Europe’s New Timber Law Threatened; by 3 Quarters of Ghana’s Logging Permits

The majority of logging permits in use in Ghana will not fall within the legal definition the country has agreed to with the European Union, documents obtained by Global Witness reveal.

The Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between the European Union and Ghana was ratified in March 2010, Global Witness said. It includes a legal definition that is the basis for determining whether a legality license can be issued. This covers the source of the timber, permit allocation, timber harvesting operations, transportation, processing, trade and fiscal obligations, all referring to Ghana’s laws. This legal definition will come into play only when a Legality Assurance System and other arrangements are completed. The Forestry Commission anticipates this will be in early 2014.

Analysis of over 800 permits handed to logging companies in Ghana shows the majority of timber being cut and exported carries a high-risk of being illegal, the global ecological and concession campaigner said. This could land European importers with a substantial jail term or heavy fine, under the EU’s new Timber Regulation (EUTR) which came into force in March 2013.

Liberia: Despite acknowledging FPA’s Apology to Matilda Parker; PUL Condemns FrontPage Africa

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) yesterday announced that it “condemned FrontPage Africa (FPA) newspaper for distasteful comments that appeared in its publication of May 23rd 2013,” directed at to National Port Authority (NPA) boss, Matilda Parker.

This remonstrance (a strong protest, complaint or criticism about something) the PUL made plain, registers the Union’s strong disapproval of its recent handling of a story involving Ms. Parker, even though the Union has acknowledged FrontPage Africa’s apology and its submission of an explanation for it’s action, now dismissed as unacceptable.

Africa Warned Against Misguided Economic Activities

African leaders in a pose with AU Commission chair, Dr. Zuma

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has expressed her pleasure that narratives on Africa are changing, and that these new narratives are a clear testimony that Pan Africanism and the African Renaissance have brought the continent closer together, thereby changing the narratives of doom to those of opportunities, progress and development.

According to a dispatch from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, President Sirleaf made the comments following a debate on “Pan Africanism and the African Renaissance,” as part of celebrations marking the Golden Jubilee of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), on Saturday, May 25.

George Weah Tackles Reconciliation in Liberia

Soccer-star-turned-politician George Weah finally gets to work. Says He’s all set to tackle reconciliation in his homeland (Liberia) as the war-torn country's peace ambassador. Weah has finally decided to do what many in the public had expected of him since his joyful acceptance of his new portfolio: Liberia’s Peace Ambassador. He has signaled his preparedness to tackle reconciliation in Liberia beginning next month.

Already, Weah has written the Senate, informing that body of his readiness to launch his brand of the peace and reconciliation initiative and pushing it around the country, across ethnic, gender, religious, social and political lines. He has made it clear that he will be taking on the weighty task of trying to reconcile this war-scarred society through a national reconciliation sports festival that is expected to run from June 20 - 23, 2013. In early April, 2013, Weah informed the Liberian people that genuine peace in Liberia would remain an illusion if people expected him to single-handedly lead the charge in the country’s search for authentic peace and reconciliation.

In Liberia: US$278,904 Unreconciled in Extractive Sectors

In its 4th report for Liberia, the global extractive industry transparency initiative (LEITI) revealed that on the overall, the total reported as received by the agencies of the Government of Liberia between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011, amounted to US$117,802,566.90 with an unreconciled net difference of US$278,904.90 (0.24%).

Liberia: US$330K ‘Unaccounted for’ in Oil Sector; LEITI Report Reveals

The Extractive Industry Transparency Industry for Liberia (LEITI) last Wednesday released its 4th report covering the financial year July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Analyzing total payment and differences per sector, LEITI found that within the oil sector, companies paid US$49,911,073.86 but only US$49,681,073.86 was paid into government’s coffers.

Amnesty Int'l Concurs With U.S. Govt on Corrupt Liberian Judiciary

Chief Justice Korkpor said mess in the system was inherited

Liberia’s justice system remains inefficient, under-resourced and corrupt, Amnesty International’s 2013 State of World’s Human Rights Report has find. This follows the release in April 2013 by the U.S. State Department of its 2012 Human Rights Report which also criticized Liberia for judicial inefficiency and corruption, lengthy pretrial detention, denial of due process and harsh prison conditions.

As highlighted by the U.S. Government in its report, Amnesty International also found court processes slow resulting in detainees being kept in lengthy pre-trial detention. Approximately, according to Amnesty International, 80% of the prison population was awaiting trial. The 2012 United States government's Human Right Report said an estimated 78 percent of prisoners in Liberia were pretrial detainees, despite the release of hundreds (710) by the “Fast Track Court and 26 by the probation program to reduce overcrowding.”

Violence against Women Rife In Liberia; Reveals Amnesty International

Gender-based violence continues to remain a problem in Liberia

The 2013 State of the World  Report issued by Amnesty International yesterday says domestic violence is still not a crime in Liberia.  According to the report, violence against women  remains rife, as does rape and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls. This includes harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation and early marriage.

The 2012 U.S. Human Rights Report also referenced this. It said, “The law prohibits domestic violence; however, it remained a widespread problem. The maximum penalty for domestic violence is six months’ imprisonment, but the government did not enforce the law effectively and generally treated cases, if reported, as either simple or aggravated assault.”

Liberia: CDC Constitutes Concessions Committee

Soccer-star George Weah's CDC is Liberia's top opposition party

The opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has announced the setting up of an 11-person working group on concessions, contracts and agreements.

The committee, the CDC said, is mandated to draw up a strategic advocacy mechanism and schematic technical analysis necessary to ensure that the Liberian government is held accountable in the nation’s resource sector protection  against waste, fraud and abuse.

Ivorian ‘Mercenaries’ Could Be Executed; If Extradited; Says Amnesty International

Amnesty International has released its 2013 State of the World’s Human rights Report which criticizes Liberia’s court system for violating the customary international legal principle of non-refoulement during an extradition process of some Ivoirians accused of attempting to cross into Liberia with guns.  It said the right to due process of many of the accused was also abused.

In June 2012, 41 people, arrested in 2011 and accused of attempting to cross into Côte d’Ivoire from Liberia with weapons, were extradited to Côte d’Ivoire at the request of the Ivorian government, despite the expressed fears of UN agencies, human rights organizations and others that the individuals would be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment, including unfair trial, the group said in its report.

The global human rights campaigner then said that during court proceedings related to the extradition, many individuals did not have interpreters, and an appeal against their extradition as well as a habeas corpus petition were pending at the time of their extradition.

“At least, 11 were registered refugees. Others who claimed to be seeking asylum were not allowed to access asylum proceedings and the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, lawyers and others were not allowed access to these people to verify their identities or their potential claims to asylum,” the report added.

It also recalled that in December, another extradition request was made for eight nationals of Côte d’Ivoire – seven adult men and one child.

They are accused by the Ivorian government of having launched an attack that resulted in the death of seven UN peacekeepers and one Ivorian soldier in June 2012. They are also charged in Liberia with various offences including murder, rape, and being mercenaries.

“There are serious concerns about the lack of evidence in both cases. If extradited, they could be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment, unfair trial, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance or extra-legal, arbitrary or summary execution,” the group said.

Armed gangs, believed to be Liberia-based, have used the Liberian side of the border to launch deadly attacks inside Ivory Coast. They are also believed to be mercenaries backing former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo. Defendants Frank Oliver, Nellie Edward, Nellie Junior, Kamanda, and four others were arrested by Liberian securities on multiple criminal charges along with their Liberian counterparts for allegedly siding with ousted Ivorian President Laurent Gbargbo to destabilize neighboring Cote d'Ivoire.

The defendants have since faced charges of rape, murder and being mercenaries,  among other charges, with reports that they were part of an attack in which seven Niger Contingents of the United Nations (UN) Peace Keepers in Ivory Coast were killed. They were also accused of fleeing to Liberia after committing the alleged crimes in Ivory Coast; but the defendants have denied such charges levied against them, insisting that they were refugees in Liberia.

President Sirleaf’s Double Standard on Press Freedom Exposed

Journalists in Liberia have decided to relax their 18-day protest against President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for refusing to dissociate herself from a recent gun threat made by her chief bodyguard against the local media. Below is the statement issued today in Monrovia by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL):

 Press Union of Liberia Position on President Sirleaf’s Double Standard on Press Freedom in Liberia

Fellow Colleagues, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the events of the last 18 days have been well documented.

On May 3, 2013, members of the Liberian media assembled in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County to observe World Press Freedom Day, a day declared by the United Nations to remind member states about the need for a free, independent and pluralistic media. But it was also to pay tribute to journalists and media workers who were killed in the performance of their trade.

A Chance & Space to Grow: The Liberian & Nepalese Case

In May 2011, the Government of Nepal declared schools in that country as zones of peace in an effort to protect children from further devastation in times of conflict. During that Asian country’s 10-years of civil war, schools were targeted by both warring factions and government security forces. Students were recruited into fighting forces, while educational infrastructures, mainly school buildings, were used as military barracks by fighting forces. Instructional materials were all destroyed as well.   

UNSG, World Bank Prez Head to Africa’s Great Lakes Region

UNSG Ban Ki-moon

World Bank Group President Dr. Jim Yong Kim and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will make an historic joint visit to Africa’s Great Lakes region from May 22nd – 24th in support of a recent landmark peace agreement and to push for economic development in one of the world’s most troubled regions.

Kim and Mr. Ban will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from May 22nd – 23rd; Rwanda from May 23rd – 24th; and Uganda on May 24th, the World Bank said Monday.

The visit will draw attention to the plight of fragile and conflict-affected countries struggling to meet the Millennium Development Goals and will highlight the commitment of the two international organizations to jointly tackle global conflict and poverty.

U.S. Warns Of Violence In Côte d’Ivoire

Ivorian President Ouattara

The security situation in Côte d’Ivoire could quickly deteriorate despite recent security gains, the U.S. State Department has warned.  According to the U.S. State Department, the country’s April 2013 municipal and regional elections were relatively peaceful and security forces were able to address limited outbreaks of violence on their own.

"Although the security situation significantly improved in 2013, security conditions can change quickly and without warning," the State Department’s warning read.

Liberia: Making a Living Through Cold Water Sale

Mama Flomo

Take a reflective look at a displaced or refugee camp within which a home of 10 children [all of the same mother] existed without the mother. How would the children feel at home? How would the atmosphere in that home look? Imagine the physical, emotional and spiritual trauma the children will go through in the absence of their mother. All of these attest to the indelible role Mothers have and continue to play in raising their families. In post-war Liberia, some mothers are the sole breadwinners; the duty to raise the children falls squarely on them.

Mama Flomo, currently, a resident of South Beach, United Nations (UN) Drive, in Monrovia, hails from Zorzor district, Lofa County. She is a mother of 10 children and has, for six years, depended on the sale of cold-water at the Rally Time Market to make ends meet. The profits she makes are used to feed her large family and send at least six of her children to school. Her four grown-up daughters are yet to enter college or university following their completion of senior secondary schools or gain any employment in our job scarce country.

AU Urged to Assist Victims of Atrocities

Civil society groups from more than 30 African countries have called on African Union (AU) member countries to ensure that the AU promotes justice for grave international crimes. The groups’ concerns were expressed in a letter to the foreign ministers of African Union member states which was made public on Friday, May 17.

African Journalists Concern “About Growing Acts of Intolerance against Liberian Journalists”

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Executive Mansion
Monrovia, Liberia

Your Excellency,

The West African Journalists Association (WAJA) and the undersigned media partners and freedom of expression groups wish to express our grave concern over recent threats against media freedom in Liberia by senior state officials, which we strongly condemn. We are also worried about the reported stance of the Office of the President on the matter, which unfortunately is apparently not supportive of media freedom.

LIberia: NUDP Differs with PYJ

Nimba County Senior Senator Prince Y. Johnson’s recent decision to quit the National Union for Democratic Progress (NUDP) has been welcomed by the party. However, the party refuses to entertain the notion that Senator Johnson’s exit means a “big blow” to it.

Announcing his exit from the party earlier this week, Senator Johnson bragged of being the most popular figure of the party. He told a news conference Monday that he remains confident his supporters will follow him to whichever party he may join in the future.

Panel’s Report Essential to Unveiling Secrecy in Resource Deals; Global Witness Says

The ecological and concessions watchdog group,  Global Witness, has backed a call by prominent figures, including Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof and Graca Machel, for Africa’s natural resource wealth to be used for the benefit of its people.

This year’s report from the Africa Progress Panel, Equity in Extractives, calls on the G8 and the G20 nations to establish common rules requiring full public disclosure of the beneficial ownership of companies, with no exceptions.  These include  companies bidding for natural resource concessions, who are urged to disclose the names of the people who own and control them and Canada, China and Australia to support project-by-project disclosure standards by their companies overseas.  The United States and European Union have recently supported these initiatives.

Liberia Pledges $100K to Help Mali

Minister Ngafuan

The Government of Liberia has committed itself to contributing US$100,000.00 to recovery efforts in the West African State of Mali.

Government made the commitment at a one-day International Donor Conference for the Development of Mali. The conference was held under the theme: “Together For A New Mali”. It was held on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, in Brussels, Belgium.

Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan made the pledge on behalf of the government and people of Liberia when he delivered a special statement at the one-day gathering in Europe’s political capital. 

Liberia Systematically Breaking Its Own Oil, Forest Laws

Global Witness has welcomed a new audit recommending that the Liberian government take immediate action to address systematic gaps in compliance with laws on how its natural resources are allocated. The report, commissioned by LEITI, Liberia’s groundbreaking transparency initiative, revealed that laws had been broken in virtually every natural resource deal since 2009.

Tax Avoidance, Evasion Undermine Africa’s Progress; New Report Finds

Africa is standing on the edge of enormous opportunity, this year’s Africa Progress Report finds, and African policy makers have critical choices to make. They can either invest their natural resource revenue in people to generate jobs and opportunities for millions in present and future generations; or they can squander this opportunity, allowing jobless growth and inequality to take root.

Curbing the Soaring Threats to Free Speech

Media freedom across the world has continued to sustain severe threats on diverse fronts. On a daily basis, more and more journalists are being harassed, attacked, and killed, sued or jailed for their work. This problem has its prime root in that fact that more governments around the world are becoming increasingly repressive of free speech, despite constitutional provisions, which give the people the right to unfettered access to information by guaranteeing the freedoms of the press and of speech. In 2011, UNESCO condemned the killing of 62 journalists who died as a result of their work. A recent report by Reporters Without Borders estimated that over the last year, at least one journalist was killed every five days. 

Liberia: Government Says PUL Blackout Violates Citizens' Right to Know

This was Liberia's oldest independent daily's response to the Gov't

The Government, through its Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, has called on the leadership of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to reconsider and reverse its “news blackout” decision on the government.

In a statement issued last night in Monrovia, government said the “news blackout which was recently announced by members of the PUL does not only threaten to undermine the collective achievements of the Liberian people and their government in advancing the causes of free speech and the press but also unjustifiably penalizes innocent Liberians by denying them their right to information about the activities and functions of their government.”

Evening Snack

Fresh corn from the garden #photo of the day#

President Sirleaf's Security Chief Begs for Pardon

The Daily Observer came down hard on the EPS boss

After declaring himself as the [first] official of the Sirleaf-Administration to publically threaten the relative freedom given to the Liberian media, Othello Warrick, head of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), formerly the Special Security Service (SSS), has said that his recent gun threat against local journalist was a wrong interpretation of his comments.

It may be recalled that what was expected to be an exciting and reflective World Press Freedom Day celebration held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, turned rather dismal and confrontational when the director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS) all of a sudden branded Liberian journalists as “terrorists”.

 “Be careful in questioning the integrity of Liberians. Be-careful, because you have your pen and we have our guns. And if you incriminate the character or integrity of Liberians like myself, we would come after you,” he threatened.

Journalists Impose News Blackout on Liberian Presidency

Independent dailies came out with these on Friday, marking DAY ONE of the black front page protest

Members of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) have today (Thursday) taken several actions in response to disparaging and threatening remarks made against journalists at programs marking the annual observance of World Press Freedom Day in Buchanan, Grand Bassa on May 3, 2013 by the Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), Mr. Othello Warrick.

Mr. Warrick described media personnel as terrorists and threatened to move on them, if they question the integrity of the president.

Liberia: Journalists Meet on President Sirleaf's Security Chief’s Gun Threat

PUL prez. Quaqua says local journalists need solidarity action

Journalists from all walks of the Liberian media will today converge on the Clay Street headquarters of their parent body, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), to discuss what many in the public have described as “life threatening and anti speech” statement directed at by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s chief bodyguard, EPS Chief, Othello Warrick.

It may be recalled that what was expected to be an exciting and reflective World Press Freedom Day celebration held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, turned rather dismal and confrontational when the director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS) all of a sudden branded Liberian journalists as “terrorists”.

Mr. Othello Warrick made his scathing remarks when he served as a panelist at the last weekend's celebratory of World Press Freedom Day in Liberia.

Fired Or Resigned?; Leroy Urey Bows Out After His Replacement Was Announced

Cllr. Leroy Urey’s three years at the helm of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) seemed to meet an anti-climactic end Monday when President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf announced his replacement during a fresh round of nomination of individuals to various posts in government. And then, barely 12 hours following that announcement, the Executive Mansion announced [Tuesday] that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf had accepted the resignation of Cllr. Urey.

Poor Turnout Mars Bassa By-election

A scene from a polling center in Buchanan

Voting in Grand Bassa senatorial by-election took place yesterday amid a very poor turnout as most people ignored the polls, preferring to go about their normal business. Polling stations were virtually empty across the county’s main city, Buchanan.

At least five persons would show up at a particular polling center after every one hour. Buchanan City was most affected compared to other electoral districts across the county. Polling stations across the county opened by 8 a.m. and closed by 6 p.m.

Passport Division Back in ‘Mess’; Extortion of Money from Applicants Angers President Sirleaf

The President has ordered a probe into the matter

Upon hearing of a breakdown in the system of issuing passports, with long lines and huge money being extorted from people for processing their passports, an angry President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Monday paid a surprise visit to the Passport Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The President’s mission there was to see the situation first-hand.

In Liberia: Fresh Recycling Made in Govt

Pres. Sirleaf

In continuance with the nomination of officials to positions in government, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf last night made several controversial appointments. The nominees are subject to confirmation by the Senate, where applicable, the Executive Mansion said.

Former minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Morris Dukuly, has made a fresh come-back in the Sirleaf-Administration, this time as minister of Internal Affairs; booting out Mr. Blamo Nelson who earlier replaced Harrison Karnwea.

Morris Dukuly resigned as minister of State for Presidential Affairs shortly after a fire incident that ripped the fourth floor of the Executive Mansion and destroyed the offices of the President on July 26 2006. The fire mysteriously broke out during celebrations marking Liberia’s 159th independence anniversary – ceremonies that were attended by three West African presidents. A final report presented by foreign experts hired by government to probe the matter ruled out arson in the blaze. But Mr. Dukuly still resigned his post. Former Grand Kru County Senator Blamo Nelson replaced Mr. Harrison Karnwea in mid January 2012, after losing a bid for reelection during the October 11, 2011 race.

Liberia: Varney Sherman Named Nat’l Orator

Sherman is also a Unity Party stalwart

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has named Cllr. H. Varney Sherman, as Orator for Liberia’s 166th Independence Day.

Cllr. Sherman is expected to speak at the formal Independence Day Indoor Program to be held in Tubmanburg, Bomi County on July 26, 2013, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced last night. 

A prominent Monrovia lawyer and a partner in the law firm of Sherman and Sherman, Cllr. Sherman currently serves as national chairman of the ruling Unity Party.

According to the Foreign Ministry, unlike in the recent past when the Independence Day celebrations were hosted by a particular county, this year’s celebrations will be hosted by three western counties – Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu.

President Sirleaf Declares War on Rape

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Sexual violence is a growing concern in our country, especially the rape of children. Statistics from the Ministry of Gender and Development show that of all of the rape cases reported from the 15 counties, over 60 percent are children under 14 years of age, with girls being sexually abused more often but boys, too, have been victimized.

In 2012, 2,493 sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases were reported, up from 2,383 cases the previous year.  County statistics show that Montserrado accounts for the highest number (1,493) of reported rapes, followed by Margibi (180), Bong (139), and Grand Cape Mount (104).

Other counties such as: Bomi, 92; Grand Bassa, 84; Lofa, 71; Gbarpolu and Maryland, 66 each; Nimba, 61; Grand Gedeh, 38; River Cess, 36; River Gee, 31; Grand Kru, 22; and Sinoe, with 9.

We commend the people of Sinoe County. We know there are cases of under-reporting or not reporting, but at least on the basis of the statistics before us, Sinoe has the least number of incidences, and we will say to the Superintendent and those from Sinoe County, we thank you and ask that you continue to work on it so that you have a zero in the next report.

Liberia: Women to Take On Rapists

Women and girls continue to endure the heinous crime of rape

As though the seven years to life sentence for rape convicts – depending on the gravity of the crime, under the 2006 rape law – were not enough, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has suggested that rapists rather be turned over to the women if the court can’t prosecute them (rapists).

The President, herself a woman, did not state how rapists would be dealt with, should they be turned over to the women – what kind of justice would be served by the women who are themselves, victims of the inhumane act of rape?

Logging Permits Abuse Robs Liberia

Companies have abused licences known as Private Use Permits (PUPs) to buy up a quarter of Liberia’s total land mass in just two years, placing the country’s forests and the people who depend upon them under severe threat and risking the collapse of the country’s fragile post-conflict reform efforts, a new report by Global Witness has found.

The new report, Logging in the shadows, identifies a largely hidden pattern of abuse across Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana and Liberia, in which permits designed to promote small businesses and meet local needs are being allocated in their hundreds to industrial logging companies. These “shadow permits” open the door to highly lucrative, large-scale logging operations which bypass oversight by the authorities.