THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

News of the Foreign Ministry’s assurance of the safety of Liberians living in South Africa by its Ambassador in Pretoria as well as the South African Ambassador in Monrovia, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s congratulatory message to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain on the occasion of her 89th birth anniversary and the University of Liberia notification to over 10,000 students for poor academic performance are stories dominating today’s edition of the summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

In Xenophobic Attacks, Liberians Remain ‘Safe And Secure’ Says Liberian Envoy to Pretoria, Lois Brutus

The Daily Observer reports: In the wake of the evolving xenophobic attacks against other African nationals residing in South Africa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has been assured by its Ambassador in Pretoria as well as the South African Ambassador in Monrovia that Liberians living in that country are safe and secure.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, the assurances of the safety of Liberians in the ongoing xenophobic attacks were made in two separate interactions. The first was a dispatch from Liberian Ambassador to Pretoria, Lois Brutus; and the second during a meeting between Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and South African Ambassador to Liberia, Masilo Esau Mabeta, held at the Ministry yesterday April 21. Foreign Minister Ngafuan, during his interaction with the South African envoy, requested an update on the situation in South African with specific regard to the safety of Liberians and other Africans living in that country. Minister Ngafuan said the Liberian public and Government are concerned about the ongoing attacks and hope urgent actions will be taken to bring the situation to an immediate halt. The Foreign Minister said the Ministry is receiving daily briefings from Liberian Ambassador Lois Brutus and that it could consider appropriate actions if the situation is not remedied at the earliest possible time.  He described the xenophobic attacks as a worrying sign for African solidarity and the role South Africa is playing on the African continent, hoping that all would be done to end the attacks.  For his part, South African Ambassador Mabeta thanked Minister Ngafuan for inviting him and expressing the concerns of the Liberian Government and people about the ongoing attacks. He assured Minister Ngafuan that his Government is taking practical actions to bring the unrest to an end. He said many arrests had been made and that President Zuma had personally gotten involved in putting to an end what he called a criminal and shameful act. He said the South African Government does not support such xenophobic attacks as such conflicts contradict the principles of the African Union and African solidarity. Ambassador Mabeta gave assurance that his government is stepping up efforts to ensure the safety of all Africans living in South Africa, including Liberians. Meanwhile, Liberia’s Ambassador to South Africa says the embassy has been in contact with the Liberian community in Durban and other parts of South Africa. Ambassador Brutus has informed the Foreign Ministry that so far no Liberian had been victimized as a result of the ongoing attacks. In a dispatch to Monrovia, the Liberian Ambassador expressed concern about Liberians based in the diaspora spreading unfounded information about the situation, warning it could put Liberians at risk. In her dispatch, Ambassador Brutus reported that the chairman of the 122-member Liberian Community in Durban, Mr. Borley Benson, has again reassured the Embassy that all members of the Liberian Community are well and are accounted for. The Foreign Ministry release said Ambassador Brutus has been instructed to remain continuously engaged with the Liberia community while Government determines the next steps as the situation in South Africa evolves.

Related Captions: In Xenophobic Attack: Liberians Remain Safe And Secure(The Inquirer), Liberians Remain ‘Safe And Secure’- In Xenophobic Attack in South Africa(The News), Liberians are Safe in South Africa-Ambassador Assures(In Profile Daily), No Threat To Liberians –Officials Say They Are Safe, Secure In South Africa’s Xenophobic Attacks(The New Republic), In Xenophobic Attack: Liberians Remain Safe And Secure…Says South African Officials(Heritage), In Xenophobic Attack: Liberians Remain Safe And Secure(INSIGHT), In South Africa’s Xenophobic Attack: GOL Says Liberians Remain Safe And Secure(FOCUS), Liberian In South Africa Safe And Secure-Foreign Ministry(The New Dawn)

Ellen Congratulates British Queen On 89th Natal Day

According to the Daily Observer, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the joyful occasion marking her 89th birthday. On behalf of the Government and People of Liberia and in her own name, President Sirleaf extended best wishes to the British Queen and acknowledged the long-standing and cordial relations subsisting between Liberia and Britain. President Sirleaf recalled that during the peak of the Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia, the United Kingdom provided needed and timely assistance to bolster international efforts in containing the virus. As the two countries remain devoted to upholding their common values among which are the respect for  fundamental human rights, and the values of equality, freedom and justice for all, President Sirleaf said she is confident that the friendly relations subsisting between Britain and Liberia, which have spanned well over 167 years, will continue to grow from strength to strength. She wished for Queen Elizabeth continued good health, happiness and renewed peace and prosperity for her and for the people of Great Britain. President Sirleaf also wished success for the United Kingdom’s forthcoming May 7 elections of its 56th Parliament.

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Congratulates British Queen on 89^th Natal Day(The Inquirer), Pres. Sirleaf Congratulates British Queen on 89^th Natal Day(The News), Ellen Congratulates British Queen on 89^th Natal Day(The News), Ellen Congratulates British Queen on 89^th Natal Day(Heritage), President Sirleaf Congratulates British Queen on 89^th Natal Day(INSIGHT), Ellen Congratulates British Queen on 89^th Natal Day(FOCUS)

Over 10,000 UL Students Risk Suspension

The University of Liberia (UL) has disclosed that over 10,000 students have been notified of their poor academic performance during past two semesters. According to a UL Relations, the notification serves a strong warning for students to perform better during the current semester especially those on single probation. “When grades are tabulated for the current semester, those on probation will be withdrawn from school for one semester on academic suspension”, the release noted. The release notes that UL Handbook chapter IX, states that, “A student is not considered in good academic standing, that is, if his/ GPA for any semester falls below 2.000 or (C) for the second semester of the academic year ”, In Profile Daily reports.

Related Captions: Over 10,000 UL Students On Academic Probation(Heritage), Over 10,000 UL Students Notified Of Poor Performance(INSIGHT), UL Places 10,000 Students On Probation(Daily Observer)

OTHER STORIES

VP Boakai Seeks Indonesian Assistance For Liberian Youth

Vice President Joseph N. Boakai is calling for greater cooperation between Indonesians and Liberians with particular emphasis on youth empowerment and job creation. VP Boakai was speaking in Jakarta, when he was received by the Indonesian Vice President, Mr. Mohammad Jusuf Kalla, In Profile Daily writes.

Related Captions: VP Boakai Wants Expanded Indonesian Assistance For Youth Empowerment(Heritage)

Swedish Educational Fund Stresses Quality education In Liberia

The head of the Swedish Educational Fund for Liberia says the growth and development of any nation starts with the education of its citizens. Mr. Peter Henning says there can be no full development of a nation in the absence of the provision of sound quality education. Mr. Henning made the statement Tuesday, in Kakata, Margibi County, when he visited several learning institutions in the County on a need assessment tour being supported by the Swedish Educational fund for Liberia, In Profile Daily reports.

Public Works Dedicates Two Hand Pumps In Caldwell

In an effort to provide safe drinking water to inhabitants in Montserrado County and its environs, the Ministry of Public Works has dedicated two hand pumps in Taylor Mayor Community, Coffee Farm Caldwell. Speaking at the dedicatory program, the Assistant Minister for Rural Development at the Ministry of Public Works, George Yarngo, lauded the Taylor Mayor Community for the great commitment made in initiating a two-hand pump project in their community, the Inquirer newspaper reports.

NOCAL Dedicates Science Laboratory

The President of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Dr. Randolph A. McClain has challenged Liberian students to develop interest in science courses to ensure major transformation of the technical sector in Liberia. The NOCAL boss made the statement Tuesday when he dedicated a Science Laboratory at the D. Tweh Public High school in New Kru Town on Bushrod Island, outside Monrovia, the Inquirer newspaper reports.

Guinea Reopens Border With Liberia

The Heritage newspaper writes that the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) has disclosed that the Government of Guinea has re-opened its border with Liberia along the Ganta corridor to facilitate trade and other cross-border activities between the two nations. Acting BIN Commissioner Col. Peter Zayzay explained that although the Liberian side of the Ganta-Guinea border was reopened since February this year, the Guinean Government had kept borders with Liberia closed. Addressing the Ministry of Information regular Ebola press conference Tuesday, Zayzay, however, said several measures have been instituted by BIN to ensure that Liberia remains safe as Guinea is still reporting cases of the Ebola virus.

UNMIL Donates Communication Equipment To LNP

The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Tuesday donated several communication equipment to the Liberia National Police (LNP) for use by its Department of Public Affairs.  Presenting the equipment, Mr. John Gachomo, Officer-In-Charge and Deputy Commander of UNMIL Police, said the equipment were intended to enhance the capacity of the LNP press department, filing capacity, coverage of media activities, granting of interviews and other media functions. Mr. Gachomo named the equipment as two office desks, four chairs, two steel filling cabinets, one digital camera, one video camera, one desktop computer, one printer plus one year extra cartridge, as well as internet router with one year internet subscription and a television set. Receiving the equipment, LNP Deputy Director Col. William Mulbah lauded UNMIL for empowering the LNP Press and Public Affairs Department and assured that the items would be used for the intended purpose,INSIGHT newspaper reports.

FAAPA Convenes 1^st Training Of Journalists From Member States

The Federation of Atlantic African Press Agencies (FAAPA) has started a week-long training of journalists from member countries at the Morocco News Agency (MAP) in the Moroccan capital Rabat. The training being held under the theme “Writing for the Web Journalism” brings together journalists from Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Niger, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Mauritania, Liberia and host Morocco. In remarks at the start of the training session Monday, FAAPA President and Director General of the Morocco News Agency, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, said the training of journalists from FAAPA   member states is historic because it is the first since the establishment of the institution, the Heritage newspaper writes.