THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2019

Stories topping our today’s media summary include news about ECOWAS Commendation to all Sides for the peaceful manner in which the June 7 Protest was carried out; President Weah’s reinstatement of Deputy Minister Fahngon; Madam Gbowee’s Nomination as July 26 Orator and EU’s recent statement that Land Rights are Preconditions for Sustainable Development amongst other news headlines.    

STORIES

ECOWAS Commend all Sides to June 7 Protest

The office of the Special Representative of the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commission in Liberia wishes to inform the Public that the planned June 7 peaceful assembly took place at the Capitol Hill, Monrovia on Friday, June 7, 2019. This according to ECOWAS, followed series of mediation efforts and constructive engagements between the representative of government and organizers of the June 7 protest that was facilitated by ECOWAS, African Union and the United Nations, including the recent visit by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the Un secretary General in West African and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and the President of the ECOWAS commission, Dr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou to Monrovia. The commission’s Office also commended President Weah for his Statementship, Officials of his government as well as the organizers of the June 7^TH protest for ensuring a non-violent peaceful assembly.   ECOWAS particularly commended the Liberian Joint Security Services for the professional manner in which they conducted the security affairs during the June 7^TH protest, pens the Daily Observer.

Related Caption:ECOWAS Reacts TO Protest Hails Govt, Protesters but Regrets Petition Undelivered(Analyst)

President Weah Reinstates Deputy Minister Fahngon...Warns Officials

According to the Analyst reports, President Dr. George Manneh Weah has reinstated the Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICAT), Eugene Fahngon with immediate effect. Lifting the suspension, the Liberian Leader warned Minister Fahngon and all government officials to take their work very seriously and operate within the confines of their respective duties. Deputy Minister Fahngon was suspended by the President on May 6, 2019.

25 Liberians Leave For China

Twenty-five Liberians working at the Ministries of Justice and Labor, the court are expected to depart the country today, June 10, 2019, for Beijing, the People’s Republic of China. They are expected to participate in one month capacity building seminar title “Seminar on Cooperative Legal System Construction for Senior Management Personnel. The Seminar is being organized by the Chinese Government through its University of International Business, the Analyst reports.  

Police Demonstrate High Professional Standard In June 7 Assembly 

The Analyst readies, Joint security officers, mainly from the Liberia National Police (LNP), Friday guided without incident the peaceful’ assembly called on Capitol Hill by a group of Liberians self-dubbed “Council of Patriots.’” Supporters of the group had gone to the Capitol Building, the seat of the National Legislature on Capitol Hill, to petition the government on a wide range of governance and economic issues they say require reforms. Attired in their riot gears, officers from the LNP and Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) were seen humbly directing protesters the way to go, and doing all they could to ensure that the situation remained calm until the petition was presented to a top official of government.

EU: ‘’Land Rights Are   Precondition for Sustainable Development’’

European Union (EU)’s  progamme    Manger  for Climate Change and Rural Development, Vera Kellen, says land rights remain the precondition for sustainable development in Africa  and the rest of the world. According to the Daily Observer  Madam Kellen made the remarks on Tuesday, June 4 ,2019 at the  Sustainable ownership, Empowering Community and civil society Liberia’’ meeting held at a resort in Monrovia organized by Forum SYD. The day-long meeting brought together both local and international partners with focus on rights advocacy   and   empowerment of CSos. Madam Kellen said she believes that Liberian can have sustainable use their land if only they understand or know that it is their land and have ownership of it. The EU’s officials further emphasized the   important of working with women group, especially vulnerable groups and to also raise or carryout awareness of   land rights in the various communities.

Gbowee Nominated As July 26 Orator

Liberia Feminist, Layma Gbowee, Head of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa awaits cabinet approval to be confirmed as the Orator for Friday, 26 July Independence Day Celebration of Liberia’s 172 Anniversary this year. According to Presidential Press Secretary, Isaac Solo Kelgbeh, Gbowee is among several individuals whose name was submitted to the cabinet to serve as speaker for the occasion which is held annually during the country’s birthday. He said the cabinet took the decision during its regular meeting last week which seems to have gotten overwhelming endorsement. Kelgbeh said instead of the celebration being held outside the capital, it will be held in Monrovia in an effort to reduce cost associate with the planning and execution of the event the Inquirer newspaper reports.

EU: ‘’Land Rights Are   Precondition for Sustainable Development’’

European Union (EU)’s  progamme    Manger  for Climate Change and Rural Development, Vera Kellen, says land rights remain the precondition for sustainable development in Africa  and the rest of the world. According to the Daily Observer  Madam Kellen made the remarks on Tuesday, June 4 ,2019 at the  Sustainable ownership, Empowering Community and civil society Liberia’’ meeting held at a resort in Monrovia organized by Forum SYD. The day-long meeting brought together both local and international partners with focus on rights advocacy   and   empowerment of CSos. Madam Kellen said she believes that Liberian can have sustainable use of their land if only they understand or know that it is their land and have ownership of it. The EU’s officials further emphasized the   important of working with women group, especially vulnerable groups and to also raise or carryout awareness of   land rights in the various communities.

Gbowee Nominated As July 26 Orator

Liberia Feminist, Layma Gbowee, Head of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa awaits cabinet approval to be confirmed as the orator for Friday, 26 July Independence Day Celebration of Liberia’s 172 Anniversary this year. According to Presidential Press Secretary, Isaac Solo Kelgbeh, Gbowee is among several individuals whose name was submitted to the cabinet to serve as speaker for the occasion which is held annually during the country’s birthday. He said the cabinet took the decision during its regular meeting last week which seems to have gotten overwhelming endorsement. Kelgbeh said instead of the celebration being held outside the capital, it will be held in Monrovia in an effort to reduce cost associate with the planning and execution of the event the Inquirer newspaper reports.

Pro-temp Chie Donates 1m to G’Kru Students

According to the New Dawn newspaper, the President Pro-tempore of the Liberian Senate, Albert Chie has donated one million Liberian dollars to the Grand Kru University Students Union.  The Administrative Assistant to the Senate President Pro-Tempore, Forcas Wilson assured Grand Kru University Students of the Senator’s preparedness in working with them to achieving their dreams. Mr. Wilson, who deputized for his boss recently during installation and fund raising rally for Grand Kru University Students, indicates that the donation is geared towards aiding students from the county attending various universities and colleges in Monrovia to have unhindered quest for higher education.

Police Monitor Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Power Abuse Within the Catholic Church

The Liberia National Police says it is closely monitoring allegations of clerical homosexuality within Catholic Church. Police Spokesman, Moses Carter said Liberian laws will be enforced if anybody is found culpable of violations.“The Catholic Church is an institution. If any individual in the Catholic Church commits an act it does not becloud the entire church said individual must be made to face the full weight of the law.”Article 14.73 on Involuntary sodomy of the Liberia Penal Code says, “A person who engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person, or who causes another to engage in deviate sexual intercourse, has committed a third degree felony”.  In a letter to the Ambassador of the Vatican in August of 2018, Father Gabriel Sawyer of Monrovia Archdiocese accused Archbishop Lewis Zeigler and Bishop Andrew Karnley of sexually assaulting him and punishing him for refusing sex with them. “Whoever claims they were sodomized or attempts were made on them, the law is always there for everyone, the FrontPageAfrica reports.