THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2016

Today’s edition of our summary highlights news of the signing of the final communiqué by Political leaders of the ECOWAS aimed at ending the political crisis in Guinea Bissau and the hosting of the ECOWAS Annual Monetary Zone Forum in Liberia.

DOMINANT STORIES  

ECOWAS To End Guinea Bissau Crisis 

Political leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have signed a final Communiqué aimed at ending the political crisis in Guinea Bissau, while mandating all stakeholders to respect the ‘Conakry Agreement,’ an Executive Mansion release has said. According to a dispatch quoted by an Executive Mansion press release,  the final Communiqué which focuses on the following six points: that the stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to the Conakry Agreement; encourage the stakeholders to accelerate the reintegration of the 15 “dissident” MPs into the PAIGS in compliance with the Conakry Agreement; and the appointment by the President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau a consensual Prime Minister without further delay, who has the confidence of the Republic. The remaining points of the Communiqué are the formation of an all-inclusive government, taking into account the parliamentary representations of the political parties; the convening of parliamentary sessions in the shortest possible time; The final Communique was signed by President Sirleaf, Chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government; H. E Jose Mario Vaz, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau; and H.E Marcel A. de Souza, President of the ECOWAS Commission, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Caption: ECOWAS Leaders Sign Communiqué…To End Guinea Bissua Political Crisis (In Profile Daily),ECOWAS Leaders Signed Final Communiqué On Guinea Bissau (The INQUIRER)  

Ellen Delivers “Special Message” At West African Monetary Zone 8^th Trade Ministers’ Forum 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has delivered a “special message” at the close of the 8th West African Monetary Zone Eight Trade Ministers' Forum held in Monrovia and congratulated Ministers for successful deliberations. President Sirleaf expressed joy that even though, sometimes ago Liberia did not meet the Protocols for hosting such international meetings, the fact that Liberia can now be in the position to host such meetings, means that the country is making progress. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the remarks on Friday, November 4, 2016 at the Close of the 8th West African Monetary Zone Trade Ministers’ Forum held at Boulevard Palace in Sinkor, Monrovia, where the three-day meeting took place. President Sirleaf used the occasion to commend heads of the West African Monetary Institute for recommending that, given what they have seen Liberia will be given the opportunity to host more meetings of this nature.“I want to say a very big thank you to the Head of the West African Monetary Institute from the Gambia, delegates from the West African Sub-Region Zone for coming to Liberia for three days of deliberations that concluded on Friday, reports the Heritagenewspaper.

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Launds WAMZ Eigth Trade Ministers’ Forum.., Calls for Common Trade, Monetary Integration (FOCUS), President Sirleaf Delivers Special Message At West African Monetary Zone 8^th Trade Ministers’ Forum (Heritage), President Sirleaf Delivers Special Message At West African Monetary Zone 8^th Trade Ministers’ Forum; Congratulates Ministers For Successful Meeting (FOCUS), Liberia Hosts ECOWAS Annual Monetary Zone Forum(FrontPage Africa)  

Addy Proposes West Africa Youth Exchange Program As He Takes over WANZI Chairmanship 

Commerce Minister, Axel Addy, has proposed a youth exchange program among West African youths to enable them know each other better. Speaking at the close of a two-day  Forum of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) Eight Trade Minister’s Forum, Minister Addy who has resumed the Chairmanship of the sub-regional group proposed a youth exchange program so that West African youths can get better acquainted, the INQUIRER newspaper reports.

Related Captions: Liberia Chairs West African Monetary Zone (Heritage), “Sustainable Economic Growth Significant To West Africa”-Commerce Minister Asserts (FOCUS)

OTHER STORIES  

Envoy Expresses Egypt’s Willingness To Help Security Sector 

Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs, Mohammed Edrees has reaffirmed the Egypt-Liberia solidarity and bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the two nations. He assured Liberia that, as the country takes over its own security and other responsibilities in the wake of the UNMIL drawdown; his country is willing to provide assistance to ensure adequate protection for Liberia. In a meeting with Justice Minister Fredrick Cherue and some officials of the security sector, the visiting Special Egyptian Envoy said global terrorism, drug and human trafficking and other trans-border activities cannot be solved by one country alone. In his statement, Minister Cherue recalled the mutual bilateral relations between Liberia and Egypt, and commended the North African country for her previous contributions, including medical assistance, to Liberia, according to the Daily Observer.

Gov't Formally Launches Global Fuel Economy Initiative

The Liberia Government through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formally launched the Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) in the country. GFEI aims to assist governments and stakeholders promote greater fuel economy through the establishment of baseline data, policy and research with the objective of promoting cleaner and efficient vehicles to cut down emissions, writes the Heritage newspaper.

Related Caption: EPA Launches GFEI (Daily Observer) 

Liberian, Nigerian Kids in Abuja Commemorate Pres. Sirleaf at 78

Scores of Liberians and Nigerian children residing in and around Abuja over the weekend commemorated the 78^th birth anniversary of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Hosted by the African Children Emergency Foundation (ACEF), in collaboration with the Liberian Embassy in Nigeria, the brief but colorful commemorative ceremony took place on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at the Embassy located in Abuja’s Central Area, the INQUIRER says.

Related Caption: Liberian, Nigerian Kids In Abuja Commemorate Ellen At 78 (Heritage)

VP Boakai To Address Agriculture Graduates

According to the FOCUS newspaper, about 76 persons are expected to graduate from the Klay Agriculture Vocational Training Center (KAVTC), in Klay District – Bomi County. According to a release from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai will serve as keynote speaker at the occasion, which will witness the certification of 76 trainees who have completed a six-month in general, agriculture. As part of the ceremony, the graduating class will unveil a monument in honor of President Sirleaf for her regular support to KAVTC.

Speaker Nuquay Unveils Agenda

House Speaker J. Emmanuael Nuquay has outlined four pillars he believes are cardinal to ensure smooth functions at the House, namely: reconciliation, image construction, coordination and capacity building. “I will like to admonish you my colleagues to see the retreat as a new beginning and platform on which we can trash out our differences and work together for the common good of the nation”, the Speaker pleaded. According to the New Dawn newspaper, he made the disclosure last Thursday, 3 November at the start of a three-day retreat of members of the House of Representatives in Ganta, Nimba County. Speaker Nuquay renewed his leadership’s commitment to reconcile members of the House of Representative and rebrand the image of the Liberian legislature.

Related Caption: Speaker Nuquay Outlines Four Pillars (Heritage) 

Environmental Sector Working Group Advances Recommendation To GOL

The Environmental Sector Working Group (ESWG) of pillar V (Cross-Cutting Issues) of the Agenda for Transformation (AfT), has carved a nineteen- count resolution following the end of its recent retreat held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. According to the New Dawn newspaper, the resolution among other things, calls for appropriate mechanisms to ensure full implementation of the revised National Bio Safety Action Plan (NBSAP), ensures the submission of the National Biosafety Policy bill to the National Legislature for passage into law, establish a national accounting system on ecosystem evaluation (mangrove), establish a National Environmental Database System (NEDS) as well as reduce sulfur in petroleum products to 50ppm in confirmative with ECOWAS decision of May 2015. The resolution also stresses, the development of a national waste management policy and regulation, calls for the development of a REDD+ communication strategy and review and amend the National Forestry Reform Law. The ESWG is a conglomeration of the relevant line ministries and agencies that have stake in the sustainability and protection of the environment. 

Related Caption: Environmental Group Recommend To Gov’t (In Profile Daily)

PUL Elections Extended To Nov. 19

The Daily Observer says the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Elections Commission has announced the extension of the elections timetable slated for Ganta, Nimba County. Election Commission Chair, Mr. Aaron Kollie has attributed the postponement to ‘logistical and financial constraints’ the PUL said it was facing. The daily quotes a press release issued over the weekend in Monrovia as saying that the elections will now be held on November 19 instead of the November 12, as previously announced. The release further said that it would declare campaign formally open following the publication of the list of qualified candidates to run up to November 18 at midnight.

Related Caption: PUL Election Commission Adjusts Timetable (In Profile Daily)

LACE Donates Furniture to Zone-8 Police Depot

Modern Liberian-made furniture in the tone of ten thousand US Dollars (US $10,000) have been turned over to the Zone-8 headquarters of the Liberia National Police by the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), and Montserrado County District #6 Representative Snowne from funds allocated for Legislative Support Project in his District, which also included the construction of a school in the GSA Road community named in honor of General Services Agency Director-General Madam Mary T. Broh. Speaking Monday, October 31, 2016, at the official turnover ceremony of the furniture, Representative Snowe remarked: “it is important to note that the construction of this police station was 100 percent funded by the Government of Liberia, the INQUIRER writes.

Cllr. Reeves Represents BIN at AUC on African Border Issues

A back page story of the In Profile Daily reports that The Commissioner and Deputy Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia Cllr. Lemuel E.A. Reeves has returned to Liberia after representing Liberia at the meeting of Ministers on African Border Issues held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The African Union Commission (AUC) office of the legal counsel made an intervention in relation to the legal status of the 4^th conference of African Ministers responsible for Border. 

LIBA-Liberia, LIBA-USA  

The Liberian Business Association (LIBA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States Chapter of Association with call on government to demonstrate its political will towards creating an enabling business environment for Liberian business. The MOU among other things seeks to create partnership and collaboration in an approach to contributing to the economic growth and development of Liberia. it also seeks to improve and enhance the foundation for business environment within the borders of Liberia and the United States of America, the In Profile Daily reads.