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LU Abuses Power
(By Gbe Sneh)
It’s a new day. We ought to be rethinking the methods available to vent our grievances to the authorities, and to the public at large. The latest "fiasco" staged by the students at the University of Liberia (LU), in the name of demonstration to demand the reopening of the institution, among other grievances, is a clear abuse of a "sacred" public recourse - peaceful demonstration.

A Day In Monrovia documentary
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé
June 2003: the people of Monrovia were running for their lives. Bombs were dropping on homes and hundreds of thousands were forced to abandon their homes to seek refuge in displaced camps or school buildings. Since October 2003, a new transitional government has been put in place thanks to the support of the United Nations and ECOWAS.

Brumskine Takes on UNMIL and Bryant
My fellow Liberians, I am grateful to the Almighty God for calling me onto the public stage at this time in the history of our country, and I would like to thank you for allowing me the time you have taken away from your busy schedule for us to talk for a few minutes about Liberia, our country. I speak with you today not as a politician seeking a political office, but as a Liberian who is gravely concerned about the unabated suffering of our people and the future of our country.

ULAA’s President is “Disappointed” in the Interim Government
(By Winsley S. Nanka)
Mrs. Roberta Davis-Rashid, the National President of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) says, “recent news stories from Liberia including the government crackdown on some members of the Liberian press and the uncontrolled spending by the Liberian government are disheartening”. Mrs. Davis-Rashid expressed her displeasure with the state of affairs in Liberia recently in an interview. Mrs. Davis-Rashid says she is “disappointed” that the interim government of Gyude Bryant has engaged “in reckless spending without consideration for the interest of the Liberian people”.

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Several Displaced Camps In Liberia Take Shape
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
Last week, what came to be known as the Perry Town Way Station is gradually taking shape, becoming another epitome of how much work is to be done in order to restore normalcy to war-ravaged Liberia. Thanks to UNHCR and its local implementing partner, the Concerned Christian Community (CCC) - more than 4,000 Liberians who were desperate seekers of a place to lay their heads less than two weeks ago are now regaining hopes and reading meanings into their own lives again.

A Liberian Surgeon Becomes Director of Anson County Health Department (Read Richmond County Daily Journal's article)
Francis Kateh, a Liberian surgeon now residing in Chicago, will become the new director of the Anson County Health Department on May 3.

Prince Johnson's Actions are not worse than the Actions of Those Active in Politics Today
(By Nyaquoi Bowman)
For the past few days, I have pondered over a more candor way of responding to Mr. Theodore Hodge's blatant attacks on Mr. Prince Johnson for his expressed intent to become an office holder in Liberia. In his article entitled "Prince Yormie Johnson for senator, for president?"; published on the website theperspective.org, Mr Hodge referred to Mr. Johnson as a "drunkard”, “thug”, “hooligan” and Samuel Doe's ear eater and for that he disqualified Mr. Johnson as a candidate.

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Prince Yormie Johnson For Senator, For President?
(By Theodore T. Hodge)
I read an article by Moses Jolayemi about Prince Johnson’s planned return to Liberia with great sadness and perplexity. I’m in Cleveland and I’m sad and perplexed… Do you want to bet that there are many in Liberia for whom “sadness” does not begin to describe what they feel now? Many will have a number of emotions including sadness, anger, surprise, disbelief and fear, yes, absolute terror.

College Head's Online Degree Questioned (The Associated Press)
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - A college president who serves on a national accreditation board is among several Georgia educators who received questionable degrees from an online school in Liberia.

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Teachers get raises for fake degrees (Associated Press)
LAWRENCEVILLE - Six Gwinnett County school teachers received pay raises for obtaining bogus degrees from an online school in Liberia, and school officials say they want almost $30,000 in taxpayer money back.

Liberia’s Notorious Killer Arrested, Placed Under House Arrest In Togo
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
Reports gathered from the circle of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) have revealed that the Liberia's notorious killer, Gen Benjamin Yeaten, has been arrested and placed under house arrest in Lome, Togo. Gen. Yeaten, a close associate of exiled former Liberian President Charles Taylor was arrested last Saturday night in Lome by international police based on alleged request of the UN backed Special War Crimes Court in Sierra Leone.

US Based Liberia Coalition Project On Assessment Mission to Liberia
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
The Liberian conflict has had a devastating effect on the children of Liberia, many of whom have known no other way of life. United Nations agencies put the numbers of child soldiers in the county to over 15,000. The damage inflicted upon the children during the 14-year of devastating and bloody war in Liberia is unimaginable. Often, those who survive are physically injured and psychologically scared, and have fallen behind their peers in education.

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Decrying The African Predicament
(By Charles Kwalonue Sunwabe, Jr.)
Arguably, the African Continent has made tremendous strides towards democratization, free market economy and economic reforms since the demise of the Cold War in 1991. Presidential and parliamentary elections are gradually becoming frequent---although, arguably, they are often rigged, and the electoral process is marked by fraud. The fact that imperfect, but regularly held elections are taking place in some African countries (i.e. Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Benin, etc.) is a step in the right direction.

Just Call Me Mr. Hodge: Answer to My Critics at ULAA
(By Theodore T. Hodge)
After I published my last article, "An Old Question Revisited: Is ULAA Relevant?" I received a number of messages. The first message came from Mr. Morris Koffa, ULAA’s national vice president who wrote: "Mr. Hodge, thanks a million for the well balanced piece on ULAA’s relevancy…" He referred to it as an excellent article.

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The UN, Bryant or the Warring Factions: Who is in Charge in Liberia?
(By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
The death of a civilian in Buchanan at the hands of rebel fighters while the UN troops were present in the city raises some serious questions as to the effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping force in Liberia six months after its arrival in the war-torn country.

The Good Politics of Patience
(By Bushuben M. Keita)
During the thick of internecine fighting in Monrovia resulting from the attempt to arrest ULIMO-J leader Roosevelt Johnson on April 6, 1996, an official from the United States Embassy in Monrovia was cited as saying in effect that Liberian leaders lacked patience and were quick to render judgment. This, the embassy official explained, was the reason why the uncalculated attempt was made to arrest an individual who himself had a standing army willing to defend him. The result proved disastrous for the transitional government and the residents of the city of Monrovia. Mr. Kromah of ULIMO, who joined Mr. Taylor of the NPFL...

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After Charles Taylor, Get Moammar Kaddafi… and Blaise Compaoré
(By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
According to the Paris-based magazine Jeune Afrique, authorities in Mali arrested twenty young Liberians two weeks ago, accusing them of being "mercenaries". The Liberians were supposedly illegally carrying arms and entered Mali, with the intent of going to destabilize a neighboring country. They were locked up in the Southern Malian city of Sikasso and are awaiting trial by a special tribunal.

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Emerging Historical Paradigm of Liberia's Political Failures
(By Chorphie Charlie)
Let me first express profound appreciation to the capable hands piloting this website. So far, the news journey has not only been an enjoyable one but also very informative and educational, please keep up the good work for Liberia.

General Johnson Praised for Averting First Military Coup in Liberian History
(By Frederick G. Varney)
A renowned Liberian educator, former student activist and former deputy minister for state for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Sando Wayne praised the late Army Chief of Staff, General Henry Korboi Johnson, for firmly upholding his constitutional responsibility in the face of propitious pressure, from within, to seize power following death of President William V.S. Tubman.

Thousand of Liberian Refugees Return Home (VOA)
Thousands of Liberian refugees are going back to their country where a large United Nations peacekeeping mission has been deployed. But many homes and entire villages have been destroyed, so the returnees are flocking to camps in or near the capital, adding to aid agencies' problems

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The Deployment Of Irish Troops In Liberia - A Manifestation of Irish-Liberian Ties
By T. Nelson Williams, Sr.
The arrival in Monrovia a fortnight ago, of the Irish Defense Minister, is sure to boost the morale of the more than 500 militia men from his native Ireland. The men had arrived a month earlier to join the multinational peace keeping force deployed in war torn Liberia, in order to alleviate the sufferings of the Liberian people. The Minister’s message to the local press and the BBC was clear and simple; that his men were in Liberia not only to keep and sustain the peace, but also to contain any eventuality that may erupt to undermine peace and stability in the country.

Charles Taylor’s Lawyers Take Liberian Government, UN Chief Investigator to Court
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
What is billed by a bulk of the suffering Liberians at home as an "unpopular and losing" legal battle in this tiny West African State of Liberia has taken root, with lawyers representing the interest of the deposed and exiled Liberian leader, Charles Taylor, filing a legal lawsuit against the Gyude Bryant led National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) and Mr. Alan W. white, Chief Investigator of the United Nations backed Special War Crimes Court for Sierra Leone.

Defense or Crucifixion of Charles Taylor: Looking at the Bigger Picture
(By Cecil Franweah Frank)
The issue of what Charles Taylor did and did not do that warrants his prosecution in the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone has become a hot and inflammatory topic in recent times both in Liberia and on the international scene. Simply put, the issue of Charles Taylor's fate has become very divisive in the Liberian body politic with his opponents intensifying their calls for his crucifixion after he left office in August 2003 and his supporters decrying double standards.

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Restriction on Press freedom and Reckless Spending, Again? What is going on in Liberia?
(By Tiawan S. Gongloe)
"In incurring expenditure, we should consider whether what we are about to pay for will really contribute to our national progress and happiness, or whether we merely wish the object because others have it. We must lay hold of essentials instead of accidents-of substance rather than shadows. I am satisfied that if we pursue this course- if in our political and social life we restrict ourselves to our actual necessities; if we reduce our exigencies from what is purely factitious to what is undoubtedly real, we should soon place ourselves individually and our country generally on a more comfortable, easy and prosperous footing."

Liberian Activists Urge War Crimes Tribunal (VOA)
Human rights activists in Liberia are pushing for the prosecution of war criminals after 14 years of brutal conflict. But they are meeting opposition from authorities in the transitional power-sharing government set up to end the fighting.

Freedom of the Press Under Attack Again!
(By Kate S. Peabody)
Chairman Gyude Bryant's press conference on C-Span last month was impressive. In the name of peace, I had made up my mind long before he came to the United States that I would give him the benefit of the doubt as head of the Liberian National Transitional Government.

Program Structured Exclusively to Serve "Child Soldiers" in Liberia (Press Release)
The Liberia Coalition Project (LCP) is a program structured exclusively to serve "child soldiers" of Liberia. The Program is subsidiary of the Fort Pierce Multilateral Center, in Fort Pierce, Florida. (United Way, Children’s Services Council, the City of Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, and the School Board of St. Lucie County Board are funding the program).

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"While Evil-minded Liberian men have chosen violence, Liberian women have remained consistent, Persistent and Courageous in their efforts in searching for peace in Liberia"
(A Presentation By Tiawan S. Gongloe)
I have come here today to do one thing. And that is to pay tribute to the women of Liberia for the tremendous efforts they have made over the last fourteen years for the survival of Liberia as a nation and for the end of conflict in Liberia and the West African Sub-region. While a small group of evil-minded Liberian men have chosen violence as the means to attain and maintain state power, Liberian women have remained consistent, persistent and courageous in their efforts in searching for peace in Liberia.

U.N. to Freeze Assets of Libya President (The Associated Press)
UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. Security Council unanimously passed a resolution Friday to freeze the assets of exiled Liberian leader and indicted war criminal Charles Taylor.

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Encouraging Competitive Bidding For Public Contracts
(By Amin Modad)
A reference to Mr. Josephus Gray's Article "Chairman Gyude Bryant's Transitional Government Spent Over Three Million US Dollars On Vehicles". According to Mr. Gray, Mr. George Haddad has charged the government US$2,649,243.70 for 76 Cherokee jeeps. If it is true, several questions race through my mind. However, the most prominent concerns the outrageous over cost this represents and the negative implications regarding the process the Government used in awarding Mr. Haddad the contract.

Liberia's Human Rights Commission Links Top Lebanese Business Tycoon, Senior Government Minister to Massacre
(Josephus Moses Gray)
In fulfillment of its national mandate under the comprehensive Accra Peace Accord on Liberia to probe allegations and abuses of human rights in Liberia, the Independent Commission on Human Rights has linked a top Lebanese businessman Abbas Fawaz and Internal Affairs Minister H. Dan Morias to the massacre in River Gee County.

Stop the Useless Foreign Trips
(By Winsley S. Nanka)
Recent media reports from Liberia that indicated the legislative branch of government has spent nearly $500,000 on international travels since the inception of the transitional government is disturbing. However, if Liberians follow the history of interim governments in Liberia, the news should not surprise them.

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Gyude Bryant

Chairman Gyude Bryant's Transitional Government Spent Over Three Million US Dollars On Vehicles
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
In the face of the nation’s ailing economy coupled with the suffering of the Liberian people, the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) chaired by Charles Gyude Bryant spent over 3 million United States dollars on vehicles between the period of October 14, 2003, to March 2004.

Do We Need Primaries Or Some Sort Of Presidential Elimination Process?
(By Isaac Vah Tukpah, Jr.)
The proliferation of "political parties" in Liberia can only be credited to the blind greed and ambition of the so called "standard bearers/party chairmen" of the various parties and their cohorts. Over time, we may have had a few parties that stood the test of time and probably are capable of passing the litmus test of a true political party.

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A war Crimes Tribunal In Liberia: Archbishop Francis and Chairman Bryant's positions
(By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
Fourteen years ago, as Liberia fell into the deepest abyss of her 150 years history, caught in a nightmare with actors named Prince Y. Johnson, Samuel k. Doe and Charles Taylor, a group of religious leaders, including Archbishop Michael Francis and Sheikh Kafumba Konneh among others, met and put together a peace formula to end the violence. Their recommendations called for setting up a transitional administration to be headed by none of the warring factions, disarmament of all combatants and the holding of free and fair elections under international supervision.

Libya blamed for W Africa wars (BBC)
The chief prosecutor at the UN's new court for Sierra Leone has repeated claims that the Libyan leader is behind the past decade of war in West Africa. The accusation against Muammar Gaddafi was made by David Crane in an interview with the BBC.

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Citizen’s Arrest
(By Gbe Sneh)
The importance of breaking the "Culture of Silence" that has pervaded our society could not be vividly demonstrated by the contents of an article written by an ordinary citizen, and the gigantic result it yielded.

Tenth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family: A Reflection on the Status of the Family in Liberia
(By Cecil Franweah Frank)
The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 44/82 of December 8, 1989, proclaimed 1994 as the International Year of the Family (IYF). The observance of the year served to highlight the role of the family as the basic social unit in every society and the need to pay adequate attention to the family dimension in development efforts. The significance of the International Year of the Family lies in its reinforcement of the interrelationship between family well-being and sustainable development.

Taylor may have to face the music in Monrovia (Mail & Guardian)
It was not enough for Charles Taylor to plunder his own West African state of Liberia, encourage rebellion in neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire and make Guinea anxious about its own potential for revolution.

Liberian Journalists Criticize World Footballer Weah, Chairman Bryant, UN Ambassador Klein
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
Liberian journalists operating under the banner of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) have taken stern issues with the nation’s International Footballer, George "Oppong" Weah and two others prominent persons in the Liberian society. The two are the Chairman of the National transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), Gyude Bryant and the United Nations Secretary-General Special Representative in Liberia, Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein.

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U.S. Seeks Freezing of Liberian's Assets (Associated Press)
UNITED NATIONS - The United States circulated a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council on Friday to freeze the assets of exiled Liberian leader and indicted war criminal Charles Taylor, and will seek a vote sometime next week.

Liberians Must Never Fear Their President (Again!)
But Should Always Respect the Office of the Liberian Presidency
(By Mohamedu F. Jones)
When reading The Perspective’s "Obsession with the Presidency - Wrong Focus for Liberia" by Mr. William G. Nyanue, one realizes that his analysis and conclusions are fundamentally correct. However, I would disagree with his suggestion that we need to fear our president - the "fear factor." Indeed, I think he is just plain wrong on that, unless you consider substituting "respect" for "fear" - the "respect factor."

Judge Faryiah Ruled In Favor Of The Heritage Newspaper
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
March 3, 2004, is a day of history making for the struggling Liberia press as one of the local newspapers - the Heritage Newspaper, won a legal battle in the case " The HERITAGE Newspaper Versus The Republic of Liberia". This is the first victory for a local daily in the history of the country, which many described as a "test to a true democracy".

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The US and Liberia: Can We Prevent A Repeat Of The Haiti Scenario?
(By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
Back in December 2003, at a meeting of NGOs organized under the umbrella of a group named "Liberia Watch", a US State Department representative said that the Donors Conference on Liberia was expected to raise $300 million in New York. In the end, some $520 million was raised. Two months later, an elated Chairman Gyude Bryant said this went beyond anyone’s expectations, given the background of Donors fatigue with Liberia.

Mrs. Roberta Davies-Rashid

An Old Question Revisited: Is ULAA Relevant?
(By Theodore T. Hodge)
Recently while attending the donors’ conference in New York, I met and chatted with Mrs. Roberta Davies-Rashid, ULAA’s current national president. I started the conversation because I wanted to get a first-hand impression of the state of the union (in an unofficial manner, that is). Knowing that Messrs Mohamed S. Kromah and Ranney B. Jackson, Sr. had left the union to take up official assignments in the transitional government of Liberia; there was much to talk about. The president opened up to me and I was glad to listen and facilitate the conversation by asking some leading questions and making some strategic remarks, which led us into a full discussion.

Koffa is election issue in Liberia (News & Observer)
Wake lawyer advised candidate
ZEBULON -- An investigation into a former Zebulon town manager has become a presidential campaign issue -- in Liberia.

Q & A on Jonathan Koffa (News & Observer)
Jonathan F. Koffa, a former town manager and private attorney in Zebulon, has been accused of misappropriating client funds. The story is being closely followed in Liberia as well as Liberian communities in the United States because of his ties to presidential candidate Charles Brumskine.

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Liberian Lawmakers Spent US$478,384.00 On Foreign Trips
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
Financial report released in Monrovia recently by the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) Committee on Ways, Means and Finance has revealed that despite prevailing financial constraints and abject poverty, the Legislative Branch of the Liberian government has spent almost half of a million United States dollars on foreign trips (covering the period of October 24, 2003 - February 4, 2004).

Liberians Must Take Responsibility!
(By Armaso B. Bawn)
Imagine yourself on that sunny or perhaps rainy Monday morning or afternoon on July 26, 1847, when the declaration of independence was being read giving birth to a new nation call Liberia.

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Women marching for peace... with rhythm

Life In Monrovia (Part III)
(By Abdoulaye W. Dukule)
These pictures would hopefully give you a glance of what life looked like in January 2004 in Monrovia. They are part of a multimedia production. The video will be ready next week and available for a small fee to be determined as soon as we get out of production. The video contains interviews with people we randomly met in the streets. The video also contains a dance and music performed by the cultural troups at their site at Kendeja village. In our work, we tried to focus on common people, children and what makes the city vibrant and gives people hope.

Missing and Found Lawyer: Standing in the Need of Prayers
(By: Theodore T. Hodge)
For the past several weeks the Liberian community in the US has been abuzz with the news of a high-profiled lawyer turned fugitive. According to several reports published by The News & Observer (a daily newspaper in North Carolina), several charges were being brought against Mr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa, who until recently served as a legal advisor to the Charles Walker Brumskine presidential campaign

A return to life for Liberia's women fighters (Mail & Guardian)
The journey back to normal life was never going to be an easy one for the ex-combatants of Liberia’s civil war. But, it could be argued that women fighters face a particularly tough challenge.

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Cllr. Charles Brumskine's Liberia Unification Party In Confusion
(By Josephus Moses Gray )
The dream of presidential hopeful, Cllr. Charles W. Brumskine, to contest the 2005 Presidential and Legislative Elections on the Liberia Unification Party (LUP) ticket appears to be a dying vision, as the party is engulfed with confusion; members of LUP are trading accusations and counter-accusations at each other.

Obsession With the Presidency - Wrong Focus for A New Liberia
(By William G. Nyanue)
With the departure of Charles Taylor for exile in Nigeria, the signing of a peace accord to end fighting, the inauguration of an interim government, and the deployment of United Nations peace keeping troops in many parts of Liberia, many Liberians are beginning to seriously consider the possibility that the nation’s nightmare may be ending.

Charles Taylor’s five Top Notorious Generals Linked to Massacres In Liberia
(By Josephus Moses Gray )
Two major human rights commissions in Liberia, the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) and the Independent National Commission on Human Rights have accused the deposed Liberian leader, former President Charles Taylor’s five top notorious generals as perpetrators of two separate massacres in the southeastern and northwestern parts of Liberia.

A Lawyer's Ethical Platitude (Part II)
(By Ahmed Kaabineh Sirleaf II)
A sincere commentary meant to urge the one stood accused of egregious crimes, and professional and ethical violations, and the one who had eminent political, and legal nexus with the accused to come forward, promptly, to do the right thing and adequately address themselves to the allegations, has since drawn huge and rather mixed reactions.

"A Clandestine Hostile Take-over of the Apparatus of LUP"
The reported confusion among the ranks and file of LUP seems not to be confined to Monrovia only. A group in the USA claiming to be the legitimate LUP-USA recently issued a statement saying that the "take-over attempt initiated by Counselor Charles W. Brumskine stains the vision of the Founder [Gabriel Kpolleh] and violates the party's protocol."

Liberia probes 'inflated bills" (BBC)
Donors have pledged funds to rebuild Liberia after the civil war
Investigations have been launched into allegedly inflated travel expenses for officials of the new transitional government in Liberia. A report by parliament says that MPs have spent some $470,000 on plane tickets in just three months.

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Something Never Changes: Free the Journalists
(By Kolec E. Jessey)
The arrest of the editorial staff of the Heritage Newspaper in Monrovia on February 23, 2003 on the order of the Monrovia Magisterial Court is disturbing and should be condemned by democratic minded Liberians. If such a trend is allowed to continue it will have chilling effect on the ongoing efforts to bring peace to Liberia since muzzling the press and repression of dissenting views are recipe for resorting to armed means of resolving grievances.

The African Slave Trade: Driven By Racism, Greed And Economics - Part 2
(By Siahyonkron Nyanseor)
Part 1 of this essay ended with how Westerners talk about democracy as if we Africans are not capable of practicing it, and how we African people have suffered the worse kind of humiliation and that racist lies which have no scientific basses continue to be propagated against us. Part 2 will address how Westerners use their media and other schemes to continue their subjugation of people of color.

Liberian Government: Stop Harassing Journalists
(By Winsley S. Nanka)
The reported arrest of the Heritage Newspaper’s staffers by the Liberian government for the distribution of ‘‘obscene materials" is profoundly disappointing barely four months after the removal of Charles Taylor from office because he violated the constitutional rights of Liberians.

In Defense of J. Fonati Koffa (Letter)
(By Samuel Zohnjaty Joe)
Kindly publish on my behalf a rebuttal to Mr. Ahmed K. Sirleaf II’s article "A Lawyer’s Ethical Platitude" published in the February 23, 20004 edition of The Perspective. In that article, the author writes, "to have a place in the study, and practice of the law is not by wisdom only, but by the sacred virtues of human dignity, and character..."

J. Fonati Koffa

Cllr. Charles Brumskine’s Legal Advisor Resigns, Faces Criminal Charges in US
(By Josephus Moses Gray )
With regrets, I have accepted the resignation of Counselor Jonathan Fonati Koffa, as legal advisor to my campaign", these were the words of Presidential hopeful in accepting the resignation of his legal advisor.

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Court Orders Entire Staff of the Heritage Newspaper Arrested In Monrovia
(By Josephus Moses Gray )
Crackdown and attacks on press freedom have again re-surfaced in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, with the court ordering the arrest of the entire staff members of the independent Heritage newspaper for publishing a sex scandal story under the banner headline, " For US$400.00-Liberian Girls Sex With Dogs".

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Others defend lawyer's absence
Two defense attorneys and a relative of Jonathan F. Koffa defended him Tuesday, arguing that the former Zebulon town manager never fled the country.
Koffa, 40, is accused of defrauding two clients of his law practice of nearly $300,000.

The Beginning of our Time
(By Tarnue Johnson)
I have written that Liberia is at an important historical crossroad at this particular moment. And accordingly we have two stark choices that confront us. We must either consolidate current gains on the path of national reconstruction through the assistance of the international community, or choose to fall into the abyss of darkness. These choices demand active and unrelenting discussions as to how we move forward as a nation. I share the views of not so few writers in this magazine and elsewhere that there must be far-reaching constitutional change before the next elections.

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UN Peacekeepers Asked not to Abandon $75.00 Payment to Liberian Fighters
(By Abraham Massaley)
The Movement for Political Reform In Liberia (MOPRL) is pleading with the United Nations peacekeeping force in Liberia to reconsider its decision not to pay cash up front to former combatants who will hand in their guns when the disarmament process resumes some time this year.

Missing lawyer turns self in - He faces charges of embezzlement (News Observer)
A lawyer who was once town manager in Zebulon and town attorney for Rolesville turned himself in Monday morning to face charges of absconding with nearly $300,000 in government and clients' money.

Global war on terror: Is Liberia re-emerging as a U.S. strategic partner?
(By Gabriel Williams)
The Associated Press and other news organs reported on February 13 that U.S. Navy sailors may board thousands of commercial ships in international waters to search for weapons of mass destruction under a landmark pact between the United States and Liberia, the world’s No. 2 shipping registry.

Liberia: Journey Towards Reconstruction
(By: George D. Yuoh)
This short piece of story tells of a very interesting conversation between Ballah, a Liberian living in the USA who has just returned home after 13 years, and his younger brother Samolu, a one time frontline commander of the NPFL, and now a deputy minister in the interim government. Although based on real life situation, the story is entirely the imagination and creation of the author. Any resemblance of the names of characters to real people is purely coincidental.

Thousands of Liberian Refugees to Resettle in U.S. (Reuters)
Thousands of Liberian refugees who fled a 14-year civil war in the country founded by freed American slaves will be resettled in the United States, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said on Monday.

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A Lawyer's Ethical Platitude
(By Ahmed K. Sirleaf II)
" ...To have a place in the study, and practice of the Law is not by wisdom only, but by the sacred virtues of human dignity, and character..." Justice Benjamin Nathan Cardozo, The Growth of The Law (1924). Law schools in the North America, and elsewhere grill candidates seeking admission to study law at their institutions. They probe, investigate, research, and question the candidate's backgrounds, not only to ascertain academic qualifications and the ability to withstand the rigors of advanced study of the law, and the inherent adverse environment thereupon, but also to forecast some other aspects of the would be attorney's ethics here to wit:

Pens and Pencils Project for Liberian Children
(By Alvin Peabody)
A Liberian native living in the United States has launched a project to aid thousands school children in her war-torn country. Ms. Kate S. Peabody, in collaboration with Archbishop Michael K. Francis of the Catholic Diocese in Monrovia, has launched the Pens and Pencils project for Liberian Children.

Nonprofit Organizational Development, Leadership and Responsibility
(A Presentation by Syrulwa Somah, Ph.D)
I am honored by your invitation to participate in this leadership seminar as a presenter. I have been very busy lately with job and family matters that I almost had a second thought about being here today. But, then, I felt a sudden urge and obligation to be here when I remembered the Bassa proverb, Son dyoa do ni fia gbinnin, which when translated to English means, "A single hand cannot coil a boa constrictor."

Liberian soldiers accused of massacre (AP)
-- Soldiers loyal to former Liberian President Charles Taylor massacred 369 civilians last April in three southeastern villages, accusing them of supporting rebels in the area, the country's human rights commission said Saturday.

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Liberian Women Stage Protest March Over "Dog-Woman-Sex Scandal" Story
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
On Thursday, February 19th, hundreds of aggravated women in Monrovia staged a peaceful demonstration to protest a newspaper story under the headline " Liberian Girls Sex With Dogs". The dog sex scandal story published in the last Monday, February 16th edition of the independent Heritage newspaper prompted public outcry, and accusations that the Liberian media is engaging in "yellow journalism".

The World Has Come To Us
(By Tarnue Johnson)
This poem is dedicated to all our fallen heroes and heroines and especially to the patience and resilience of the Liberian people. The day is near when no one shall dwell on the mountaintop. Indeed, the day is near when we shall look ahead in dignity on the path of glory and transformation of our commonwealth into a current of stability and an oasis of freedom, hope and prosperity.

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Life in Monrovia (II): A Day at the University of Liberia
(By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
"Why do you think the government should buy books for you? In the US, the American government does not buy books for students..." "One thing I know, is that if you work in America, they pay you. And if you go to a state college, or any college for that matter, they make sure you have books. Look at our library; the newest book is from 1993. You call this a university? There is not single instrument in the labs. The man must go!"

Liberia: The Way Forward (Annual Message Delivered by Chairman Gyude Bryant)
Let us first bless the Lord our God for sparing our lives to see this day and being able to assemble in this chamber. I ask that you kindly rise and observe a moment of silence in reverence to our Creator for the blessing of Peace that He has given Liberia and in memory of our citizens who perished during our fratricidal conflict

Fistfight For Job at Maritime Bureau in Monrovia
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
Normal working and business activities at the Sinkor head office of the Bureau of Maritime Affairs in Monrovia came to a standstill on Tuesday, February 17th owing to a fistfight for a top position in the bureau.

The African Slave Trade: Driven By Racism, Greed and Economics - Part I
(By Siahyonkron Nyanseor)
Throughout the world today, more and more people are calling for the democratization of their societies as well as speaking out against the violation of human rights. They want to have a society in which every individual or group will be allowed to exercise his/her or their God-given rights more freely, and to select the leader of their choice. However, for centuries, these fundamental rights were denied them based on all sorts of justifications.

LUP and FOB Issue Statement in Support of J. Fonati Koffa - The Liberian Lawyer Accused of Fraud in North Carolina
The Liberia Unification Party (USA Branch) & Friends of Charles Brumskine (FOB) have noted, with grave concern, recent reports of allegations against Mr. J. Fonati Koffa. These allegations, which were carried in a local newspaper in North Carolina, may have implications that are beyond our purview.

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Disarmament Combatants In Liberia Hangs In the Balance
(By: Josephus Moses Gray )
Late reports gathered from the circle of the United Nations Military Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) have revealed that the disarmament, demobilisation, rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) program of combatants to the Liberia's armed conflict is likely to be delayed again until next April 2004.

A Silvery Night
(By: Ezekiel Pajibo)
My return to the country of birth has given me renewed inspirations to write poetry and I would like to share with you one of the poems I have written since my return. There are more where these come from.

Liberian Rebels Loot Rubber Plantation (AP)
Liberia - Rebels in Liberia stormed and looted a rubber plantation in the southeast of the country and have begun selling off its assets, the plantation's manager said.

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Life in Monrovia
(By: Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
The first thing one notices upon arrival in Monrovia is the incredible number of people thronging the streets all day long. From one end of the city to another, there seems to be hundreds of thousands of people walking to and from mysterious destinations. Walking has become a national sport. The streets are so crowded that it is sometimes better to just walk anywhere downtown than to ride a car. One afternoon, I jumped out of our taxi in front of the Ministry of Finance to catch up with a funeral procession on Broad Street. I passed the procession, took pictures and sat on a bench to catch my breath, waiting for the taxi to reach the corner of Center and Broad Streets.

Armed Forces Of Liberia: Reality Check For A New Military With A Redefined Constitutinal Mission
(By: Brownie J. Samukai)
The Armed forces of Liberia, was created under the amended National Defense Law of 1956. It was a skeleton brigade of soldiers who were predominantly from the lower economic and social stratum of society. They were poorly paid, and had less than decent facilities for accommodation and care. Generally, they performed ceremonial and guard duties. Many of them came to be called "Nokos", a local nomenclature with meaning ranging from soldier without rank, guardsman, the least of the crop of professionals, uneducated, among other meanings. Most AFL Officers were graduates of the ROTC Program at the Booker Washington Institute in Kakata.

The Congressional Black Caucus: Brain Trust on Liberia
(A Speech Delivered By Leslie Norman Abayomi Cole, Sr.)
On Wednesday, February 11, 2004, Mr. Leslie Norman Abayomi Cole, Sr., former President & Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas ULAA), spoke at the program sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus. The program was held at 2237 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. The theme of the program was: "Liberia: from Crisis to Reconstruction". Congressman Donald M. Payne of New Jersey chaired the occasion, while Hon. Gyude Bryant, Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) delivered the keynote address.

Liberia’s Future Depends How The Children Are Treated
(By Simon Reeves)
George Weah on a UNICEF mission to Liberia last month apologized to the children for the suffering(civil war) brought on them by adults. I must take my hat off to the hero for doing the noble thing. He did what those responsible for sinking the country should, on their knees, be doing. Such outpouring of the heart can play a major role in healing the nation.

J. Fonati Koffa

Man's Records Raise Doubts (News Observer)
When he was hired as the Zebulon town planner in 1990, Jonathan Koffa had a typically self-effacing explanation for a career path that had taken him from Liberia to a small town in eastern Wake County. "I'm a man that's been overtaken by events," he said. It's a sentiment that fairly sums up his position right now. Koffa, who had been working as a private attorney for the past six years, is wanted by police on suspicion of absconding with his clients' money. He is thought to have fled to Liberia. Before leaving in December, Koffa told many people that he would be going to Liberia for a few months to advise the West African nation's transitional government on legal and diplomatic issues.

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Liberia: Logging industry must be free of links to armed conflict to ensurelasting national and regional peace and security (Global Witness)
At a time when Liberia and the international community have made considerable progress in fostering peace in Liberia, Global Witness (1) restates its urge that the Liberian government and international community scrupulously ensure that Liberia's logging industry is fully reformed, integrating transparency and accountability at all levels and ending the industry's ability to perpetuate armed conflict. Global Witness and UN Expert Panel investigations have shown how the Liberian logging industry has historically fuelled conflict in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cote d'Ivoire 2,3)

Cllr. Charles Brumskine's Legal Advisor is a Wanted Man in the US ( See Associated Press Article)
A lawyer who disappeared in December is being sought by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which thinks he may have taken nearly $200,000 in government money with him.

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Liberians Want 4-Year Presidential Term
(By Abraham Massaley)
Philadelphia, February 9, 2004: Over fifty Liberians from more than eight states in the United States met Saturday in Philadelphia and adopted a 19-count vision document for Liberia which calls for constitutional amendment to reduce the presidential and legislative terms from six to four years each.

Separating Mythology From History
(By Siahyonkron Nyanseor)
On December 1, 2003 and January 7, 2004, I wrote a two-part article entitled: "Putting the Matilda Newport Myth to Rest"; both articles were published by The Perspective. This article is in response to similar reception received by Dr. Jean Martin when she discussed her research regarding Matilda Newport with, I presumed a colleague.

Prospecting Technology Advancement in Liberia
(By Taa Wongbe)
With the new peace agreement in Liberia and the existence of a new interim government, Liberia looks to a new chapter in redevelopment and emphasizing on essentials like health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, electricity, water, housing and communication. However, with the limited resources available, the country will look to private companies to assist in the rebuilding of Liberia; particularly, Information Technology.

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Kofi Woods Says No Thanks to Chairman Bryant
After it was reported in the news that Samuel Kofi Woods had been appointed to the National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Woods' office issued the following statement to say no thanks to Chairman Bryant:

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Some Practical Suggestions For Democracy And Development In Liberia
(By Cecil Franweah Frank)
I was reading an article of Ezekiel Pajibo some time ago in which he highlighted the need for Liberia to have bold and confident leaders. As he rightly observed in that article Liberia is indeed lacking in bold and confident leaders, even though in the present time of its history our country needs more than ever such caliber of leaders. Since the declaration of Liberia's Independence on July 26, 1847, two key words - democracy and development - have continued to elude Africa "oldest" republic in spite of the fact that the founding of the Liberian state to a large extend had to do with the yearning of our forefathers for attaining both. There are striking similarities between Liberia and Haiti. Both countries came about as a result of the desire of men of the Negro race - a downtrodden race – to liberate themselves from fear embodied in slavery, to acquire social justice from social injustices based on division by race, income...

Matt The Rebel
(By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
Mat is in his early twenties. But he has seen more battles than many veteran soldiers. "I joined the revolution in 1990, in Bong County. Prince Johnson led the first group of rebels that came to our town. They tied up my father who was the town chief and beat him up because they said he was working for the government. They beat him so bad he died. I took my sisters and my little brother and we came to Monrovia. I returned to the village and another group had come and chased the first group that had killed my dad. My cousin and I joined them."

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Liberian American Relations Revisited
(By Abraham L. James, Ph.D.)
In July 2003, during Liberia’s devastating civil conflict when Monrovia, the capital city was under siege due to an attempt by Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebel forces to overthrow the regime of President Charles Taylor, Liberia received unprecedented media attention. The issue of America’s responsibility for Liberia, and America’s participation in the conflict was discussed and debated in the media.

An Open Letter to Agnes Reeves Taylor
(By Ezekiel Pajibo)
Thank you for the wonderful letter you send to me via email. It was revealing, as it was surprising. I am flattered to know that the ex-wife of a disgraced and dethroned Liberian leader has the time to read what I write and not only have the temerity to respond but the audacity as well. I am so happy to write you that I can’t help but keep a perpetual grin on my face.

Whither Yaya, Conneh?
(By Woplah Kambor)
A stroll through the corridors of recent history shows the L.U.R.D. and its twin M.O.D.E.L. waxing pacific before and after Akosombo, leading the uncritical eye to view their professions of peace as better than a façade.

Liberian Leader Thanks Us Churches At Un Donors Conference, Hails His Nation's Continued Resilience (Church World Service)
"Keep praying for us. That's what's carried us so far." With that, Gyude Bryant, the chairman of Liberia's interim government, thanked U.S. church leaders and representatives Thursday (Feb. 5) for their continued support as the west African nation continues to rebuild after more than a decade of civil war.

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UN Intervention in Post-Conflict Situations Must Be Rapid, Smart and Sufficient, UNDP Administrator Says (UN)
United Nations intervention in post-conflict situations must be rapid, smart and on a sufficient scale to turn the tide towards a sustainable peace, Mark Malloch Brown, Chairman of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) and Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said at the opening of a two-day International Conference on the Reconstruction of Liberia, co-sponsored by the United States, the World Bank and the United Nations.

U.S. Said to Seek Freeze of Taylor Assets (Associated Press)
The United State wants to freeze the assets of exiled Liberian President Charles Taylor, who has been indicted by the United Nations for war crimes, a U.N. diplomat said Friday.

US-UN Meet Expected to Raise $500 Million for Liberia (Reuters)
UNITED NATIONS - The United States and the United Nations are confident rich nations will donate close to $500 million on Friday to rebuild Liberia, in ruins after 14 years of civil war.

UN Warns Against Illegal Road Blocks In Liberia (The Inquirer)
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has expressed serious concern over the setting-up of illegal roadblocks coupled with the harassment and intimidation of peaceful civilians by the various warring factions.

Liberia's Justice Minister Accused In Land Case (The Inquirer)
A situation that could have again resulted into an all-out built up yesterday again over the grand-old Vai Town land dispute when the Justice Minister dispatched police officers to halt a construction work being undertaken by one of the contending parties to the case.

Father Of Triplets Appeals For Assistance (The Inquirer)
"It is fortunate and a blessing for me and my wife to have the triplets, but I am not working and have no means of supporting my children", were the words of the distressed father of a set of triplets born recently.

Turns-Over At Liberia's Finance Ministry (The Inquirer)
The newly appointed Commissioner of Internal Revenue at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Banks Roesler has finally taken over office from his predecessor, Mr. Pennoh Bestman.

Aggrieved Revenue Agents In Liberia React Sharply
Aggrieved revenue agents of the 26 collectorates at the Ministry of Finance, have reacted sharply to news reports that they were dismissed from the Ministry by the authority.

Winston Tubman Speaks Out (The Inquirer)
A renowned Liberian statesman, Cllr. Winston Tubman has urged Liberians to do those things that would keep the disarmament process and the entire peace process on track.

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Gyude Bryant

Donors Conference Today
Gyude Bryant was selected in Ghana by the Liberian warring factions to head the interim government of that West African nation after 14 years of civil war in which over 250,000 hapless people were slaughtered, and hundreds of thousands of the citizens displaced. Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, is the only capital city in the world with no electricity and running water. The new interim leader is headed the the United Nations today to ask for assistance for his country. He is heading a forty-man Liberian delegation to the United Nations.

"No need for AFL"
(By Ckewellen Fonigama)
A hungry idiotic looking fellow stood on the dusty road manning a rope crossed-over he called a gate. The idiotic man threatens passengers, delays them and extracts money from drivers plying the deep jungle roads in Liberia's interior. Here is a man who does not know the meaning of the job he is doing. To him, the gun he totes is his source of livelihood. To him the gun and the uniform he wears are not for the protection of the civil population but an authority invested in him to harass and intimidate anyone at will.

Liberian Journalists Commend OSIWA For US$54,000 Assistance
Liberian Journalists victimized by the armed violent conflict in Liberia are grateful to the Open Society Initiative for West Africa(OSIWA) for a grant in the amount of US$54,000 to assist some 131 war-affected Liberian journalists.

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J. Rudolph Johnson

"For Whom the Bell Tolls"
(A Keynote Address By J. Rudolph Johnson at the Maryland County Association of Liberia National Conference)
Like his contemporaries and kinsmen, bearing such names as Appleton, Bedell, Brownell, Bryant, Collins, Elliott, Langford, Neufville, Shannon, Speare, Wallace, Wilson, and many others too numerous to mention, names my siblings and I often heard around the dinner table, the Old Man did love and cherish his hometown, county, and country, and went to his grave wondering, why in the world people who had dubbed themselves patriotic citizens of Liberia would have taken up arms, drugged little children and used them as soldiers to commit genocide against some 250,000 of their own countrymen; to brutalize and traumatize innocent women, children, and even senior citizens; to loot and decimate the entire socio-economic infrastructure of the country that many had labored so hard to build.

Rebuilding Liberia: Prospects and Perils
(A Press Release Issued by the International Crisis Group)
Failure to achieve security and stability in Liberia would have a violent spill-over effect in the rest of West Africa. Long-term strategies, real money and hard thinking are required if Liberia is to pull out of crisis. The 5-6 February donors conference at UN Headquarters in New York provides an opportunity to address these issues.

The Lovebird in the City of "Brotherly Love"
This short piece is about Joe Blow, one of the main characters in my last story, "Lovebirds in the Buckeye State." You will recall that as that story ended he was on the bus to Philadelphia and he had the audacity to give me the finger. I laughed because I figured my friend was learning something about the culture and mores of his new society. But it's always amazing how quickly we learn some of the negative expressions while we are slow to pick up some valuable, life-enhancing lessons. Our friend Joe Blow learned how to give someone the finger but failed to learn a simple lesson: 'Don't trust strangers', even if they live in the city of brotherly love - better yet, especially if they live in the city of brotherly love.

UNMIL orders armed factions to remove roadblocks in the interior (IRIN)
MONROVIA, 4 Feb 2004 (IRIN) - The UN peacekeeping force in Liberia said on Wednesday it was increasing its patrols in the interior and had ordered the country's three armed factions to remove all their remaining roadblocks.

US$24.5 Million Dollars Power Project For Liberia (The Inquirer)
If all goes well, Monrovia and its environs will be electrified through a US$24.5 million Independent Power Project concept earmarked for Liberia.According to a dossier of the Independent Power Project which is in the possession of this paper, the project has its genesis in an arrangement between the Liberia Electricity Corporation and a foreign company, AIMS Enterprise, Inc., a corporation registered in the State of Delaware,

15-Year Old Boy Burnt to Death In Monrovia (The Inquirer)
The Chugbor Community on the Old Road, Sinkor, was recently the scene of sorrow and weeping when a 6-bedroom zinc house was gutted by fire leaving a 15-year old boy, only identified as JR, burnt to death.

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Sekou Damate Conneh

Why Damateh Wants Bryant Removed
(By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
On his 100th day in power, Chairman Gyude C. Bryant held a tête-à-tête with editors of Liberian newspapers on the back porch of the Executive Mansion. The discussion, facilitated by the Minister-designate of Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. C. William Allen, was candid and was followed by an off-record session. During this latter part of the discussion, journalists exchanged with Chairman Bryant ideas regarding some thorny issues.

Marylanders’ National Conference in Rhode Island
(By Theodore T. Hodge)
I was ambivalent about going to Rhode Island to meet with my fellow Marylanders - quite joyous and optimistic on one hand, yet apprehensive as well. My apprehension was not due to meeting my fellow citizens - to that I looked forward with great joy and anticipation as usual. My concern, however, was about the pending deliberations and their probable outcomes. This presentiment was due to what had transpired among my dear brothers and sisters via correspondence in cyberspace. From Illinois to Maryland, from Minnesota to Pennsylvania, from Ohio to Rhode Island, reaching as far away as Arkansas and Oklahoma and Texas and bouncing off a computer screen near me, I sensed tension - dare I say a potential disaster?

A Donor Conference on Liberia
(By Ezekiel Pajibo)
From February 5-6, the Bretton Woods Institutions - the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) along the with United Nations and the United States Government will meet in New York to pledge financial and technical assistance for Liberia economic recovery and the enhancement of the UN peacekeeping forces in the country. The United States Government has already pledged $200 million in additional to another amount of about $240 million for peacekeeping activities in Liberia. The American pledge is welcomed and appreciated.

Group Seeks Liberia Child-Soldier Rehab (Associated Press)
DAKAR, Senegal - If Liberia's fragile peace is to hold, international donors must pledge more money to rehabilitate the West African nation's child soldiers to ensure that they - and new generations - don't take up arms again, a leading human rights group said Monday.