Thursday, May 15, 2014, Edition

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LEGISLATIVE
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ANALYSIS
VOL 8 NO.594
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
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CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA
MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES
LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR
These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of
the foreign exchange market in Monrovia and its environs. The
rates are collected from the Forex Bureaux and the commercials
banks. The rates are not set by the Central Bank of Liberia.
Source: Research, Policy and Planning Department, Central Bank Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia
THURSDAY, MAY1, 2014 L$87.00/US$1 L$88.00/US$1
BUYING SELLING
L$88.00/US$1 L$89.00/US$1
L$89.00/US$1 L$88.00/US$1
WEDNESDAY, MAY7, 2014
THURSDAY, MAY8, 2014

Bryant's Funeral pg. 10&11
ALARMING
CODE OF
CONDUCT
LIBERIANS ATTEND EMOTIONAL FORMER
NTGL CHAIRMANS FUNERAL

BRYANT
LAID TO REST
Gyude Bryant never held unto State power when it was time for him to leave. He never held
unto State power as some of us do around here. Bishop Jonathan B.B. Hart
WEDDING CRASHER
NO CHANCE
COUNTY NEWS
SPOT NEWS

Liberias Finance Minister
Predicts 74M Budget Shortfall Sirleaf Finally Puts Pen to
Paper on Key Legislation

Club Beer Vehicle Ruins
Couple honey ride
In Tom Woewiyus Hometown, Residents
Say Senate Bid All But Over
Page 2 |
Frontpage
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com
Monrovia
W
ith the arrest and indictment this week of Mr.
Jucontee Thomas Woewiyu, the United States
of America may have opened a can of worms
that could have serious repercussions for several
players in the Liberian civil war, especially those involved in
the formation of the Association of Constitutional Democracy
in Liberia(ACDL), a group, a U.S. indictment against Mr.
Woewiyu states, supported Charles Taylors National Patriotic
Front of Liberia (NPFL) and raised funds for the group.
At the heart of the now unsealed indictment is the connection
of Woewiyu to the ACDL whose members include President
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Dr. Amos Sawyer, former head of the
Interim Government of National Unity(IGNU), Dr. Patrick L.N.
Seyon, a former Vice President of the University of Liberia and
research fellow at the African Studies Center, Boston University,
Ezekiel Pajibo, a former students activist, Dr. Momo Rogers,
Director General of the Sirleaf Cabinet, Mr. Harry A. Greaves,
former Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refning
Company(LPRC) and the late Mamadee Woahtee.
The indictment states: While residing in the United States,
defendant JUCONTEE THOMAS WOEWIYU formed the
Association for Constitutional Democracy in Liberia(ACDL), an
organization that advocated against the Doe regime. Defendant
Woewiyu, also along with its leader, Charles Taylor and others,
founded the National Patriotic Front of Liberia(NPFL), a
military organization committed to the violent overthrow of the
Doe government. The ACDL supported the NPFL and raised
funds for the group.
Most, if not all of those in the ACDL resided in the U.S. for
some period of time during the course of the civil war.
It Will Get Nasty, an ACDL Founder Says
A founding member of the ACDL who spoke to FrontPageAfrica
late Wednesday, shortly after the report of Woewiyus arrest and
release of the indictment, told FrontPageAfrica on condition
of anonymity: It will get very nasty. Trust me. Don't say I
did not warn you all. Just remember who the original members
of the ACDL are. It also has ethnic dimensions of his alleged
persecution of Krahns and Mandigoes makes it clear that the
indictment will be politically explosive in Liberia.
Woewiyu is charged with seven counts of perjury, two counts
of fraudulently attempting to obtain citizenship, and multiple
counts of fraud and making false statements.
Woewiyu has had a stormy relationship with President Sirleaf
for some time, but the pair appeared to have mended fences with
his recent appointment to the FDA board. In 2006, Sirleaf fled a
lawsuit against Woewiyou in which the President stated that she
felt injured by a statement allegedly published by Woewiyou
regarding Sirleaf purported role in the Liberian civil war.
U.S. prosecutors charge that in applying for U.S. citizenship in
2006, Woewiyu did not disclose his participation in the NPFL.
In his application, Woewiyu was required to sign a sworn
statement. By signing, prosecutors contend, Woewiyu attested
to never having advocated for the overthrow of any government
by force or violence and that he had never persecuted any
person because of race, religion, national origin, membership
in a particular social group, or political opinion, according to
the indictment. Following the election in Liberia of President
Charles Taylor, Woewiyu served as the nations Minister of
Labor from 1997 to 1999.
Woewiyu, according to the indictment in possession of
FrontPageAfrica, is accused of sharing responsibility for a
particularly heinous and brutal military campaign against
his Liberian countrymen and has been charged with lying to
American offcials in a bid to gain U.S. citizenship.
Woewiyu, 68, who was arrested Monday by Homeland Security
Investigations agents at Newark Liberty International Airport,
according to the indictment, has had legal resident status in
the United States since 1972. His most recent residence was in
Collingdale, Delaware County, said Zane David Memeger, U.S.
attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in a statement.
According to the indictment, Woewiyu was residing in the
United States when he formed the Association for Constitutional
Democracy in Liberia (ACDL) and began to advocate for the
ouster of Liberias then-dictator, Samuel K. Doe.
The indictment further notes that Woewiyu and others also
formed the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) a military
organization committed to the violent overthrow of the Doe
government. The ACDL, according to the indictment, provided
funding to the NPFL, and also received support from strong
man Moammar Gadhaf, who generously supplied NPFL rebels
with arms and specialized training in Libya.
The indictment further states that in 1990, a splinter group
captured and executed Doe. From 1990 to 1994, Woewiyu
served as the NPFLs Minister of Defense. According to the
indictment which was unsealed Tuesday, the group tortured
perceived adversaries and numerous civilians. Girls and
women were raped and forced into sex slavery, children were
conscripted into the army, and humanitarian aid workers were
murdered, according to the indictment.
Many political observers fear Woewiyus indictment could
trigger calls for other players of the civil war to face similar fate.
In a US embassy cable dated February 13, 2009 leaked by Wikileaks
(http://wikileaks.org/cable/2009/02/09MONROVIA125.html),
reference is made to Sirleafs 2009 Truth and Reconciliation
Commission(TRC) appearance in which she acknowledged her
membership in the ACDL.
EJS ACDL Ties Cited in Wikilieaks
The cable submitted by then ambassador Linda Thomas
Greenfeld summarized the following:
After postponing several times, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
testifed behind closed doors to the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission (TRC) on February 12. Her testimony was
subsequently broadcast on local radio stations. Sirleaf admitted
being an early sympathizer of Charles Taylor's National
Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) and of visiting Taylor's rebel
headquarters in Gborplay, Nimba County during the confict. She
acknowledged she was a founding member of the Association
of Constitutional Democracy in Liberia (ACDL), which raised
$10,000 to provide relief for people in NPFL-held territory, but
denied ever being a member of the NPFL or dressing in fatigues
to support Taylor. She hoped her testimony to the TRC would
be a step toward reconciliation in Liberia. Public reaction was
positive, but we have yet to see if Sirleaf's testimony encourages
others to step forward. END SUMMARY.
The cable continued:
During her unannounced but long-awaited testimony before the
TRC on February 12, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf admitted
participating in a student activist movement against President
Tolbert's government in 1969, but said she left Liberia shortly
afterwards to study at Harvard University. She returned in 1971,
was hired at the Ministry of Finance, and became Minister in
1979, but said she was never a member of Tolbert's True Whig
Party. (Note: She was openly critical of Taylor several times
during that period. End note.) Sirleaf was spared by Doe's
supporters in the April 12, 1980 coup when 13 of her Cabinet
colleagues were publicly executed, and she denied any prior
knowledge of the plot. The record shows that Sirleaf was even
more critical of Doe than she had been of Tolbert. She delivered
a speech in the United States in 1985 to the Union of Liberians
in the Americas (ULAA) in which she said, "Liberia is governed
by Doe and a bunch of idiots." She was arrested upon her return
to Liberia and spent two months in jail before she was pardoned
by Doe.
Sirleaf, according to the Wikileaks cable, was arrested again
in the aftermath of the November 12, 1985 coup for being an
alleged member of the rebellion but escaped from prison and
fed Liberia for the United States in 1986. Sirleaf said she met
Charles Taylor for the frst time in Paris in 1987, and that she
was a founding member of the Association of Constitutional
Democracy in Liberia (ACDL), a group that believed an armed
rebellion against Samuel Doe's government was necessary. She
admitted contributing to ACDL's $10,000 fundraiser, led by her
friend Harry Greaves, (currently Managing Director of Liberia
Petroleum Refning Corporation), and believed the funds were
to provide relief for people in Taylor's NPFL-held territory.
(Comment: Sirleaf testifed she was supporting relief to people
in NPFL-held territory; NPFL was, at the time, buying weapons
and we do not know if ACDL's money was diverted to buy
weapons. End comment.)
Duopu Death Severed Taylor-EJS Ties
The cable reported that Sirleaf said she met Taylor again in
early 1990 in Abidjan and he approved her subsequent visit
to his headquarters at Gborplay to see the progress of the war.
Sirleaf testifed she was "not impressed" with what she saw at
Gborplay, noting there seemed to be many Lebanese nationals
there. (Comment: Liberians interpret this to mean Taylor was
starting to collude with commercial interests instead of acting in
the national interest. End note.) Sirleaf said she fnally decided
to disengage from Taylor completely by July 1990 after he
murdered her good friend Moses Duopu, a founding member of
the ACDL and the NPFL.
Dr. Patrick L. N. Seyon, a former Research Fellow at the African
Studies Center, Boston University, who also served as a vice
president at the University of Liberia during the Doe era, took
issues with an interview conducted with Sirleaf and reported
in the January/March 2000 issue of The Perspective, in which
Sirleaf is quoted to have said:. . . As you have reported before,
a few of us, members of the Association for Constitutional
Democracy in Liberia (ACDL) then operating in Washington
DC, with the strong persuasion of one of our members, Tom
Woewiyu, did try to be of assistance to Mr. Taylor when his
rebellious activities seemed headed in the direction of a
strong response to protect people in Nimba County from an
overreaction of the Doe regime to their invasion of the country.
. . We raised the grand sum of $10,000, hardly an amount that
could do very much. In fact, it was a mere drop in the bucket.
The fact that the sum was so paltry explains why we had so
little leverage over Taylor and why he paid so little attention to
us, especially when we started raising questions about reports
of human rights violations by his troops. Initially, we had
committed ourselves to try to do more. But within six months
or so, i.e. around the middle of 1990, we had withdrawn any
support and any connection with Mr. Taylor and his group on
account of the serious atrocities which were taking place, some
affecting long standing political allies of ours. (p.9)
Seyon, who stated on record that he was chairman of the
ACDL during the period to which Sirleaf makes reference -
1989 - 1992, after which ACDL became moribund, wrote that
Sirleafs revelation cause him great concern which impelled
him to respond. They are: 1) ". . . a few . . ." members of ACDL
supported Charles Taylor in his brutal war campaign; 2) some
members of ACDL raised and contributed a sum of $10,000 to
Taylor; 3) the money was contributed in order to have "leverage
over Taylor"; and 4) ". . . any support [to] and any connection
with Taylor. . ." were reportedly withdrawn once it became
clear to the contributors/supporters that they could not exercise
"leverage over Taylor." Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf does not say who
in fact raised or contributed the money, nor does she name the
ACDL members who were the supporters of Taylor.
Frontpage
Thursday, May 15, 2014 Page 3

Tension in ACDL in the 90s
Dr. Seyon continued: There is controversy over those who (fnancially, politically, materially
and morally) supported Taylor and his National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) in their war
campaign, but who, now, make attempts to distance themselves from Taylor and the atrocities
of his war. When disassociating themselves from Taylor, the most convenient argument often
advanced is that they neither knew of Taylor's grand blueprint for war, nor approved of the
outcome. This propagandistic ploy allows them to nullify or control the truthful, objective picture
of their role in the war. Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf's statement in her above interview is a case in
point: "[W]e had withdrawn any support and any connection with Mr. Taylor and his group on
account of the serious atrocities which were taking place, some affecting long standing (sic)
political allies of ours." If the public accepts this propaganda, then Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf and
other contributors to the war get away clean. They have very cleverly presented themselves as
playing no role in or having any responsibility for the war. Since the withdrawal of support and
connection with Taylor and the NPFL was reportedly partially based on "serious atrocities", one
wonders whether committing "atrocities" was acceptable to Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf and her cohorts,
while committing "serious atrocities" was not. She also gave the impression that the support and
connection would or might have continued, if "long standing (sic) political allies" were not being
affected by the "serious atrocities."
Seyon went on to write that in early 1990, Sirleaf, Grace Minor, Harry Greaves, Jr. and Tom
Woewiyu sought to have ACDL endorse Taylor and his group. The majority took the position
that if the organization were opposing political rule from the barrel of the gun under Samuel Doe,
then it could not endorse or support Charles Taylor, who was also seeking to seize political power
through the barrel of the gun. It was argued, accordingly, that endorsing or giving support to Taylor
would have been contradictory to ACDL's fundamental operating principles. These operating
principles clustered around constitutional, democratic governance, rule of law, protection of basic
human rights and civil liberties, including but not limited to freedom of speech, the media and
assembly, and due process. There were reports, borne out by the subsequent joining of Taylor's
NPFL by Tom Woewiyu and Grace Minor, that certain members of ACDL were supporters of
Taylor. Those members were not required, nor did they publicly or privately renounce their
membership in ACDL. However, since their membership in or association with NPFL made their
continued membership in ACDL contradictory, it was considered a de facto renunciation of their
ACDL membership.
Seyon said the debate was intense and heated over what he described was the rapidly deteriorating
political condition in Liberia in early 1990 within ACDL, brought on he said as a result of a secret
meeting between Sirleaf and Taylor in the Ivory Coast. According to Dr. Seyon: Some members
thought the meeting placed ACDL in a compromising position, since Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf was a
prominent member, though not an offcer. There were strong feelings that prior notice should have
been served on ACDL that such a meeting was going to take place. It was further contended that
ACDL's operating principle of transparency had been violated by the secret nature of the meeting,
and that the breach threatened the very delicate principle of trust, on which the group depended
to function. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf did not deny attending the meeting, but argued that it was
unplanned, and hence prior notice could not have been given. More fundamentally though, breach
of transparency and threat to trust notwithstanding, Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf contended, and others
agreed, that she and any other member of ACDL had a right to membership in other organizations
and to meet with whomsoever without giving ACDL prior notice.
At the end of the debate, Dr. Seyon asserted, it was recognized that members needed to be sensitive
to the association or with the membership regarding issues that might tend to undermine or violate
ACDL's operating principles. Members were urged to keep ACDL informed of their activities
that might be in confict with or give the appearance of being contradictory to its fundamental
operating principles.
According to the leaked Wikileaks cable, during her TRC appearance, Sirleaf explained her
meeting in the Ivory Coast with Taylor by stating:
President Sirleaf testifed that she lived in exile in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire from 1992 to 1997 and
did not want to be involved in Liberian politics because of her work with the UN. She said she
was never part of any warring faction and did not fnancially support any rebel group after her
initial donation to ACDL, and denied ever wearing a military uniform behind Taylor's lines, as
had been alleged by other TRC witnesses. She said that she had known nothing about Taylor's
imprisonment in the United States, downplayed any direct relationship with Taylor, and claimed
she always had to work through Taylor's Defense Minister Tom Woiweyou, the overall mediator
between the ACDL and the NPFL. Sirleaf concluded her testimony by saying that her actions
against the government of President Samuel Doe were done in consultation with other opposition
political leaders and were not unilateral. She said she did not realize Taylor's rebellion would be
as bloody as it was, and apologized to the Liberian people for "being fooled by Taylor." She hoped
her testimony to the TRC would be a step toward reconciliation in Liberia. (SBU) COMMENT:
Although postponed many times because of constitutional concerns about a President testifying
while still in offce, Sirleaf's appearance before the TRC was intended to make the Commission's
inquiry more credible and transparent, and to foster reconciliation. Calls to radio talk shows this
morning indicate the public appreciated her candid testimony and has, on the whole, accepted
her confrmation that although she supported Taylor's war efforts initially, she backed away as it
became apparent he was a showman and not a true revolutionary. It is not clear if her testimony
will encourage other high profle witnesses who have thus far avoided the TRC to come forward.
END COMMENT. THOMAS-GREENFIELD.
Motives and implications
When news frst broke of Mr. Woewiyus arrest Monday, speculations heightened as family
members expressed surprise and concern as they sought answers over why Woewiyu was picked
up. There have been some suggestions that Woewiyus recent purported murmur to aides that he
could turn to Burkina Faso for support in his declared bid for what is expected to be an intense
Grand Bassa County senatorial race, may have drew attention from Washington.
During the trial of former President Taylor, for war crimes in Sierra Leone, Prosecutor Nicholas
Koumjian told the judges that leaders such as Muammar Gaddaf and Blaise Compaor of
Burkina Faso had also supported the RUF, but it remained a proxy army under one person,
Charles Taylor. But, Gaddaf, Compaor: helped build that web [of the crimes in Sierra Leone]
and they helped maintain that web through Charles Taylor. The international community did not
go to Gaddaf, did not go to Blaise Compaor; they went to Charles Taylor, because hes the one
who had control over the leaders of these groups that were perpetuating such horrifc crimes, the
Prosecutor said.
U.S. No Haven for Rights Violators
There have been some suggestions that the FBI may have been tracking Woewiyus movement
and may have some concerns about his recent movement especially with Burkina Faso, believed
to have played a key role in the civil war. The timing of the indictment however is at least for
now, raising a lot of questions about motives and potential implications coming on the eve of a
crucial mid-term elections, with some fearing that political undertones could be in play.
The U.S. indictment of Mr. Woewiyu comes just two years after former President Charles Taylor
was convicted by an international tribunal for aiding and abetting rebels who committed war
crimes and crimes against humanity in neighboring Sierra Leone and sentenced to 50 years in
prison. Taylor was convicted n all 11 charges in the indictment, including terror, murder, rape and
conscripting child soldiers. Shortly after U.S. authorities also sought and won the deportation of
George Boley, formerly of the rebel group, the Liberia Peace Council.
John Morton, Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hailed the
deportation in 2012 as a major step in addressing the serious human rights abuses Mr. Boley
perpetrated in Liberia in the 1990s. "The United States has always welcomed refugees and those
feeing oppression, but we will not be a safe haven for human rights violators and war criminals.
George Boley's removal is the frst ever U.S. deportation based on the use of child soldiers in
war, and represents the culmination of extensive efforts by Homeland Security Investigations
(HSI) special agents, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) offcers and ICE attorneys to
vindicate the rights of those who suffered at Mr. Boley's hands during the Liberian Civil War."
Page 4 |
Frontpage
Musa V. SHERIFF, haidaramv@yahoo.com , Contributing Writer
TAXATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- PUBLIC AWARENESS
FrontPage
v
v
Commentary
EDITORIAL
OVER THE LAST few weeks there has been bitter
sentiments expressed by the families of former
National Transitional Government of Liberia
(NTGL) Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant towards
the Government of Liberia, based on what the
family termed as a wish by the former statesman
that the state should not be involved in his burial.
GOVERNMENT AT FIRST took challenging
trend, with the usual Ministry of Information,
Culture and Tourism Chorus challenging the
authenticity of the Bryants will.
LIBERIANS ACROSS the divide expressed diverse
views over the situation with some supporting the
Bryant families for their stance while others were
of the view that the family should let bygone be
bygone in order to lay the former leader to rest in
a unique style.
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS including the
opposition Liberty Party all called for calm in the
process and it seems the dust is settling with the
family opening a book of condolence which has
already been signed by President Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf and scores of Government offcials including
Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Speaker of the
House of Representative, Alex Tyler and members
of the House of Representatives.
THE OPENING and subsequent signing of the
book of condolence for the fallen statesman is a
good sign of the reconciliation process Liberians
have envisaged since the end of the 15 years of
civil war.
NO MATTER the form of treatment the former
leader might have been subjected to, the best way
forward is giving the dead his last honor. The
stance by the Bryant family is just a good wakeup
call to National government to begin putting into
measures that will ensure that our leaders are
cared for whenever their tenure of national service
expires.
LIKE BRYANT, other past leaders faced similar
fate and succumbed to death in the same manner
and form as the late Bryant but we believe, shunning
the state at the burial of the former leader will only
further divide the already complex Liberian nation
with segments having beef with each other but
create a fresh mar of hatred along family lines.
IN MANY INSTANCES public condemnation of
any action is the best deterrence to prevent future
occurrence and as such the Bryants families have
made history by declaring that the state should not
partake in burial ceremonies regarding the late
NTGL Chairman.
WE BELIEVE THE Bryant families have made a
point which has been sent out resounding message
to the state to exercise care for other past leaders
in time to come and therefore believe that enough
is enough as it is now time for all Liberians to be
provided an opportunity to give the former leader
a beftting burial.
BRYANT IS A fallen hero, the man who led out
COMMENTARY
HONORING A
DAUGHTER OF
THE SOIL
I
n Liberia there is little information or debate
on the importance of tax. Tax is barely
debated in political elections. Often, political
bureaucrats and wealthy people evade tax,
and public attitudes to taxation are overwhelmingly
negative. A body of research shows that taxation is
essential for sustainable developments. This means
that governments depend on taxpayers for revenue,
which make them more accountable and responsive
to citizens. But if taxpayers see governments wasting
their money or believe that others are avoiding tax,
they will be reluctant to pay. This seems to be true in
most developing nations including Liberia. In fact, this
is a sound argument. So we need to build an effective
tax system. Because without domestic source(s) of
revenue there will be no sustainable development.
In order to build an effective Tax System, government
should demonstrate high level of responsibility,
accountability, and transparency in its operation(s).
For example, making sure that political bureaucrats
and wealthy people are paying their 'fair share' of tax.
We also need a continuous public awareness campaign
to educate Liberians about the link between taxation
and development. Because 'change' in any society
requires three important elements: communication,
commitment and culture.
Clearly, if we do not pay tax there will be no resources
to implement development projects in the long run. To
be honest, not many people like to hear about taxes.
Therefore, public education about what the government
does with tax money should be encouraged on a grand
scale. For example, taxpayers should be reminded
that the services that are provided at JFK hospital, the
construction of roads, and schools are all as a result of
tax money. But the public is always reminded of big
Foreign Aid with colourful headlines in newspapers:
"Liberia and China sign $13. Million Economic and
Technical Cooperation Agreement" or Japan Donates
$20 Million for X road construction, while ignoring
local taxpayers' contributions. I am a big proponent
of foreign aid. But the diffculty with this approach
is that it creates negative public perception about tax
collection in countries where illiteracy rates are high.
Simply because you fail to explain how much of our
tax dollars will go into projects - X, Y, and Z. So
the question that comes to most people minds is: why
should I pay tax if foreign donors are giving 100%
funding for government projects?
Most people have limited knowledge about "Foreign
Aid or Budget Support". In order to understand
Foreign Aid or Budget Support, it requires some
readings or research. In fact, due to the global
fnancial slowdown in 2008, there has been massive
reduction in Foreign Aid. Therefore, we need to
develop a sustainable fnancial management plan to
support our development projects. This means we need
regular taxpayers in Liberia. Similarly, we also need
good and sincere tax-managers - government offcials.
By this I mean, if you pay your tax regularly, then
you are a good citizen. Likewise, if you honestly and
openly manage our tax money, then you are a good
government offcial.
The good news is that the next presidential election is
not too far away - 2017. I think it's time to challenge
Political leaders to develop a strong and sustainable
tax policy (platform) that will beneft Liberians. By
this I mean, 'Tax' should be a key component of our
political debates. And I hope journalists, students, and
political analysts will set the pace for more debates on
the importance of tax in the next presidential election.
Musa V. SHERIFF
Master Candidate, Project Management
Curtin University - Perth, Australia
haidaramv@yahoo.com
country to civility, when the bullets were raging
in streets corners; he accepted the offer to lead a
divided state with rebels launching bullet from the
Freeport of to central Monrovia and another group
of rebels in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County heading
for the City.
DURING HIS brief two years reign, he is recorded as
one of the most tolerant leaders in Liberias history
as people call him all sorts of names, the big nose
man, the big head man but he still could not get
angry and take decisions that could jeopardize the
peace of Liberia.
INDIVIDUALS nominated to the NTGL by
belligerent groupings did not respect him as their
leader but yet he managed to control a complex
arrangement which led to disarmament and
demobilization of fghters.
IN POWER greed world, Bryant did not create any
condition to prolong his stay in power but assisted
the international community, he helped to organize
democratic elections what ushered Liberias frst
democratically elected government.
WHAT MORE can a leader do to save a nation of
over three million people to be given a beftting
burial? If there is no leader in Liberias history
that was buried like Kin John Un of North Korea
on the positive note whose burial was a wonder to
see, where Korean mourned for week, it is time for
Liberians to do same for Bryant.
WE SAY GOODBYE to this fallen hero and it is
now time for Liberians to return the favor he has
done for his country by turning out in mass to give
him a benefting burial.
GOODBYE Mr. Bryant, Liberia and the world will
remember you, rest in peace.
Frontpage
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DISCLAIMER
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bloggers and do no represent the views of FrontPageAfrica
Rodney D. Sieh, Managing Editor, 0886-738-666;
077-936-138, editor@FrontPageAfricaonline.com;
rodney.sieh@FrontPageAfricaonline.com
Wade C. L. Williams, News Desk Chief, wade.
williams@frontpageafricaonline.com; 0880664793
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frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886236528
Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.
com
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com, 0886-304498
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sombai@FrontpageAfricaonline.com, 077217428
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DITORIAL TEAM
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB
GREAT THOUGHT MADAM PRESIDENT
CDC REPLIES TO INCONSISTENT
CDC? FROM BRUMSKINE FAILED 2011
COLLABORATION TO UREYS WARNING
The Reader's Page
WEAH KARPEH NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL
INFORMATION OFFICER AT UNITED NATIONS MISSION
IN LIBERIA (UNMIL)
Great thoughts, Wade. They fairly present the problems the media
and their practitioners face hoping your projecting would lead to
solving them.
MUSTERPHA FOFANA TOP COMMENTER OWNER
AND CEO AT SELF EMPLOYED AND LOVING IT!
you know i think this sister is Excited, overjoyed, and gone of
track. i can'tf say exactly the reason why but if I can take a guess,
is probably because this could her frst visit to the UN and maybe
her fst time in New York City as well. No don't judge me yet..
I have not read her entire released and i don't have the courage to,
because I think her statement is what I will call glittering generality
propaganda. From the introduction statement she gave one can tell
what the body and supporting statement would be like. Is obvious
that she will not say anything good about the freedom journalists in
Liberia enjoy, but rather she will probably go into something about
how her boss or some members of her entity have been targeted.
My dear, please don't think that you are trying to speak for all the
journalist in Liberia. We urge you not to contradict the very good
report which you spoke about as being a herald in the transition
process. Remember that other good journalists have worked hard
toward that transition process to make it a success. And I like to ask
what's your own story that you will like the world to read? Please
do something that the Liberian people can be proud of you madam.
Please do us the favor.
PATRICK EMERSON PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
While journalists may be watchdogs of society, they are not and
should never be above the law. Individual rights and governance
can only be protected from unscrupulous and sometimes untrained
journalists through judicial recourse. To seek presidential
intervention in judicial matters only because journalists feel
aggrieved, is tantamount to constitutional violation of the
separation of the three branches of government. The statements
made at the UN by Wade Williams were unintellectual, partisan
and unpatriotic.
CHRISTOPHER HARRY LUKE ST. PETER CLAVER'S
HIGH SCHOOL
Emerson, tell me which journalists has claimed to be above the
law in Liberia and I will tell you how many Government offcials,
including the President, and the whole judiciary system that are
above the law in Liberia. As for seeking presidential intervention in
judicial matters, frst of all, we all know that is not right, and neither
is it healthy for a functioning democracy or governance. But, the
whole judiciary system in Liberia is corrupt. If the judiciary was
not corrupt as in the case of the FPA saga, there would have been no
imprisonment of Rodney. Did you see the whole confict of interest
in that case......judges....government offcials? It is due to those
unscrupulous behavior, hence the intervention of the President
are sometimes necessary, in order to save face to the International
community due to her incompetent... offcials and corrupt judges.
Where in the world have you been to even mention "Constitutional
violation of the separation of the three branches of Government in
Liberia"? We all know that there's no genuine separation of power
in Liberia among the three branches of Government. It is only on
papers my brother but when it comes to governance implementation
and enforcement, they all overlap, do the same functions or don't
know what the heck they are supposed to do.
I do not see any statement made by Wade Williams at the UN that
was partisan, neither was it unintellectual or unpatriotic. You and I
know what's going on in Liberia.....I means the daily intimidation
of journalist in Liberia. Did you want Wade to defend the UP
government for the wrongs they are doing to Liberians? Did you
want her not to speak the truth due to blind patriotism as a lot of
gravy seekers are doing? If anything, we should applaud her for
speaking the truth. When EJS was in the diaspora saying all kinds
of things against Doe and Taylor as a Liberian, was that being
unpatriotic?
JOHN WILLIAMS TOP COMMENTER EASTERN
UNIVERSITY, ST. DAVIDS, PA
Wade and FPA have taken the battle to the turf of the oppressors
and have won acceptance and sympathy. The myth/propaganda
that certain people enjoy exclusive privileged access to important
people/organizations has been shattered! The playing feld is
becoming level! Congratulations!
The Editor:
I fnd it compelling to out rightly reject as malicious, bad taste, and undercutting
gains of the Liberian media, the delirium of one of your Staff Reporters,
whose quest for spreading opinionated stories, used your widely read news
medium (Newspaper and Online Magazine) in its May 6,2013 publication under
the caption INCONSISTENT CDC? FROM BRUMSKINE FAILED 2011
COLLABORATION TO UREYS WARNING to erroneously, and diabolically
insinuates that Weah and the CDC grabbed the opportunity to play the politics
of business and political gimmicks, shifting tune, forming alliances and breaking
up.
As I have clearly laid out the interpretation by which the party more than likely
views this story, it becomes in the frst instance to logically ignore it, thus rendering
the story worthy of no consideration, and so needing no response. However, when
the party critically examines the countless number of publications in which
this paper used imaginary authors dubbed Staff Writers/Reporters to spread
negativity and falsehood about the party, malign the characters of leaders of
the party, and demonstrate resentment towards our partisans then it becomes
imperative that we say to you enough is enough. THIS FORM OF SUBJECTIVE
REPORTING ON AND ABOUT THE CDC HAS TO STOP!
Therefore, it will be courageous and the demonstration of wise judgment on your
part were your editorial team to think this way too, especially if you refect on
the premature death, hurts, pains and destruction of property your paper helped
perpetrate against the CDC as a result of its bias and poorly politically motivated
The Editor,
The immediate launch of a resettlement of the hundreds of thousands of Liberians
still internally displace in the Red-light Market District, Duala on Bushrod Island
and in other parts of Monrovia back to their respective villages and towns with the
provision of considerable amount of farming logistics, sanitation facilities, hand-
pump water systems, district health and educational facilities for their children
and a monthly supplementary fnancial assistance to all returning and productive
farmers is the biggest impression President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf can leave on the
Liberian people before the end of her term.
The President recent Zuba Town farming outreach in the suburb of Monrovia
from where she called on Liberians to go back to the soil will only yield good
result if villages in the countryside including BankOrma in Bong,Behwalay,
Kpablee Chiefdom in Nimba, Sapaima in Bopolu, Gbarpolu and Gorlu in Lofa
Counties amongst many other villages and towns are given materials support in
metal zinc, nails, bags of cements to enable them make their war ravaged villages
and towns livable again (frontpageafricaonline.com).
The Red-light community where I am currently completing the construction
of the frst Information Technology Literacy Institute for the Blind (ITLiB), is
known to be host to the largest of internally displace people who have expressed
willingness to return to their once happy hamlets but are being deterred by the
lack of government will to rebuild their houses that were destroyed as a result
of the war. Many of the would be returnees say, transportation assistance from
Monrovia to their once nice villages and towns and a sustain monthly monetary
provision that would enable them take care of their daily activities of living and
as well prevent them from using their seed rice for food is one major request they
will make to President Sirleaf for their immediate departure from the Liberian
capital to embark on what they say is a great thought by the Liberian leader.
Thoughts are that government support to such a quick impact program, would
bring an end to the recurrence of the shortage of other basic food commodities in
homes and Liberia's staple, rice on the market in a timely manner while resources
are being organized for a long term approach to make villages and towns habitable
again and support the food production needs emphasized by the President.
Meanwhile, Mr. Jask says, he is willing to assist the President with expert
advise in the management of such program including public education and
project monitoring and reporting through an info technology systems that would
help advert corruption in the process while at the same time providing update
information about progress and achievements. if requested.
Alvin Jask is a grad student in the Masters of Science of Management with
Emphasis in Information Technology at Globe University/Minnesota School of
Business in the State of Minnesota, USA. He also holds a double BA from the
University of Liberia in Mass Communications and Sociology.
I WANT TO FACE HIM:
COURT VERDICT IN LAND
CASE DRAWS IRE ON DR. TOE
reportage of the Allen WhiteAmb. Weah story during the course of the 2011
elections. Obviously, you will quickly remember how the smear reporting of
one of your Staff Reporter caused needless tension during those elections,
and consequently infuenced a rather unfortunate, yet inexcusable behavior from
the Liberian Government resulting to the eventual demise of a peaceful CDC
partisan on November 7, 2011. In a signifcant ways you share this national
calamity because of the falsehood you created that resulted in the a so-called
CDC plan-B perception and fear.
Anyway, I will leave that for another day, but it is repition of such malicious
reporting like those which makes it simply too diffcult to ignore, but to
condemn any such story emanating from a FPA Staff Reporter, whose sole
intent and determination are to create similar intensity especially as we draw
closer to another elections.
Additionally, CDCians , like all well-meaning Liberians, have noticed how often
the CDC is under increased smear campaigns, and politically-motivated attacks
by and through your papers Staff Reporters around and during elections
period. As we approach the Special Senatorial Elections, which the CDC
considers a major turning point in the governance of our country, we expect more
of the same from your Staff Reporter as is happening now. Fortuitously, this
time around, our partisans as well as other Liberians have come to see, and know
how wrongfully contemptuous your Staff Reporter can be whenever it comes to
issues surrounding the CDC.
How more travesty can this get when your Staff Reporter seeks to use a
different standard on similar instances as per his assertion. For example, your
Staff Reporter acknowledged that change, fexibility and dynamism are
acceptable behaviors in politics; when he or she states Politics in general is
dynamic, so is Liberian politics. However, when the CDC uses this dynamism,
or fexibility in its political strategy and engagement, your Staff Reporter calls
that inconsistency. Except for dubious reason, why would your Staff Reporter
who professed that politics is dynamic, not see the CDC strategy to place Amb.
Weah second on its 2011 Presidential ticket as a demonstration of the political
dynamism, but term it as inconsistency. This ultimately refects the Staff
Reporter own contradictions, and lack of understanding of the fundamental
conditions that characterize inconsistency.
Another example that you could never forget is when Mr. Rodney Sieh
(Employer of the Staff reporter) was jailed because of his failure to pay
damages resulting from a conviction of libel, and character defamation, Amb.
Weah and the CDC, though easy target and victim of such endless defamation
from the FrontPage, were actively engaged , both privately and publicly, for
his unconditional release and reopening of the FPA printing house. Will this
Staff Reporter equates the CDC involvement in this instance as inconsistency?
Even though the CDC resented FPAs many falsehoods against it, yet the party
was among those championing his freedom and free speech; interestingly for an
offense no different from what the party had endured from him.
Am sure you could consciously agree with me to tell your Staff Reporter that
these are not inconsistencies. In the frame work of a political party journey for
social change, wider political participation, poverty emancipation, economy
equity, and possibilities, inconsistency at the elementary level represents a
deviation of party principles, values and morals. I am proud to say therefore,
that the CDC is guilty of none. Since its formation, less than a decade ago, this
party has stood the test of time, never wavering from any of its core values and
principles, which among many others things centers on peace and economy
prosperity for all Liberians.
Finally, but most importantly, our response to reject the distortions of this story
against the CDC, is the blatant disrespect the story gave to the thousands of our
under-privileged, yet extraordinary partisans who give their widows might
even in diffcult times to ensure the growth of our party for the guarantee , and
continuance of multi-party democracy. And so, when a Staff Reporter, who
doesnt understand these struggles, asserts that Cdcians (CDC) see politics as
business and political gimmicks is hurtful and distasteful. For those everyday
Liberians, who believe in the CDC, this isnt business; its about their lives.
They believe the CDC is that medium by which tangible change will perpetuate
in Liberia. This is what drives the leadership of our party to collaborate, or
coordinate. Through these efforts, we have supported and worked with many
Liberians of different political persuasions in the interest of our country.
We have supported the ambitions of individuals from different political parties,
many of whom are not CDC partisans but are serving in our National Legislature
partly because of CDC Collaboration based on principles and values. Similar, we
have terminated or redirected coordination and collaboration because of country
frst values, and our partisans mandate. Again these are not inconsistencies. So
this isnt gimmick, its the aspiration of our people; when your Staff Reporter
makes these insensitive comments they must be condemn in the strongest term.
They represent very bad taste.
Signed:
Sidiki Fofana
National Vice- Chairman / Political Affairs
Page 6 |
Frontpage
TOM WOEWIYOU INDICTMENT
Frontpage
Page 8 |
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Page 10 |
Frontpage
Mae Azango maeazango@frontpageafricaonline.com
LIBERIANS ATTEND EMOTIONAL FORMER NTGL CHAIRMANS FUNERAL
BRYANT LAID TO REST
Monrovia:
L
iberians gathered in their numbers Wednesday to bid
farewell to former National Transitional Government
of Liberia Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant in a
funeral attended by scores of government offcials
including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The coffn bearing the mortal remains of the late Bryants
was not wrapped with the National Flag as is done with
individuals given state burial, an indication that the last wish
of Bryant according to his family to not be accorded state
burial was adhered to.
It was an emotional scene with tears and words of sorrow
from several sections of the church as Liberians bid farewell
to the man who played a role in bringing peace to a nation at
the time in trouble.
The Bryant family has announced moment after the death of
Bryant that the former NTGL Chairman had made a wish not
to have the involvement of the state in his funeral.
Broad Street, Central Monrovia was soon taken over by cars
and crowd entering the Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church
to pay their last respect to the former fallen Transitional
Chairman who turned over power in 2006 to the government
of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The church was jam-packed with members of the cabinet,
including President Sirleaf, members of the National
Legislature, members of the Mason, Church members,
families, friends and other well wishers as the churchs edifce
could not hold the crowd with some sitting and standing
outside, lining the main street.
Humble Bryant
In his funeral discourse, Episcopal Bishop Jonathan B.B. Hart
said, during Bryant last days, he served the church diligently
and was very humble.
Gyude Bryant never held unto State power when it was time
for him to leave. He never held unto State power as some of
us do around here, said Bishop Jonathan B.B. Hart.
Because he had the fear of God, he peacefully turned over
state power in 2006 to a democratically elected government,
because he was a peaceful man, Bishop Hart stressed.
Bishop Hart said Brother Gyude healed the wounds of
Liberians by bringing peace at the time when Liberia was
hopeless.
Therefore people should always do away with greed and
power in order to enjoy the peace Liberia has.
Wesley Momo Johnson, who served as principal deputy to
Bryant, serving as Vice Chairman of the NTGL paid tribute
on behalf of the National Transitional Government.
The Late chairman Bryant was known to be a peaceful man,
this is why he turned over state power to President Sirleaf on
January 17, 2006 at sharp 12:00 p.m. He did not wait an hour,
minute or second late, before turning over power, because
he wanted peace and did not want to be removed by the
barrel of the gun, said the Vice Chairman of the Transitional
Government.
Due to the dying wish of the late Transitional Chairman, not
to be accorded state funeral or a 21 gun salute as is done
during the burial of other former Liberian Presidents. Former
Chairman, Gyude Bryant participated in several peace
initiatives to end the war and in 2005, he was nominated
Chairman of a transitional arrangement that ushered peace
to Liberia. He served as head of the NTGL from October
2003-January 2006.
Chairman Bryant administration fully implemented the
mandate of the peace agreement as outlined in the Accra
Peace Accord: disarmed warring factions, established
and maintained the government and held Legislative and
Presidential elections.
In recognition of his invaluable services to his Country,
Charles Gyude Bryant was awarded the Distinguished
services Order on Armed Forces Day in 2011.
The late Bryant was married to Rosie Lee Williams and the
union was blessed with two children; Cheryl and Charles
Gyude, and the union was later dissolved. Gyude was then
blessed with another son, Charles Mleh by his fance Sia-
Ella Sammy.
He served in various positions in the church and in several
civic organizations, and at the age of sixty fve, said farewell
to his country and the world on April 16, 2014 at the John F.
Kennedy Medical Center.

Frontpage

Page 12 |
Frontpage
Frontpage
REGULATOR STILL IN LACC DRAGNET
Commission on Higher Education Director General long Corruption tale
Announcement
In keeping with the vehicle and Traffc Law; Title 38,
approved May 9, 1972, and published in 1978, the
Government of Liberia is pleased to announce the approved
rates for Third Party Compulsory Motor Insurance Policy
in Liberia. These rates take effect January 2, 1996.
Approved Rates Sticker Price
No. Category of Vehicles Price
1 Taxi US$300.00 $ 15.00
2 Transport Pick-Up
S/Size-1/2 Ton 400.00 15.00
M/Size- 1 Ton 425.00 15.00
B/Size 1 Ton 450.00 15.00
3 Transport Buses
S/S-Max 18 Persons 550.00 15.00
M/S-30 Persons 600.00 15.00
B/S-30 Over Persons 650.00 15.00
4. Transport Truck
10 Tons (10 Tires) 720.00 15.00
12 Tons (12 Tires) 750.00 15.00
14-18 Tons (18 Tires) 800.00 15.00
Trailer-22 Tires 1,000.00 15.00
5 Private Car (PC + Personal Plate
Sedan 150.00 15.00
Jeep 225.00 15.00
6 Business Car (BC)
Sudan 175.00 15.00
Jeep 225.00 15.00
7 Pick Up
PP 250.00 15.00
BP 300.00 15.00
8 Business Truck (BT)
10-Tons (10 Tires) 575.00 15.00
12-Tons (10 Tires) 600.00 15.00
14-18 Tons (18 Tires) 640.00 15.00
Trailer (22 Tires) 800.00 15.00
9 Business Bus (BB)
S/S-Min 6-8 Persons 250.00 15.00
S/S-Max 18 Persons 440.00 15.00
M/S- 30 Persons 480.00 15.00
10 Private Bus (PB)
S/S-Max 18 Persons 335.00 15.00
M/S-30 Persons 385.00 15.00
11 Private Truck (PT) 575.00 15.00
12 Private Motorbike 150.00 15.00
13 Business Motorbike 125.00 15.00
Please ask Pearl 0886 578 981/ Lucinda 0886 514 623
/ 0777 514 623 / AB 0886 529 776
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INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE
JG Bull BLDG, Randall Street, Adjancent DITCO Store
Page 14 |
Frontpage
I
t was with great sadness that I learned of Charles Gyude Bryant's death on April 16, 2014. Gyude Bryant was head
of state during Liberia's National Transitional Government (NTGL) era (2003 -- 2006), the interim period between
the end of the long 14 years of two civil wars in Liberia and the democratically elected government of President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. It was a challenging, intense and precarious time. In Bryants honor, the Liberian fag stands
at half-mast as a sign of a nations mourning. The government ceremonially escorted his body from the hospital where
he died to the funeral home. A modest man, Gyude Bryant did notwant a state funeral. His family respects his wishes
and limited remarks and tributes to the Episcopalian church and family members. It is unfortunate Bryant felt this way
and unfortunate for Liberia, the benefciary of his efforts. The government didn't accord to him during his lifetime the
support, dignity, respect and honor he so well deserved.
Gyude Bryant was my client and friend, but I'll not dwell on the personal side of this loss. The sadness I feelperhaps
we all should feelgoes beyond that. It is the sadness one feels upon learning of the loss of an unselfsh, honest,
and courageous person who made great sacrifces for his country and set it on the road to peace and democracy only
to be reviled, indicted, and jailed. In addition he was denied his right to executive immunity under the governing
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), publicly embarrassed and humiliated, and deprived of pension funds to which
he was entitled as well as a valuable contract he had fairly and legally won in a bidding contest. This is the essence of
the story I wish to tell, for it needs to be told.
After all these years of civil war, mainly between three powerful warring factions (Liberians United for Reconciliation
and Democracy (LURD), Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) and the elected government of Liberian
President Charles Taylor (GOL), now serving a 50 year sentence for crimes against humanity imposed by the
Special Court for Sierra Leone, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, UN,
EU and the USA pressured the warring factions to agree to a ceasefre and a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which
included a structure and terms for an interim government.
Bryant was a prominent businessman, campaigner against warlords and the use of children in warfare, respected
Episcopalian churchman and leader of a small political party. The political parties nominated him for the chairmanship
of a new transitional government under the CPA. Current Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was also nominated
and ran. Bryant, however, was not affliated with LURD or MODEL and had been critical of Taylor's government,
making him acceptable to all three of these major warring groups. He was selected as Transitional Chairman in 2003.
One condition of the chairmanship under the CPA was not to "contest for any elective offce" during the 2005 Liberian
elections which the chairman was duty bound to prepare and conduct. By losing the "chairmanship," Johnson Sirleaf's
political future was not so restricted.
As chairman, Bryant and his transitional government had several major tasks: 1) maintain the ceasefre agreement, 2)
begin a reconciliation process between the warring factions, and 3) prepare and conduct elections for the inauguration of
an elected government in 2006. From a practical standpoint, he had to disarm thousands of young fghters spread over
Liberia, encourage thousands of displaced Liberians to return to Liberia, and seek reconciliationwithin a nation that had
suffered the loss of hundreds of thousands of its citizens during a particularly vicious and long civil war.
During the ceasefre negotiations, several signifcant groups of young still armed warriors had been promised, but had
not received, compensation for their arms and other matters. Unhappy and restless, they were on the verge of renewing
hostilities. The transitional legislature, composed primarily of representatives from LURD, MODEL and the Taylor
government, had neither the political will nor available funds to pay and disarm these warriors. On Chairman Bryant's
instructions, about a million U.S. dollars belonging to government-owned Liberia Petroleum Refning Corporation
(LPRC) were withdrawn surreptitiously and distributed to these warriors in exchange for their weapons and to fulfll
other promises made to them. This brought an end to these threats to the ceasefre agreement. On another front, a
number of Liberian refugees in a neighboring country were also unhappy and causing fnancial and other burdens on their
host country. Some groups were encouraging both the country and refugees to attack Liberia. Under Bryant's leadership,
funds were again withdrawn and used to ameliorate both the country and the refugees, again avoiding an attack and
destabilization of the NTGL. As one can imagine, Liberia lacked an established "accounting infrastructure" to keep track
of all these transactions. Bryant once remarked, "... securing funds from LPRC to implement the mandate of the CPA
was not an unusual request as these monies were to be paid back later."
In general, Bryant made the decisions necessary to fulfll his responsibilities under the CPA. Not letting "insurmountables"
get in the way of carrying out his mandate, Bryant maintained the ceasefre agreement, kept hostilities from resuming,
began and continued reconciliation efforts, conducted a democratic election for national offces in 2005, in which a
president chosen and inaugurated in 2006, thereby legitimizing a new government and realizing the primary goals of the
CPA. A number of members of the transitional government urged Bryant to postpone the elections on the ground that
Liberia wasn't ready. Bryant resisted this, and he stuck to the schedule set forth in the CPA.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf assumed the presidency in January 2006, the frst woman head of state in Africa and a 2011 Nobel
Peace Prize recipient for her work in empowering women. One of her administration's professed goals was to eliminate
corruption within the government. To this end, the then Minister of Justice Philip Banks indicted in 2007 Bryant along
with four others for embezzling funds withdrawn from the LPRC and using them for their own personal enrichment. A
year later, the Solicitor General was still seeking evidence that these funds were diverted to Chairman Bryant's personal
accounts. None was found. As Bryant himself said: "My decisions as Chairman were never intended to or did in
fact result in personal fnancial gain." Ironically, during this same period, the Berlin based watchdog Transparency
International in 2007 ranked Liberia's government as among the most corrupt nations in the world.
Bryant's attorneys in Monrovia sought to dismiss these charges on the ground that, as head of state, Bryant enjoyed
the right of executive immunity under Article 61 the Liberian Constitution. Eventually the Liberian Supreme Court,
composed of Johnson Sirleaf appointees, ruled he was not entitled to immunity since he had not been elected pursuant to
the Liberian Constitution and because the transitional legislature had removed his executive immunity by requesting the
new government to look into corruption during the transitional era.
Believing his immunity was based on the CPA, which had incorporated provisions from the Liberian Constitution not
related to political power, including the executive immunity article, Bryant decided that this dispute over the immunity
of the NTGL chairman must be ultimately resolved by ECOWAS. In other words, the Liberian Supreme Court was not
the ultimate judicial authority. On his behalf, I fled an application with ECOWAS seeking an interpretation of the CPA
with regard to this issue. Within a week, the Liberian government, apparently angered by his effort to move his case to
an international organization, set one of the two pending embezzlement charges for trial. On Bryants behalf, I asked his
Liberian lawyers to formally inform the trial court that his case was now before ECOWAS and all proceedings should be
suspended pending ECOWAS' resolution. These lawyers refused to do this on the ground that the Supreme Court would
suspend their license to practice law. They also said it would be very dangerous to come to Liberia to present such a
motion. A number of Bryant's friends and advisors suggested he leave Liberia and go to the United States. His response:
"I'm a son of Liberia, and this is where I'll stay." And stay he did. The trial proceeded for 135 days, and the jury acquitted
him with a unanimous verdict. Church bells rang throughout Liberia.
The trial was not without a price, as shown by Bryants letter to Dr. Mohamed Chambas, President of the ECOWAS
Commission: "I close on a personal note. This matter continues to be a very serious physical, moral and fnancial burden
on my family and me. Frankly, we cannot remain in this position much longer. Even if I am eventually acquitted of all
criminal charges, there is ruin, not only for my family and me fnancially, but also for the principle of executive immunity
incorporated in the CPA, for the reasonableness of relying on ECOWAS brokered agreements in the future, and respect
for the rule of law. All of which, I have prayed, would be my legacy and contribution to Liberia and West Africa."
There was still one indictment pending, and the situation was confusing. President Johnson Sirleaf seemed to support
him. She gave him some funds to help with legal expenses, invited him to sit with her in church, and visited him on
his last birthday. Dr. Chambas did not want a track record of interfering in the domestic affairs of Liberia. Nonetheless
through an intermediary he received a number of my memos, dealt diplomatically as he is so capable of doing with
President Johnson Sirleaf and presented the arguments. In the end, President Johnson Sirleaf directed her Minister of
Justice to dismiss all charges against Chairman Bryant. For the frst time in several years, the Chairman was a free man.
Bryant tried to resurrect his business, supported a fellow political party member for the presidency in the 2011 Liberian
elections, and made no effort to cozy up to President Johnson Sirleaf. His business successes were modest at best,
his health was suffering, and Johnson Sirleaf was reelected. He never received full compensation for his tenure as
chairman of the NTGL and received pension funds only after the last case against him was dropped. He needed hip
replacement surgery but could not afford to travel abroad or to South Africa for the surgery. Had Bryant stashed away
public funds for personal use as the government had claimed, he surely would have pulled out a few dollars for necessary
medical expenses. Instead, his family helped him fnancially. Without the ability to move, his general cardiac condition
deteriorated. His successful bid to win a tugboat contract was impaired by the government, resulting in another big
disappointment. And he suffered a massive heart attack.
A New Dawn Liberia editorial entitled "Charles Gyude Bryant: Leading the road to peace" captured the spirit of the
moment: "As tolerant, as patient as he was, he did not get what he deserved when he was alive. When many opposed
the idea of a legitimate government in the shortest period of time, he was very frm and continuously advocated for it,
and at the end of the day, he was the one who could be relied upon. Unfortunately, we did not give him 'fowers' while
he was alive."
F
RONT
PAGE
PERSPECTIVE
NO FLOWERS FOR A
NATIONAL PATRIOT
John D Gorby, 7gorby@jmls.edu, Contributing Writer
Frontpage
Henry Karmoh, STAFF WRITER

Monrovia-
L
iberia has over
the course of the
current fscal 2013-
2014 budget year
experienced shortfalls in
projected revenue collection
with the Ministry of Finance
as of the beginning of quarter
three announcing a budgetary
shortfall of around US$47
million.
The pronounced shortfall
affected the operations
of Government with the
streamlining of expenditure
by line ministries and
agencies, followed by delay
in the implementation of some
projects, salaries and incentives
of some entities including
the National Legislature also
delayed sending fear that the
Government might fail to
achieve signifcant portion of
expected deliverables as the
fscal period elapses in about a
month.
June 30 is the required cut off
point, ending the 12 months
budget year which commences
July 1 each year and with such
limited timeframe left for the
budget year to elapse, Finance
minister Amara Konneh has
disclosed that the Government
risks a shortfall of around
US$74 million.
Appearing before the House
of Representatives at the 53rd
National Legislature, Tuesday,
Minister Konneh disclosed
that the government of Liberia
risks experiencing a whopping
US$74 million budget shortfall
based on the inability of some
public corporations and others
to pay revenue projected in the
budget.
Said Konneh: We are risking
United States dollars $US74.5
million this year let get to the
sources the oil company social
contribution to counties 1.9
million has not come to us but
we are working with them to
pay this money but the year is
not over yet. The exchange rate
is also affecting government.
Today it is fve million we
are projecting seven million.
LPRC contribution to the
budget of $3 million out of $4
million has not been paid, NPA
contribution to the budget, we
still have two hundred and ffty
thousand United States dollars
to be collected.
According to Konneh the risk
of experiencing shortfall of
over 74 Million is also because
the social fund of US$ 1.5
million from the National Oil
Company of Liberia (NOCAL)
is yet to be provided to the
Finance Ministry and the
increase in the exchange rate
between the United States and
Liberian dollars.
He said the Finance
Ministry is projecting US$7
F
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Legislative Beat
ALARMING
Liberias Finance Minister Predicts 74M Budget Shortfall
million shortfall from the
exchange rate, the Liberia
Petroleum Refnery Company
contribution to the budget in
the tune of USD$ 3 million has
not been paid out of the four
million and three hundred and
ffty United states dollars that
is to be paid by the National
port Authority is yet to be paid.
Minister Konneh also said
the European Union budget
support grant in the tune
of US$ 6.2 Million United
States dollars, another US$
3.8 million dollar expected
from fnes imposed on fshing
vessels by the Legislature and
US$ 3.8 million expected from
the sale of Liber Cell license
are yet to be brought forward
to the Finance Ministry.
From the Forestry sector
because of the challenges we
are risking US$6.7 million and
the forestry sector as you see
in the report submitted to you
has pick up because we being
working as one government
by bringing together those
in the sector especially those
companies by asking them
to fx the roads to the port of
Greenville and Buchanan
that is some of the proactive
measures we have taken. We
still have diffculties in the port
but that is not the fault of the
port but the lack of equipment
because ships are coming
for logged but are returning
empty that has impacted on the
revenue we collect from the
shipment, he added.
Liberia remains vulnerable to
fuctuations
Minister Konneh also stated
that the economic outlook of
Liberia remains vulnerable
to fuctuation in commodities
prices particularly for Liberias
key exports rubber and iron ore
and china increasing demand
for both commodities, noting
that Liberias Economy this
year is projected to grow at
5.9% from 8.7%.
There has been a sharp decline
on the global prices of our two
major export commodities
rubber and iron ore since 2012
which has negatively impacted
domestic revenue generation
and these trend distinguished
members of the House of
Representatives is expected to
go on for the next fve years,
he added.
He called on members of the
legislature to focus on the
country agricultural sector
and recommended that US$
10 million be allocated in the
Countrys National budget for
the agriculture sector which
according to him will make up
for the defcit the rubber sector
is creating.
The 2013/2014 budget
was projected at
US$582,931,413 million about
L$43,830,612,943.47 at the
conversion rate of L$75.19
to US$1 and the predicted
shortfall of US$ 74 million
indicates that the budget has
fallen further off the mark
than the pronounced US$ 47
million.
In March, the Liberian
Government through
the Ministry of Finance
announced a budget shortfall
of US$47 million, warning
line ministries and agencies to
take the necessary measures in
preparation for the shortfall in
revenue with Finance Minister
Konneh saying, he takes
responsibility for the shortfall
in the 2013/2014 as head of
the institution responsible for
crafting the budget.
I am the Minister of fnance,
I am responsible; yes, its
nobody; I am today the
Minister of fnance of the
republic of Liberia in charge
of implementing our fscal
policy. Whether the numbers
change in the legislature on the
draft budget that was submitted
to the legislature, I am the
custodian of the national
budget and I am responsible,
says Konneh.
Violations in Budget
implementation
The 2013/2014 budget has
seen pitfalls and violations
of the Public Financial
Management Law of Liberia
which calls for submission of
midyear performance report
by the Minister of Finance
and also passing into law a
supplementary budget in case
of diffculties encountered with
budget implementation.
It is required by the Public
Financial management Law
of Liberia that the Minister
of Finance submits a midyear
beget performance report to the
National Legislature.
Section 18, Supplementary
Budgets and Mid-Year Review
states The Minister shall
submit to the Legislature a
mid-fscal year review of the
implementation of the Budget
in the middle of February each
year, including an analysis of
the revenue collections and
expenditure performances
in the frst six months of the
fscal year, and, if necessary,
a proposed supplementary
budget for approval by the
Legislature.
The PFM Law requires
that during the fscal
year, the approved budget
may be amended through
supplementary budgets to be
approved by the Legislature.
International organizations
including the Internal Monetary
Fund have warned that
major development projects
will not be implemented
due to unbudgeted projects
undertaken by the Government.
United States Ambassador
to Liberia, Deborah Malac
also cautioned the Liberian
government to desist from
spending money it does not
have

Page 16 |
Frontpage

F
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NEWS ANALYSIS F
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GOVERNMENT NEWS
F
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OBITUARY
Monrovia -
O
n Monday, May
12, two important
signings took place
in the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the temporary
home of the Liberian President.
In the mournfully decorated
foyer, the Liberian leader led an
array of government offcials,
foreign dignitaries and other
sympathizers to open and sign
the Offcial Book of Condolence
to the memory of fallen
Transitional Chairman, Charles
Gyude Bryant.
A few hours later, in the
conference room used for the
meeting of the Liberian Cabinet,
another signing ceremony
took place. It occurred before
a smaller gathering including
Senators Gbehzongar Findley,
President Pro-Tempore, Jewel
Howard-Taylor of Bong County,
and Isaac Nyenebo of Grand
Gedeh.
Others in attendance included
Dr. Amos Sawyer, Chairman of
the Governance Commission,
Cllr. Wheatonia Dixon-Barnes,
Acting Minister of Justice, Lewis
Brown, Minister of Information,
Cllr. Augustine Toe, Acting
Chairman of the Liberia Anti-
Corruption Commission, and
Cllr. Seward Cooper, Legal
Advisor to the President. A
team of religious leaders, said
to be visiting the President after
having recently prayed for the
nation, trooped into the room to
witness the signing ceremony.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,
after very brief remarks, signed
the long-awaited Code of
Conduct into law.
Since the 1986 Constitution
of the Republic became the
Law of the Land, succeeding
administrations and legislative
bodies have attempted without
success to uphold Article 90
(c) which provides that The
Legislature shallprescribe
a Code of Conduct for all
public offcials and employee,
stipulating the acts which
constitute confict of interest or
are against public policy, and the
penalties for violation thereof.
By the stroke of her black and
gold pen, it is fair to say, the
Sirleaf Administration was
making history succeeding
where many before her had tried
and failed in circumscribing
the actions, activities and
behaviors of all public offcials
and government employees, as
well as prescribing penalties for
breaches.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Sirleaf Finally Puts Pen to Paper on Key Legislation
FrontPageAfrica has been
sifting through the fne prints
of the Code of Conduct and
reports that it applies to all
public offcials and employees
of the three Branches of the
Government. Administration
offcials harboring political
intentions to canvass or contest
for elective public offces will
turn to Sections 5.1 and 5.2for
guidance.
Section 5.1 provides that All
Offcials appointed by the
President of the Republic of
Liberia shall not engage in
political activities, canvass or
contest for elected offces; use
government facilities, equipment
or resources in support of
partisan or political activities;
and serve on a campaign
team of any political party,
or the campaign team of any
independent candidate.
According to Section 5.2 (a),
Any Minister, Deputy Minister,
Director-General, Managing
Director and Superintendent
appointed by the President
pursuant to article 56 (a) of the
Constitution and a Managing
Director appointed by a Board of
Directors, who desires to contest
for public elective offce shall
resign said post at least two (2)
years prior to the date of such
public elections.
In (b) of the same section,
Any other offcial appointed
by the President who holds a
tenured position and desires to
contest for public elective offce
shall resign said post three (3)
years prior to the date of such
public elections. Tenured
positions include positions
of Executive Governor of the
Central Bank of Liberia and
other Board Members, as well
as the Chairman of the Liberia
Telecommunication Authority,
Liberia Maritime Authority,
and any appointive post which
require service over a specifed
period.
Section 5.2 (c) provides however
that in the case of impeachment,
death, resignation or disability
of an elected offcial, any
offcial listed above, desirous
of canvassing or contesting to
fll such position must resign
said position within thirty days
following the declaration by the
National Elections Commission
of the vacancy.
Sections 5.1 and 5.2 will be seen
as addressing the long-standing
issues of leveling the playing
feld for political opponents and
fghting political corruption in
the country.
Prior to the passage of this
Code of Conduct, lawmakers
have toyed with elements of the
Hatch Act of the United States
which they colored as the Level
Playing Field Bill, as well as the
proposed amendment to the Act
of the Legislature which created
the Central Bank of Liberia.
Critics of the proposed
amendment of the Central Bank
Act argued that it only targeted
the Executive Governor of
the Central, Dr. J. Mills Jones
who many, including ranking
members of the Legislature,
have accused of doling out
loans,without the proper
safeguards, for votes.
Political analysts and
commentators have repeatedly
drawn attention to the need to
pass a general Code of Conduct
to cover all public offcials and
employees of the government.
This, they argued, will
meaningfully demonstrate the
seriousness of the administration
to fght corruption.
As Section 5 attempts to
specifcally address, the Code
of Conduct will signifcantly
impact, if not altogether address,
the long-standing issue of
political corruption in the country.
Public offcials and employees of
the government have repeatedly
used the privileges and resources
afforded them for the exercise of
their public duties to also pursue
private political ambitions and
narrow interests of political
parties with which they are
affliated.
Section 9.1 of the Code of
Conduct forbids giving and
taking of bribes and gifts.
Accordingly, Public Offcials
and employees of Government
shall not receive, nor encourage
the giving of any form of bribe or
casual gift in connection with the
performance of his/her duties,

whether for himself or herself
or members of his or her family.
This provision does not apply
to gifts given during traditional
ceremonies and celebrations, and
fees paid for lobbying.
Section 9.1 concludes that The
Legislature shall enact laws
for the regulation of lobbying
activities.
Other important highlights of
the Code of Conduct include
Sections 11.3, 13.1 and 13.2.
Section 11.3 frowns on and
proscribes sexual harassment
including the use of rude, abusive
and obscene language, indecent
dressing, and sexual gestures
as unethical and unbecoming
behaviors.
Section 13.1 protects public
offcials and employees of
government from reprisals
and discipline who report
allegations of wrong doing
and contraventions of the
Code of Conduct, in good faith
while Section 13.2 encourages
members of the public to report
misconducts of public offcials
and employees of the government
guaranteeing protection under
the Code of Conduct as well as
the Whistle Blower Protection
Law.
Importantly also, the Code
of Conduct enjoins all public
offcials and employees of
the government to declare
and register personal interests
and assets, as well as post
performance and fnancial bonds
where required. Previously, only
employees of the Executive
Branch of the Government,
acting under the authority of
an Executive Order, declared
their assets to the Liberia Anti-
Corruption Commission every
two years.
The compulsory periodic
declaration and registration of
personal interests and assets will
now afford proper investigation
into and tracking of the acquired
wealth of all public offcials and
employees of the government
especially during the period of
their public service.
The Code of Conduct which
calls for the appointment of
an Ombudsman to assist in
administering the Code, and to
hear complaints arising from
its enforcement, also takes a
signifcant step in forbidding
nepotism, favoritism and
cronyism in the appointment of
offcials and the employment of
individuals in the public sector.
These vices, it continues to be
argued, have contributed to the
publics growing perception
of corruption in the public
bureaucracy.
Before she signed the Code
of Conduct, President Sirleaf
said, Laws are as good as our
willingness to enforce them.
FPA agrees.
And so with the passing of the
Code of Conduct, the debate
is no longer about the will of
the government to pass a Code
of Conduct but the willingness
of the government, and the
people, to ensure that the Code
of Conduct is enforced. This,
now, isthe duty of each Liberian
citizen.
MIN. NGAFUAN LAUDS
GOVERNMENTS CAPACITY
DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
Monrovia -
F
oreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has lauded the steps taken
thus far by the Liberian Government in responding to the capacity
needs of the country.
He made the observation when he delivered the keynote address of
the induction ceremony of the 4th Batch MBA and 1st and 2nd Batch Graduates
from the Financial Management Training Program (FMTP) and the Intensive
Procurement Training Program (IPTP) respectively over the weekend held at
a local hotel in Sinkor.
Capacity development must therefore continue to occupy a central role in
our national development efforts. We laud the steps that are thus far being
taken by this Government to respond to the capacity needs of our country,
he remarked.
The World Bank-sponsored program has continued to train and place MBAs
and procurement students who complete trainings in both the FMTP and the
IPTP via the Civil Service Agency (CSA) into various ministries and agencies
after intensive mentoring programs. It has graduated 99 students since the
inception of the programs.
The Foreign Minister who associated very closely with the program during
his tenure as Minister of Finance named a host of other innovative capacity
building interventions that the Government has been using in being extremely
helpful over the years in ramping the countrys public sector capacity. He
listed the Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN)
program, the Senior Executive Service (SES) Program, the Scott Fellows
Program, the Presidents Young Professional (PYP) Program, and the FMTP
as capacity building efforts being supported by the Government and some of
its donor partners.
The Foreign Minister explained that though the physical infrastructural
development of the nation is good but also emphasized that even more huge
has been the task of rebuilding the countrys human capital, otherwise termed
as the soft infrastructure, to meet the demands of the present and the future.
Stressing the need to expand the FMTP/IPTP across the public sector, he
added: We must continue to dedicate more and more of our precious dollars to
building the capacity of our people. Donor assistance to our capacity building
initiatives is usually short-term and has begun to dry up.
The Keynote Speaker then used the occasion to encourage the graduates to
avail themselves of some of the advanced studying opportunities that the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs will attract as they were being fully absorbed into
the Civil Service.
He then pledged his personal commitment to the programs: I will continue to
be one of the chief advocates for this program. Although my present portfolio
makes me to deal with foreign affairs, I dedicate myself to working with
you, Mr. Coordinator, in ensuring that this program attracts the necessary
support, both local and foreign, to continue to stay afoat. Additionally, we
at Foreign Affairs are in the business of attracting scholarship opportunities
at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels for civil servants of
Liberia.
Mr. Aagon F. Tingba, Jr., Director of the program, thanked the Minister for his
special keynote address while the Deputy Director for the CSA performed the
induction ceremony.
Other representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the University of Liberia,
the Liberian Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), the World Bank, African
Development Bank, the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC),
and the graduating classes all made special remarks during the ceremony.
The FMTP was initiated in November of 2006 while the IPTP was established
in 2011. The establishments of the two programs were enhanced by the
collaboration of the Ministry of Finance, the University of Liberia, CSA, the
Liberian Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), and the Public Procurement
Concession Commission (PPCC), all working under a Memorandum of
Understanding whose partnership constitutes the governing board as chaired
by the Minister of Finance.
Monrovia -
T
he Ministry of Foreign
Affairs has announced
with profound regrets the
death of His Excellency,
Ambassador Thomas Brima,
Liberias Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary accredited to the
Republic of Sierra Leone.
A Foreign Minister release says
LIBERIAS AMBASSADOR TO
SIERRA LEONE IS DEAD

Ambassador Brima died May 12,
2014 at the Hannibal International
Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia where he
had gone for medical attention after
a brief period of illness. He had been
fown there for medical attention.
The Late Ambassador Brima
was one of Liberias outstanding
statesmen who served his country
with dedication and commitment in
several capacities including serving
as Superintendent of Lofa County,
Minister of Internal Affairs and in his
last capacity as Liberias Ambassador
accredited to the Republic of Sierra
Leone.
Prior to his accreditation to Sierra
Leone in 2006, he served in several
capacities at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.
The fallen Liberian Ambassador was
the longest serving ambassador in
that neighboring country which made
him the Doyen of the Diplomatic
Corps there.
Meanwhile, his remains will be fown
back home from Tunisia pending
funeral and burial arrangements.
Frontpage
Selma Lomax, FPA Bong Correspondent
ALPHA DAFFAE SENKPENI

F
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COUNTY NEWS
Fuamah District, Bong County -
B
ong County district
# 7 Representative,
Corpu Barclay,
has Commissioned
the long-awaited Voice of
Fuamah 92.5 with a charge
on management and staff
to use the station not only
for rallying support for her
political quest but equally use
for uniting the people of the
district irrespective of their
culture, religion and political
affliation.
At the grand commissioning,
Rep. Barclay who was
accompanied by the Speaker of
the 53rd National Legislature,
Alex Tyler and an array of
lawmakers and other top
government functionaries, said
the station was established
for the dissemination of
news for the education and
enlightenment of the citizenry.
The lawmaker explained that
the station was borne out of the
need and strong commitment
to overhaul all sectors when
she got re-elected in 2011.
For us, we strongly believe
that if we are trying to build
for this generation and the
ones to come, a truly modern
system, the least we can do is
accompany the trend with a
beftting, modern and effcient
public broadcast medium, she
said.
Continuing, she added:
These were the underlying
issues when we set up a
committee several months ago
to establish, equip and staff a
beftting frequency modulation
(FM) radio station here, to
help drive the Fuamah agenda
and present the views of the
various sections of the district
with the clarity of purpose they
deserve.
She added: We had a few
options available to us at
the time but, we thought of
preserving the legacy that this
place already represents. It
was, however, decided that if

BONG LAWMAKER COMMISSIONS NEW
RADIO STATION IN FUAMAH DISTRICT
BASSONIANS REACT TO
WOEWIYU'S ARREST;
CONSIDER SENATE BID OVER
a radio station was still going
to exist here, it had to be in
line with the best standards
available and one that would
compete favorably with any
other elsewhere.
A vibrant public broadcast
medium was not only factored
into the design for functional
and aesthetic reasons, but
more importantly, to mirror the
changing tide of development
in our dear district, Barclay
said.
She equally expressed
satisfaction with the level of
broadcast ushered out by the
station which is equipped with
the state-of-the-art facilities
and urged management and
staff not to rest on their oars.
Earlier, in his speech, the
Commissioner of Fuamah
District, Armstrong Giddings,
disclosed that the station
since inception has lived up to
expectations and yearning of
the people through its unique
way of broadcasting.
Giddings said the station
being the Lion of Airwaves
has distinguished itself in the
heart of the people through
its quality programming and
balance reportage of news
which has given broadcasting
in the district a new phase.
Voice of Fuamah has in the
last one week apart from
entertaining and educating
the people being a veritable
medium of racing awareness
about many facets of Caring
Heart Initiative of the
lawmaker.
The station is close to the
peoples ears, heart, homes,
offces, markets, workshops,
car parks, and campuses among
others thus being the lion of Air
waves, he said
Highlighting the success
record so far, the station
manager who gave his name as
The Master said the station is
proudly happy and encouraged
with the installation of quality
broadcast equipment which
has also help in ushering out
undiluted programs and well-
informed news to the society.
He also thanked the lawmaker
especially the people of the
district for their unfinching
support which has resulted in a
profound success not only for
the station but the district.
His words: I thank you all
for providing a level playing
ground for broadcast industry
in Fuamah district and as
well providing enabling
platform for our broadcasters
to showcase their talents in
providing enviable contents
in entertainment, education,
innovation particularly news
dissemination and sports. In
all, I must say we appreciate
Corpu Barclay for her support
at all times.
Rep. Barclay and Speaker Tyler
took time to inspect facilities
in the station with promises to
commit more resources to the
development of the station.
Other Stakeholders in the
media industry who spoke
with newsmen shortly after
the commissioning urged the
station not to only project
activities of the lawmaker but
also give opportunities for the
lower class irrespective of their
political affliation.
Buchanan, Grand Bassa County -
W
hen news broke on Monday evening in Grand
Bassa County about the arrest of prominent Bassa
citizen, Jucontee Tom Woewiyou, in the United
States of America, a lot of concerns were raised
but the most crucial on the minds of county residents, is the state
of Woewiyus senatorial bid.
FrontPage Africa has gathered that Mr. Woewiyou was popular in the county
for many other reasons but his chance of luring more support from electorates
would have been an up-hill task but his recent arrest by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) may have dampened any chance of Woewiyu becoming a
formidable candidate even if hes acquitted of perjury in the US.
Some residents of Grand Bassa County who spoke to FPA assert that Mr.
Woewiyus arrest is disheartening for the county because of the prominence
he enjoys in the county and Liberia at large.
Peter Naleh, a resident and shopkeeper in District Three (Wee Stauatory
District), who claims to be a friend of Mr. Woewiyu, says the former Senator
has no chance again to run for the senate.
I felt bad when I got the news about his arrest but for his ambition to run for
the senate, maybe he wants to ride on past glory because his character will
surely haunt him. Such a charge that he now faces will taint his character so if
he comes back in this country he should just sit down and be a free man and
forget about politics, Mr. Naleh said.
Sasay Laye, a driver and resident of Buchanan described the situation as a
setback for Mr. Woewiyu but also criticized him for allegedly bridging U.S
laws and term his quest for a seat in the senate as a failure. Sasay says the
arrest is a stigma on Mr. Woewiyu and that he cannot trust such a man with
state power.
D. Mark Contowor, a student of the Grand Bassa Commuinty College (GBCC),
expressed disappointment that Woewiyu will have a citizenship in the U.S.A
and would want to contest for a Senate seat in Liberia. He said it is Woewiyus
prerogative to exonerate him from the alleged perjury.
The act or crime was committed against the State he comes from in America
not Liberia, however; that particular information that has been disseminated
here, I personally feel dissatisfed in him even if he comes here today I will
never cast my vote for him, Contowor exclaimed.
But Abraham Jabbah, a resident of the Fair Ground community said Mr.
Woewiyu should be pitied by Liberians despite his alleged offence. Jabbah
thinks Woewiyu was manipulated to obtain American citizenship because of
the numerous opportunities that the U.S provides.
Another resident, who is a well-known member of the Liberty Party youth
wing, says his party will now make use of Woewiyus setback by luring all
his supporters to their camp. Karluminus Meshach Karngar said though he
regrets that a prominent son of the county has been arrested in foreign land but
it would be advantage to the Liberty Party.
Page 18 |
Frontpage
NIGERIAN VILLAGE VIGILANTES
'REPEL BOKO HARAM ATTACK'
R
esidents of three
villages in northern
Nigeria have
repelled an attack
by suspected Boko Haram
Islamist fghters, an eyewitness
has told the BBC.
About 200 of the militants
were killed during the fghting
in the Kala-Balge district of
Borno state, he said.
The witness said the residents
had formed a vigilante group.
The area which came under
attack is not far from the site
of a market massacre last week
in which more than 300 people
were killed.
The suspected Boko Haram
militants overran the town of
Gamboru Ngala 10 days ago on
its busy market day in a killing
and looting raid which lasted
about fve hours.

The world is watching to
see what Nigerian President
Goodluck Jonathan will do
next
A security offcial told the
Associated Press news agency
that the vigilantes in Kala-
Balge, which is near Lake
Chad, were ready for a fght
after learning of an impending
Boko Haram attack on Tuesday.
The eyewitness, who spoke
to the BBC Hausa Service
on condition of anonymity
IN BRIEF
OSCAR PISTORIUS
ORDERED TO UNDERGO
MENTAL EVALUATION
U.N. CONDEMNS KILLING
OF FRENCH JOURNALIST
IN CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC

T
he judge in the trial
of South African
Paralympic athlete
Oscar Pistorius
has ordered that he should
undergo a month-long mental
evaluation.
She ruled that psychiatric
evidence before the court could
not replace "a proper inquiry"
into his mental health.
Correspondents say the trial,
which began in March, will
almost certainly now face a
lengthy delay.
The prosecution argued on
Tuesday that psychiatric tests
were essential and that he should
be referred.
But the defence vigorously
opposed the move.
Mr Pistorius denies intentionally
killing his girlfriend Reeva
Steenkamp on Valentine's Day
last year.
He says he accidentally shot her
through the toilet door in a state
of panic, mistaking the 29-year-
old model and law graduate for
an intruder.
'No choice'
The BBC's Andrew Harding in
court says that Judge Thokozile
Masipa's decision caught almost
everyone by surprise.
The trial has now been adjourned
until Tuesday, when the judge
will give the details behind her
ruling which could mean the
Olympic athlete is evaluated
for a minimum of 30 days at a
psychiatric faculty.
Mr Pistorius's uncle, Arnold,
welcomed the judge's
"thorough" ruling and said it
gave the family "confdence" in
the justice system.
Judge Masipa said that the
criminal code stipulates that if
an accused person is alleged not
to be criminally responsible or
is alleged to be mentally ill, he
should be evaluated.
(CNN) --
T
he U.N. Security
Council has
condemned the
killing of a French
journalist who was reporting
from the violence-racked
Central African Republic.
French troops found the body of
Camille Lepage during the search
of a vigilante group's vehicle in
a western region of the country,
French authorities said Tuesday.
"All necessary means will
be employed to shed light
on the circumstances of this
assassination and to fnd our
compatriot's murderers," the
offce of French President
Francois Hollande said.
The U.N. Security Council said
that "those responsible for the
killing shall be held accountable."
Widespread unrest
Sectarian violence has killed
thousands of people and displaced
many more in the Central African
Republic since a coalition of
mostly Muslim rebels deposed
President Francois Bozize in
March 2013.

F
RONT
PAGE
WORLD NEWS
TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Cape Town President Joyce
Banda was not the front-running
candidate in the run-up to this
month's elections in Malawi, but
the race was too close to call,
according to a public opinion
surveyconducted six to eight
weeks before next week's polls.
The survey, conducted by the
African public opinion survey
project, Afrobarometer, found
that in the period March 23 to
April 7:
The Democratic Progressive
Party (DPP) and its presidential
candidate, Peter Mutharika
brother of former president
Bingu wa Mutharika, who died
in offce in 2012 had a "slight
edge" over its rivals. Mutharika
was favoured as president by 27
percent of adult Malawians, and
his party by 23 percent in the
parliamentary election race.
The Malawi Congress Party
(MCP), which ran Malawi as
a one-party state under the
leadership of the country's frst
president, Hastings Kamazu
Banda, for nearly 30 years,
was running in second place.
The party was preferred by 18
percent of adults for Parliament
and its presidential candidate,
Lazarus Chakwera, by 21
percent.
The People's Party of President
Joyce Banda, which she
founded after being sidelined
as vice-president by Bingu
wa Mutharika, was running
neck-and-neck with the
MCP. Eighteen percent of
adults favoured the party in
parliamentary elections, and
she was drawing the support
of 19 percent of adults for the
presidency.
The United Democratic Front,
which ended the rule of the
MCP in 1994 and under whose
banner President Mutharika frst
governed, was chosen by 11
percent in parliamentary polls.
Its candidate, Atupele Muluzi
son of Bakili Muluzi, who ruled
Malawi for two terms after 1994
was preferred by 14 percent in
the presidential race.
However, 15 percent of
Malawians either did not
know or would not reveal their
Opinion Poll on Elections in Malawi
choices at the time they were
polled. This proportion "is
larger than the margin between
the individual candidates and
parties," Afrobarometer noted,
throwing the outcome of the
election wide open.
Apart from the fact that potential
voters' views may have changed
by the time they vote next
Tuesday, Afrobarometer says it
is not known how many young,
frst-time voters have registered
and will vote, and this could
infuence the result.
Previous Afrobarometer polling
has shown that the four parties
named as favourites are the only
groups with any substance: a
survey in 2012 concluded that
the rest of the country's parties
were "simply insignifcant," a
number of them being described
by Malawians as "briefcase
parties" identifed only with
their leader.
The 2014 poll has also
confrmed what Afrobarometer
described as "stark" regional
differences in voting intentions,
with President Banda's People's
Party overwhelmingly popular
in the north (53 percent support
and no other party enjoying
more than 15 percent), the MCP
the most popular in the centre
of the country (44 percent of
respondents, no other party
having more than 18 percent)
and the DPP (43 percent) and
the UDF (24 percent) most
popular in the south.
In other fndings, 78 percent of
respondents said the country
was going in the wrong direction
at present. President Banda's
approval rating has dropped
from 68 percent after she took
offce in 2012 to 38 percent in
2014.
But the commitment of most
Malawians to multi-party
elections is solid, and rising.
The number of those who
agreed strongly that elections
were the best way of choosing
leaders rose from 55 percent in
2012 to 65 percent in 2014.
And 71 percent now want
"regular, open and honest
elections," with 74 percent
agreeing that "many political
parties are needed to make
sure that Malawians have real
choices in who governs them."
Malawians also believe they
can choose their parties
and candidates freely. More
than nine in 10 say they are
"completely free" in making
their choices, six in 10 say
voters "never" face threats of
violence when they vote, and
seven in 10 have little fear of
intimidation and violence.
But they are more divided on
whether the media provides
fair coverage for all candidates.
They are also worried about
bribery, with 31 percent saying
voters are often bribed, and
another 30 percent saying that
this happens "sometimes".
Many also question how free
and fair elections will be, with
just under half expecting them
either to be completely free,
or with minor problems. Only
one in three say votes are often
or always counted fairly and
a "signifcant minority", says
Afrobarometer, is not confdent
in the Malawi Electoral
Commission.
The Afrobarometer survey
was based on a nationally
representative sample of 2,400
adults and has a sampling error
of plus or minus two percent at a
95 percent confdence level.
Afrobarometer is a collaboration
of social scientists from 35
countriesacross the continent,
with technical support from the
Michigan StateUniversity in the
United States and the University
of Cape Town in South Africa.
The analysis of the Malawi
survey was carried out by
Carolyn Logan, an assistant
professor in the Department
of Political Science at
Michigan State University,
Michael Bratton, University
Distinguished Professor of
Political Science and African
Studies at Michigan State, and
Boniface Dulani, Afrobarometer
operations manager for
feldwork and a lecturer in the
Department of Political and
Administrative Studies at the
University of Malawi.

because of security concerns,
said the area was littered with
bodies after the fghting.
He had seen 50 bodies in one
village and 150 in another
village, all of which he thought
were the corpses of militants.
Residents also seized three cars
and a military vehicle from the
attackers, he said.
On Tuesday, Nigeria's
government said it was ready
to negotiate with Boko Haram
after it abducted more than
200 girls during a raid on a
boarding school in Borno state
a month ago.
Their kidnapping has caused
international outrage, and
foreign teams of experts are in
the country to assist the security
forces in tracking them down.
It is exactly a year since
President Goodluck Jonathan
declared a state of emergency
in Borno and its neighbouring
states of Adamawa and Yobe in
an effort to curb the insurgency.
But according to data collected
by the University of Sussex in
the UK, the fgure of civilian
casualties blamed on militant
attacks has more than tripled
since then.
Boko Haram, whose name
means "Western education is
forbidden" in the local Hausa
language, is notorious for
raiding towns and villages,
burning homes, looting banks
and police stations, and killing
people.
Frontpage
Sports
SPORT BRIEF
MESSI: COMPARE ME TO
MARADONA WHEN I'VE
WON THE WORLD CUP
DEAD OR ALIVE?
T
he Argentina
attacker says
he cannot be
considered a true great
until he has won football's
greatest prize - but hopes
to change all that in
Brazil this summer Lionel
Messi says he cannot be
considered as the greatest
player of all time until he
has won a World Cup - but
hopes to change that by
claiming victory in Brazil
this summer.
Messi is constantly
compared to fellow
Argentine Diego Maradona
and has arguably surpassed
his compatriot in terms
of achievements at club
level, but many point to the
World Cup when judging
the Barcelona forward
alongside the former
Napoli great - his coach at
South Africa 2010.
"The comparison with
Maradona is a very nice
compliment, but not one
that I can accept yet,"
Messi said.
ANDY MURRAY BEATS
MARCEL GRANOLLERS
AT THE ITALIAN OPEN
B
ritain's Andy
Murray overcame
Spanish opponent
Marcel Granollers
and testing windy conditions
to reach the third round at the
Italian Open in Rome.
The Wimbledon champion beat
the world number 31 6-2 7-5
and will next face Austria's
Jurgen Melzer.
Should Murray win that match,
he could face world number
one Rafael Nadal in the quarter-
fnals.
Murray's route in Rome
Murray will face the winner
of the match between Jurgen
Melzer and Marin Cilic. Should
he come through that, he could
face Rafa Nadal in the quarter-
fnals
Nadal is in action later on
Wednesday, along with Roger
Federer, Serena Williams and
Maria Sharapova.
Murray, who turns 27 on
Thursday, coped well in
swirling wind at the Foro
Italico to claim a much-needed
victory - only his second of the
European clay-court season.

Will the LBA national league end sooner or later?

I
s budget shortfall the
new talk in town?
Well, your guess
could be as good as
mine because league
matches at the Liberia
Basketball Association
(LBA) failed to take place
at the Sports Commission on
Broad Street on May 11.
LPRC Oilers and NPA
Pythons were set to square-
off in the peak of the ties
but the 32-KVA generator
that supplied the gym with
electricity couldnt come on.
Teams and offcials were
told to remain home while
spectators and journalists
disappointedly left the venue
with two reports attributed to
the lack of power.
One says the generator had
developed a mechanical fault
while another says there was
no money to provide fuel.
With the LBA battling
nature in the form of an
unpredictable weather, is it
now face with man against
himself?
People dont understand
the rules of the game. Thats
why, before every league, we
published a standing rule. In
those rules, we mentioned
force majeure. Rain and
power outage are also
included as force majeure.
Those are standings rules;
so it is nothing strange,
said LBA president Rufus
Anderson.
What is force majeure?
Force majeure is generally
intended to include risks
beyond the reasonable control
of a party, incurred not as
a product or result of the
negligence or malfeasance
of a party, which have a
materially adverse effect
FROM RAINFALL TO POWER OUTAGE

Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com
on the ability of such party
to perform its obligations,
as where non-performance
is caused by the usual and
natural consequences of
external forces (for example,
predicted rain stops at an
outdoor event), or where the
intervening circumstances
are specifcally contemplated.
Two matches on May
1, Timberwolves versus
Supreme Sisters and Oilers
versus Dream Team II,and
Mighty Barrolle versus
Cestos Mogars game on
May 3 could go ahead due to
power outage.
So when will the LBA obtain
a standby generator to solve
this artifcial problem?
As we speak, we have our
request for allotment at the
fnance ministry and it has
been there for a little over two
weeks now. And we are just
waiting to get the relevant
funding to continue where we
need to continue, Anderson
told UNMIL Radios Sport
Extra program on May 12.
Power outage is not the only
problem the LBA is faced
with. Heavy rainfall has
forced match offcials to call-
off league games.
Four games scheduled for
May 4, including Pythons
versus Oilers, were postponed
due to heavy rainfall.
With this insight, female club
Claudia Delta withdrew from
the league, arguing that the
LBA unfairly kicked-off the
championship.
Chief patron Solomon
George, also a Montserrado
County representative,
said they would have spent
unnecessarily, knowingly that
an imminent change of venue
due to the rainy season would
impose some logistical and
fnancial burdens.
Clubs, match offcials,
fans and journalists have
also complained about the
fnancial and logistical
challenges honoring games at
the gym at the Samuel
Kanyon Doe (SKD) sports
complex bring on them.
But Anderson said the LBA
have shouldered their fair
share of the burden.
Every league season we
do experience rains because
Sports Commission is not
covered. And whenever we
start to experience this, we
proceed to the SKD sports
complex [gymnasium]. That
has been the regular routine.
[The fnancial and logistical
burdens dont come] only on
the spectators, clubs, offcials,
and journalists but also
the basketball association
because we spent three times
whatsoever we spent at Sports
Commission to the SKD.
But thats the only available
venue we have, Anderson
added.
Monrovia -
A
former vice
president of the
Sports Writers
Association of
Liberia (Swal) is calling
on the Ministries of Youth
and Sports and Finance and
National Legislature to include
an allotment in the 2014/2015
budget for the construction of
sports academies.
And Lewis Konoe hopes the
committees on youth and sports will
push for said allotment.
Margibi County Representative
Ballah Zayzay sponsored the bill,
which was last year passed into law
by the lawmakers and forwarded to
President Ellen Johnson to be sign
into handbills but not much has been
heard about funding.
According to the bill, the academies
will be built in Bong County for the
central region, Sinoe County for the
southeastern region and Gbarpolu for
the north region.
According to Konoe,an allotment
will set the pace for the formulation
stage, which will moreover lead to
the production of highly professional
Heavy rainfall made the court unplayable on May 4 and more rains have been predicted for June and July
and competent players in almost all
sporting disciplines.
He said the construction will put
Liberia on par with West African
countries that have long constructed
sports academies with tremendous
results on the continent and the
world.
Konoe maintained that it is now
time that Liberia joins Africa and
the world in forging ahead in sports
development by means of the
construction of a sport academy that
will afford the youth a platform to
develop their talents.
He says he sees the academy law as
pivotal to the attainment of success
in Liberias sports agenda and its
construction is very much cardinal
to all Liberians irrespective of their
political, social, ethnic, tribal and
economic back grounds.
Konoe sees the law as the instrument,
when given needed budgetary
attention that will guarantee Liberia
a place in future international
tournament, including the Africa Cup
of Nations and World Cup.
He said the construction will also
afford clubs the opportunity to
feature skillful athletes that will ably
assist in the advancement of their
clubs to continental tournaments.
About the author: Lewis Konoe is a
Liberian journalist and former vice
president of Swal. Konoe serves as
station manager for Radio Bushrod
in Logan Town. He was voted Liberia
Football Association 2006/2007 print
journalist of the year. Konoe can be
reached at 0777201667/0888631529
or daylight522003@yahoo.com.
Ex-Swal veep wants budgetary support for sports academy

N
emanja Vidic has rejected the allegation Manchester
United's players stopped trying for ex-boss David
Moyes.
In an in-depth interview with BBC Sport, Vidic has
underlined the hurt felt within the United dressing room at a
disastrous season, admitting there were arguments between the
players.
But the Serb denies that spilled over into a lack of respect for Moyes.
"There is no question over any of the players. They did everything
that was asked of them," said Vidic.
"Sometimes you do things well, sometimes you don't. But the desire
was there. They tried really hard.
We did argue among ourselves. But we were arguing to get better.
We had some hard moments in the dressing room but we never
argued with the manager or his assistants
NEMANJA VIDIC: MAN UTD PLAYERS DID
NOT STOP TRYING FOR DAVID MOYES

www.frontpageafricaonline.com
Sports
FrontPage
PRICE L$40 VOL 8 NO.594 THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
Spot News FrontPage
T
he scene of the Tubman Boulevard
intercession park, just a few minutes
drive from the Ministry of Health
and Social Welfare was a moment
of verbal exchanges among LNP offcers and
several followers of a newly wedded couple
who had gone at the park for photographing on
Wednesday afternoon.
According to eyewitnesses, a truck (with
license plate number BP 2978) full of club
beer from the Monrovia Breweries Inc
abruptly ran into a Toyota 4 runner ve-
hicle belonging to the bridal party when it
attempted to bypass another vehicle that
was parked opposite the 4 runner. The in-
cident nearly led to the removal of the back
door of the 4 runner which was awaiting the
newly wedded lovers to complete their pho-
tographing. Observers say, one of the doors
of the 4 runner was opened when the truck
attempted to pass by.
At the same time, the truck also damaged
a BAJAJ motorbike which got stuck under-
neath the truck as police officers arrived on
the accident scene.
The presence of the police officers fueled
more tensions among angry members of the
bridal party who accused the police of be-
ing partial in their investigation. The police
would later leave the scene probably for
backup as motorcyclists were likewise loos-
ing temper over the manner in which one of
their colleagues motorcycle was damaged.
WEDDING CRASHER
Stephen D. Kollie, stephenkollie13@gmail.com 0776329124

CLUB BEER VEHICLE RUINS NEWLY-WEDS BIG DAY

FROM RAINFALL TO POWER OUTAGE
Will the LBA national league end sooner or later?

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