Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

Today’s News Summary highlights stories including news of the European Union expression of confidence in Liberia’s ability to take full responsibility for its own security, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai’s call for the removal of causes for conflict and the Issuance of a Search and Arrest Warrant for Senator Varney G. Sherman, Chairman of the governing Unity Party.

Included in the Summary is President Johnson Sirleaf’s Message of Condolence to the Government and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt following the death of 66 persons in a plane crash.  

DOMINANT STORIES

Liberia, EU Reinforce Political Relations At Fourth Dialogue in Monrovia

The European Union (EU) has expressed confidence in the Liberian Government’s ability to take full responsibility for its own security following the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) drawdown at the end of June 2016. The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that both parties have agreed to continue collaboration on justice and security sector reform and on the importance of appropriate resource allocation for the justice and security sector. According to a Foreign Ministry release, these were contained in a joint press release at the end of the 4th EU-Liberia Political Dialogue held at the C. Cecil Dennis, Jr. Auditorium early last week. According to the daily, the Dialogue, which focused on the theme: “Conditions for Peace and Economic Growth,” covered a wide range of issues, among others, including justice and security, human rights, the 2017 Presidential and legislative elections, the Liberian economy, development strategies and investment climate?

Related Captions: EU-Liberia Political Dialogue Reinforced (In Profile Daily), EU Optimistic Of Liberia’s Security Capability (The New Dawn)

Diffuse Conflict; Promote Rule Of Law, Peace...Boakai Urges World Leaders

Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has called on nations of the world and their leaders to take ownership of the drive to remove causes for conflict and keep society on an even keel of stability and fair play. Vice President Boakai said states have responsibility to promote the rule of law, respect for all, peaceful co-existence in diversity and other measures to prevent conflict. The NEWS newspaper writes that Vice President Boakai spoke Monday in Istanbul, Turkey, during a high level leaders Roundtable forum held under the theme: “Political Leadership to end and Prevent Conflict”, moderated by the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon. 

Related Captions: States Have A Responsibility To Promote The Rule Of Law, Peace And Diffuse Conflict (FrontPage Africa), V.P. Boakai Calls For Global Ownership At Humanitarian Summit (The New Dawn), Boakai Advocates against Causes Of Conflict (In Profile Daily)

Varney Sherman Resists Arrest-As Up Partisans Receive Threat

According to the New Dawn newspaper, the Government of Liberia has issued a search and arrest warrant for Senator Varney G. Sherman, Chairman of the governing Unity Party in connection with a recent Global Witness Report, linking him and several current and ex-officials to a bribery scandal with Sable Mining of Britain. Cllr. Sherman, who is also Senior Senator for Grand Cape Mount County, has questioned the credibility of President Sirleafs investigative taskforce headed by the Minister of State Without Portfolio Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa and vehemently vowed that he will not present himself for interrogation except in court.

Related Captions: Sherman's Residence Besiege (The NEWS), LNP, LACC Besiege Sherman’s Residence (Daily Observer), Sherman’s Office, Home Under Siege…Taskforce Asks Citizens To Stay Away (The INQUIRER), Taskforce Goes After Sherman (In Profile Daily), Liberia’s Ruling Unity Party Obstructs Justice Sherman Under Siege (FrontPage Africa)

OTHER STORIES

Ellen Congratulates Eritrea

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of Eritrea on the occasion making their 23rd Independence Anniversary on today, May 24^th. According to the New Dawn newspaper, President Sirleaf, in her message to His Excellency Isaias Afwerki, President of Eritrea,  said as the two countries strive to further strengthen the bond of friendship and cooperation subsisting between them, it is her fervent prayer that the Almighty God will endow the Eritrean President with abundant wisdom and strength.

President Sirleaf Consoles Egypt Over Egypt Air Crash

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of condolence to the Government and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt, following the unfortunate news of the crash of Egypt Air Flight MS804, leaving 66 persons dead. The flight was en route from Paris, France to Cairo, Egypt with 66 passengers and crew when it crashed early on Thursday, May 19, 2016 in the Mediterranean.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Sirleaf, in her message to His Excellency Mr. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, prayed that the Almighty Allah will grant His Excellency and the people of the Arab Republic of Egypt strength, courage and fortitude as they go through this period of national mourning, the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

GVL Donates Crude Palm Oil To Host Communities In Sinoe

Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) has donated drums of crude palm oil in Tarjuowon District while Butaw, Numopoh, Tartweh, Nitrain, Du Wolie Nyennue and Sorbor in the Dugbe River got one drum each. Presenting the oil to the communities, GVL General Manager for sustainability in Sinoe County Mr. Flomo Molubah noted that this is the first step to GVL meeting its aspirations to producing high quality palm oil from Sinoe and Grand Kru counties for use and sale locally as well as export, writes the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Caption: GVL Donates Drums Of Crude Palm Oil To Host Communities In Sinoe (Daily Observer)

Take Global Witness Report Serious, US Embassy Advises Liberia

The United States Embassy in Monrovia has called on the Liberian Government to take seriously the recent Global Witness Report which has linked several past and current government officials to bribery and Corruption. Mr. Joe Chamberlain, the Political Analyst at the US Embassy near Monrovia said the British Firm, is a credible body whose report should not be taken for granted. Mr. Chamberlain quoted US President Barack Obama as saying that corruption is a cancer that is sending the countries on the Continent of Africa backward. The FrontPage Africa newspaper says Mr. Chamberlain was speaking in Monrovia when a pressure group, the Youth for Progressive Action petitioned the American government through its Embassy near Monrovia to swiftly intervene in the controversial Global Witness Corruption saga report.  

Accused Fight Subpoena Of Bank Statements

The Daily Observer reports that as the alleged US$950,000 Global Witness bribery scandal intensifies, Criminal Court A at the Temple of Justice has subpoenaed (summoned) four banking institutions to produce bank statements of United States dollar accounts belonging to several public officials, including Grand Cape Mount County Senator Varney Sherman, and some international companies name in the entity’s report. International Bank (Liberia) Limited, Ecobank Liberia Limited, Guaranty Trust Bank Liberia Limited and the Global Bank Liberia Limited are those financial institutions expected to appear before Judge Boimah Kontoe today to produce the states of the accused that covered the period of January 2010 to September 30, 2010.

President Sirleaf Underscores Need For Trained Liberia Professionals

According to the Daily Observer, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has underscored the need for trained Liberian professional to be in all sectors of national development, especially health. The President made the remark recently when she received in audience a 12-member Delegation from the Chicago Global Health alliance (CGHA) from the United of States of America at her Foreign, Ministry Office in Monrovia.