THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia  

NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 

Topping the dailies today are stories on UNMIL Head’s reports to the Security Council on Liberia’s Security Status; Fallen Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFL Being Laid to Rest; President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Commendation to the Japanese Initiative, among others.

DOMINANT STORIES

‘Arduous Path to Sustainable Peace,’ UN Envoy Tells Security Council Liberia Requires Long-Term Security Council Engagement

An inside story of the Frontpage Africa reports that the Special Representative of the Secretary General and head of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Mr. Farid Zarif, briefed the Security Council. The United Nations envoy for Liberia stressed the need for long-term, robust engagement by stakeholders, particularly the Security Council, towards a sustainable peace in the West African country. Briefing the Council, Mr. Farid Zarif, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), said many Liberians are concerned about the prospect of the Mission’s withdrawal and potential lack of UN support during the October 2017 Presidential and Legislative elections. “There is a consensus among national actors that the next elections will be a critical test for Liberia's stability, democracy and development,” Mr. Zarif said, emphasizing that both the Government of Liberia and the international community must not lose sight of the still arduous path to sustainable peace in the country and the region, which “will require long-term robust engagement by all concerned, particularly by this august Council.” He began his briefing by applauding the Government of Liberia for the successful completion of the security transition, in keeping with Security Council expectations, and commending the Liberian institutions and international partners for their leadership and commitment which made reaching the “historic” milestone possible. Mr. Zarif said that following the security transition, the overall situation in Liberia has remained calm, and that UNMIL has been closely monitoring the performance of the security institutions and adjusting its engagement. At the same time The Heritage newspaper writes: In House Leadership Hullabaloo: UNMIL Boss’ Warning. The Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Farid Zarif, has warned of the potentially serious consequences of the “political wrangling” among members of the House of Representatives. Mr. Zarif named one of the consequences as the delay in adopting the national budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, which includes the financing of the National Elections security for the October 2017 presidential and legislative elections.

Related Captioned: Robust Engagement By Stakeholders Needed (News) and ‘Robust UN Engagement Means Peace In Liberia’ (Daily Observer)

End of Journey: Fallen AFL Deputy Chief of Staff Laid to Rest

It was a period of weeping at the Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church in Monrovia on Friday when officers of the Military, Cabinet Ministers, family and friends gathered to pay their last respect to Col. Eric Wamu Dennis, I, fallen Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia. Preaching the funeral discourse,  Bishop Jonathan B.B. Hart of the Episcopal Church of Liberia said the deceased had run the race and the time had come for him to leave. “This was a man who served our nation with humanity. He came to the military at a very early age until the army was dissolved and reformed. Upon which he enrolled in the new Army and rose through the ranks and files until he became the Deputy Chief of Staff. Eric was a very humble man that touched the lives of everybody around him,” said Rev. Hart, Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Liberia. “Well done, Eric thy good and faithful servant. Many of the time, many come to the positions to bring glory to themselves and forgot about the people they came to serve, but Eric was the man who served the army diligently, Front Page Africa newspaper writes.

Related Captions: ‘Learn to Serve the People,’ Says Episcopal Bishop at AFL Dep. Chief’s Funeral (Inquirer),AFL Deputy Chief of Staff Laid to Rest(Heritage), and ‘The Nation Has Lost A Dedicated Career Soldier’(Daily Observer)  

Resilient Health System; Liberian President Draws Global Attention 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commended the Government and people of Japan for their desire to reinforce Africa’s ownership of its development initiatives. According to a dispatch from Nairobi, Kenya, President Sirleaf made the commendation at the Sixth International Conference on African Development (TICAD) taking place in the East African nation. She commended the exemplary leadership of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for the decision to host TICAD VI in Nairobi, and expressed gratitude to President Uhuru Kenyatta and the people of Kenya for the warm hospitality of the good people of Kenya. President Sirleaf said the hosting of TICAD VI for the first time in Africa symbolizes Japan’s desire to reinforce Africa’s development initiatives derived from TICAD as the continent pursues its ambitious Agenda 2063 and provides an opportunity for alignment of TICAD VI with this Agenda 2063, commencing with the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan. She said it allows Africa opportunity to build synergies among the Africa Agenda, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the proposed Nairobi Declaration. This forum gives due recognition to Africa as an important player and broker, as a strong regional economy in the scheme of globalization; reports the Frontpage Africa.

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Commends Japan (Daily Observer), and President Sirleaf Commends Japan For Reinforcing Africa’s Ownership of Development Initiatives At TICAD VI Summit (Focus)  

Global Witness Report: ‘All Must Recuse Themselves’ - Rev. Brown 

The pastor of the New Water in the Desert Apostolic Pentecostal Church has called on both indicted and accused persons in the Global Witness Report, captioned: “The Deceivers”, from the Legislative and Executive Branches of Government [of Liberia] to recuse themselves from their various official functions in the interest of peace and a fair trial. The Pentecostal cleric said that the recusal proposal will help close the current chapter of political wrangling and unnecessary tension within the country and enable all those accused and/or indicted to address the allegations against them in the court of law while the country moves forward in preparation for the reception of an important new year, 2017. “Most of the ordinary people are confused as to which direction the country is leading with all the bickering”, he averred, Front Page Africa newspaper reports.

Partners Launch Framework To Accelerate Universal Health Coverage In Africa

At the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-VI), African heads of state and partners vowed to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC) in Africa. To help countries implement their health reforms, the World Bank and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (Global Fund) committed to invest $24 billion in Africa over the next three to five years. The announcement was made ahead of the two-day TICAD conference, which is Japan's flagship program for African development. One of the focal points at this year's conference is expanding UHC in Africa. "African countries can become more competitive in the global economy by making several strategic investments, including investing more in their people, their most prized resource," said Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group; Frontpage Africa writes.

Africa salutes Japan on this initiative and the results to be gained from continued bilateral engagement through TICAD. The Liberian leader lauded the organizers for dedicating a special session to discuss one of the global challenges of our time – building a resilient health system under the topic “Promoting Resilient Health Systems for Quality of Life”. She noted that in the aftermath of the devastating effects of the Ebola virus disease, this subject resonates very strongly in the three most affected countries the New Dawn reports.

Sime Darby Installs US$18m Mill

Malaysian-based oil palm Company in Liberia, Sime Darby Plantation, is currently setting up an oil palm mill at its planation site in Grand Cape Mount County, Western Liberia in preparation to process harvested palm into fresh oil for both local and foreign markets. Company officials led a team of journalists from Monrovia on a tour of the facilities over the weekend. Sime Darby Plantation plays a leading role in the development and promotion of sustainable practices in the palm oil sector globally. The mill is being assembled at the plantation site and is expected to go into full operation by 2018, according to company engineers. This followed an elaborate groundbreaking ceremony in July 2014. Chief engineer said when completed, the mill will have the capacity to process about 10 tons of palm head per hour with a monthly quantity of 12,000 barrels. Meantime, a mini-mill is on hand processing about 6,000 barrels per month. Management reveals that a local buyer has already begun to engage the oil for export, the New Dawn daily writes.

Re-Open Affected Media Houses

The president of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Abdullah Kamara, is calling on the Government of Liberia to re-open media houses that were shut down recently and introduce measures that will ensure individual and institutional respects for free speech in compliance with regulations. Kamara said if the affected media institutions were reopened, it will help the general public in having access to unfolding issues from diverse sides of society. Speaking with reporters at a news conference over the weekend in Monrovia, he said the Press Union of Liberia was established to work toward creating adequate space for media flourish in the country, stressing that the organization remains committed to pursuing such role. Kamara however noted that nearly 52 years later, the challenges that attended the formation of the union continue to remain in Liberia, adding that the irony of this is that Liberia today is led by a Nobel laureate and activist, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who once stood up against forces seeking to intimidate media. He further stressed that in keeping with this commitment, the PUL is being disappointed by a calculated ploy by the government to close down several radio stations in the country or a still frazzled notion of regulations, registrations and so forth, emphasizing that this has already been actualized by the closure of Voice FM and now LIB 24, both owned by opposition leader Benoni Urey for evading taxes, New Dawn states.

There is Dignity in Labor…Rotary Club Prexy Tells MVTC Students

The President of the Rotary Club of Monrovia, Cllr. Oswald Tweh, has advised students attending Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) to be serious with their lessons and acquire skills at the institution because there is dignity in labor. Speaking to hundreds of students at the MVTC, Cllr. Tweh said, “Do not put any limitation in your ability; it does not matter where you come from but you can make it provided if you are serious; no job is small; I am a lawyer but need somebody to build my bathroom; not everybody will be lawyer; some people have to be electricians, carpenters, managers, politicians, directors, teachers and doctors to help solve other people’s problems”. According to the Rotary President, when people are young, they must prepare themselves for the future but if they do not prepare themselves, it would affect them as well as well as their relatives, the Inquirer writes.

President Sirleaf Consoles Turkey on Terror Attack; Hails Ukraine’s 25th Independence Anniversary

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a condolence message to the Government and people of the Republic of Turkey following the tragic terror attack in Turkey’s southeastern province of Gaziantep, near the Syrian border on August 20, 2016. The suicide bomber attacked a wedding party. The blast, which occurred at around 11 p.m. local time on Saturday in the Akdere neighborhood of Sahinbey district claimed the lives of over fifty (50) persons and left about sixty-nine (69) others wounded. According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to the President of the Republic of Turkey, His Excellency Raecep Tayyip Erdogan, President Sirleaf, on behalf of Liberia expressed deepest sympathy and condolences to the Government and people of Turkey, especially the families of the victims. In another development, the Liberian President, also during the week, sent a warm congratulatory message to the Government and people of the Republic of Ukraine on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, on the historic occasion commemorating the 25th Independence Anniversary of that country. Independence Day of Ukraine is the main state holiday in modern Ukraine, celebrated on August 24, each year in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence of 1991. President Sirleaf recalled that the two countries recorded an increase in their bilateral trade turnover and noted that Liberia and Ukraine continue to enjoy cordial and promising friendship; reports the Heritage.

Be Professional at all Times, Inquirer Boss Urges Liberian Journalists

The Managing Editor of the Inquirer newspaper, Atty. Philip N. Wesseh, has urged Liberian journalists to exercise high level of professionalism at all times no matter what condition they are faced with. Atty. Wesseh pointed out that ethics must be the hallmark of the journalism profession, stressing that it is what makes the field a unique career. The veteran Liberian journalist was speaking recently at a one-day media forum organized by the Partnership for Research on Ebola Vaccines in Liberia (PREVAIL) held at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Sinkor, Monrovia, the Heritage daily reports.

EPADedicates Genetically Modified Organisms Detection Laboratory

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry at the weekend formally dedicated a Genetically Modified Organizations (GMOs) laboratory. The newly dedicated GMOs laboratory is situated at the National Standards laboratory (NSL) in the compound of the Ministry of Public Works in Monrovia where the dedicatory ceremony was held. Giving an overview of the EPA new GMOs laboratory, the national Project Coordinator, Mr. Johansen T. Voker, said that the facility will be used for the detection of Genetically Modified Organisms that could be introduced into the Liberian environment, the Heritage newspaper reports.

Brown Urges UN To Stand With Liberia

According to the News Newspaper, Liberia’s Permanent Representative to United Nations has call on the world body to stand with the people of Liberia as they prepare for legislative and presidential elections next year. Mr. Lewis G. Brown said Liberians grappling with numerous anxieties and complexities to deepen a culture of democratic governance and change. The Liberia diplomat reassured the Security Council and broader international community of Liberia’s renewed commitment to take very measure necessary to safeguard its peace, security and stability.

Budget Hearing Set For Today

Hearings into the expenditure component of the 2016/2017 National Budget is expected to  begin today, Monday, August 29, 2016 weeks after process stalled as a result of internal wrangling among members of the House of Representatives. According to reports the News Newspaper, the decision to recommence the hearing was reached by majority members of the House on Thursday following a unanimous vote to endorse a motion calling for the body to mandate its Budget Committee to resume the process,

Related Captions: Budget Hearings Recommence Today(Focus)

Keep Hope Alive; Public Works Minister Moore Tells Stella Maris Polytechnic Graduates

According to the Daily Observer, Public Works Minister Gyude Moore has called on the 310 graduates of Stella Maris Polytechnic (SMP) to remain hopeful as they ‘enter the world’ upon the completion of their respective studies. Minister Moore’s admonition to the graduates was contained in his keynote address at the 17th Commencement Convocation of the institution held over the weekend in Monrovia. The ceremony was held on the theme, “Maintaining the Peace in Liberia for Tomorrow’s Growth and Development,” while Minister Moore delivered his convocation message on the topic, “Thoughts on the Way Forward.” He challenged the graduates to ‘keep hope alive,’ noting that the many unforeseen circumstances that have engulfed the world do not determine one’s destiny and should not dissuade him or her from keeping hope alive.

President Sirleaf Receives OLM Delegation

The Daily Observer reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Tuesday, August 23, received an eleven-member delegation from the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota, headed by Momodu Kemokai. The delegation, according to an Executive Mansion release, commended President Sirleaf for her leadership which has kept the country safe for over 13 years, and for the efforts to tackle the country’s development challenges. They thanked Madam Sirleaf for steps taken to establish a Consulate in Minnesota and encouraged the government to take further actions to open the Consulate, saying it will serve as a relief for the over 35,000 Liberians residing in that part of the United States. The OLM delegation also called for a special office on Diaspora matters to cater to Liberians abroad by providing them much needed services and assistance. The OLM delegation further called for measures to be taken for the promotion and advancement of small businesses. “Actions must be taken to eliminate or minimize hurdles that prevent small businesses form progressing. Foreigners are completely in charge of the real estate business and something should be done to change the trend,” the delegation said.

“Japanese Companies Can Grow Vigorously In Africa”

According to the Daily Observer, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday said the hosting of the first Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD-VI) on the African soil should be seen as clear demonstration that the partnership connecting Japan and African has entered, really, “a mutually beneficial stage.” This year’s edition of the conference is TICAD’s sixth, most of which had were held in Japan. Prime Minister Abe reminded African leaders present, including Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, that, “We have a feeling in our gut that in Africa, where possibilities abound, Japan can grow vigorously. Japanese companies can grow vigorously,” he said, addressing the three-day conference held at in the Kenyatta International Convention Center in Nairobi, Kenya.

67 Teachers In Rural Nimba Receiving Salaries Via Mobile Money

According toFocus newspaper, the Mobile Money project that was launched on May 21^st to provide salaries to teachers in rural Nimba Country through Lonestar Cell MTN has been activated. According to Gbovaded Gbilia, the Ministry of Education’s Assistant Minister for Fiscal Affairs and Human Resources Development, the project was introduced to find an amicable solution to the many problems faced by teachers in getting their salaries at banks.