"The World Will Give its Verdict After the Election:" History is on the Side of the 2005 Presidential Election Observers
(
By William E. Allen)
The allegation by Mr. George Weah, the recently defeated Liberian
presidential candidate, that international observers conspired to
cheat for the winner, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, is difficult
for the majority of Liberians to believe. This is so because international
observers have a long history of correctly assessing Liberian presidential
elections. Since the 1920s, Liberians had begun to rely entirely
on international observers to confirm their suspicion that the results
of presidential elections were rigged.
Holding
Entrusted Authority Accountable: An Update on the Probable Misapplication
of State Funds at the LPRC
(A Press Statement Issued By TheCenter for the Democratic
Empowerment (CEDE) on November 29, 2005)
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil
the mystery of light. Kahlil Gibran (The Prophet)Khalil Gibran,
a Lebanese Philosopher, was born in 1883. He moved to New York in
1912 and devoted himself to writing and painting. He died in 1931.
This great thinker and the phrase above got me thinking about the
behavior of state functionaries in our country. I am specifically
referring to the behavior of the Management of the Liberia Petroleum
Refining Company, who happen to believe that they have the inalienable
right to misapply state money and the rest of the populace must
simply look the other way.
The
Center for Democratic Empowerment (CEDE) applauds the conduct of
October 2005 Elections
(
A Press Statement Issued By TheCenter for the Democratic
Empowerment (CEDE) on November 25, 2005)
The Center for Democratic Empowerment (CEDE) applauds the conduct
of October 2005 Elections and the November 2005 Run Off Election.
The maturity and exemplary attitude of the general public and the
electorate manifest the inherent ability of the Liberian people,
once given a genuine opportunity, to make sound and intelligent
judgment.
The Impact
Of HIV/AIDS On The Civil Service In Africa
(Presentation by Dr. Chinua Akukwe at the 2005 National
Academy of Public Administration Conference)
I thank the National Academy of Public Administration and the Africa
Working Group for this opportunity to share my insights on the impact
of HIV/AIDS on Africa’s civil service. The Africa Working
Group of the Academy under the leadership of Professor Sy Murray
deserves credit for its focus on HIV/AIDS in Africa.
MY LAST WILL:
I Like The Sun Rise Again
(
By James Thomas-Queh)
For the centennial celebration in 1947, President Tubman commissioned
the famous Duke Ellington to do a composition in our national honour.
The album that came out “Liberian Suite” had its first
piece entitled: “I Like The Sun Rise.” It has been over
half a century since then and out of the ashes of total destructive
madness...
Law to possess
Jeeps: Interim Legislators’ shameless act
(By Wellington Nyema-Toe Newton)
It is grossly shameful and is criminal for the interim national
legislators to pass a law giving them personal ownership of vehicles
purchased for their official use. They even overturned the interim
president’s veto- one of the few manly acts the interim president
has done.
PEWU OF TEXAS
(Observations of His Surrogate Mother)
(By Alice M. Johnson)
If Sumowuoi David Pewu of Fort Worth, Texas, were alive today, I
believe he would have already written a forthright commentary on
the recent Liberian elections process and its outcome. There would
have been plenty of discussion at home about it and the phones would
have been in use - non-stop. It would not have surprised us if he
had already made plans to go to Liberia for while to work with the
new government.
Counselor
Jonathan Fonati Koffa Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement
(
By Theodore T. Hodge)
A story many in the Liberian communities and other interested parties
have followed is coming to a climax: The News Observer has reported
that Counselor Jonathan Fonati Koffa has pled guilty to “four
federal charges related to the suspected embezzlement of $500,000”.
The paper also reports that Koffa could face as much as “10
years in prison and a $250,000 fine.” He now awaits sentencing,
which occurs in January.
Moving Liberian
Youth From At-Risk To Promise And Hope
(By: Emmanuel Dolo)
As the title suggests, my aim is to discuss the elusive subject
of chronic poor social development among Liberian youth. I first
offer introductory remarks and raise some questions for setting
the context of the discussion. The ultimate goal here is to orient
readers to the subject of youth development in nations recovering
from war. Further, I offer some general recommendations for dealing
with this problem from the perspectives of youth development and
mental health policies.
Did
Liberia pay $500,000 per consultant?
J. Yanqui Zaza
Another independent report (i.e., Government Accountability
Office audit, an investigating arm of the United States Congress-GAO)
completed in July 2005 accuses international experts of inflating
prices of projects in Afghanistan. (11/07/05, NY Times). Did Liberia,
in the expense of the $520 million, pay an annual fee of $500,000
per consultant to private corporations as Afghanistan did?
Weah's
Theory of fraudulent elections
(
By Mohamedu F Jones)
Media reports out of Monrovia indicated that Ambassador George Weah
gave a statement following the election, which laid out the theory
of his claim of fraudulent elections and outlined the thematic underpinnings
of his allegations that the outcome of the November 8th elections
was bogus – that he was cheated of victory. Analysis of Mr.
Weah’s statement lays bares the spuriousness and speciousness
of his contentions.
International
Observers’ Reports Raise Very Serious Questions About The
validity and legitimacy Of Ambassador Weah’s Claims That He
Was “cheated”
(
By Mohamedu F. Jones)
During recent the recent November 8, 2005 presidential run-off elections
in Liberia, the National Elections Commission reported that it accredited
369 observers from 29 international observation missions to monitor
Liberia’s elections.
Is This
The Best Liberia Has To Offer?
(
By Philip A. Z. Banks, III)
I had the occasion a few days ago to meet colleagues from other
African nations---lawyers, economists, engineers and many more.
Liberia”, they said, “used to be the pride and joy of
the African continent, a nation many envied, a nation we could look
to when we faltered and were in despair.” Today, they continued,
we are frightened of Africa’s future because of what
Liberia is offering the continent.”
Ambassador
Weah, Please Accept the Election Result
(By Gayah Fahnbulleh)
Fellow Liberians, there is an old Chinese adage that says, "
A million mile journey begins with the first step. In this case,
it was the elections. Even though the elections are over, the conclusion
of legislative and presidential elections do not ultimately translate
them into lasting peace. The obtainment of peace is a long and enduring
process that requires genuine commitment and tolerance to nationhood.
Please
Do The Honorable Thing, Weah
(By Wellington Newton)
I am adding my voice to the many calls for George Weah and his supporters
to concede in the interest of peace. This is the right and honorable
thing to do.
Powerful
African Leaders Endorse Liberia’s Election
(Forum)
Seven African leaders meeting in Abuja Nigeria, have rated the run-off
election between CDC George Weah and UP Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as
free, fair and transparent.
The People
Have Spoken - Mawolo
(Forum)
A campaign political officer of the Unity Party, Tarnue Mawolo,
says the vote on November 8 run-off election was an expression of
the will of the Liberian people and this was expressed unequivocally
and clearly; writes, Josiah S. Hallie.
Karter
Urges CDC to Concede Defeat
(Forum)
(By: Obadiah Karnah, II)
A resident of Besely Drive Stone Mountain in Atlanta Georgia, USA,
says he is impressed with the conduct of the first and second rounds
of the post-war presidential elections in the West African state
of Liberia.
Who Is
The Grassrooter?
(Forum)
(By: Kaazogon-gbay Geekan)
Since the possibility of a presidential run-off election between
George Weah and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf become apparent, a new language
crept into the vocabulary of “sidewalk intellectuals”
and “Hatai politicians.” As a member of this new breed
of informal parliamentarians,
Int’l
Election Observers Declare Run-off Credible
(Forum)
(By: Lewis K. Glay)
Several international election observers who witnessed Liberia’s
run-off election have declared the process as being free, fair and
orderly thus putting the country on the path of genuine peace and
stability.
"In
the Cause of the People:" Liberian Voters Plainly Reject the
"Congo-Country" Divide
(
William E. Allen)
The result of the November 8, 2005 Liberian run-off election strongly
indicates that the voters' choice of Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
was made undeniably "in the cause of the people." Voters
from across Liberia’s diverse cultural landscape spurned the
temptation to select a candidate based solely on his or her ethnicity,
or in other words, they refused to choose someone because he or
she was entirely "Congo" or entirely "Country."
Criminal
Charges Hang Over George Weah?
(By Sonkarley T. Beaie)
The news from Liberia after the November 8 run-off election between
Weah and Sirleaf is very worrisome and I kindly ask Mr. Weah to
give peace a chance by accepting the results which had been described
as free, fair and transparent by observers.
George Manneh
Weah: Give It Up
(By Winsley S. Nanka)
The November 11, 2005 edition of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported
that defeated Liberian presidential candidate, Mr. George Manneh
Weah, has challenged the result of the November 8, 2005 run-off
presidential election, indicating that the election was rigged in
favor of Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf.
“Putting
Liberia First - An Appeal To Ambassador Weah”
(By Coker A. J. George) On one of our several meetings
with President Tolbert, he said: “Mr. George, I told Mrs.
Tolbert, that beside God, nothing comes before Liberia. He continued,
I put Liberia first in all that I do. It was on the occasion when
the Minister of Agriculture had requested that I be relieved from
serving as General Manager of his Wiloria Estate in Bellefana, Bong
County in order to pursue graduate studies in Soil Science. Dr.
Tolbert asked me, “Mr. George, what do you have to say?”
Now We Know
The Real George Manneh Weah: A True Unifier Or Confusionist?
(By Michael B. Bull)
Prior to the 2005 Electioneering campaign in Liberia, many Liberians
from diverse political and social backgrounds crowded the field
for the presidency. After continuous public out cry, the politicians
narrowed the crowd to 22 candidates.
 |
|
CDC Demonstrates
|
Open Letter to Ambassador George Oppong Weah, National Standard Bearer, CDC
(From Citizen Christian K. “Noko4” Nelson)
The game is over. Please take note and govern yourself accordingly. This was an experience we all treasured and cherished, while it lasted. It was a good exercise for a fledging democracy; that you were allowed to compete in such a high-stake race. This sent the message out from Liberia to the world at large that any citizen who has certain prerequisite qualifications can run for the highest office of the land. Your run for the presidency was really a good experiment.
George Weah’s supporters are demonstrating in central Monrovia today
All businesses in the city are closed due to fear of looting. So far there has been no casualty reported. Weah and his supporters feel that the Liberian soccer legend was cheated in the just ended run off election. Mr. Weah came first in the first run but got fixated around 40% in the run off. With the exception of Maryland County, he won the whole of Southeastern Liberia – Grand Kru, Grand Gedeh, River Gee and Sinoe Counties.
Post Elections Analysis: How George Weah Lost
(
By: John S. Morlu)
It is a well established axiom that elections are not won on Election
Day. Election Day is just the validation of the political planning,
strategic and tactical maneuverings that the winner executed. As
we went into the first round of voting, the Liberian media and international
media characterized the race as a struggle between Ivy Leaguer and
former Finance Minister Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and internationally
acclaimed soccer super star George Manneh Weah.
 |
|
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
|
The Parties
And Candidates Who Didn’t Make It Should Concede
(
By Bishop Bennie D. Warner)
I greet you in the name of the Great Arbiter of human events. The
long awaited time has come when Liberians voted to elect openly,
a leader for the 21st century Liberia.
An Appeal
to Ambassador Weah to be Magnanimous and Concede Defeat
(Issued By The National Communications and Strategy Committee
UP (USA))
We wish to congratulate the candidates, the NEC and the Liberian
people for conducting themselves in an appropriate and professional
manner in service to the country and the democratic process during
the November 8, 2005 run-off election.
Give Peace
A Chance:Open Letter to King George (Weah) & Supporters
(Peter A. Davis)
As a Liberian residing in the United States like many others, I
have quietly been following developments in our country, and have
been very impressed with the elections (the October 11 and Nov.
4 Run-off).
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf:
Looking Strong in Early Results
Liberians voted quietly yesterday in the runoff election in a bid
to choose a leader who will resurrect the country after 14 years
of brutal civil conflict that destroyed this West African country.
Turnout was not as good as in the October 11 elections. The runoff
is between soccer legend George Weah and Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
otherwise known as the “Iron Lady”.
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf:
Africa’s First Female President?
The run-off election for war-ravaged Liberia is set for tomorrow.
In the first round where 22 presidential candidates contested, no
candidate got the needed 50% plus one vote to win the elections.
As per the elections law, the two highest vote-getters will meet
in the runoff. Liberia’s soccer legend George Weah and Madam
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf a veteran politician and an international
figure were the two highest vote getters who will meet in the runoff
tomorrow.
Fear The
Child Who Bites Before Birth
(
By James Seitua)
He’s called the great unifier; the man who has supported no
insurgency, but if utterances political candidates make are anything
that matter, the Liberian people must vote wisely on Tuesday or
be prepared for the last hole on the belt, more displaced centers,
refugee camps, and final abandonment by the world.
Leadership
for a Nation in Crisis: Liberia
(By: Abraham James)
The Liberian nation is at a major crossroads, and Liberians are
being called upon to select one of two candidates to provide effective
presidential leadership beginning this January. The nation is in
crisis and needs a leader with crisis management abilities.
Let The Best
Player Have The #1 Jersey – The Presidency
(By Coker A. J. George, Jr.)
We join thousands of Liberians in the USA, and the Diaspora in congratulating
you for the well disciplined and civilized manner displayed in the
exercise of your franchise during the first of the presidential
and vice presidential elections.
Liberia Needs
More Than ‘Common Sense’ For Its Reconstruction
(Wollor E. Topor)
I read the FrontPageAfrica.com interview with presidential candidate
Ambassador George Weah in which he gave emphasis to his ability
in using ‘common sense’ in the rebuilding of war-torn
Liberia. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, ‘common sense’
is “the habit of the first principle.” No one doubts
Hon. Weah’s natural logic in developing Liberia. God has seen
it fit to endow each creature with talent or power commensurate
to its nature.
More Support For Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
As Liberians prepare to elect a new leader at this crucial juncture
of our political history, it is worth emphasizing how utterly important
this decision is. Although this may seem as just a political decision,
it actually encompasses the totality of our social, economic and
political well-being.
Baccus
Should Be Last to Talk About Instability - Says Dr. Fahnbulleh
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. H. Boimah Fahnbulleh says Gabriel
Baccus Matthews should be the last to accuse anyone of bringing
instability in Liberia.
FINAL BATTLE!-Who
Brings the Light; Ellen or Weah? (Forum)
Liberians in their droves go to the poll again tomorrow to choose
between Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Unity Party and football
legend turned politician, Mr. George Oppong Weah during a run-off
election
Blah Falls
in Trouble
Former President Moses Z. Blah may no longer enjoy his United Nations
Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) offered security amenity immediately
after the run-off election.
We Don’t
Want to Turn to Ugly Pages of History Any More - Mulbah
University of Liberia Associate Professor of Mass Communication
Joe W. Mulbah says Liberians do not want repeat the ugly pages of
history any more following decades of chaos in the country.
Brumskine
Still Sitting On The Fence
Cllr. Charles Brumskine remains committed to his decision not to
declare support to any of the contestants- George Weah of Congress
for Democratic Change and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Unity Party for
the run-off.
Ellen Is
The Way, Light and Hope
JUDGING BETWEEN LIGHT and darkness, political substance and national
vampires, the virtues of democracy and negative political approaches
all in the face of the prevailing phenomenon where Liberia pitifully
stands at the crossroad, we think Ellen Sirleaf of the Unity Party
remains the light,
The significance
of choosing a candidate and the danger of being neutral
(
By: Zack G. W. Sharpe, III )
I am a member of Liberty Party and we supported a candidate for
the presidency of Liberia because we believe he was the right man
with great vision and with whom we were to change the political
landscape in Liberia. During the campaign season, we worked very
hard to have him elected because we felt he was the best candidate
to govern Liberia and still feel the same today. Unfortunately for
me and many Liberians, our candidate did not make it to the runoff.
This decision by most Liberians has shown us that democracy doesn’t
always give you the best or most competent candidate for an elected
position.
Boye
Charles: A Lier In Disguise?
(By D. Zeogar Wilson)
I was appalled by a story from Mr. Josephus Moses Gray, posted to
The Perspective Website dated November 2, 2005, Captioned
“George Weah Linked To
Rebel Group MODEL By Two Lone Star Players”. According
to Mr. Gray, Messrs Dionysius Sebwe and Jonathan Sogbe on Tuesday,
November 1, 2005 appeared on the 50-50 talk show of Sky 107 FM and
stated, amongst other things, that Ambassador George Manneh Weah
was a supported of the disbanded rebel group “Movement for
democracy in Liberia (MODEL)”,
Weah Identifies
Political Godfathers(France, Italy) to Reconstruct Liberia
–Accuses America of Supporting Ellen
What appears to be a budge in political alliance to change Liberia’s
close ties with Washington seems to be surfacing as the Standard-bearer
of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), George Weah, has reportedly
found European godfathers as his backbone to develop Liberia should
he win the presidency.
“My
Husband Is Not Prepared” - Clar Weah Breaks Silence
Mrs. Clar Weah, the legally wedded wife of Ambassador George Weah
says she sees Liberia as a dangerous state under the administration
of Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).
Moses Blah
Booed in Ganta
Former President Moses Blah over the weekend reportedly received
a shock of his life in the Commercial City of Ganta, Nimba County
when he was part of a campaign team of the Congress for Democratic
Change (CDC).
Etwida
Cooper Admonishes UP Partisans
(By: Buxton Davies)
The Executive Directress of the Liberia Women’s Initiative
(LWI) Ms. Etwida A. Cooper is admonishing members of the United
Youth for Ellen Presidency (UYEP) and partisans of the Unity Party
to be vigilant and committed in their campaign spree so that Liberians
will enjoy the fruits of their mother land following their victory.
Did
The System Fail Weah, Or Did He Make A Choice?
(
By Gbe Sneh)
When campaign rhetoric deviates from the truth, it becomes hard
to bear. The system failed Weah.” That is what Winston Tubman
alleges in defense of Weah’s limited education. Tubman does
not elaborate on this flowery phrase, so we will just chalk that
off as a mere attempt to be philosophical without the attendant
support for the claim. Let’s assume that by system”
Tubman is making reference to the Liberian Education System. What
else could be inferred from such a phrase? So let’s find out
why all the young Liberian professionals of today made it, but Weah
didn’t.
 |
| Sumowuoi Pewu |
A Symbol
of Liberian Tragedy and Hope: A Memorial to Sumowuoi Pewu
(
William E. Allen)
On Saturday, October 15, 2005 as Liberians continued the post election
celebration of probably their freest election, Sumowuoi Pewu was buried
quietly in Forth Worth, Texas; he died earlier on October 2, of Hodgkin’s
Lymphoma. In many ways, Pewu’s life was a symbol of the tragedy
and the hope of Liberia. The tragedy is the age-old social injustice
that spawned the national violence of April 1979, which turned uncontrollably
into years of devastating civil war. Like his fellow Liberians, and
this is the hope, Pewu strongly believed that in spite of the bloodshed
and bitter division, Liberians could still enjoy a bright future.
George
Weah Linked To Rebels Group MODEL By Two Lone Star Players
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
It has been revealed that George Weah, a flag-bearer of the Congress
for Democratic Change (CDC) and one of the two presidential candidates
in the November 8 run off election, is a supporter of the disbanded
rebel group-Movement for democracy in Liberia (MODEL). But Mr. Weah
has vehemently reacted to the allegations, saying that all are propaganda
against him, and should not be taken for granted.
George
Weah Pulls Out Of Political Debate, Disappoints Thousands of Liberians
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
The much awaited and final round of a live presidential debate between
the two frontrunners in the first round of Liberia’s post-war
elections, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Sports Ambassador George
We has been abruptly put off by the organizers –the International
Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI)
owing to the inability of Amb. Weah to live up to his commitment
to show up for the intellectual thought provocative political showdown.
Why
the E.U. Concept of Development in Liberia is Dangerous?
(By Moses Geply)
The economic history of nations, developed and now emerging economies
in Asia such as South Korea and the new economic superpower, China
and even Botswana in Africa, shows that such vibrant economies were
never built solely by foreigners but through true patriotic and
nationalist leaderships of those countries. In the Middle-East similar
facts of world history have taught us that pre-war industrialized
Iraq...
Liberians
Must Choose Unity Over Division
(By Edith Gongloe-Weh)
Liberia’s political landscape is again fearfully gearing for
self-destruction in spite of the current deplorable condition of
the country and the polarization of tribal groups, if it is true
that Mr. Weah, with the advice of his political strategists, has
promised to “wipe the tears of Grand Gedeans”.
Last Chance,
Last Hope! - Many Prefer Ellen
(Forum)
With the November poll just a stone’s throw away in the face
of what is called “choosing the lesser of two evils”
several Liberians are beginning to take a glimpse at the writing
on the wall of the international community and therefore guiding
themselves to make a choice that would be a lasting solution for
Liberia’s compounded problems.
Let’s
Read the Writing on the Wall
(Forum)
THE RUN-OFF election which is expected to introduce the war weary
people of Liberia to a new day and a new political dispensation
regarding vibrant democracy and emancipation from the state of poverty,
ignorance and disease among other national destructive vices takes
place on November 8 with the Unity Party and the Congress for Democratic
Change (CDC) flag bearers, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Mr. George
Oppong Weah expected to stand the poll for proper evaluation and
final selection.
Sectarian
Politics: Its Danger to Our Fledging Democracy
(Forum)
Liberia is today going through new political dispensation as the
people continue to demonstrate their democratic rights in electing
their leaders in the ongoing election. But be as it may there appears
to be political venom: Congo-native sentiment that is rearing its
ugly head in our political landscape by certain politicians.
