The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2017

News of Liberia’s decision to join other nations in calling for a free, open and safe cyberspace that will allow digital trade and other activities which enhances sustainable economic development and growth is the lone story highlighted in today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.

 DOMINANT STORIES

FM Kamara Calls for Free Open And Safe Cyberspace

The New Dawn newspaper reports that Liberia has joined other nations in calling for a free, open and safe cyberspace that will allow digital trade and other activities which enhances sustainable economic development and growth. “The development of cyberspace continues to have phenomenal impact on virtually every aspect of our human life. In fact, cyberspace now is a major contributor to the GDP of many countries around the world. Internet remains one of the major catalysts for economic growth and development and provides greater opportunity for delivering education, healthcare and environmental service,” Foreign Minister Marjon Kamara said. She stressed that cyberspace makes governments more effective and responsive to citizens needs and enables free exchanges of data and information. “Areas like big data analytics, artificial intelligence, robotics, and cloud computing are bringing significant changes in the global economy. As such, the need for openness, safety and digital literacy cannot be overemphasized,” she indicated. According to a Foreign Ministry release, Foreign Minister Kamara made the assertion when she delivered a statement on behalf of the Liberian Government at the 4th World Internet Conference (Wuzhen Summit), co-hosted by the Cyberspace Administration of China and the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, held in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, China from December 3rd to 5th, 2017.

Related Captions: Min. Kamara Addresses 4th World Internet Confab In China-Calls  For ‘Free, Open And Safe Cyberspace’ (In Profile Daily), Liberia’s Foreign Minister Calls For Free, Open, Cyberspace in China (FrontPage Africa), Liberia’s Foreign Minister Calls For ‘Free , Open And Safe Cyberspace’ (Heritage), Liberia Foreign Minister Calls For ‘Free , Open And Safe Cyberspace’ (INSIGHT)

 OTHER STORIES

FLOW, Partners Create Awareness in Observance of 16 Days of Activism

As part of efforts in observance of the 16 days of Activism, Funding Leadership Opportunities for Women (FLOW) through it implementing partners, Youth Coalition for Education in Liberia YOCEL, Foundation for Community Initiative FCI, Women NGO Secretariat WONGOSOL, National Institute for Public Opinion NIPO and Organization for Women and Children (ORWOCH) on Friday December 8, 2017 held an awareness campaign. The National theme: Let’s embrace our diversities for safe Education and a violent free society” of the 16 days of activism on Violence Against Women and the elimination of gender-based violence with support from Oxfam through funding from the Netherlands Government.  The awareness campaign was held at the Old Road Market, the Nancy B. Doe Market and the Rally Town Market and in Matilda Newport and PHP Communities. Making remarks before the awareness campaign the Country Director of Oxfam Liberia Anne-Catherine Bajard disclosed that gender-based violence are often used interchangeably and call on all meaning Liberians including men to join the effort in ensuring that it is eliminated she also recognized some of the barriers such as traditional norm and practices, impunity and poverty, the FrontPage Africa newspaper reports. The daily also reports under the caption “Gender Minister Advises Female Zoes on Early Marriage Dangers” that the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Julia Duncan-Cassell, has urged traditional female Zoes not to encourage early child marriage. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is a global campaign from the first women’s global leadership institute dedicated to call for action in ending gender-based violence. As this year marks the 26th years of the 16 Days of Activism around the World, it is the 16th commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign in Liberia. Addressing female Zoes at the Traditional Village for Peace in Brewerville City over the weekend, the Gender Minister explained that they could not end the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence without meeting the Traditional Female Zoes, whom she praised for upholding the nation’s culture and tradition. Minister Duncan-Cassell urged these traditional mothers to avoid the practice of early childhood marriage. “The tradition is good; we should allow our girls to go to school. You can still keep your culture,” she told the older women. “Don’t give your girl child to man. Give her chance, talk to her, let her go to school; the same way you can let your boy child go to school,” Minister Cassell appealed.

EU Welcomes Electoral Disputes Resolution

The European Union (EU) said it welcome the resolution of the 10 October 2017, elections disputes, which paved the way for the prolonged runoff between the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the ruling Unity Party or UP. A runoff between the two parties had been scheduled for November 7, but was delayed due to complaints filed by the opposition Liberty Party (LP) citing fraud and irregularities. According to the New Dawn newspaper, the LP, which came third in the election, had called for a rerun of the entire election. But their request was denied by NEC, while an appeal before the Supreme Court upheld the NEC decision on Thursday December 7. “This decision is an important contribution to the democratic capital built so far in Liberia. The conclusion of complaints permits the elections to proceed, while the right of citizens to elect their chosen leaders shall be respected”, stated the EU EOM Chief Observer, Maria Arena in a press statement issued Friday December 6. The EU EOM statement also praise the superior court saying, “the Supreme Court conducted key appeal cases in a swift and efficient manner, underlining the importance the Honorable Justices attach to the expeditious handling of electoral cases.”

Another Liberian Diplomat Falls, Ambassador Henry Williamson Served Missions In Geneva, Zaire

According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, veteran Liberian Diplomat, Ambassador Henry D. Williamson, a former permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations and other international organizations has died in his 63rd year. The daily reads that Mr. Williamson was posted at the Liberian Permanent Mission at Geneva in 1986, starting as a first Secretary and Consul, then working his way up at Counselor, Minister-Counselor and Minister Plenipotentiary. He also served as Second Secretary and Vice-Consul of the Liberian Embassy in Egypt from 1982 to 1986 and Zaire from 1984-1986.

Women Situation Talking Bus Re-launched

The Women Situation Room has re-launched the Talking Bus to create awareness for the pending runoff election, aimed at helping to curtail some of the problems confronted during the electoral process. The In Profile Daily quotes Cllr. Yvette Chesson Wureh, head of the Women Situation Room (WSR), the organization has collaborated with the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) to uphold the rule of law during the election process. The re-launch of the Talking Bus was held in Monrovia on December 8, 2017. The Talking Bus is an opportunity for Liberians to learn and analyze the Supreme Court Opinion in local languages as it goes around the country.

VP Boakai Turns US$20,000 Water Facility-To Peace Island Community

Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has reiterated that the nation owes it to posterity to ensure that required atmosphere is created    for the full realization of potentials that are critical for the development of the country. Vice President Boakai said the children of Liberia have the talent to achieve any dream of their choice, however, he said the conditions that will fast track these ambitions and aspirations must be created   if Liberia is to move into the next stages of its national development agenda. The In Profile Daily says Vice President Boakai made these remarks Saturday, December 9, 2017 when he paid a visit at the faith Christian Academy on the Peace Island where he had donated school chairs, inspected the mobile clinic he had built and also dedicated several water outlets, each containing eight faucets.