The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2017

The Bureau of Public Affairs today reviewed several local dailies highlighting top stories including  news of President Sirleaf’s condolence message to the Government and people of the United States following the death of at least 47 persons as a result of recent flooding in Texas; her Congratulatory Message to the Interim President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Mr. Michael Temer on the occasion of that country's 195th Independence Anniversary; NEWS coming out of the ongoing ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff meeting taking place in Monrovia as well as theacceptance of the Chairmanship on the Post Ebola Conference in Guinea by Liberia  as dominating stories in today’s  edition of our news summary.

DOMINANT STORIES  

Ellen Consoles United States of America, Congratulates Brazil 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a condolence message to the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump following the death of at least 47 persons as a result of catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in Southeastern Texas on August 26, 2017. Reports indicated that Hurricane Harvey was the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Wilma in 2005, ending a record 12-year period with no major hurricanes making landfall in the country. According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, extended to President Trump, and through him, the Government and people of the United States, especially the bereaved families, Liberia's heartfelt condolences for the irreparable loss sustained. In another development, President Johnson Sirleaf has sent a Congratulatory Message to the Interim President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Mr. Michael Temer on the occasion of that country's 195th Independence Anniversary Thursday, September 6, 2017, the Heritage newspaper writes.

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Consoles USA(The INQUIRER), Hurricane Destroys Homes In US…Leaves At Least 47 Dead; 30,000 Displaced…As Ellen Consoles Trump(INSIGHT), Pres. Sirleaf Congratulates Brazil On 195^th Indep. Anniv…. Wishes Peace, Unity And Prosperity(The INQUIRER)

Disregarding The Constitution-Political Parties Fail To Declare Assets To National Elections Commission

According to FrontPage Africa newspaper, the National Elections Commission (NEC) says  12 political parties are yet to fulfill their obligations under Article 83 d. of the Liberian Constitution which include submitting audited accounts and declaration of assets by September 1, 2017.

According to NEC Chairman Cllr. Jerome Korkoya, parties include the Liberty Party, the Movement for Reconstruction and Development (MDR), the Movement for Progress change, (MPC), Liberia Restoration Party (LRP), United People Party, (UPP) and Liberian People Party (LPP) amongst others have failed to honor their constitutional obligations. At his weekly news conference Chairman Korkayah said only parties including; the Grassroots Democratic Party of Liberia, (GDPL) Movement for Economic Empowerment, (MOVEE), All Liberian Coalition Party, (ALCOP), All Liberian Party (ALP), Coalition for Democratic Change, (CDC) People Unification Party, (PUP), Unity Party, (UP), Liberian Transformation Party (LTP), and the Alternative National Congress (ANC) have honored that requirement under the Constitution. Punishment for violating the specific provision includes but not limited to; decertification of political parties and fines.

Related Captions: NEC Warns Political Parties On Assets Declaration(The INQUIRER), ‘Transparency, Credibility Not for NEC Alone’ –Korkoya(Daily Observer),17 Political Parties Risk Deregistration(Heritage)

Gen. Ziankahn Raps Defense Chiefs…Says Security Is Stable

ECOWAS Chairman of the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff Major General Daniel ZianKahn, says threats to security are still imminent though security situation in the sub region has been relatively stable during his tenure. General Ziankahn reported that potentials to disrupt peace in the sub-region are now being contained and are monitored and there are troops on the grounds to prevent escalation and restore normalcy to areas affected in spite of the insurgence terrorist attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. Welcoming his colleagues from member States at the opening of the 37^th Ordinary Session of the Committee of Defense Staff ongoing in Monrovia, Gen. Ziahkahn reported that the Armed Forces of Liberia in conjunction with other security agencies are ready to secure the democratic future of Liberia, reports the INQUIRER newspaper.

Related Captions: “Terrorist Attack Threatens Security Situation”—Says AFL Chief(The New Dawn),As Liberia Hosts 37^th ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff Meeting: AFL Chief Retains Chairmanship Position(Heritage). During the meeting, Madam Halima Ahmed, Commissioner for Political Affairs and Security of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lauded the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Major General Daniel D. Ziankahn for his exemplary leadership while chairing the Committee of Chief of Defense Staff (CCOS) at ECOWAS. Reporting under the caption “ ECOWAS Lauds Liberia For Role In Stability In The Region, Liberia Host 37^th Meeting Of the Chief Of Defense Staff”the Daily Observer quotes Madam Ahmed as saying  that Liberia’s collective efforts with member states have in one way or  the other discharged nationally or regionally , duties and responsibilities of sustaining  peace, security and stability in the ECOWAS member states.

6,722 Joint Security Officers Complete Elections Security and Crisis Management Trainings

The Liberia National Police Academy in collaboration with other state security agencies have completed elections security and crisis management trainings for 6,722 joint security officers. The training, which were conducted for about two weeks at four different locations in the country, climaxed on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at the Police Training Academy in Paynesville, outside Monrovia with an official closing program. Speaking at the occasion, Liberia’s Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Cllr. Frederick Doe Cherue, lauded the officers and the leadership of the LNP for organizing such trainings ahead of the conduct of the October 10, 2017 Presidential and Representative Elections. He stated that he is now delighted that political parties are commending the conduct of the police after holding political rallies, the Heritage reads.

Related Captions: War Attitude Hasn’t Changed(The New Dawn), Be Neutral-Justice Minister Tells Elections Security Officers(FrontPage Africa)

Liberia Chairs Post Ebola Conference In Guinea

The Steering Committee of the West African Consortium (WAC) on Ebola Vaccines, Therapeutics, Diagnostics and Survivor Care has announced the start of a three-day conference in Conakry, Guinea September 7-9. The conference, which will be held under the theme “Post-Ebola Health Challenges in West Africa,” aims to create a forum for scientists, researchers, ethicists, community members, policymakers, and research-related stakeholders to come together to discuss and develop common positions on post-EVD related medical, ethical, psychosocial, and community issues. The sub-regional collaboration was established in 2015 by the three countries most affected by the Ebola outbreak, namely Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, to seek collaboration and cooperation on vaccine and therapeutic clinical trials through a multi-country regional strategy. According to the Daily Observer, Dr. Moses Massaquoi, Chair of WAC is representing Liberia.

Related Captions: Liberia Chairs Post Ebola Conference in Guinea(The INQUIRER), Liberia Chairs Post Ebola Conference In Guinea(Heritage)

OTHER STORIES

Liberia Chairs UN’s 72nd General Assembly

The New Dawnnewspaper says Liberia is chairing the 2017 Substantive Session of the United Nations Committee on Conferences, which got off to a successful start on Tuesday, September 5, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. According to a dispatch from Liberia’s Permanent Mission in New York, the committee is led by Liberia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency Ambassador Lewis Garseedah Brown, II. Committee members will consider practical issues that ensure that conference services including documentation, translation and interpretation, work smoothly during the 72nd General Assembly and other UN meetings and conferences. The issues under consideration include the adoption of the biennial calendar of conferences and meetings of the United Nations for 2018 and 2019; proposals for unofficial UN holidays and monitoring the implementation of all General Assembly resolutions on the organization and servicing of conferences and meetings.  

President Sirleaf Addressed Opening of African Green Revolution Forum; Says Africa Risks Famine, Hunger, Malnutrition  

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has addressed the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) taking place in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan. She said: “Until we manage to turn agriculture around, feed ourselves quantitatively and qualitatively, our people will remain at risk of famine, hunger and malnutrition.” Africa, the Liberian leader said - missed the first Green Revolution but noted: “We must seize the moment and tackle food urgency, while we protect the environment by reducing the land mass used for cultivation.” Quoting a dispatch from Abidjan,  the FrontPage Africa newspaper says President Sirleaf made the clarion call when she spoke to over 750 delegates and high-level dignitaries, including African Heads of States, Ministers, and key stakeholders in the agricultural sector, convening in Côte d’Ivoire’s economic capital, Abidjan, for the 2017 African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), Africa’s premier agriculture gathering.

Gov’t Wins TWP Over E.J. Roye Building

Civil Law Court “B” Judge J. Boima Kontoe has granted government’s plea to dismiss pre - war ruling True Whig Party (TWP’s) request to return to it the E.J. Roye building seized by the People’s Redemption Council (PRC) government following a coup against President William R. Tolbert’s government. Authorities at the Ministry of Justice battled against TWP counsels over the ownership of the property that had been used as TWP headquarters prior to its seizure by the PRC. According to the New Dawn newspaper, constructed from taxes cut from citizens during the rule of a practically one - party state under TWP, a PRC Decree #11 of 1980 confiscated the property and its title immediately vested in the Republic of Liberia as matter of law. The government says by virtue of the confiscation, the TWP was divested of the building and its title immediately vested in government. The State recounts that Article 97 of the 1986 Constitution expressly legitimized the Decree promulgated by the PRC.

Related Caption: Gov’t Take Over E. J. Roye Building After Court Ruling(Daily Observer)

Norway Supports Women’s Situation Room For Peaceful Transition

The Second Secretary of the Embassy of Norway in Liberia Ingrid Buli has described peace as the most important ingredient for a smooth transition in Liberia. Madam Buli noted that women’s participation in this endeavor cannot be overemphasized given the pivotal role women play in the democratic process of the Country. His remarks were delivered during the formal launch of a signed contribution agreement of US$476,000 between the Government of Norway and the United Nations Development Program in support of the Women’s Situation Room of the Angie Brooks international Center for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security, the Heritage newspaper.

Gender Based Violence Taskforce Ends Two Day Retreat in Buchanan City

The Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the National Gender Based Violence Task Force has conducted its annual Gender Based Violence Taskforce Retreat at the Port City of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.  The retreat was aimed at curtailing the many dangers domestic violence pose in the society. The retreat was also to identify ways of working differently as a taskforce to promote zero tolerance of GBV including SGBV and o identify ways to strengthen measures that address or respond to issues of GVB including SGBV.

The Gender Based Violence taskforce was established in 2006 by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and is intended at coordinating the activities of Gender Based Violence nationwide. PLS QUOTE THE PAPER….

IREDD Launches STOAP Project

The Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD) has launched a project title strengthens Transparency, Accountability, oversight and Participation (STOAP). The project   was launched Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at the IREDD head office in Sinkor and is being sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The launch, according to IREDD Executive Director Harold Aidoo is triggered by the country’s 14 years of civil unrest, which according to him provided an environment for ordinary people to get involved in corruption in order to deal with the hardship of the day. Mr. Aidoo disclosed that the project is part of series of engagement that IREDD is organizing and meeting stakeholders including the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), Liberia Marketing Association (LMA), National Investment Commission (NIC) and the Liberia Business Association (LIBA), says the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

PREVAIL Begins Genomic Study to Better Understand Ebola Outcomes

The Partnership for Research on Ebola Virus in Liberia (PREVAIL) announced the start of a new study to investigate if genes impact how individuals respond to the Ebola virus. At Monday’s opening session in Liberia, 15 volunteers successfully enrolled after completing the study entry process, which included a rigorous information session, a review of their medical history, and consent to participate in the study. Genes carry information passed on from one’s parents that affect how one looks as well as how the body works, grows and responds to infection.  In this study, researchers will look for genes that may be related to a person’s health outcome after coming in contact with the Ebola virus. They will also look for genes related to the risk that a person will die of Ebola. "We are about to embark on a study to investigate the genetic basis for people who contracted and overcame Ebola," The INQUIRER newspaper reports.