THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s commendation to the Obama’s administration for its support towards the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease, the United Nations Security Council renewal of sanctions on Liberia for nine months as well as President Johnson Sirleaf’s congratulatory message to the People of the United Republic of Tanzania on the occasion marking its 53rd Independence Anniversary are stories dominating our summary of today’s local dailies.

Dominant Stories

President Sirleaf Credits Obama Administration For Stabilizing Ebola At US Foreign Relations Hearing

The Daily Observer reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has said that it was the leadership of the Obama Administration, supported by the US Congress that opened the space for the ravaging Ebola Virus Disease to be stabilized in the country and expressed appreciation to the United States and partners for the progress so far made in containing the virus.   She said the Obama Administration’s support “encouraged the rest of the world to respond to this global crisis,” and however warned that though much progress has been made, more has to be done as this is the most critical stage of the fight against the deadly disease. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement when she addressed members of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs on Wednesday, December 10. The hearing discussed ‘The Ebola Epidemic: The Keys to Success for the International Response’ and was chaired by Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware). The Liberian leader, providing an update of the progress made so far, said 13 Emergency Treatment Units, with a total of 840 beds, has only 136 patients; while 70 burial teams have buried 23 persons per day across the country compared to hundreds, months ago. “We have seen a drop from around 100 new cases per day at the peak of the epidemic, to only 10 confirmed new cases per day over the past week.  Our six active laboratories have tested 60 samples a day, but on average only find 8 new Ebola cases per day. The 4,000 contact tracers which involve community workers are following some 7,000 persons.  Doctors, nurses and other health care workers, some 174 of the over 3,000 who have died, are no longer at risk because quality treatment facilities are available to them.  We are happy to say that 1,312 persons including 345 children, many of them orphaned, have walked away free from the disease,” she told the US Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee.   President Sirleaf indicated that though at 10 cases a day, the crisis is manageable experts have noted that reaching zero new cases will be much more difficult because the disease has retreated and must now be chased down in every corner.   The Liberian leader urged partners, most especially the United States Government, to continue to support the efforts to her government to help the country graduate from treatment to prevention. She called for strengthening community ownership and responsibility for awareness and immediate response action, through the Community Care Centers that are being established with the support of USAID.   

Related Captions: Ellen Addresses US Senate Foreign Relations Sub-Committee On African Affairs Hearing(Heritage), Pres. Sirleaf Addresses US Senate Sub Committee On Africa(The Analyst) ’Fighting To Keep People Alive, Facing a Faceless But…Deadly Enemy’(FrontPage Africa)

UN Renews Liberia Arm Embargo; Travel, Asset Freeze Bans

The United Nations Security Council voted Wednesday to renew sanctions on Liberia for a further nine months, while recognizing the impact of the Ebola outbreak on peace and security as a factor for future decisions to modify or lift the restrictions. In announcing the renewal Wednesday, the Council unanimously adopted draft Resolution 2188 (2014) under the Charter’s Chapter VII, and expressed grave concern about the virus’ outbreak and its impact on West Africa including Liberia. The Expert Panel’s mandate was extended by 10 months to allow it to undertake a series of tasks, including investigating and compiling a final report on implementation and on any violations of the sanctions. The Council expressed grave concern about the Ebola outbreak and its impact on West Africa, indicating its willingness to modify or lift all or parts of the sanctions measures, dependent upon Liberia’s progress toward stability and in light of the current threat the virus poses to peace and security. The council also urged the government of Liberia to expedite the adoption and implementation of appropriate legislation and take other necessary and appropriate steps to establish the necessary legal framework to combat the illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition, according to the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: Sanctions Renewed-UNSC Cities Fragile Security Situation(The New Republic), UN Renews Sanctions On Liberia(The Reporter)

Ellen Hails United Republic of Tanzania Independence Anniversary

The Liberian Leader, Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has congratulated the People and Government of the United Republic of Tanzania on the occasion marking its 53rd Independence Anniversary. President Sirleaf, in her congratulatory message to Tanzanian Leader, His Excellency Dr. Jakaya Morisho Kikwete, extended heartiest congratulations and sincere best wishes on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia and in her own name to the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania. The Liberian Leader said that as Liberians join the gallant People of Tanzania in celebrating this historic milestone in their nation’s history, she entertained the hope that the cordial and brotherly relations and cooperation so happily subsisting between the two countries will continue to grow in the years ahead.  President Sirleaf also wished that the Almighty Allah will endow President Kikwete with abundant wisdom and strength as he leads his compatriots to greater prosperity, according to the Heritage newspaper, whilst quoting a Foreign Ministry release.

Related Captions: Ellen Hails Tanzania, Consoles Nigeria(The Reporter), President Sirleaf Hails Tanzania(The Inquirer)

Other Stories

ECOWAS Council of Ministers Discuss Security Threats In The Sub-Region

The INSIGHT newspaper reports that member states commenced the 73rd session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers’ meeting in Abuja, Nigeria with a collective reflection on 2014, the year under review; adding as priority issue, the need to muster a collective courage in the fight against Ebola in the region. Opening the meeting on Tuesday, December 9, the Chairperson of the Ministers’ meeting, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh said the meeting is intended to point towards the importance of clarity of purpose and unity in action in achieving a common goal. Madam Tetteh said peace and development has been ECOWAS' bane for integration, but without a conducive security climate, meaningful development cannot take place. The meeting Chairperson reminded member countries that ECOWAS places priority on the promotion of peace and security to enable economic integration observing that on the political front noticeable progress is being made but the sub region continues to be affected by multiple security threats.

Related Caption: Ebola Issues Tops ECOWAS Meeting In Abuja(The Inquirer)

Pres. Sirleaf Seeks Senate Endorsement Of Road Protection Act

The INSIGHT newspaper writes that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has requested the Liberian Senate to endorse an Act entitled “Axel Load Harmonization Bill”. The Act which was co-sponsored by Grand Gedeh County Senator Isaac Nyenabo, is to protect public roads and bridges from rapid deterioration and destruction as a result of excessive vehicle weights. The President’s request was contained in a communication, dated December 5, 2014 and read by Senate Secretary Nanborlor Singhbe, Tuesday. The Act seeks to domesticate the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional agreement on harmonized rules of 2013 and set limits on weights to control overloading. The daily furthered that the Senate has forwarded the Act to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Works to review and advise the plenary.

GC Holds Roundtable December 12

The Governance Commission, in collaboration with the Land Commission and the Constitution Review Committee will tomorrow, Friday, December 12, 2014 hold a high level roundtable on the theme “land Rights and the Constitution”. The discussion is expected to be held at the Monrovia City Hall at 10 am. According to the New Dawn newspaper, the Friday’s event will include to panel discussions on land rights and the constitution and overview and the constitutional implications of paradigm shift in land rights and governance.  Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue will serve as special guest at the ceremony, while Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott of the Constitution Review Committee, Dr. Othello Brandy of the Land Commission, Cllr. Moses Paygar from the Sherman and Sherman Law Firm, Silas Siakor of Sustainable Development Initiative and among others are expected to make presentations.

Related Caption: GC, Other Hold Roundtable On Land Issues(In Profile Daily)

NASSCORP Wins Major Award For Good Practice

The National Social Security & Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) has received an International Social Security Association (ISSA) Certificate of Merit for Good Practice in Africa for the Year 2014. NASSCORP was among 29 member institutions from 22 African countries that submitted 58 entries for the ISSA Good Practice Award Competition. The Corporation’s entry entitled, “Integrating Technology to Improve Operational Processes,” was selected by an independent international jury as the winner of this year’s Good Practice Certificate of Merit in the areas of Contribution Collection and Compliance, Information and Communication Technology, and Service Quality. The Award Ceremony took place on December 3, 2014 in Casablanca, Morocco, reports Daily Observer.