THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2016

The holding of a special panel discussion on the threat of terrorism in the West African Region by the Foreign Ministry and Liberia’s signing of the IHP+ Global Compact are among stories highlighted in today’s edition of the summary of the local dailies.

Foreign Ministry Discusses Terrorism Threat

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the auspices of the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute, has held a special panel discussion under the topic: “The Threat of Terrorism in the West African Region and the Need for Greater Collaboration among West African Nations.” According to a Foreign Ministry release, the forum held in the C. Cecil Dennis Jr. Auditorium on Friday, May 6, brought together stakeholders including sub-regional ambassadors, the representative of ECOWAS accredited near Monrovia, and security professionals to discuss and devise strategies for collaboration as well as find ways at preventing and combating terrorism within the sub-region. The release said the reign of terror has elevated to a new level as fanatic groups such as Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, and most recently the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS); the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL); and Islamic State (IS) not only killed thousands in the name of Islam, but sent millions of people around the world running for their lives, while followers have spread fear throughout the world, the New Dawn newspaper asserts.

Related Caption: ‘Collaboration, Education, Employment Essential To Fight Terrorism’ African Diplomats noted at Foreign Service Institute’s Lecture Series(Daily Observer)

Liberia Signs Global Compact

According to theNew Dawn newspaper, Liberia has signed the IHP+ global compact, an initiative which provides a partnership support in the health sector. The IHP is the International Health Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation. Liberia's Health Minister, Dr. Bernice Dahn signed on behalf on the government of Liberia at a ceremony held in Washington DC at the World Bank Office Head Quarter. Health Ministry release quotes Dr. Dahn as describing the signing ceremony, a “milestone move” for Liberia."  Dr. Dahn recalled that Liberia’s decision to join IHP+ was endorsed by the HSCC, the Health Sector Coordinating Committee, which is the highest policy advisory committee to the Ministry of Health, where all donor partners are members. The Liberia Health Minister sees the partnership as a platform for improving efficiencies in both domestic and external developmental support to the health sector, stressing the need for mutual accountability and transparency with shared responsibility between the government and donors to ensure a sustainable health financing mechanism for the future. For their part, Dr. Margaret Chan, the Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tim Evens, Senior Director for Health, Nutrition and Population Global Practice at the World Bank Group spoke about Liberia’s strong planning in the health sector which will help guide donors and partners as they align to country system.

Related Caption: Liberia Signs Global Compact(The NEWS)

Suspension Lifted: President Sirleaf Reinstates Bong County Superintendent Selina Polson Mappy

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has reinstated suspended Bong County Superintendent Selina Polson Mappy as Superintendent of the County.

Madam Mappy was suspended in December 2015 by President Sirleaf on allegation of the misapplication of funds meant for the Feasibility Study for Gbarnga Streets. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf in a communication informed Superintendent Mappy that an April 20, 2016 letter from the Executive Chairman of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission advised that investigation into the allegation established no conduct of criminal culpability and therefore vindicated her and sealed the investigation into the matter.

LRA Shuts Down Major Businesses

The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) last Thursday shut down five major businesses after they failed to settle tax obligations since 2009. Businesses shutdown include Novafone GSM Company in Congo Town, Shenny Trading, Inc. on Broad Street, Continental General & Life Insurance, Medicare Insurance Corporation, and Liberty Investment (Producers of Aqualife Water), all in Monrovia. The five companies owed a total of US$1.36 million and a little over L$30 million, including penalties and interest for the last six years. “ The LRA obtained closure orders from the Tax Court at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia to shut the doors of the premises after all legal efforts to have them pay their taxes failed,” LRA lawyer Cllr James Bombo said. The NEWS says during the period of the closure, the LRA will do a tax audit, education and will work along with the delinquent tax payers to meet their obligations under the law.

Related Caption: Novfone, Aqualife, Others Shut Down For Taxes(Daily Observer)

Bikes Provided By The Government Of Liberia

The Government of Liberia has provided 12 motorbikes to police in Nimba County. The bikes were donated to the government by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The Liberia National Police (LNP) region three Director, Col. Morris Teamah, said the donation is intended to enhance the work of the police in Nimba County. Receiving the donation, Nimba County police commander Col. Augustine Warrie thanked the government for the donation.  Col. Warrie emphasized that in the wake of UNMIL drawdown, citizens need to work closely with state securities to combat crimes in their respective communities, reports the New Dawn newspaper.

Liberia Breaks Silence Over Ghost Ship

According to FrontPage Africa newspaper, in a statement Monday, the Ministry of National Defense says it notes with keen interest, the national security concerns which have germinated as a result of an abandoned vessel along the western shores of Liberia. In keeping with its statutory mandate, the Liberian Coast Guard (LCG) immediately took siege of the security implications and in concert with the Liberian Maritime Authority (LMA) successfully conducted a boarding and search operation on the vessel on May 5, 2016,” the statement noted. Information gathered by the Liberian Coast Guard (LCG), from the Maritime Regional Monitoring Rescue Coordination Center (MRMRCC) quoted some fishermen that Tamaya 1 was observed to be in distress within Sierra Leonean waters and drifted toward Liberia on April 26, 2016. During the search on board the vessel, it was discovered that the abandoned vessel is an oil tanker  and but so far no information was  established regarding the number of crew members as   no crew members  were found on board. The Tamaya 1 was discovered near Robertsport last week, apparently without a crew or lifeboats.

Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire &UNHCR Assist 16,000 Ivorian Refugees

Barely five months after the resumption of voluntary repatriation process, the Liberian government and the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, have assisted the return home of over 16,000 Ivorian Refugees. They encourage Ivorian refugees to return home by taking advantage of the UNHCR facilitation of voluntary repatriation convoys already in place a high level mission from the government of Cote d’Ivoire took place 3-6 may in Liberia led by the Minister of Solidarity, Social Cohesion and Compensation of Victims; Ms. Martiatou  Koné, accompanied by other high ranking specialists from relevant ministries, (Foreign Affairs, Justice, Education, Defense, and interior), Members of Parliament and the Ivorian Embassy near Monrovia. The mission began with a courtesy call on the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, Justice and State, as well as a meeting with Ivorian urban refugees in Monrovia, the New Democrat writes.

LACC Boss Optimistic About Miss Liberia/United Nations' Visit

The Executive Chairperson of Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) Cllr. James N. Verdier, Jr., has expressed optimism that the ongoing visit of Miss Liberia/United Nations, Mollyn Jarbo to the country will significantly contribute to the fight against corruption. According to the NEWS newspaper, Cllr. Verdier spoke recently when Miss Liberia/United Nations paid a courtesy call on the LACC family to brief them on her mission to Liberia. Earlier, the Liberian/UN Queen noted that a major focus of her trip to Liberia was to talk to young people on the issue of corruption, which she said was a serious problem facing all nations, pointing out that corruption continues to retard national development and results in human suffering.

MRU Transport Ministers Discuss Succession Plan

The Insight newspaper pens that the Transport Ministers with the Mano River Union (MRU) countries over the weekend convened an extraordinary ministerial council meeting to deliberate on the succession plan within the Roberts Flight Information Region (RFIR). The meeting was a continuation of an earlier ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Conakry, Guinea, in March of this year. Addressing the opening of the session, Liberia’s Transport Minister Madam Angela Cassel Bush, welcomed her colleagues Oye Guilavogui, Minister of Transport Republic of Guinea, and Leonard Balong Koroma, Minister of Transport and Aviation Republic of Sierra Leone. She expressed optimism that the meeting would be characterized by mutual understanding so that it would achieve its objective and forge regional cooperation among the MRU countries.

Related Caption: Roberts Flight Minister Council Meets In Liberia(The New Dawn)

11,882 University Of Liberia Students Face Academic Probation

The state-owned University of Liberia (UL) has recorded at least 11,882 students who is said went under single and double probation last academic semester. Speaking Monday, May 9, 2016, via the Truth Breakfast Show in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, the Vice President of UL Relations, Norris Tweah, said the numbers are not encouraging but shows some sign of improvement this semester and those who went on probation are those who had the GPA of 2.0, reports the Insight newspaper.