been repeatedly abused by the charity's co-founder, Macintosh Johnson. Some victims were as young as 10 and there are fears he infected some with the AIDS virus, of which he eventually died, the investigative site ProPublica said in a piece co-published with Time. "To all the girls who were raped by Macintosh Johnson in 2014 and before: we failed you," More Than Me said. "We gave Johnson power that he exploited to abuse children. Those power dynamics broke staff ability to report the abuse to our leadership immediately. "Our leadership should have recognised the signs earlier and we have and will continue to employ training and awareness programmes so we do not miss this again." The assaults took place at a school at West Point, a notorious slum in the capital Monrovia. It opened in 2013 to a blaze of publicity, becoming the first of 18 schools that More Than Me opened in the impoverished West African state to empower girls. The charity eventually raised more than $8 million in funding, nearly $600,000 of which came from the US government, and gained the support of Liberia's then president and Nobel Peace Laureate, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. ProPublica described Johnson as a "charming hustler" who insinuated himself with Katie Meyler, who created the charity. Meyler, an evangelical Christian, had come to Liberia to try to help the country after its emergence from 14 years of civil war. She threw herself into the task of helping girls in the slums. Back in the US, she rubbed shoulders with philanthropist Warren Buffett, TV star and activist Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities in her campaign to drum up donations. After some of the girls came forward to reveal what was happening, Johnson was suspended by the school and locked away Maw! They're comin' to get me, Maw! He was put on trial in 2015, but this ended in a hung jury amid suggestions of bribes, ProPublica said. He was facing a retrial when he died in 2016 from an illness that the site said was AIDS. In its statement, More Than Me said it had been "naive to believe that providing education alone is enough to protect these girls from the abuses they may face -? strong institutions, safeguarding policies and vigilance are needed to do that." Among the changes it had introduced, the charity maintained, was the providing of "private, school-wide HIV testing" to all students.

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Africa Subsaharan

Liberia Missing Millions: Govt Prevents Key Officials From Leaving the Country

2018-09-20

[All Africa] While investigation into the reported disappearance of US$16 billion as confirmed by Information Minister, Lenn Eugene Nagbe, is yet underway, the government has restricted the movement of individuals who it believes can help solve the mystery of the lost containers. The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICAT) by an executive mandate, in a press release yesterday, ordered all security apparatus, particularly the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), and the Liberia National Police (LNP) to ensure that former Central Bank Executive Governor, Milton Weeks and his deputy, Charles Sirleaf who is still employed at the CBL, do not leave the country until investigation into the mystery is completed. Weeks, who headed the CBL under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's administration, has been declared a person of interest to the investigation along with his deputy, Charles Sirleaf, son of former President Sirleaf and thirteen other persons. "The Government takes the ongoing investigation seriously because it has National Security Implications," the release said. The MICAT press release, signed by Minister Nagbe said "The Government has issued a security circular advising persons of interest who are required to assist with the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the importation of Liberian Dollar Banknotes into the country between November 2017 and August 2018 not to leave the country." Mr. George Abi Jaoudi, owner and operator of Abi Jaoudi businesses across the country is another big name wanted by the investigation team and has, therefore, been named as one of the fifteen persons ordered not to leave the country. "Authorities at all points of entry and exit, including land borders, air, and sea ports have been directed to take due cognizance of the circular," the release further noted. Others wanted by the investigation team which comprises of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the LNP and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) include Richard Walker, Mariea E.G. Toe, Musulyn R.B. Jackson, Ophelia Nyenpan and Oldada Deshield. The release also named Prince Bull, J. Barquolleh Gabriel, Theodosia B. Jreh, Zinna Davison and Solomon Jaykpah as persons of interest to the investigation who are also not to leave the country. Kollie Ballah and Andrew Pabai were also listed as persons of interest who are required, as in the case of other persons named, to stay in the country and help with the ongoing investigation. With the collection of statements from the persons of interest having begun already at the LNP headquarters in Monrovia, CBL former Executive Governor, Milton Weeks is expected to appear before the Police today at 10 a.m. to assist in the investigation. In a release on Monday September 17, the MoJ said: "Evidence available to the Investigative Team has established that the current administration was not informed about the arrival of the containers and bags of money into the country."

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Africa Subsaharan

George Weah sworn in as president

2018-01-24

[HERALD.CO.ZW] Former international football star George Weah has been sworn in as president of Liberia, the first peaceful democratic transfer of power in the West African country in more than seven decades. Weah won 61.5 percent of the votes in December’s election run-off, beating outgoing vice president Joseph Boakai who garnered 38.5 percent of the ballot. Voter turnout was 55.8 percent, or just over 1.2 million people, according to the election commission. The former world footballer of the year succeeded Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president. Weah entered politics after retiring from football in 2002 and ran for the presidency in 2005 losing to Johnson Sirleaf. The last peaceful transfer of power between two democratically elected presidents took place in Liberia in 1944, when president Edwin Barclay was replaced by William Tubman. The swearing in ceremony at a stadium near the Liberian capital, Monrovia was attended by more than a dozen African and foreign dignitaries, including heads of state from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Mali, Ivory Coast and Guinea. Many Liberians regard the 51-year-old as a hero for his incredible rags-to-riches tale. He was born in a slum in Monrovia, but found fame in international football. Weah has promised to eradicate corruption in the country of four million people and bolster the weak economy.

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Africa Subsaharan

Liberians celebrate ex-soccer star’s victory

2017-12-30

[ARABNEWS] Liberians on Friday feted former football star George Weah’s presidential victory in the country’s first democratic transfer of power in seven decades scarred by civil wars, political liquidations and an Ebola crisis. Weah, idolized in Liberia as "Mister George," is set to replace Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who took over in 2006 at the helm of the west African state founded by freed US slaves. He will be sworn in on Jan. 22. The 51-year-old starred at top-flight European clubs Gay Paree Saint-Germain and AC Milan in the 1990s, before briefly playing for Chelsea and Manchester City toward the end of his career. Weah, who entered politics after retiring from football in 2002, easily beat Vice President Joseph Boakai in Thursday’s run-off vote, gaining 60.5 percent of the ballot against 38.5 percent for his rival. Weah won in 14 of Liberia’s 15 counties.

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Africa Subsaharan

Liberia counts votes in historic election

2017-10-12

[Al Jazeera] Across Liberia votes are being counted to determine the country's next president and legislators. Polls closed at 6pm local time (18:00 GMT) on Tuesday and a provincial declaration is expected within the next 24 hours. However, the electoral body has until October 25 to declare a winner or announce a runoff for the presidency. A runoff seems likely as unofficial reports from the Liberia Broadcasting System suggest ex-footballer George Weah and current Vice President Joseph Boakai are leading. A candidate must get at least 50 percent of the vote to be declared the winner. The peaceful vote will see the west African country's first democratic transition of power in more than 70 years. Should there be a runoff, the winner is slated to be announced on November 8. Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris, reporting from the capital Monrovia, said Liberians were "enthusiastic and passionate" about the elections. "They want to see a new government that can address the critical issues in their lives: funding infrastructure, like roads, health care, education, and building upon the relative peace in Liberia over the last 12 years." Twenty candidates are running to replace incumbent president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who was held the role for 12 years, the maximum amount of time allowed by the country's constitution. Johnson Sirleaf was the first elected head of state in Africa. A nonsense statement. Liberia's first elected president was Joseph Jenkins Roberts, in January 1848. President Johnson Sirleaf was the first president elected after the civil war set off by the the military coup of Sgt. Samuel Doe that resulted in the death of elected president William R. Tolbert. Doe was tortured to death by Prince Johnson, who then had to fight over the spoils with Chuck Taylor. Perhaps the writer meant that Sirleaf was the first female elected head of state in Africa. I can't think of another one, but that might only be because I'm too lazy to look it up. In 2011, she was a joint recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her "non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peacebuilding work," following Liberia's bloody 14-year civil war, which came to an end in 2003. Speaking on Monday, she urged Liberians to "vote for the person and persons you believe will make Liberia a better place. The world will be watching. Let's make them proud." About 2.2 million Liberians registered to vote, slightly less than half of the country's population.

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Africa Subsaharan

Liberians vote to pick Johnson Sirleaf's successor

2017-10-11

[Al Jazeera] Liberians have voted to elect a new president and politicians in an election that will see the country's first transfer of power from one democratically elected leader to another in more than 70 years. Provincial results were expected within 48 hours, but the electoral body has until October 25 to issue its final confirmation of the results and to announce a runoff if necessary for the presidency. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the continent's first female president, is leaving power after serving 12 years in office - the maximum allowed under the West African country's constitution. Polls closed at 6pm local time (18:00 GMT) on Tuesday. Twenty candidates, including the current vice president, former world footballer of the year and a model, are running for the country's top seat - with 2.2 million voters registered in the small country of 4.6 million people.

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Israel’s Netanyahu seeks new allies in historic Africa trip

2016-07-04

[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads to Africa this week, where Israel has found much-needed partners in the battle against Islamic hard boyz and allies in countering the rising Paleostinian influence at the United Nations ...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks... Netanyahu will also visit the site where his brother was killed in a 1976 military raid on a hijacked airliner in Uganda, a seminal event that helped cement his hardline ideology. Israel is hoping that the visit - the first by an Israeli premier to sub-Saharan Africa in three decades - will usher in a new era in which it provides African states with security and agricultural assistance in return for support in international forums. Israel has a long history of involvement in Africa, sending experts in agriculture and development, as well as military advisers and mercenaries, over the years. Netanyahu’s visit caps a budding rapprochement in recent years initiated by Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who, as foreign minister a few years ago, toured the continent on two occasions after no Israeli foreign minister had visited in two decades. In turn, dozens of African dignitaries have visited Israel in recent years, including Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Dore Gold, a senior Israeli diplomat, traveled to South Africa in March, hoping to mend ties with a country that is strongly supportive of the Paleostinian quest for statehood. "Israel is coming back to Africa; Africa is coming back to Israel. It’s happening in a big way," Netanyahu told African ambassadors at the launch February of the Israeli parliament's caucus for Israel-Africa relations. Netanyahu said last month he will seek government approval for a $13 million plan to strengthen economic ties and cooperation with African countries. Israel played a prominent role in assisting newly independent African countries in the 1960s, but those relations crumbled in the 1970s, when Arab countries, promising aid, pressured African nations to limit or cut ties with Israel. African states were also opposed to Israel's close ties to South Africa’s apartheid government.

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Africa Subsaharan

Côte d’Ivoire President: Don’t need a third term

2016-01-21

The Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara smashed again requests by supporters who want him to change the constitution to be able to stand for another third term in office. “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and I concerted each other and we said no, we don’t need that,” President Alassane Ouattara said in the presence of the Liberian President. He'll change his mind. Reluctantly. He'll be persuaded that the country needs him. Always happens... President Ouattara who just won a second election in 2015 has always maintained that he will not stand for another third election even though voices within his own coalition and supporters urge him to do so. Reports say President Ouattara was angered by his former Minister of Civil Services Bacongo Cisse who openly suggested that the country’s constitution be altered so that President Ouattara can run for another term, citing lack of charismatic leaders to take over from him when he wraps its current term in 2020.

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-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-

Round-Up: Ebola Situation Improving

2015-01-07

J&J Starting Ebola Vaccine Human Trials [AnNahar] U.S. pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson said Tuesday that it has started human trials on a possible vaccine against Ebola. The Phase I testing is being carried out by the Oxford Vaccine Group at Britannia's Oxford University. The tests, involving 72 healthy volunteers, will examine how their bodies tolerate the potential vaccine. Johnson & Johnson said at the end of October it would spend up to $200 million to speed up and expand its Ebola vaccine program. The company hopes to move on to studies on large groups of patients by April. It said it has already produced more than 400,000 doses, and two million courses will be ready by the end of the year. If necessary, Johnson & Johnson said it can make five million doses within 12 to 18 months. The worst Ebola outbreak on record has killed 8,153 people over the past year. Liberia has seen the highest fatality rate with 3,471 deaths, followed by Sierra Leone and Guinea. U.S. to Remove Mali from Ebola Airport Screening List [AnNahar] Travelers coming to the United States from Mali will no longer be required to undergo extra screening at selected airports for potential exposure to Ebola, U.S. authorities said Monday. On Tuesday, the West African nation will mark 42 days -- or two full incubation cycles -- since the last Ebola patient in Mali had contact with anyone who was not wearing protective gear, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Mali had just two cases of Ebola, and both patients recovered. "On Tuesday, January 6, 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will remove Mali from the list of Ebola-affected nations subject to enhanced visa and port-of-entry screening, a statement said. "Travelers from Mali will no longer be required to undergo enhanced screening and monitoring when entering the United States, nor will they be required to enter the country through the five designated airports that perform this screening." Schools in Ebola-Hit Liberia to Reopen in February [AnNahar] Schools in Ebola-ravaged Liberia will reopen in February, six months after they were closed in a bid to contain the spread of the killer virus, the education ministry said Monday. "We ask all schools to take the necessary measures for the reopening of schools next semester, which is February," the ministry said in a statement read out on the radio. "All schools have to get equipped with chlorine water, thermometers, and all have to put in place all measures recommended by the health ministry for the prevention of the virus," it added. The move comes as Liberia, one of three west African countries at the epicentre of the current Ebola outbreak, has seen a steady decrease in new cases in recent weeks. In another piece of good news for Liberia, the country's football federation announced the resumption of competitive matches. Musa Bility, the president of the Liberian Football Association, said the ban was lifted "with immediate effect" but he urged players to keep in mind preventative measures to halt the spread of Ebola. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on July 30 ordered all schools to close their doors to contain the epidemic.

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-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-

Ebola crematorium fires up each night in Liberia disturbing area

2014-11-13

snippets from the longer article which has a great WAPO pic of the crematorium lighting up the night sky. It is good they are not burying because this will stop disease from spreading The cremation of Ebola victims in Liberia began in August, when President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf issued an order saying that it was a critical step in halting the spread of the virus. It wasn’t until September that Boystown entered this arena, when a local Indian community offered the government full access to a crematorium they’d built there 30 years earlier. At 9 p.m. each night, it begins. Thunderous sounds announce its arrival, piercing the silence that accompanies sundown in the swampland near Boystown, Liberia. The concrete building from which the sounds emanate shakes from the impact, rattling the colorful houses on the dirt roads nearby. Hot orange flames leap into the sky. “Not a single night passes [without them] burning bodies," Albert Reeves, a community leader in Boystown, told AllAfrica. “The scary thing about it is the heavy explosives; we don’t know whether it’s the heads of the dead bodies that explode like that… it’s like a mini-earthquake; the entire ground shakes.” Boystown residents are protesting now. For the majority of Liberians, whose burial rites involving washing and touching of the body form the foundation of their culture, it’s a tragedy of unfathomable proportions—forcing an abandonment of tradition that causes profound pain for the victims’ family. “We are not used to burning bodies and hearing the sound of our fellow Liberians’ bodies exploding—it’s painful,” Carolyn Doelu, a 30-year-old resident of Boystown told local news. “The odor of burned bodies enters my house. At night, when they start burning them, I find it very difficult to sleep.”

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Science & Technology

Ebola Outbreak: Liberia Cancels Nationwide Election Over Ebola Concerns

2014-10-09

[h/t Hot Air] Liberia was slated to vote in half of its 30-member upper chamber. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf exercised her authority to declare a state of emergency and suspended "any and all rights ordinarily exercised, enjoyed and guaranteed to citizens." Liberia the Model

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