The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 27, 2017

Today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies highlights news of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s decision to issue Executive Order No. 91 – establishing the Joint Presidential Transition Team; reports of low turnout during the December 26 runoff presidential election as well as the bundles of praises lavished on Foreign Minister Marjon V. Kamara by members of the Diplomatic Corps.

DOMINANT STORIES

Ellen Issues Executive Order To Guide Transition of Power

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has issued Executive Order No. 91 – establishing the Joint Presidential Transition Team. The New Dawn newspaper quotes an executive Mansion release as saying that the Executive Order seeks to establish mechanisms for the proper management and orderly transfer of executive power from one democratically elected President to another democratically elected President. The Executive Order establishes a Transitional Team to be called Joint Presidential Transition Team (JPTT), which is to be composed of 15 persons appointed to the JPTT by the incumbent president and 15 other persons appointed by the President-elect declared by the National Elections Commission (NEC). The composition of the Joint Transitional Team shall include – the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Minister of Justice, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Governor of the Central bank of Liberia, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Defense, Director of the Executive Protection Service, and other members to be appointed at the discretion of the incumbent President.  Mrs. Sirleaf is due to hand over power to a new president this January after serving two consecutive six-year terms.

Related Captions: President Names Team To Work With Incoming President (New DEMOCRAT), President Sirleaf Issues Executive Order No.91-Establishing Joint Presidential Transition Team (The INQUIRER 

Low Turnout…But Pulling Went On Orderly And Peacefully

The INQUIRER newspaper reads that the much-publicized election between the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the Unity Party (UP) went well but there was a low turnout as many voters chose to stay with their families rather than going for the second round.

Related Captions: Low Turnout Greets Runoff Poll (The New Dawn), Low Voter Turnout Due to Frustration, Shifted Priorities (Daily Observer)

OTHER STORIES

U.S Envoy Honors FM Here

United States Ambassador Ms. Christine Elder, has heaped praises on Foreign Minister, Ms. Marjon V. Kamara, and senior staff for the splendid work they’re doing at the Ministry. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the U.S. Ambassador to Liberia made the assertion recently when she and other members of the diplomatic corps tendered a “holiday tea” event in honor of Minister Kamara and senior staff at her United States Embassy residence in Mamba Point. Addressing the Foreign Minister, her Deputies, Assistant Ministers and some desk officers who made it to the occasion, Ambassador Elder thanked Madam Kamara for “bringing life to the Foreign Ministry since taking over as Minister”. The US diplomat, who was joined by the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, Guinean Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Mr. El Hadj Abdoulaye Doré, in co-hosting the event, told the officials, especially Foreign Minister Kamara, that the Ministry has now become very responsive to requests from foreign missions accredited near Monrovia, under her watch. Also making remarks, the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative to Liberia, H.E. Mr. Farid Zarif, was full of praise and extended his “profound gratitude” to Foreign Minister Kamara and her team. Responding, Foreign Minister Kamara thanked the U.S. Ambassador for hosting the gathering at her official residence within the U.S. Embassy. The nation’s chief diplomat recalled that at her introductory reception, she had told them to kindly give some chance to the Foreign Ministry in order to allow it to adopt a more responsive approach. “When I took over as Minister, one of the many complains I received was that the Ministry was very unresponsive to communications that came in. But base on this recognition, it tells us that we have been making some efforts,” she further stated as she, too, thanked them for working along with her and her colleagues, the New Dawn newspaper reads.

AU Calls For Transparent Election In Liberia

The Africa Union Election Observation (AUEOM) team has told stakeholders in the runoff to ensure a fairer electoral process that will ensure the will of the people is manifested, with the process culminating into the victory of a leader who is given the mandate to steer the affairs of the state for the next six years. The head of the AUEOM, Erastus J. O. Mwencha, said though the runoff election has been marred by low voter turnout, the process seems more organized than the previous general elections on October 10. He lauded the NEC and other stakeholders for the level of improvement. Giving an update on the work of the team in the country, Mr. Mwencha noted that the deployment of the AUEOM team to the country reflects the Commission’s desire for an Africa of good governance, democracy, and respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law. According to the Daily Observer, the AUEOM head was happy with the level of organization that he witnessed throughout his visits to the polling centers.

VP Boakai Promises To Accept Election Results If… Results Meet Standards Deemed Credible And Transparent

Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has promised to accept the final result of the 2017 runoff election provided the results meet standards deemed credible, fair and transparent. The Vice President made the pledge after casting his vote yesterday at the Kathleen McGuire Memorial Catholic School in Rehab Community in Paynesville. He then called on all Liberians to go to their various polling centers and vote. Vice President Boakai said the Unity Party is willing to work with Liberians after the result of the election for the growth and development of a better Liberia for the next six years, according to the Daily Observer.

NEC Releases Provisional Results Today

The New DEMOCRAT newspaper reports that the National Elections Commission (NEC) says its official tabulation and subsequent release of preliminary election results will commence today, December 17, 2017 in Monrovia. Cllr. Jerome Korkoya told a news conference on Tuesday that tallying will begin Tuesday. Cllr. Korkoya said while it is true that the nationwide voting process was considered smooth, there were small number of incidents reported but were dealt with on the spot in most of the cases if not all.

US$10m Youth Empowerment Project Kicks Off

According to the New DEMOCRAT newspaper, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai on Monday launched US$10 million youth empowerment scheme under the Ministry Youth & Sports program, Youth Opportunity (YOP). The scheme targets 10, 000 youths for recruitment with focus on agricultural activities for beneficiaries between the ages of 18 to 35 living w in rural communities.

Bea Mountain Corporation Turns Over 200 Housing Units To Kinjor Residents

According to the INQUIRER newspaper, the Bea Mountain Corporation (BMMC) has turned over 200 housing units to the residents of the gold mining township of Kinjor in Grand Cape Mount County. Making the presentation of the 200 housing units including a junior high school building, a well-furnished medical clinic as well as the town hall where the presentation program was held, the General Manager of BMMC, Ozkah Umurhan said his company is committed t making sure that all of its promises made on paper to national Government and the local leadership of the county as well as the immediate citizens of Kinjor are adequately accomplished.