The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2017

Dominating today’s newsstand are stories on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s declaration of November 2 as National Thanksgiving Day; the just ended Annual meeting of  International Association of National Public Health Institutes of the World (IANPHI) in Italy, as well as the Supreme Court’s hearing today into case filed by the Liberty Party following the October 10 elections.

DOMINANT STORIES

Ellen Declares Thursday, 2 November As National Thanksgiving Day

The New Dawn Newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release: “President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by proclamation declared Thursday, November 2, 2017, as National Thanksgiving Day to be observed throughout the country as a National Holiday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says in a release issued Tuesday, 31 October that the Liberian leader has called on compatriots, foreign residents, priests, imams, bishops, pastors, clergies, and all religious organizations to gather together in their various places of worship to give thanks and praises to the Almighty God that His blessings and mercies may continuously protect Liberians as a people and as a nation. President Sirleaf notes that it is befitting that thanksgiving this year be declared for the nation and its people to give thanks and adoration to the Lord for His dispensation of grace, mercy and providence for the perseverance of lives. The proclamation further indicates that the people of Liberia have always given thanks and praises to the Almighty God for his tender mercies and manifold blessings showered upon Liberia as a nation especially for His continuous protection and blessings in times of peace, disaster, and other natural phenomena over the years. The National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia enacted a statute in 1883, declaring the First Thursday in November of each year, as National Thanksgiving Day”.

Related Captions: Tomorrow Is National Thanksgiving Day (The INQUIRER), Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day (New Democrat), Tomorrow is National Thanksgiving Day (The News), and Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day (Daily Observer)

IANPHI Ends Annual Meeting In Rome

The International Association of National Public Health Institutes of the World (IANPHI) has ended its Annual Meeting in Rome, Italy. The meeting which was held from October 22 – 25, 2017, saw Liberia’s Tolbert Nyenswah and Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) serving as panelist at a special session of the annual meeting. According to a NPHIL release, the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) Annual Meeting provides opportunities for NPHI directors to share experiences and expertise, discuss common issues, and plan for future collaborations. In addition to robust scientific benchmarking and technical sessions, the meetings are rich settings for developing professional and institutional linkages. The Panel was facilitated by Camilla Stoitenberg, Director General, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Fellow panelists with Director General Nyenswah were Rand Salman, Director, Palestinian National Institute of Public Health, Annemiek Van Bolhuis, Director PHI of Netherlands, Alain Poirier, Vice President communication Canada, Nancy knight, Director, Division of Global health Protection, Center for Global Health, US CDC and Eduardo SamoGudo, Scientific Director, PHI of Mozambique.  It can be recalled that after the Ebola epidemic, the human and economic devastation associated with Ebola epidemic of 2014-2015 highlighted the need for better coordination and strengthening of public health functions and services and improved preparedness for the next public health threat. Liberia established a National Public Health Institute, in December 2016, Liberia’s legislature passed a bill to establish the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL); in January 2017, the President of Liberia signed the bill into law, reports the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Captions: International Association Public Health Institutes Hold Annual Meeting In Rome – Italy (New Democrat), Liberia Attends Int’l Health Annual Meeting… In Italy (The News), and International Association Public Health Institutes Hold Annual Meeting in Room (FrontPage Africa)

S/Court To Look At LP’s Petition Today

The Petition for the Writ of Prohibition which was announced by the Justice in Chamber, Kabineh M. Ja’neh referring the case to the full bench is expected to be heard today. Earlier on, the lead Counselor for the Liberty Party (LP), Cllr. Hilton Powo argued his case before the Justice in Chamber, Kabineh M. Ja’neh at the Supreme Court in Monrovia; the Justice has decided to refer the case to the Full Bench of the Supreme Court. When  Cllr. Powo was asked by Justice Ja’neh what his law reliance was when he filed the case; he quoted Article  “C” stating that the complaint was filed under this authority of the law which states that any party or candidate who complaint was filed this authority of the law which states that any party or candidate who complains about the manner in which the elections were conducted or who challenges the results thereof  shall have  the right to file a complaint with the Elections Commission. Such complaint must be filed not later than seven days after the announcement of the result of the elections among other things he stated, reports the INQUIRER newspaper.

Related Captions: Full Bench Hears….Liberty Party Case Today (The News), and Re-run or Runoff? Supreme Court Decides LP’s Case Today (Daily Observer)

OTHER STORIES

Supreme Court Issues Writ of Prohibition on November 7 Runoff Election

The Supreme Court of Liberia has ordered the National Elections Commission (NEC) to stay any and all actions in the pending runoff election scheduled for November 7, 2017 in line with the Writ for Prohibition prayed for by the Liberty Party. The Liberty Party requested the Writ of Prohibition and a rerun of the October 10 presidential and legislative elections, citing mass irregularities and fraud. The ruling Unity Party, the All Liberian Party and the Alternative National Congress have all joined the Liberty Party’s pursuit for a rerun of the October 10 polls. Former soccer legend and Senator of Montserrado County, George Manneh Weah of the Coalition For Democratic Change (CDC) and the Vice President for Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai of the Unity Party are poised to contest the runoff election next Tuesday. The Chief Justice and his associates were tight-lipped Tuesday evening after their deliberation, but Ambrose Nmah, Communications Director at the Temple of Justice told reporters that the Bench had not come out with any decision yet. However, a high placed source confided in this paper that Supreme Court late Tuesday evening issued the writ of prohibition prayed for by the Liberty Party which effectively puts a halt to the runoff election scheduled for next Tuesday until the Liberty Party’s case and any appeal is exhausted, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

S/Court Demands Immediate Compliance

Liberia's Supreme Court has instructed the Criminal Court "C" to immediately comply with the judgement of the nation's highest court by resuming jurisdiction, empaneling a new jury and starting trial anew in an economic sabotage trial involving former National Port Authority (NPA) Managing Director Ms. Matilda Parker and her comptroller Mrs. Christiana Kpabar Paelay. In its mandate to the lower court filed on 31 October, the Supreme Court says it was a reversible error for the trial judge at Court "C" to have only removed from the jury panel the three jurors implicated in a complaint of jury tampering rather than disbanding the entire jury in the face of clear indications that the rest of the sequestrated jurors might have been compromised. Ms. Parker and Comptroller Paelay were jointly indicted on multiple crimes of economic sabotage, theft of property and criminal conspiracy for an alleged amount of US$837,950.00. Prosecution accused the indictees of conspiring and awarding two contracts to Mr. Deneah M. Flomo and his Denmar Enterprise, valuing US$500,000 and US$300,000 respectively. According to prosecution, the contractor and his enterprise were contracted by the NPA officials to remove wrecks from the Port of Greenville in Sinoe County and to provide security consultancy at the ports of Monrovia, Buchanan and Greenville on behalf of the NPAaccording to the New Dawn newspaper.

Buhari, Ouattara Meet On Liberia Situation

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met  with Cote d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The leaders discussed issues bordering on the situation in Togo, Liberia, among others. The meeting also deliberated on issues of mutual benefit to the countries. Speaking with reporters said: “It is a great honour and privilege to be in Abuja to see my brother and exchange views with him on the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Cote D’Ivore and to see how our sovereign nation is doing and also of course we had the opportunity to exchange views on major issues on the continent and the world. This is important not only for Nigeria but for the whole of West Africa and our continent. We pray God that his health continues to be strengthened and be better for him to lead our sub region, pens the New Democrat newspaper.

U.S. Embassy, UNMIL Recommit To FLY

According to the New Dawn newspaper, the United States Embassy near Monrovia and the United Nations Mission in Liberia reaffirm their commitment to working with every young people across the country through the Federation of Liberian Youth or FLY in promoting youth programs. Making this commitment yesterday October 30, 2017, at the Monrovia City Hall in Sinkor at the official launch of the National Youth Manifesto The Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy Mr. Paul Hinshaw says the United States Government through its agencies here has been working with the Government of Liberia and young people in the country. Reiterating the commitment on Monday, 30 October at the Monrovia City Hall during the official launch of the National Youth Manifesto, he says the U.S. Embassy remains committed to working with members of the Federation of Liberian Youth, and other youth groups in making sure their objectives in the manifesto are met. For his part, the Chief of Peace and Consolidation Service at UNMIL Mr. Francis Kai-kai outlines numerous support provided the Government of Liberia and young people over the years. He notes that the involvement of UNMIL and the international community is a clear indication that they remain committed to working with the Liberian people, especially youth groups through the Federation of Liberian Youth to make sure the National Youth Manifesto is implemented

Inter-Religious Council Urges Politicians For Peace

Episcopal Church of Liberia Bishop Jonathan B. B. Hart, in his capacity as president of the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia, has warned representatives of political parties in the country to desist from statements that have the undertone of inciting violence. Bishop Hart said current trends of rhetoric emanating from some parties’ representatives are shocking, with the propensity to undermine the country’s peace. For that reason, he called on politicians to refrain from hate speeches and personality attacks and make their runoff campaign issues-based to avoid instilling fear among voters during and after the November 7 election. Bishop Hart made the statement on Sunday during a special press conference held at the Lutheran Compound on 13th Street in Sinkor, reports the Daily Observer.

Liberia Warned Against Cyber Attacks

The Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LIBTELCO) has warned public and private institutions about cyber-attacks and urged them to protect their networks. The head of Cyber Security at LIBTELCO, Al-Hassan Sheriff, who spoke at the opening of a three-day national cyber security training yesterday, said the use of cyber security to minimize technological threat cannot be overemphasized in Liberia. He said Liberia is open to possible cyber-attack by hackers, but did not say if there is an imminent threat.  The three-day training is intended to sharpen the minds of participants, especially about the importance of cyber security in protecting technological materials. Cyber-attack is any type of offensive maneuver employed by nation-states, individuals, groups, or organizations that target computer information systems, infrastructures, computer networks, and/or personal computer devices by various means of malicious acts usually originating from an anonymous source that either steals, alters, or destroys a specified target by hacking into a susceptible system, pens the Daily Observer.

Youth Group to Honor President Sirleaf Thursday

The Coalition of Youth and Students Against Poverty and Discrimination (CYSPD) will tomorrow, November 2, honor President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her “peaceful, positive and progressive leadership for the last 12 years.” The honor, according to Ishmael Koffeh, executive director of the organization, is also in recognition of the President’s immense contribution to Liberia’s economic development, free speech and providing the youth the opportunity to explore their talents. Koffeh expressed gratitude to President Sirleaf for the level of work done in the country that has “contributed to the transformation of Liberia from the ashes of war to growth, reports the Daily Observer.

Woman, 75, Dies In Fire

It was a dismal scene yesterday on the SKD Boulevard in Congo Town for those who stood outside and witnessed a two bedroom apartment engulfed in flames, resulting in the death of a 75-year-old woman. Grandma Kaibeh met her untimely demise early Tuesday in the fire that gutted the building. According to eyewitnesses, she was burnt beyond recognition. Other accounts said seven occupants, including the deceased’s daughter and three grandchildren and three other renters, escaped the fire unharmed, but Madam Kaibeh could not make her way out of the building because she was visually impaired. Residents of the community prevented two nearby structures from being gutted by the raging flames. Family members with the help of other residents collected the remains of Madam Kaibeh for burial amid wailing from women in the neighborhood and the deceased’s grandchildren, pens the Daily Observer.

PUL, Political Parties Sign Joint Communiqué

The Press Union of Liberia PUL and political parties have signed an agreement on safety and deportment of journalists during and after the election. According to the INQUIRER newspaper, the statement reads that “as part of this democratization process, the PUL is ensuring the protection of free expression, journalists and media workers’ safety during and after the polls” the ceremony was held on Tuesday in the YMCA Conference Room in Monrovia.