UNICCO Digest: 2004 Archive:

Here is a collection of all the Digest articles from Jan - September 2004.

The Death of Yormie, Vaye: Accused Threatens to Sue FORUM Editor

September 28, 2004 - The Perspective

Gone are the painful and dreadful moments when two prominent sons of Nimba County and former Deputy Ministers in the Charles Taylor regime, Isaac Vaye and John Yormie met their brutal end, but at
Full Story

US Investments Bedrock for US-Liberia tie

September 28, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

A top US official has stressed the need for Liberians to learn to make money legally in the private sector by harnessing its enormous investment potential.
Full Story

Broken alliances

September 28, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

From the word, ‘go,’ the transitional government headed by Charles Gyude Bryant has been in trouble with warring faction leaders. At first some thought the government may phase out before reaching its first birthday.
Full Story

UNICCO CONDEMNS ALLEGED RECRUITING IN NIMBA COUNTY- press release

September 26, 2004 -UNICCO Digest

The United Nimba Citizens' Council, UNICCO, based in the United States of America has learned with grave concern rumors about recruitment of individuals to engage in insurrection against the government of the Republic of Guinea.
Full Story

Following Appeal By Acting Chairman Johnson Dock Workers Hold Back Strike Action

September 24, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The circumstances that led to the collapse of normal operations at the Freeport of Monrovia on Monday may not be repeated at least for now.
Full Story

Tackle Corruption At Zero Tolerance

September 24, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

Concerns are mounting about the lack of transparency and accountability on the part of the all-inclusive Transitional Government of Liberia, especially in the management of public funds.
Full Story

Catholic Church Abhors Economic Injustices Under Transitional Government

September 24, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

The Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia has expressed abhorrence over the unprecedented wave of social and economic injustices being perpetrated against the Liberian people under the National Transitional Government of Liberia.
Full Story

Presidential Candidates Not To Spend More Than US$2M For Campaign

September 24, 2004 -Allafrica.com

The National Election Commission(NEC), has disclosed that presidential candidates for the presidency in the 2005 General and Presidential should not expend more than US$2million during the campaign season.
Full Story

Actg NTGL Chairman Authorizes Disbursement of Funds for Reconditioning of damaged roads, drainage

September 24, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

Acting Chairman Wesley Momo Johnson has expressed serious concerns over the decline in revenue generation in the country.
Full Story

Catholic Church Abhors Economic Injustices Under Transitional Government

September 24, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

The Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia has expressed abhorrence over the unprecedented wave of social and economic injustices being perpetrated against the Liberian people under the National Transitional Government of Liberia.
Full Story

Catholic Church Takes Issue With NTGL

September 24, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

The Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia says it is deeply concerned about the unprecedented wave of social and economic injustices being perpetrated against the Liberian people under the Charles Gyude Bryant-led National Transitional Government of Liberia.
Full Story

Bryant Defends NTGL

September 24, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The Chairman of NTGL, Charles Gyude Bryant, has vindicated his government on a number of issues for which he has been blamed in the past, comfortably finding scapegoat in the media and individuals who he said espouse the Pull Him Down mode of politics.
Full Story

NPP Fights Against Disintegration

September 23, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The mass resignation of leading members of the former ruling National Patriotic Party (NPP) has now claimed the attention of the rank and file of the party membership with the members striving not to allow its disintegration.
Full Story

City Hall Workers On Go-Slow - Demand 3 Months Salary Arrears

September 23, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Workers of the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) have commenced a go-slow action in demand of three months salary arrears.
Full Story

LIBERIA: Taylor loyalist recruits Liberians to fight in Guinea - ex-combatants

September 22, 2004 - IRIN

GANTA, 22 Sep 2004 (IRIN) - Tragen Wantee, a comrade-in-arms of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, has been recruiting former members of Taylor's armed forces for the past two months in order to launch an insurrection in neighbouring Guinea, former combatants in the Liberian frontier town of Ganta said.
Full Story

Afro-Americans To Gain Automatic Liberian Citizenship?

September 21, 2004 - The INQUIRER (Monrovia)

A group under the banner, "Concerned Afro-Americans for Liberia", wants the reinstatement of Article IX of Liberia's first constitution, dated January 5, 1839.
Full Story

Corruption Alive in Liberia, Says Amb. Jacques Klein

September 21, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Liberia, Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein says corruption appears to be very much alive within the National Transitional Government of Liberia(NTGL).
Full Story

Corruption Alive in Liberia, Says Amb. Jacques Klein

September 21, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Liberia, Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein says corruption appears to be very much alive within the National Transitional Government of Liberia(NTGL).
Full Story

Liberia On IMO's Black List for Not Applying Strategic Security Code

September 21, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

There are reports that Liberia is among 16 countries that have been 'black listed' by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for failing to implement the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
Full Story

Weah to Run for Presidency

September 21, 2004 - Vanguard (Lagos)

Former African and World Footballer of the Year George Weah is considering a bid for the presidency of Liberia
Full Story

" I Take Responsibility "

Prince Johnson Says of Doe’s Death
-Sets Pace for True Confession and Apology
-Urges Carter Camp, Lutheran Church, Death-Squads Leaders Forward

September 21, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

When Liberians met in Accra to chart the destiny of this country following more than a decade of warfare that is pitched on bad governance, hatred and prejudice, they realized that peace and reconciliation would not be achieved unless they followed true confession, acceptance of responsibility, and apology.
Full Story

Government Lacks Transparency Says Jacques Klein

September 20, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

The Special Representative of the Secretary General and head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Ambassador Jacques Klein, says the Transitional Government of Liberia lacks transparency in the management of public funds.
Full Story

Nimba Citizens End Reconciliation Tour Highlight Forgiveness

September 20, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

A group of Nimba County citizens under the banner of the Nimba County Reconciliation and Reunion Campaign (NCRRC), over the weekend ended a series of reconciliation meetings among citizens of the county.
Full Story

Scramble for Jobs Affects Govt.'s Operations - UNMIL

September 20, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) says that the ongoing scrambling over lucrative in the government and in government agencies is also impeding the effective functioning of the Liberia National Transitional Government (LNTG).
Full Story

GHANA: Kufuor faces old opponent in his bid for a second term

September 15, 2004 - IRIN

ACCRA, 15 Sep 2004 (IRIN) - President John Kufuor of Ghana faces presidential and parliamentary elections in December with two distinct advantages under his belt: four years of solid economic achievement and the fact that he beat his main rival, opposition leader John Atta Mills, at the previous poll in 2000.
Full Story

SENEGAL: Locusts eat houses as well as crops and pasture

September 15, 2004 - IRIN

TENEYE, 15 Sep 2004 (IRIN) - In the far north of Senegal, swarms of voracious locust larvae are not just devouring crops and pasture. They are also munching their way through the straw huts of local farmers.
Full Story

Liberia: Bryant Appeals for $44m to Complete DDR And Send IDPs Home

September 15, 2004 - IRIN

Liberia appealed to donors on Tuesday to urgently provide US$44 million of promised aid to complete the disarming of former combatants and start moving people displaced by civil war back to their villages.
Full Story

Helplessness Or Confidence Crisis - The Case of Lawlessness and Police's Lukewarm Response, Bryant Passes The Buck

September 15, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

NTGL Chairman, Gyude Bryant, has conceded his administration's inability to adequately respond to the spate of violence that has been rocking the foundation of the Monrovia neighbors and has passed the buck to the peacekeepers.
Full Story

Row Over DDRR Implementation

September 15, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

According to Dr. Jarbo, the NCDDRR is finding it almost possible to convince the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) that Liberians are capable of managing the DDRR Program
Full Story

Are We Crucifying The Law For Expediency

September 14, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Your Excellency: Twice in less than a month, the Supreme Court of Liberia served a Writ of Prohibition both on your government and the authority of the Chinese company, Qingdao Trading Group Corporation, to halt all activities related to the loading and shipping of iron ore from the Port of Buchanan until issues raised by a petitioners' petition were addressed.
Full Story

Thugs, Riotous Vandals - Two Dead, Property Damage In Monrovia Violence

September 14, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Yesterday's riot was apparently provoked by an incident at the Waterside area where a Fulani businessman was reportedly attacked by armed robbers.
Full Story

Supreme Court Order Violated Again? - Chinese Ship To Depart With More Iron Ore

September 14, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Another Chinese ship, DUBAI Faith, which docked at the Port of Buchanan last Thursday and completed loading tons of iron ore over the weekend, is poised to depart Liberia shortly, reports said here yesterday.
Full Story

Calm Returns to UL Campus

September 13, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The University of Liberia (UL) has been in a state of uneasy calm since the unceremonious departure of Ben Roberts who was accused of mishandling the affairs of the institution.
Full Story

Highlights of UNICCO National Assembly Meeting in Chicago

Miamen Wopea, UNICCO National Chairman

By Yini Guva A. Sahn

September 12, 2004 - UNICCO Digest

Nimba citizens converged on the Windy City, Chicago, on September 3, 2004 for what has become a tradition for UNICCO, one of Africa’s Grand Old Associations in Diaspora, it’s National Assembly Meeting.
Full Story

Liberians Must Grow Food, Not Receive Food, WFP Rep. Urges

September 9, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

The Country Representative of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), Joshau Bagirisha says he wants for every Liberian to grow food and not to be at the receiving end.
Full Story

Elections Or Reforms - Which One First?

September 9, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The transitional political process put together by various stakeholders in the Ghanaian capital calls for a national transitional government that will exercise civil authority and oversee disarmament with support of UNMIL, institute relevant governance and electoral reforms, and conduct general and presidential elections by October 2005.
Full Story

Over 100 Schools Destroyed in Nimba - Students' Education in Limbo

September 9, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

Thousands of children of school-going age in the northern County of Nimba are being denied opportunity to pursue education due to the massive destruction of public and private schools there.
Full Story

As Bryant Visits Gbarnga, Gompa Cities: Ex-Combatants Raise Issue About DDRR

September 8, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

A group of former combatants of the former GOL, yesterday staged a peaceful demonstration in Ganta, Nimba County during the visit of NTGL Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant.
Full Story

What is in the Iron Ore Agreement?

September 8, 2004 - IRIN

The National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) in recent time, has come under criticism from the public including the media, over the agreement authorizing a Chinese firm to buy a stockpile of iron ore from the port of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
Full Story

Liberia: Disarmament Finally Begins in Lofa County

September 8, 2004 - IRIN

The United Nations opened a new disarmament centre for former fighters of the LURD rebel group at Voinjama in the remote northwest of Liberia on Wednesday, but reiterated that it would wind up its nationwide disarmament programme by the end of October.
Full Story

Deputy Minister Doubts 2005 Elections

September 7, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

A Deputy Minister in the all-inclusive Transitional Government of Liberia has viewed with pessimism the holding of next year's general and presidential elections amidst assurances by international stakeholders that the process is irreversible.
Full Story

Ex-Govt Generals Under 'Attack' As Unmil Rejects Unarmed 'Combatants'

September 8, 2004 - The NEWS( Monrovia)

As the DDRR process continues in Nimba County, militia Generals of the defunct Government of exiled former President Charles Taylor have alleged that they have come under attacks by their former fighters.
Full Story

Policeman Brutalizes ANALYST Reporter

September 7, 2004 - The Analyst

A reporter of The Analyst, J. Nathaniel Daygbor, Jr. was last Tuesday a victim of police brutality when a police officer assigned to the Finance Minister Lusine Kamara attacked and brutalized him.
Full Story

NTLA supports restraints on expenditure

September 7, 2004 - The Analyst

Since its inauguration on August 14 last year, one problem that has been haunting the transitional government is poor fiscal management.
Full Story

Liberia: DDR Commission Rejects October Deadline for Completing Disarmament

September 7, 2004 - UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

A government commission overseeing the disarmament of former combatants in Liberia has rejected a UN statement that the process must end in October. It said on Monday that the campaign must go on for longer in order to mop up all the weapons still held by the warring factions in remote areas of the country.
Full Story

Halliburton Says Officials Spoke of Nigeria Bribes

September 2, 2004 - Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Halliburton Co., once run by Vice President Dick Cheney, said an internal probe found information suggesting that members of a consortium it helps lead considered bribing Nigerian officials to win business.
Full Story

Bishop Francis Attends Mass In Wheel Chair

September 2, 2004 - The Analyst

The vocal prelate of the Catholic Church of Liberia, Archbishop Michael Francis, quietly slipped out of public life early this year after he reportedly suffered from stroke
Full Story

29-Man Lone Star Delegation Off To Zambia

September 2, 2004 - The Analyst

A 29-Man Lone Star delegation has left Monrovia for Lusaka, Zambia to honor its international pairing against the Mighty Chipolopolo, the national team of Zambia in the2006 African-World Cups qualifiers this weekend.
Full Story

Militia On Extortion Spree - Nimba Marketers Accused GOL Fighters

September 2, 2004 - The Analyst

With disarmament yet to take firm roots in rural Liberia, reports of harassment of civilians by former militia fighters who are awaiting disarmament continue unabated
Full Story

U.S. freezes assets of 28 Liberians, others

-Fawas, Yeaten, Kaddieyatu, Jewel Included
-Allen, Others Face Double Jeopardy

September 1, 2004 - The Analyst

In December 2003 and March 2004, the United Nations Security Council issued two resolutions decreeing the freezing of assets of former president Charles Taylor, members of his immediate family, and his associates.
Full Story

China Commits 20Million Yen

- To Rehabilitate Foreign Affairs, SKD & Health Ministry

September 1, 2004 - The Analyst

The government of the People’s Republic of China is to provide 20Million Chinese Yen for the rehabilitation of three key institutions, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health and the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex. Ellis Togba reports
Full Story

Iron Ore Deal Was Legal

September 1, 2004 - The Analyst

The ongoing confusion over whether a Chinese vessel legally took off with a 14-year old stockpile of iron ore on Saturday caught the attention of authorities at both the National Port Authority and the Ministry of Justice.
Full Story

TQ Harris’s Strategic Food Reserve for Liberia – My concern

By MacArthur Paye-Bayee

August 31, 2004 - UNICCO Digest

The last time I addressed an issue on this website; some feeble-minded apologist personalized the discussion and hurled insults at me, calling me names, including bigot and all that. However, if we are to maintain sanity in discussing issues that affect all of us Nimbaians, yea Liberians, there has to be a line of demarcation between issues and personality.
Full Story

NTGL, UNMIL's Inaction Troubles Green Advocates - Calls For Mass Citizen's Action

August 31, 2004 - The Analyst

The Association of Environmental Lawyers of Liberia (Green Advocates) has described as "unacceptable" what it called inaction on the part of NTGL Chairman Gyude Bryant and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) and head of the UN Military Mission to Liberia, Jacques Klein.
Full Story

Governance Reform Commssion Ready for Business - Mass Participation Envisaged

August 31, 2004 - The Analyst

Liberian stakeholders who converged in Accra to chart a political course to normalcy and democracy were unanimous on one thing: there can be no normalcy in Liberia unless governance is reformed fundamentally.
Full Story

NEC Wants 10-Year Residency Clause Suspended

August 31, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

The National Elections Commission of Liberia(NEC), has recommended to the National Transitional Legislative Assembly, the suspension of the controversial Article 52 of the Liberian constitution which bans presidential aspirants who have not resided in the country ten years prior to the holding of an elections from contesting.
Full Story

Confidence Crises Delay Donor Pledges - Says INHRC Chairman Brown

August 31, 2004 - The Analyst

The Chairman of the Independent National Human Rights Commission, Atty. Dempster Brown, has disclosed that donors are dragging their heels in remitting pledges to Liberia because of confidence crisis.
Full Story

Poor Africa’s Foreign Coup Paymasters

August 31, 2004 - New Democrat

The arrest of Mark Thatcher, son of ex-British Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, on allegations he financed mercenaries bound for Equatorial Guinea but nabbed in Zimbabwe, may have gone unnoticed in many quarters. At first, the impression was that the “evil” Robert Mugabe was at it again, arresting innocent men.
Full Story

Charles Taylor and Guinea’s Gathering Storm of War

August 31, 2004 - New Democrat

UN reports of secret recruitment of child soldiers to fight in Guinea, and the linking of the gathering war storm to exiled and indicted war criminal Charles Taylor, should be of no surprise. Taylor blames Guinea’s illing ruler Lansana Conte for his woes and inevitable fall.
Full Story

Supreme Court Halts Iron Ore Shipment, 'Illegality' Suspected, Govt, Concerned Parties Cited

August 30, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

The Supreme Court of Liberia has issued a Prohibition, ordering that no consignment of Iron Ore or any ship/vessel containing ore be permitted to leave the port of Buchanan, in Grand Bassa County pending a conference between conflicting parties.
Full Story

E.U. Representative Frowns On NTGL's 'Lavish Spending'

August 30, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

The representative of the European Union has warned Liberia's power-sharing government of consequences if it does not "manage the country's economy wisely", reports said Thursday.
Full Story

Government Denies US$10m Chopping - How Genuine Is The Denial

August 30, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Whether the Liberian government officials have placed millions of dollars in escrow account from the sale of iron ore to a Chinese firm or converted same into private accounts is the debatable issues at stake.
Full Story

Chinese Ship Escapes With Iron Ore

August 30, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Nine out of very ten Liberians will agree that the bottom-line of the nation's woes is the lack of rule of law, transparency, and impunity - the lack of good governance, in international diplomatic parlance.
Full Story

An Argument For No Postponement Of Liberian 2005 Elections

By Rev. Dr. Napoleon L. Divine

August 28, 2004 - The Perspective

have not often written on this medium but have of late felt impelled to do so, in the interest of suggesting an alternative viewpoint to a notion that is growing in popularity, for the postponement of the 2005 Liberian national elections. I ask for your kind attention to some arguments why I believe that this notion may not be prudent and might not serve our nation’s best interest.
Full Story

Ezekiel Pajibo Speaks on Disarmament, Sanctions and the Peace Process
(Interview)

August 27, 2004 - The Perspective

As a student leader in the 1980s, he ran into problems many a times with the military government of Samuel Doe who went as far as jailing and sentencing him and a few other students to death by firing squad. He spent eighteen years in exile and returned last year to live in Liberia.
Full Story

Presidential Aspirant Flouts UN Protocol?

August 27, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Cllr. Winston Tubman, a Liberian diplomat, who represents the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan in Somalia as Special Representative, has been accused of flouting the protocol of the United Nations.
Full Story

NCDDRR Warns Ex-Combatants, Threatens To Arrest, Prosecute Violators

August 27, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The recent violent protest carried on by ex-fighters of the three warring factions has claimed the attention of the group in charge of the disarmament exercise.
Full Story

DOUBTS OF TAYLOYR’S AL-QAEDA LINKS

August 27, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Exiled former president Charles MacArthur Ghankay Taylor is wanted to face trial in neighboring Sierra Leone on a 17-count indictment for his alleged role in the decade-long civil conflict that left most of that country devastated.
Full Story

Dr. Amos Sawyer calls for the Postponement of the 2005 National Elections in Liberia

By Winsley S. Nanka

August 26, 2004 - The Perspective

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Dr. Amos C. Sawyer, former interim president of the Republic of Liberia has suggested that Liberians extend the term of the Gyude Bryant interim government to allow for putting into place the constitutional changes necessary to make good governance sustainable in Liberia.
Full Story

Reform Lease Policy

Editorial

August 26, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

A LOCAL DAILY reported yesterday that the Ministry of Education is to shortly relocate to an abandoned building once used as medical facility by the Government of Liberia more than two decades ago.
Full Story

Malu Faults Taylor's Asylum At NBA Summit

August 26, 2004 - The Vanguard (Lagos)

FORMER Chief of Army Staff and ex-ECOMOG commander, General Victor Malu, yesterday faulted asylum the Federal Government gave to former Liberian Leader, Mr Charles Taylor, saying there was no justification for it given the number of Nigerians Taylor ordered killed, both as a rebel leader and president of Liberia.
Full Story

UNMIL Pats Supreme Court On The Back But Sees Problems In Court System

August 26, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The United Nations Missions in Liberia (UNMIL) has expressed satisfaction over the functioning of the Supreme Court of Liberia. The Head of the UNMIL Legal and Judicial Support Division, Alfred Fofie said the UNMIL is convinced that the Supreme Court of Liberia can deal with a full case load with sound judgments in each of the cases per term.
Full Story

Gov't Issues Ultimatum To Illegal Miners

August 26, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The Sapo National Park in Sinoe, South-eastern Liberia is said to be on the verge of “none-existence.” There are reports that residents of the county are occupying the national shrine and destroying its assets.
Full Story

SOLDIERS THREATEN STREET VIOLENCE AGAIN

August 26, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The Accra Peace Agreement (CPA) called for cease fire, disarmament, demobilization, and rehabilitation of ex-fighters, restructuring of the security forces that include the police and military, and then elections.
Full Story

In ULAA election, Arthur Watson won the votes, Morris Koffa got the honor

By AB DOLLEY

August 25, 2004 -LIMANY

The candidacy of Arthur Watson and Georges Wuo was on Sunday, August 22, declared winner of the highly contested presidential and vice presidential elections of the Union of Liberia Association in America, ULAA, in NJ, bringing an end to the long leadership crisis that has plagued that organization for the past two years.
Full Story

CSM-L Debunks Draft Budget

August 25, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The National Budget covering the period August 2004 to July 2005 is presently before the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) for thorough perusal, approbation and subsequent passage
Full Story

Ghanaian Security Besieges Budumburam Camp

August 25, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The Budumburam refugee camp in Gomoa, Central Accra, Ghana, has been home to thousands of Liberians who had escaped insecurity due to 14 years of warfare in Liberia. Notwithstanding the refugee status of the residents, the camp has been the subject of intermittent security suspicion and searches that turned out 100 per cent of the time to be futile.
Full Story

Conteh Calls for Unity -In UL Prexy Crisis

August 23, 2004 -The Analyst (Monrovia)

The newly appointed University of Liberia President, Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, has called on the University faculty and students to put aside their differences and join forces to move the University forward to higher heights.
Full Story

Al-Qaeda, Charles Taylor Partners in Blood Diamonds

August 23, 2004 - New Era (Windhoek)

Former Liberian president Charles Taylor sold conflict diamonds to known al-Qaeda operatives that may have been used to finance the September 11 attacks on the United States, according to a confidential report from the UN-backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone.
Full Story

Nimba Youths Lash At Superintendent

Accuse Him Of Anti-Peace Propaganda
By Mensiegar Karnga, Jr.

August 19, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Concerted efforts by well-meaning sons and daughters like Cllr. Cooper W. Krauh, Sheik Kafumba Konneh and others to preach the gospel of reconciliation and genuine forgiveness among Nimbaians to bridge the gap of mistrust and antagonism necessitated by years of brutal civil conflict appears far-fetched.
Full Story

Discontentment On UL Campus - Faculty Boycott Classes

August 19, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

Discontentment has brewed at the University of Liberia (UL) over the appointment of Dr. Alhasan Conteh as the new president of the nation's highest learning institution.
Full Story

65,000 Fighters Disarmed, 20,000 Weapons, 5 Million Ammunition Collected

August 19, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

The head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) retired American Airforce General, Jacques Klein has given an 'impressive' report about the disarmament of more than 65, 000 former fighters.
Full Story

No Confrontation With Assembly's Speaker, Bryant Says, Flies to Sierra Leone

August 19, 2004 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

The Chairman of the Transitional Government, Gyude Bryant says there's no confrontation between him and the Speaker of the Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA), George Dweh.
Full Story

British Group Proposes Emergency Power Supply

August 18, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

A group, known as British Engineering Services (BES) has proposed to provide between five and seven mega watts of electric power to the greater Monrovia area at no charge to Government to meet the urgent power need of residents, businesses.
Full Story

Truth Commission Wants Cases Heard From 1979, Presents Draft Act to Govt

August 18, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

Perpetrators of massacres, sexual offences, murder, economic crimes, extra-judicial killings, and all incidents of gross human rights abuses and violations, whether isolated or part of a systematic pattern from January 1979 up to the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), should face investigation, the TRC draft act says.
Full Story

Liberia: UN Extends Disarmament to Birthplace of Country's Long Civil War

August 18, 2004 - UN News Service (New York)

The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has brought its efforts to restore peace to the very region where the prolonged civil war first began 15 years ago, launching its latest disarmament and demobilization program in the strife-torn West African country's remote Nimba county.
Full Story

Liberia is 'Sick' And Needs Healing, Methodist Pastor Tells Students

August 17, 2004 -The NEWS (Monrovia)

The Director at the Department of Evangelism of the Liberia Annual Conference/United Methodist Church Rev. Jerry Kulah has told a student congregation that the nation is sick and needs healing. The Director at the Department of Evangelism of the Liberia Annual Conference/United Methodist Church Rev.
Full Story

LIBERIA: A shattered nation on a long road to recovery

August 17, 2004 - IRIN

MONROVIA, 17 Aug 2004 (IRIN) - Liberians, impatient for better times ahead, have begun the slow process of rebuilding their country, shattered by 14 years of intermittent civil war that ended one year ago.
Full Story

DDRR Punctures Again

August 17, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

The United Military Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) announced late last month that it was shutting down disarmament sites in the Montserrado, Bomi, Margibi, Grand Bassa and parts of Bong County.
Full Story

Ex-Combatants Stage Protest in Commercial District of Vai Town

August 17, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

Normal traffic and business activities in the commercial district of Vai Town yesterday came to a temporary standstill as disgruntled ex-combatants staged a protest action in the area.
Full Story

8 Persons Eyeing Nimba County Superintendentship

August 17, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

With the apparent delay in the appointment of a superintendent for their county, reports say eight eminent Nimbaians have expressed their desire to become the Superintendent of Nimba County during this transitional period
Full Story

Cape Mountinians Lash At Caucus Commend Bryant

August 17, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Citizens of Grand Cape Mount County say their attentions has been drawn to what they called "demonic plans" by individuals claiming to be "Cape Mount Legislative Caucus."
Full Story

Magistrate Fayiah Violated My Immunity

August 17, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The Representative of Montserrado County, Julius Parker says Monrovia City Court Judge Joseph Fayiah has violate his Legislative immunity when he went to his gas station to insult him and his workers.
Full Story

Attention for Africa Not Easy In an Election Year - Donald Payne (Interview)

August 16, 2004 - Allafrica.com

The following exchange with Rep. Donald M. Payne (Democrat - New Jersey) is one of an ongoing series of conversations about Africa policy in the next U.S. presidential administration that AllAfrica is publishing during the current American election campaign.
Full Story

Amnesty Urges Nigeria to Surrender Taylor

August 16, 2004 - Concord Times (Freetown)

Amnesty International has called on African Union (AU) member states to urge Nigeria surrender Charles Taylor to the UN backed Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Full Story

Bryant Makes US$100,000.00 Pledge Raises Hopes At Cuttington College

August 16, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

The Chairman of the Transitional Government of Liberia, Gyude Bryant, has pledged US$ 100,000.00 to assist in returning the Cuttington University College (CUC) to its main campus in Saukoko, Bong County.
Full Story

Finance Takes Over Balance of Trade Calculation

August 16, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

The Transitional Government has accepted an advice from experts of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding the determination of the Country's volume of trade
Full Story

Rwandan soldiers arrive in Sudan

August 15, 2004 - BBC

Rwandan troops have arrived in Sudan to help protect African Union (AU) ceasefire monitors in the war-ravaged western region of Darfur.
Full Story

Germany admits Namibia genocide

August 14, 2004 - BBC

Germany has offered its first formal apology for the colonial-era massacre of some 65,000 members of the Herero tribe by German troops in Namibia.
Full Story

Donor Shortfalls Threaten Emergency Food Pipeline for Liberia, UN Warns

August 13, 2004 - UN News Service (New York)

Faced with the danger of a break down in its food pipeline in Liberia, the United Nations emergency feeding agency says it needs additional confirmed contributions through the end of the year and is considering regional purchases to avert a shortfall next month.
Full Story

Between Taylor And the United States(Opinion)

August 13, 2004 - Concord Times (Freetown)

Since the UN backed Special Court for Sierra Leone unsealed an indictment against former Liberian President Charles Taylor a year ago, much noise has been made requesting the extradition, to Sierra Leone, of the former Liberian warlord to answer charges regarding his involvement in one of Africa's most dangerous civil conflicts.
Full Story

"Once a Liberian, Always a Liberian"? Fact Versus Fiction

By Theodore T. Hodge

August 13, 2004 - The Perspective

In a recent piece posted by one Charles Alake Williams, the theme was the birthrights of Liberians. The question posed was, "Why are Liberians being forced to give up their birthrights when they become citizens of another country?"
Full Story

Court Rules in LUP Case

August 13, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Few days after a newspaper carried a story in which it was stated that "Brumskine may quit LUP", a more dramatic event has followed.
Full Story

Former RIA Boss Disassociates From NPP Celebration

August 12, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

A stalwart of the former ruling National Patriotic Party (NPP) and Managing Director of the Roberts International Airport (RIA), Mr. Randolph Cooper says he had nothing to do with festive celebrations of the departure of the exiled President, Charles Ghankay Taylor.
Full Story

Liberia's Olympic Team Off to Athens As Gov't Gives US$16,000

August 12, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The country's team to this year's Olympic games which is scheduled to officially kick-off tomorrow in Athens, Greece left the country yesterday.
Full Story

More Revelation On Al Qaeda-Liberia Links

August 12, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

Until recently, Charles Taylor's direct links with the notorious al-Qaeda terrorist movement was considered part of international conspiracy to discredit and topple his government. Taylor himself alluded to such scheme and did not only call for proof from his accusers but also proffered to help the Bush administration bring al-Qaeda suspects to justice.
Full Story

"Withdraw Cllr. Cherue’s Appointment"
...Civil Society Organizations Urge Bryant

August 12, 2004 - The Perspective

The Civil Society Organizations of Liberia (CSOs) has called on Chairman Gyude Bryant to swiftly withdraw the appointment of Cllr. Frederick Cherue as Board Chairman of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Corporation and "desist from consistently undermining the spirit and intent of the Accra Agreement."
Full Story

Liberian Women Raise Crucial Issues With Bryant
...Say Culture of Impunity Continuing=

August 12, 2004 - The Perspective

A cross-section of Liberian women under the banners of "Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace" and "Women in Peace Building Network(WIPNET)", have recommended five crucial issues with NTGL Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant to facilitate the smooth implementation of the Liberian peace process; as Patrick K. Wrokpoh reports.
Full Story

Opposition Builds Against Taylor's Asylum in Nigeria

August 11, 2004 - The Vanguard (Lagos)

ONE year after he fled Liberia to take up political asylum in Nigeria, former warlord and war crimes suspect, Mr. Charles Taylor is an increasingly isolated and hated figure in his adoptive home.
Full Story

Executive Mansion Reacts, Says Missing Arms Allegation False

August 11, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The Executive Mansion has sharply reacted to reports that there has been disappearance of a "sizable amount" of arms from the Executive Mansion, as alleged by NTLA Speaker, George Dweh
Full Story

Sudan faces new atrocity charges

August 11, 2004 - BBC

Pro-government militias in Sudan are still attacking civilians despite pledges by Khartoum to end the violence, a human rights group says.
Full Story

LIBERIA: Rebels dig in at rubber plantation

August 10, 2004 - IRIN

MONROVIA, 10 Aug 2004 (IRIN) - More than 1,000 former fighters of the LURD rebel movement are holed up in Liberia's second largest rubber plantation and are refusing to turn in their guns to UN peacekeepers, a member of Liberia's transitional parliament said on Tuesday.
Full Story

Usaid-Funded Radio Program Advances in Southeastern Communities

August 10, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

Mercy Corps community radio team arrived in Maryland last week on a month-long deployment to set up two radio community stations in the Harper and Pleebo cities.
Full Story

Media Women Frown On 'Food for Sex'

August 10, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

The Liberian Women Media Action Committee (LIWOMAC) has frowned on reports that young girls and teenagers have been targeted at displaced camps by aid workers for "food for sex".
Full Story

Goodridge to Contest Presidency?

August 10, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

According to credible sources, many of these citizens said they feel that the former information minister can be a good candidate and is one who is determined to move the country from its present backward state.
Full Story

Where Are the Jobs?

August 10, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

A prominent Liberian, Mr. Edward T. Slangar has reacted sharply to recent claim by United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative to Liberia, Amb.Jacques Paul Klein, that UNMIL has 300 jobs for grabs but was yet to receive applicants for the vacancies.
Full Story

Easing the Economic Problems(Opinion)

By William A. Brown, Jr.

August 10, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

There are enormous economic hardships in Liberia. Some of the major root causes, including high prices of commodities on the Liberian market, are the new tariff laws on customs duties and charges, bureaucratic rules, and the indiscipline attitudes displayed by managers in Government ministries and agencies.
Full Story

Elections Commission Begins Inspection of Political Parties

August 9, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

The National Elections Commission (NEC) Monday commenced the inspection of headquarters of all registered political parties in the country.
Full Story

Bin Deploys At 2 Strategic Points

August 9, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization has finally deployed at two strategic entry points in its strife to take full control of country's borders.
Full Story

Taylor Wanted for Terrorism

August 9, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

I recent legal wrangling in which the government of Nigeria again strongly opposed the extradition of former Liberian president, Charles G. Taylor, to Sierra Leone to face charges for atrocities allegedly committed against the people of that country may have led many to the conclusion that the issue had hit dead end.
Full Story

Ivorian rebels rejoin government

August 9, 2004 - BBC

Ivorian opposition ministers and rebels have attended their first cabinet meeting after a four-month boycott
Full Story

Forrmer Liberian leader allegedly aided Al Qaeda

August 5, 2004 - Herald Tribune

WASHINGTON: The senior Al Qaeda operative captured in Pakistan last week met Charles Taylor, who was president of Liberia at the time, in the years before and after Sept. 11, 2001, and received refuge from the former U.S. ally while planning further terrorist operations, according to U.S. intelligence officials and United Nations investigators.
Full Story

Liberia: Government Seeks Foreign Investment to Revive Mains Electricity

August 6, 2004 - IRIN

MONROVIA, 6 Aug 2004 (IRIN) - The government of Liberia is seeking a private overseas investor to help restore mains electricity to the capital Monrovia at an estimated cost of US$14 million, Joseph Maya, the managing director of the state-run Liberia Electricity Corporation said.
Full Story

Dweh Threatens War, If - Gen. Opande Wheeled Sekou Away - Duala Residents Run Helter-Skelter -What Is Afoot

August 5, 2004 - The Inquirer(Monrovia)

The chairmanship of the rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) has been the most hotly contested seat in contemporary Liberian maverick politics since Aicha Keita Conneh conspired against her husband (Sekou Damate Conneh) to divest him of it early this year.
Full Story

Debate Over al Qaeda's Connection to West Africa's Diamond Trade Takes New Turns

August 5, 2004 - Allafrica.com

The arrest of a Tanzanian fugitive in Pakistan last week, release of the 9-11 Commission report in Washington and a forthcoming finding by a war crimes tribunal in Sierra Leone have rekindled the debate over what role, if any, west African diamonds played in financing the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.
Full Story

LIBERIA: Security fears and poor infrastructure will limit repatriation of refugees

August 4, 2004 - IRIN

MONROVIA, 4 Aug 2004 (IRIN) - Concerns over security in some parts of rural Liberia and the battered state of the country's infrastructure will limit the number of refugees able to return home from neighbouring West African countries later this year, the UN refugee agency UNHCR has warned
Full Story

Liberia: Leadership Battle in Lurd Leads to Fighting On Streets of Monrovia

August 4, 2004 - IRIN

A long-running power struggle for the leadership of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebel movement has spilled over into violence on the streets of the capital Monrovia, forcing UN peacekeeping forces to send in tanks and step up street patrols.
Full Story

Bryant Agrees to Consult Former Factions'; Rep. Plans Regular Cabinet Meetings

August 3, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

The Chairman of the Transitional Government, Gyude Bryant, has consented that he would hold transparent consultations and dialogue with the various former warring factions serving in the power-sharing government, Information Minister Dr. C. William Allen has disclosed.
Full Story

Don't Use Nimba As Breeding Ground for Insurrection, Citizens Urged

August 3, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

Nimba County citizens through out the country have been cautioned to ensure that their county is not manipulated any more and used as a 'breeding ground' for insurrection by selfish individuals.
Full Story

UNMIL Has 300 Jobs, But No Applicants, Jacques Klein

August 3, 2004 - The Inquirer(Monrovia)

The United Nations Secretary General's special representative to Liberia, Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein has disclosed that UNMIL has 300 jobs for grabs but was yet to receive applicants for the vacancies.
Full Story

As Audit in Public Sector Progresses: Govt Places Ban On Proxies

August 3, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

Individuals serving as proxies have been banned from collecting checks written on Government's accounts belonging to their relatives and friends as well as the dead among others.
Full Story

As Ex-Gol Generals Collect Thousands of Dollars: Immigration Boss Set Precondition ---Wants Militias Removed for Deployment

August 3, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

Former GOL Generals in Nimba County are paying themselves L$25,000.00 monthly from customs fees at the Ganta Custom Post bordering Guinea.
Full Story

Former American Peace Corp Volunteers Expected

August 3, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

A six-man delegation of former American Peace Corp Volunteers is expected here Wednesday to undertake several productive ventures including helping to train teachers.
Full Story

Penalize Detractors of Peace Lurd Executive Urges Unmil

August 3, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

An Executive of the former warring faction Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy Mr. Zoe Pennue has called on the United Nations Mission in Liberia to deal with anyone who presses to undermine the peace process.
Full Story

Former GOL Speaks Out

August 3, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

Officials of the former Government of Liberia (GOL) serving in the National Transitional Government of Liberia yesterday called a news conference to speak out on issues of national concern; as Throble K. Suah reports.
Full Story

Dutch Businessman Proposes Port Reconstruction

August 3, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

Mr. Noppen who is Chairman of PIMEX, the Nile Dutch Shipping (NDS) agency in Liberia, said the proposed reconstruction program would make the port of Monrovia par excellence to other
Full Story

UNHCR Holds Regional Meeting In Monrovia

August 3, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR), yesterday opened its regional repatriation meeting in Monrovia.
Full Story

Need to Down-size Civil Service Stressed

August 3, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

The need to down-size the country's Civil Service has been stressed recently at a workshop under the aegis of the Civil Service Agency(CSA).
Full Story

UN Official Hails Work of Chinese Peacekeepers in Liberia

August 2, 2004 -UN News Service (New York)

As part of celebrations marking Chinese Army Day, a senior United Nations official in Liberia has paid tribute to the "commitment and dedication" of Chinese peacekeepers working in the war-ravaged West African country.
Full Story

Sudan army's anger over UN 'war'

August 2, 2004 - BBC

Sudan's army says the UN resolution on the conflict in Darfur is "a declaration of war" and threatens to fight any foreign intervention. .
Full Story

Mass graves found in Ivory Coast

August 2, 2004 - BBC

The UN's Ivory Coast mission says three mass graves containing at least 99 bodies have been found near the northern rebel-held town of Korhogo.
Full Story

Taylor's pet lioness rescued

July 30, 2004 - BBC

Ma Juah, former Liberian President Charles Taylor's abandoned pet lioness, is flying to a new home in a South African lion sanctuary.
Full Story

ICGL, ECOWAS: Budge Not, Lest We Perish

July 30, 2004 -The Analyst (Monrovia) (OPINION)

IN OUR JULY 29 banner story, we quoted several Liberians as describing the ongoing ECOWAS-sponsored meeting on Liberia as "a gathering storm" that is likely to impact negatively on the gains made thus far in the Liberian peace process.
Full Story

On Mission To Clean-up -Dr. Korto Diagnoses Liberia's Problems; Says There Are Too Many Wrongdoings, Societal Ills

July 30, 2004 -The Analyst (Monrovia)

A Presidential aspirant and staunch member of the Liberia Action Party (LAP) now seeking the party's candidature, Dr. Joseph Korto, says he is in for the presidency of Liberia to clean-up.
Full Story

Barclay Joins Rescue Mission

July 30, 2004 -The Analyst (Monrovia)

For Liberian Presidency "I feel like you feel." These were words of Dr. James Kollie Barclay when he declared his intention to contest Liberian presidency. Like his other ambitious compatriots, Dr. Barclay said he has come to rescue Liberia and Liberians from poverty, illiteracy and abuses amongst others.
Full Story

Gbarnga, Voinjama Under Threat

July 30, 2004 -The Analyst (Monrovia)

LURD's Splinter Groups Threaten Shootout, If the mediators in the Liberian peace process - ECOWAS and ICGL - gave in to factional demands early this week for a meeting to review the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
Full Story

No breakthrough on Ivory Coast

July 30, 2004 - BBC

Thirteen African presidents have ended a meeting in Ghana with a promise to continue talks on Friday on the deadlocked Ivory Coast peace process.
Full Story

'Please, Forgive Us' Ex-Combatants Plead

July 30, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

To demonstrate their sincerity about taking up arms no more, thousands of ex-combatants under the banner of Liberian Ex-combatants Anxious for Development (LEAD) paraded through the streets of Monrovia
Full Story

US cuts 'sanctions' in Sudan text

July 30, 2004 - BBC

The US has reworded a draft UN resolution on war-ravaged Darfur to rally support for pressure on Sudan, accused of backing Arab militias there.
Full Story

Engage the Chinese Offer

July 29, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

A significant news item missed the headlines last week, apparently because many reporters were overwhelmed by the US$1.2 million gesture to the Liberian Government.
Full Story

Inquirer Suspends Activities of Lurd Leadership

July 29, 2004 - Inquirer (Monrovia)

According to paper's Editorial Department, its decision to suspend the publication of LURD's activities is due to the glaring feud within the group's executives and leadership.
Full Story

US bans Ghanaian state airline

July 28, 2004 - IRIN

Ghana Airways has been banned from flying to the United States with immediate effect.
Full Story

LIBERIA: West African leaders to review peace process in Accra

July 28, 2004 - IRIN

MONROVIA, 28 Jul 2004 (IRIN) - West African leaders will review Liberia's year-old peace deal at a summit in Accra on Thursday, after a series of wrangles between the country's former warring factions and Gyude Bryant, the civilian head of the transitional government, diplomats said.
Full Story

LIBERIA: Where are the weapons? Is disarmament really working?

July 28, 2004 - IRIN

MONROVIA, 28 Jul 2004 (IRIN) - The United Nations has poured 15,000 peacekeepers into Liberia and more than 54,000 former combatants have been disarmed, but UN officials admit that not everyone is handing in a weapon and vast tracts of the West African country remain inaccessible to UN patrols.
Full Story

"There Are Plans To Kill Me" ...Says Presidential Aspirant

July 28, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

One of the more than 30 presidential aspirants for the 2005 general and presidential elections, Mr. Cornelius Hunter, has disclosed that there have been several attempts on his life by people he believes to be his political opponents.
Full Story

T. Q. Harris Pays Tribute to Pres. Bush, Others

July 28, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

PA Liberian presidential aspirant in next year's poll has paid tribute to United States' President George Walter Bush, Jr. as a true friend of Liberia, "whose definite action is bringing the 14-year chapter of violence to a close"; reports Throble K. Suah
Full Story

Sierra Leonean President Apologizes to Liberians

July 27, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

President Kabbah said while it is true that the Chairman of the transitional government in Sierra Leone Charles Gyude Bryant made an open apology to Sierra Leoneans when he visited that country earlier this year for the participation of Liberians in the 10 years civil war in that country,
Full Story

Taylor: Court Summons Refugee Commission's Boss

July 27, 2004 - This Day (Lagos)

A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the Federal Commissioner, National Refugee's Commission and two other agencies that may have been involved in the process leading to the granting of political asylum to former Liberian President, Mr. Charles Taylor to appear before it.
Full Story

"They Are All Rogues"

July 27, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

The pastor of the First Baptist Church in Oldest Congo Town, Rev. Joseph G. Johnson says Liberian men, especially officials of government, who are living above their monthly incomes are noting but "bunch of rogues".
Full Story

Re-echoing Orator's Call

July 27, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

In view of the prevailing improved security situation in the city, the official program for this 157th Independence Day 's celebration ended yesterday with the appropriate activities which were climaxed with the national oration delivered by seasoned educator and administrator Sister Lauren Browne at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia.
Full Story

On Anniversary of Liberia's Independence, UN Envoy Sees New Chapter Ahead

July 26, 2004 -UN News Service (New York)

As Liberia marked the 157th anniversary today of its independence, the top United Nations envoy for the West African nation congratulated it on the progress made since the end of a bloody decade-long civil war last year.
Full Story

Europe threatens Sudan sanctions

July 26, 2004 - BBC

The European Union has urged the United Nations to threaten Sudan with sanctions over the violence in Darfur.
Full Story

White House Announces Freeze on Assets of Charles Taylor and Aides

July 24, 2004 - The White House (Washington, DC)

President George W. Bush froze the assets of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, his family and top aides effective July 23, 2004. The text below is the Executive Order Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting the Importation of Certain Goods From Liberia.
Full Story

GUINEA-LIBERIA: Refugees criss-cross a fluid and volatile border

July 22,2004 - IRIN

NZEREKORE, 22 Jul 2004 (IRIN) - Tens of thousands of Liberians who have registered as refugees in neighbouring Guinea are abusing their status by crossing the border to trade their food rations and prepare their eventual return before returning to their camps for the next handout, aid workers said.
Full Story

LIBERIA: UN probes cross-border arms smuggling

July 21, 2004 - IRIN

MONROVIA, 21 Jul 2004 (IRIN) - UN peacekeepers are investigating reports of smuggling arms and the movement of combatants across Liberia’s international borders, General Joseph Owonibi, the deputy force commander of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) disclosed on Wednesday.
Full Story

Sub-Saharan Africa poverty grows

July 20, 2004 - BBC

Nigeria's biggest fraud case has been dismissed after the judge said he had no jurisdiction to hear it.
Full Story

Sub-Saharan Africa poverty grows

July 20, 2004 - BBC

Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where the number of people living in abject poverty has grown over the past 20 years, says a United Nations report
Full Story

Sudan plans Darfur refugee return

July 20, 2004 - BBC

Sudan's authorities are planning to move Darfur's displaced civilians from the camps where they have sought refuge back to their villages.
Full Story

Five U.S. Professors for UL, Presidential Aspirant Discloses

July 20, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

Mr. Hunter in an interview with The INQUIRER recently, said the five professors are willing to render their services to the University of Liberia free of charge.
Full Story

Intellectuals Stick to Issues and They Know the Value of Human Dignity!

By J. Marsilius Flumo

July 19, 2004 - UNICCO Digest

The purpose of this piece is to express my chagrin at Mr. James Kollie’s response to Mr. Bai Gbala’s article (Decentralization Of Political & Administrative Power In Liberia).
Full Story

Towards National Unity, the Liberian Press as the “instrument of hate”

By Etags R. Reeves

July 19, 2004 - UNICCO Digest

As a frequent visitor to the New Democrat and other Liberian websites, I am deeply disappointed that Mr. Kamara of the New Democrat and some Liberian intelligentsia are telling the Liberian story from a single pair of eyes.
Full Story

Lone Star Under-17 Off To Gambia

July 19, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

According to the Chief Scribe of the Liberia Football Association(LFA), Mr. Yanqueh S. Borsay, the tournament is in commemoration of the 10th celebration of the military coup staged by the incumbent Gambian Leader, Yaya Jammeh against the constitutional government of Sir Jawara.
Full Story

Political Parties Get IRI's Support, Sign Capacity-Building Agreement for Elections

July 19, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

Registered political parties are due to be assisted by the United States-based International Republican Institute (IRI).
Full Story

U.S. Ambassador Urges Political Parties

July 19, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

The U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, John William Blaney III has admonished the 18 registered political parties in the country to work hard and make the nation's interest foremost; as Charles Crawford reports.
Full Story

Price of Rice Increased

July 19, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

Addressing a news conference recently, Commerce and Industry Minister Samuel Wlue said, the government was constrained to increase the price of rice by US$1.50.
Full Story

Peace Will Remain Elusive If...

July 19, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

Episcopal Bishop Edward W. Neufville says as long as sin continues to be committed by mankind in Liberia, peace would continue to remain elusive.
Full Story

Security Council Supports Ecowas' Moves To Prevent Coup d' Etat

July 19, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

The United Nations Security Council Mission that visited the West Africa sub-region recently, says it welcomes the initiative of ECOWAS and the UN office for West Africa to identify ways of preventing coup d' etat and other unconstitutional means of seizing or holding state power.
Full Story

Surveyors Warned Against Unscrupulous Activities

July 16, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

The Chairman of the Surveyors' Licensing and Registration Board of the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy has warned surveyors against unscrupulous activities regarding land surveying. In his induction speech on Wednesday, the Board's Chairman, Julu M. Johnson, Sr., said all land
Full Story

Chayee's Body Flown to Grand Gedeh: the Final Journey of a 'Strategist'

July 16, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

The remains of the former Managing Director of the National Port of Authority (NPA), Chayee Doe has been flown to his home town of Tuzon, Grand Gedeh County, in southeastern Liberia.
Full Story

LIBERIA: Elections Commission needs US$ 12 million for 2005 poll

July 16, 2004 - UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

MONROVIA, 16 Jul 2004 (IRIN) - Liberia needs donors to help it find more than US$12 million so it can conduct elections in October 2005 and return to democracy after a long and bitter civil war, the head of the National Elections Commission said on Friday.
Full Story

BBC reporters freed in Cameroon

July 16, 2004 - BBC

Cameroonian authorities have released two BBC journalists arrested in the disputed region of Bakassi
Full Story

EQUATORIAL GUINEA: US Senate probe reveals massive theft of oil revenue

July 16, 2004 - UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

DAKAR, 16 Jul 2004 (IRIN) - A US Senate investigation into lax controls on money laundering at a Washington bank has revealed the misappropriation of at least US$35 million of oil revenues
Full Story

COTE D IVOIRE: UN human rights team lands as political stalemate continues

July 16, 2004 - UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

ABIDJAN, 16 Jul 2004 (IRIN) - A United Nations commission has landed in Cote d'Ivoire to investigate human rights abuses during the fistfour months of civil war that followed a September 2002 rebellion in the world's top cocoa producer, a UN official said on Friday.
Full Story

SUDAN: African Union mediating talks on Darfur

July 16, 2004 - UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

NAIROBI, 16 Jul 2004 (IRIN) - The Sudanese government was holding closed-door talks on Friday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, with mediators from the African Union (AU), according to Hamid Algabid, t
Full Story

Special Court Rules Out Charles Taylor's Arrest

July 16, 2004 - Concord Times (Freetown)

Special Court Registrar, Robin Vincent has said that though a prepared cell awaits the arrival of former Liberian President, Charles Taylor to Freetown, the Court will not allow Taylor into its detention facility until it is proven that he was not brought in through illegitimate means.
Full Story

Joy at Somali hospital reopening

July 16, 2004 - BBC

The Somali capital's biggest hospital has reopened after 14 years.
Full Story

Africa seeks Darfur breakthrough

July 16, 2004 - BBC

African mediators are trying to break the deadlock between the Sudan government and two rebels groups and end the conflict in the Darfur region.
Full Story

UN probes abuses in Ivory Coast

July 16, 2004 - BBC

A United Nations commission has arrived in Ivory Coast to investigate human rights abuses.
Full Story

SUP Calls for Audit Findings

July 15, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The Student Unification Party (SUP) of the University of Liberia has expressed concern about delay in making known the findings of the Auditing Committee set up by Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant.
Full Story

Special Court Has No Jurisdiction Over Liberia'

July 15, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

Mr. Robin Vincent at the end of a two-day visit to Liberia, told local and international journalists yesterday that the special court was established to try those who committed alleged atrocities in Sierra Leone and to also demonstrate the rule of law.
Full Story

The Causes of Liberia's Under-Development

July 15, 2004 - The Inquirer (Monrovia)

Conflict in itself is not peculiar to any nation-state, rather universal. The major issue is not getting into conflict(s), but the ability to manage such conflict and not repeating said event.
Full Story

Bennie, NTGL Deadlock On Accusations

July 15, 2004 - The News(Monrovia)

The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Charles Bennie, alleged during a "reunion of all progressives" program held at the Monrovia City Hall on June 21, 2004,
Full Story

Soldier Found Dead in Monrovia

July 15, 2004 - The News(Monrovia)

Residents of Gblowein Community in Logan Town woke up to a terrifying scene Wednesday Morning when a personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) was found dead.
Full Story

Freeport Acquires US$375,000 Toplift From WFP

July 15, 2004 - The News(Monrovia)

The Management of the National Port Authority (NPA) has acquired a US$375,421.00 Toplift along with spare parts from the World Food Program (WFP) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Full Story

Nigerians challenge Taylor asylum

July 14, 2004 - BBC

A Nigerian court has allowed two men to challenge the granting of asylum to former Liberian leader Charles Taylor.
Full Story

Nigerians challenge Taylor asylum

July 14, 2004 - BBC

A Nigerian court has allowed two men to challenge the granting of asylum to former Liberian leader Charles Taylor.
Full Story

Ex-Niger premier denies Iraq link

July 14, 2004 - BBC

Niger's former prime minister has said that Iraq did not try to buy uranium, contradicting claims made in the build-up to the invasion of Iraq.
Full Story

UK slams Kenya's 'new corruption'

July 14, 2004 - BBC

The UK high commissioner to Kenya has launched a scathing attack on President Mwai Kibaki's government's record on tackling corruption.
Full Story

Darfur security 'deteriorating'

July 14, 2004 - BBC

The United Nations' top emergency relief official has warned that the security situation in Sudan's Darfur region is becoming more difficult.
Full Story

Zimbabwe 'returning to stone age'

July 13, 2004 - BBC

The introduction of ox-drawn ambulances is a sign that President Robert Mugabe is taking Zimbabwe back to the stone ages, the opposition says.
Full Story

Fears for Sudan Islamist's health

July 13, 2004 - BBC

The wife of Sudan's opposition Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi says she is worried about his health after almost two weeks on hunger strike.
Full Story

Zimbabwe 'returning to stone age'

July 13, 2004 - BBC

The introduction of ox-drawn ambulances is a sign that President Robert Mugabe is taking Zimbabwe back to the stone ages, the opposition says.
Full Story

Abuse of Resources Fueled Civil War Says Klein, Assures Liberians of an Eye On Govt

July 13, 2004 - The News (Monrovia)

The head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Ambassador Jacques Klein says the abuse of natural resources distribution and management helped to fuelled a devastating civil war for 15 years in Liberia.
Full Story

US Gov't Provides Assistance to UL

July 13, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided 3 grants to re-open the University of Liberia Monrovia campus.
Full Story

FORHD Predicts Electoral Upheavals

July 13, 2004 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

There is general agreement amongst Liberians and friends of Liberia that the Liberian decade-long civil upheaval is the direct result of misrule propped up by blatant disregard for human rights and economic mismanagement.
Full Story

Liberian Police Training Begins, More Ex-Combatants Disarm, UN Says

July 13, 2004 - UN News Service (New York)

The head of the United Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and the chairman of the West African country's transitional government have launched a training programme for new police and a repair project at the university's law school, the mission said today.
Full Story

Overprotecting the Former Enemy

By James Seitua

July 10, 2004 - The Perspective

Nigerian army general Victor Malu consistently grilled the Liberian