FORUM FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WAR CRIMES COURT IN LIBERIA

- THE ANTI-WAR ADVOCACY WING OF THE PROGRESSIVE ACTION FOR CHANGE

Airfield, Sinkor

Monrovia, Liberia

Phone: +2316-626209

Email: war_crimes_liberia@yahoo.com

22^nd May 2008.

 

 

A Call on the Government of Ghana to Release Liberian Refugees in 48 Hours

 

Fellow Liberians, ladies and gentlemen of the Press;

 

Substantiated information emanating from the Gomoa District of Accra, the Republic of Ghana, establishes the brutal arrest and detention of hundreds of Liberian Refugees from the Buduburam Refugee Camp. This sad event, which has been authenticated by a member of this institution currently in Accra, further reveals unprovoked brutality meted out by Ghanaian security forces against innocent women, children, and the elderly.

 

Other similar unimpeachable sources lament that on the early morning of 22^nd March 2008, a joint operation of the Ghanaian Armed Forces, a special unit of the Police anti-terrorist Regiment, the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, and a secret service detachment arrested and  took to an unknown destination innocent Refugees. The safety of these Refugees, most of who were physically abused and brutalized, remains uncertain.

 

Whilst this cruelty and unprovoked brutality was being perpetrated against a helpless people, it has also been confirmed that scores of refugees are currently nursing fatal wounds deriving form the bites of poisonous snakes and scorpions apparently unleashed by Ghanaian native witches and wizards in an attempt to discourage residence on the Buduburam Camp; people who are familiar with Ghanaian traditional sects understand the realities of these satanic threats these Refugees are currently faced with.

 

Additionally, it has even been established that an early-morning shooting incident on the camp left at least one Refugee dead as thousands of others are now on the run for their lives in unwelcoming Ghanaian villages. This panic has led to a humanitarian disaster amongst Liberians, with no water, shelter, or food, especially for the weakening women and children.

 

This latest action is a sad climax of the recent arrest and detention of more than three-hundred refugees who were forced in trucks and taken to Kordiabe, Ghana’s Eastern Region for an involuntary repatriation. Hence, we call on the Liberian and Ghanaian Governments to refrain from any such forceful repatriation exercise as it will undermine the essence of the 1951 Geneva Convention, a document ratified by the Ghanaian Government. Besides, the characterization of brutality in these unwarranted military and police operations can not be tolerated in civilize democracies.

 

We strongly condemn this unprovoked brutality against a vulnerable Refugee community who were simply exercising a right that is tolerated under international humanitarian law under the Geneva protocol; and accusing Liberians of ‘Breaking Ghanaian laws’, as given by the Interior Minister of Ghana as the basis for the attack against innocent Refugees, is illogical and legally flawed.

 

We are equally disappointed over the failure of the Liberian Government to seek the interests of our refugees in Ghana. Since this major humanitarian catastrophe, the Liberian Government’s position has not done enough to alleviate the suffering of our brothers in exile; even though, those now in power bear the supreme responsibility for creating a war that has caused so much suffering for our people, especially those still in exile.  

 

We therefore call on the Ghanaian Embassy near Monrovia to prevail on its Government to unconditionally release all detained Liberian Refugees and launch an independent investigation into the excessive force employed during the unprovoked operation. In the same token, there could be unspecified consequences against Ghanaian interests in Liberia that may lead to our lobby to severe diplomatic ties should the 48 hours ultimatum lapse.  

 

 

Signed: _________________

               Mulbah K. Morlu, Jr.

               National Chairman

INVESTING IN WOMEN AND GIRLS: NYC CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

New York (February 29, 2008): On Thursday, March 6, a coalition of organizations—including The Hunger Project, St. Bartholomew’s Church, the UN Division for the Advancement of Women, UNIFEM and the Women’s Media Center—will celebrate International Women’s Day at one of the only public events in New York City outside the United Nations system.

The theme of this year’s celebration is investing in women and girls, with a strong focus on financing for gender equality.

Women bear almost all responsibility for meeting basic needs of the family, yet are systematically denied the resources, information and freedom of action they need to fulfill this responsibility. Women work two-thirds of the world's working hours, yet they earn one-tenth of the world's income and own less than 1% of the world's property. Currently, only 0.1% of bilateral international aid is targeted specifically for the empowerment of women and girls.

Yet, when women are empowered and supported, all of society benefits. Research has shown that investing in women yields faster economic growth, increased agricultural production, improved health for children, less malnutrition, and more boys and girls in school.

The March 6^th event will bring together the diverse community in New York City that shares a commitment to gender equality. Participants will express solidarity with women around the world and raise awareness about the importance of investing in women’s programs. Speakers include:

·                                                        Helen LaKelly Hunt, Founder and President of The Sister Fund, a private women's foundation dedicated to the social, political, economic, and spiritual empowerment of women and girls;  

·                                                        Amy Goodman, the host and executive producer of Democracy Now!, a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program airing on over 650 TV and radio stations in North America; and

·                                                        Khaliah Ali, an Emmy Award-nominated talk show host, author, fashion designer of her own clothing line, and supporter of many charitable causes, and the daughter of former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali.

There will also be performances by La!Quartet, the Def Dance Jam Workshop and Joanna Rush and Ex-Rockettes.

In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. Since then, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration. In 1975, the United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day.

The event is on Thursday, March 6 from 7:00-8:30pm, followed by a reception, at St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue between 50^th and 51^st Streets in New York City . It is open to the public, free of charge. For more information, visit www.womensdaynyc.org.

For media inquiries, contact Anastasia Andrzejewski at 212-251-9129 or aha@thp.org . 

 

THE  MONROVIA MUNICIPAL  WATCH

vigorously campaigning for the enhancing of Liberia’s municipalities…

Free Port, Bushrod Island

Monrovia, Liberia

Contact: 04-912-108

 

22 February 2008            

 

Appreciating the MCC’s ‘Monrovia Day’ clean-up campaign, a welcome gesture

 

We wish to congratulate the leadership of the Monrovia City Corporation under the inspiration of its Mayor, Mrs. Ophelia Hoff Saytumah for its continuous face-lift exercise of the municipality of Monrovia.

 

We are especially gratified by the positive actions of the corporation during the observance of the legislatively enacted “Monrovia Day” program. Unlike its predecessors, the incumbent government of the city of Monrovia acted in the interests of the municipality when it chose to launch a massive cleanup-campaign of Monrovia instead of the lavish festivities that usually characterized the occasion.

 

Much more interesting, the overwhelming involvement of the entire leadership in this necessary cleanup exercise is a graphic indication that Liberia has begun to produce leaders who posses the ardent desire to improve the living standards and community welfare of its people. The fact that Mayor Saytumah and her staff practically participated in this city-wide venture that gave shine to the borough of Congo Town, Central Monrovia, Clara Town, the Free Port area, Logan Town, and Duala, is a monumental achievement waiting to be appraised by all Liberians.

 

Our camera captured Mrs. Ophelia Hoff Saytumah, the Mayor who challenged the scorching sun to give Monrovia a face-lift…

 

Besides, a few months ago, we took the World Bank to task for the slow-pace of the cleanup process which was, in fact, due to local-contractor agencies’ unsuitable methods and mode of execution. Even though the then executing partners hired by the World Bank were not able to successfully complete the project,  the intervention and vigorous input generated by the combined force of the Environmental and Sanitation department, and the General Services section of the Monrovia City Corporation headed by Mrs. .Karine Flowers Morris, deserves the deepest appreciation.

 

In this vein, we especially appreciate the World Bank’s expenditure of nine million United Sates dollars on its solid waste management program in Liberia.  Though challenges remain high, we are glad that the City Corporation of Mrs. Ophelia Hoff Saytumah has created an environmentally friendly mechanism that allows contractors to relief Monrovia of its filths through the daily haulage of solid waste to the over 120 disposal sites. With such vibrant collaboration existing between the World Bank and the City Corporation, we are certain that, at long last, residents of Monrovia will appreciate an environment free of hazards and pollution.

 

In observance of “Monrovia Day”, all workers of the Corporation were actively engaged in a city-wide clean-up campaign… we encourage community-based groups to also get involved

 

Along this municipally progressive route, the UNDP will be remembered as a good friend. Amongst previous logistical contributions, its (the UNDP) US$111,000.00 funded bulldozer granted through the World Bank for use by local implementing agencies has proven very helpful. Again, though UNDP-selected contractors have had their own difficulties which affected their implementation time sketch, the MCC’s last-minute-to-time involvement in maximizing the use of this highly sophisticated machine that transports wastes to sanitary land fill sites, adds to our national hygienic boost.  

 

Finally, we cannot leave out the joint-venture approach of the Monrovia City Corporation, and the International labor Organization (ILO) in their micro solid waste projects. The launching of this project, which mobilized 10 communities as implementing partners, is a positive step in the right direction; and we are further impressed by the fact that  each of these ten communities stands to benefit from a US$2,500.00 cash support.

 

The cleanup campaign gave a shine to Central Monrovia, Bushrod Island and adjacent districts just before the arrival of the U.S President…other city governments must draw lessons from this initiative

 

Notwithstanding, in the midst of the efforts by the Monrovia City Corporation and its international partners, we believe there are still vital areas of concern that remain unaffected by any worthy initiative. Hence, we encourage the City Corporation and its international partners to begin a serious inspection campaign of latrine and other septic facilities so as to prevent the outbreak of a major epidemic that may disrupt the health and hygiene of our communities. In this way, as you are already doing, you would have contributed in no small terms the developmental agenda of the hard-working government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

 

 

Signed: __________________

              William R. Fassamah

              Executive Director    

 

 

TRC Diaspora outreach and statement-taking event on Staten Island, New York 
 see the complete activities schedule here 
 
Greetings!
 
SILCA (the Staten Island Liberian Community Association, Inc.) has declared February "TRC Community Outreach Month," and we are planning several events to educate local Liberians about the TRC process and encourage them to give their own statements. In order to make it a success, though, we need your help!
 
Next Saturday, February 23rd, we will be going door-to-door in teams of three (two volunteers and one community representative) in the Park Hill neighborhood of Staten Island to offer information about the TRC and assistance in setting up statement-taking interviews. Capping off a day of outreach, that evening we will be screening a film called "Truth in Translation" about the South African TRC public hearings and showing a brief video about statement-taking here in the U.S. We will also be showing slides from recent public hearing events in Liberia and exhibiting posters of pictures and testimonies of recent witnesses.
 
We are looking for (1) volunteers to team up with community representatives to go door-to-door to offer information about the TRC, and (2) statement-takers to be on hand during the day to take statements. All of the activities will take place right in Park Hill, a compact neighborhood that won't require much traveling (once you're there), or even time outdoors (most people live in apartment buildings). Anyone interested in volunteering to go door-to-door will be given review materials (including a "crib sheet" of commonly-asked questions with suggested answers) and be invited to Q&A session next Friday, February 22nd at Fried Frank in Manhattan, where Ahmed Sirleaf from The Advocates for Human Rights will be on hand to give information and suggestions about how to answer people's questions about the TRC. Mr. Sirleaf will also be on hand during the outreach event to answer questions and give support.

Even if you are only available for part of the day, your help would be greatly appreciated! This is the biggest event we have organized so far, and the most important. Our hope is that this outreach will result in many more people agreeing to come forward and give their statements. We have only another couple of months in which to collect statements, so reaching people now is critical.
 
Are you available and interested in participating? We would love to hear from you.
 
Below is a more detailed list of the events -- please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
 
Thank you!
Sara
 
P.S. Please forward this email to people who you think may be interested in participating and who are committed to the success of the Liberia TRC.
 
Events details:
 
Friday, February 22nd, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Introductions, discussion, and Q&A for outreach volunteers with Ahmed Sirleaf, Program Coordinator of the Liberia TRC Diaspora Project at the Advocates for Human Rights. We will discuss the next day's outreach efforts and answer any questions that the volunteers have. Food and refreshments to be served.
 
Friday, February 22nd, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Location: Wagner College, Staten Island
Jeremy Levitt lecture, "Liberia: America's Orphan, Africa's Hope." Representatives from the Liberian community on Staten Island will be there, and brief remarks will be made by one of their community leaders. Ahmed Sirleaf will also describe the work of the TRC and give an update on the recent public hearings.
 
Saturday, February 23rd, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location: Park Hill neighborhood of Staten Island
Canvassing of residences and businesses in the Park Hill neighborhood of Staten Island. Canvassing will be done by teams of three (two volunteers and one community representative), and statement-takers will be on hand at community centers in the area to take statements. Statements that are not able to be taken immediately can be scheduled for a later time.
 
Saturday, February 23rd, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Location: Park Hill neighborhood of Staten Island
Screening of short video about statement-taking for the Liberian TRC in the U.S., and screening of film, "Truth in Translation" about the South African TRC public hearings. Discussion afterwards to be led by Ahmed Sirleaf and community leaders. Food will be served.
 
.....................
 
Sara Tollefson
Associate, Litigation Department
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
One New York Plaza
New York, NY 10004-1980
 
tel (212) 859-8954
fax (212) 859-8584

SPECIAL STATEMENT RELEASED ON THE ACCUSATION MADE

AGAINST THE STANDARD BEARER OF THE CONGRESS FOR

DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (CDC).

Monday, November 12, 2007

 

Today brings to attention the true nature of a handful of thugs, lots and gangs who lack the moral rectitude and face in the Liberian society. These handfuls of men acting under the sunshade of opinion leaders in the Congress of Democratic Change (CDC) have embarked upon a smear campaign, not only against our Standard Bearer Amb. George M. Weah but also the National Leadership of the CDC.

 

Mr. McDonald Wento who was thrown out of the CDC for fraud, incitement and rebellion has again embarked upon his inherent criminal trait by using miscreants, mendicants and mediocres like Forum for the Establishment of War Crimes Court Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu to defame the hard earned character of Amb. Weah and the CDC leadership.

 

The life draft of War Crimes Court Mulbah is beset with disappointment and contradictions. At one point in time Mulbah became an evangelist for a church in the Gardnersville community and was said to have been involved in a sex scandal that led to a pregnancy that he heatedly denied. This embarrassment, pair with his religious defense for former Liberian dictator, Mr. Charles Taylor landed him into trouble with his congregation. He had to seek exile in Ghana. While in Ghana, the Mulbah teamed up with one Pastor Bah on the Buduburum refugee camp and earned the religious title ‘General’. General Morlu who resided in the home of his fiancée Memunah chose to beg her consideration for him to go into matrimony with a lady he met on the internet. The consideration was granted and General Morlu went ahead to marry Queen Sheba, an American and a victim of the September Eleven bombing in the United States of America.

 

Waterlogged into desperation and utter poverty, General Morlu in his religious garment envisaged this marriage as a redemptive path for his state of grunginess. The marriage was enchanting, as Buduburum became a center of desirability for General as those who know him from Ghana call him. He used this marriage for the establishment of Queen Sheba Foundation that was intended to help impoverished and war affected Liberians seek greener pasture in the USA. Under this gambit, millions of cedes were extorted from both Liberian refuges and Ghanaians.

 

This long-winded journey to the USA became an optical illusion and disgruntlement was soon to set in as deluge of calorific outburst engulfed the General and Pastor Bah. For safety of his life, General Morlu kept from the camp and took refuge in Accra. While in Accra, Ghana, General Morlu got in contact with Representative Dusty Wolokollie who encouraged and helped him to be in Liberia today. General Morlu made a commitment to work with Representative Wolokollie and his party, the Liberian People’s Party (LPP). After collecting few cash from the representative, Mulbah became an out of the ordinary in the hands that fed him.

 

At this juncture, General Morlu began lobbying with stalwarts of the Liberian Action Party (LAP) to serve in the public relations area. To further buttress this point, Mulbah was live on a talked show hosted on Power FM when a female caller from the offices of Cllr. Varney Sherman acrimoniously referred to him as one who went to LAP in search of becoming part of their public relations bureau and succeeded in getting some funds. General Morlu this time headed an advocacy group named and styled ‘’Progressive Action for Change’’ (PAC) that charged Cllr. Sherman and LAP for pre-campaign activities. Again, Mulbah became a deviant to the hands that fed him. Today PAC is a dead concept due to Mulbah’s incessant piggish attitude and faux pas.

 

No sooner, General Morlu emerged on the mesmeric grounds of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC). As we drove towards convention in the city of Buchanan, internal political tension for the chairmanship of the party got heated up.  The interim chairman L. Horatio Gould faced serious opposition from Mr. Jacob Kabakolle. Morlu was again seen at the cynosure of this political debate.  On one occasion, he blended Gould as ‘’the devil from hell’’ and in few days he was seen with Gould and this time chanting the slogan ‘’Jake the snake,’’ an epithet given to Mr. Jacob Kabakolle by Mulbah. Both the hands of Gould and Kabakollie fed him but Mulbah care less to retrospect.

 

At the primaries that qualified applicants to run on the ticket of the CDC in the general and presidential elections, Mulbah received a devastating whip by Montserrado District #8 Representative Dave Koomey. Being frustrated by this genuine whip, Mulbah went on to the party’s convention vowing for the Assistant Secretary General position in the National leadership. Again, the delegates punished him with their votes.

 

As the 2005 general and presidential elections got on its way, Mulbah with the expression of pity beg to operate with Madam Cooper who was elected to head the Press Bureau of the CDC. It was at this point General Morlu was instructed to go on series of operations but to the dismay of his co-workers he began a solo operation. The campaign was ended and we went on to protest the result. We took the cadres, women, elders, lawmakers and revolutionaries with us in the match and the strategy was for C. Mike Doryen (Montserrado Chairman), Sidiki Fofana (National Youth League Chairman), some lawmakers, few elders, the women league and others to keep the peaceful protest in the thematic order of non-jungle justice. Amb. Weah kept reminding us of the legal path which was to take our case to the National Election Commission, the commission whose head, Cllr. Francis Johnson Morris was accused of stealing “the cookies from the cookies jar”. There was serious political tension throughout the 38,000 sq miles of the nation-state Liberia, disarmament has just ended, emotions were high, and the pronounced victors of the presidency and her partisans were not celebrating, as celebration is an integral part of election victory.

 

Many of our partisans kept the pressure on us to reject a Sirleaf Presidency since she also did same to the late Samuel Doe and Charles Taylor. Some of our collaborators kept quiet, while others demanded a final statement from Amb. Weah. By this time, we were on our way to the Supreme Court and the Liberians state was experiencing bitter exchanges amongst it inhabitants. Amb. Weah is not only a politician and a former soccer legend but we have all extol him as a peacemaker, the reconciler and the true unifier. With these attributes compatriots James Kollie, Samuel D. Tweah, Mulbah K. Morlu and the rest of the CDCEANS kept the most so-called educated elites in our society running for their money.

 

Understanding the history of the after effects of presidential elections in our country, coupled with the path of blood bath and extreme devastation, we met as leaders of our party with many of our allies and debated. The forum included Dr. Tipoteh, the late Baccus Matthew, Professor Alhaji G.V. Kromah, and Amb. Weah, the CDC leadership and General Morlu who was privileged to have been taken in by Amb. Weah. The forum was climaxed with a consensus to abandon any further legal or political action. The next day Amb. Weah spoke to the press on our decision to save the Liberian state and move on with our lives. We all applauded him as a true patriot and nationalist but today as hunger and hardship have engulfed militant Mulbah, he has decided to become a bag boy to the misfits and detractors of our noble institution.

 

It is unfortunate that a piteous boy like general Morlu would become so susceptible and go astray to begin alleging that the Government of Nigeria gave three million United States dollars to the Standard Bearer of the CDC to abandon the court action.

 

If there is one Liberian who has a history of defending Hon. Edwin Melvin Snowe and referencing President Sirleaf as a ‘rebel president’, the name Mulbah K. Morlu will take superlative over all others. There are available recordings, newspaper articles and internet reports to show how Mulbah went on the extreme to defend Hon. Snowe. When did General Morlu get to know that Weah traded this position? Is it after he took thugs to the Unity Conference Center to attack the representatives or after he sold Hon. Snowe’s computer and can no more see the honorable man in person.

 

 For the speaker’s election, Hon. Edwin Melvin Snowe had an absolute numerical advantage as lawmakers from every political institution saw him as the messiah. Even the initial fifteen representatives of CDC could never hold as a bloc. We were found in a catch 22 situation and had to live with this bizarre by taking the two immediate deputies to former House Speaker Snowe.

 

Two months ago General Morlu insulted Hon. Snowe, the hands that fed him and today he has turned on the one he described as ‘’God Sent’’ and ‘’manna” for Manneh, the middle name of Amb. Weah.

 

Today, the Forum for the Establishment of War Crimes Court exists in theory but it remains a pragmatic dead end. Many Liberians embraced this idea as a stand-in to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee but ironically General Morlu is on record to have signed a joint statement with ex-fighters and seeing in open parade with some ex-AFL soldiers which landed him behind bars twice. To have him released, I had to personally get Amb. Weah involve in demanding his right to trial and asking the up led Government to respect his human rights.

 

As Mulbah K. Morlu remains in a desperate search for political asylum and being the stooge and creature of his creators like the mediocre Wentor and few invisible hands, we will intellectually resist unprincipled men using the CDC as a vehicle for pre-eminence.

 

Let our friends in the media be cautious that Mulbah K. Morlu and his cohorts are not executives of the CDC and they lack the moral rectitude and political authority they claim to have. The Congress for Democratic Change will be jealously sheltered by its partisans and the few detractors in our midst who think that they will halt the forward march of this party will be sent into deep hole.

 

 

Signed: _________________________

               Acarous M. Gray

               National Assistant Secretary General, CDC

 

 

8 November 2007

 

Fellow partisans of the Vanguard Congress for Democratic Change;

Members of the Independent media;

The general public;

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen;

 

Barely three years since the derivation of the Congress for Democratic Change, it is saddening to note the wanton controversies and discrepancies the party has been subjected to as a result of the dictatorial and ‘remote-control’ leadership style of a few highly-place executives.

 

Unfortunately, on the national level, the suffering masses of our cherished republic had to endure such unwanted and draconian leadership style that translated into the political bloodletting that spelled the many years of anarchy and lawlessness witnessed by all. Badly enough, the dictatorship and tyranny of a few power-diehards reflected the brutal deaths and destruction of over two hundred thousand innocent souls, leaving behind a history written in blood.

 

 Consequently, after the cessation of hostilities, with relative peace and security good enough for the holding of General and Presidential elections, pluralistic Liberians thought

It was about time to change the spiral of Liberia’s bewitched oligarchic political order by embracing a multicultural democratic strategy.

 

This strategic political agenda was to be named and styled the Congress for Democratic Change, a party metamorphosed to serve as a bastion of hope for the hopeless, a corridor of recovery for the downtrodden and, an institution of redemption to unshackle and break loose the chains of enslavement fastened around the proverbial ankles of the masses bloc. Beyond, as per its meaning, ideology and philosophy, the Congress for Democratic Change was birthed to play an alternative political party, a role that would inspire the movement to reflect the qualities befitting a good democratic institution.

 

This was the mindset of thinkers of this noble party for which Ambassador George Weah was privileged to serve as its first Standard Bearer.

 

However, contrary to the overwhelming expectations of the macrocosm of partisans of the CDC, the George Weah leadership style and undemocratic posturing is fast creating enormous set backs to the party’s victory march.

 

As such, his lack of respect for the bylaws and constitution of the party, like his single-handed decision to prevent the party from pursuing legal redress at the Supreme Court in the CDC/NEC election fraud case, where it is still widely alleged that he (George Weah) took a three million dollars bribe; his personal committing of the entire institution to the support of Edwin Snowe during the 2006 Speaker’s election; his selfish decision to trade support for the Liberian Action Party during the erstwhile Nimba County bye-election, a bargain that allegedly netted Mr. Weah more than fifteen thousand dollars and; quite recently, his decision to perpetuate his antidemocratic tendencies when, during a welcome program at the party’s headquarters, he announced plans to remain Standard Bearer of the CDC “always”, constitute an evil pattern that threatens the viability of the party.

 

Besides, that Ambassador Weah, in a telephone interview yesterday conducted on King’s F.M Radio, will declare open support for the unconstitutional expulsion of a prominent member of the CDC, to the extent that he degenerated into castigating fellow party members, deserves the strongest condemnation.

 

In furtherance, whilst we appraise Mr. Weah as a distinct member of the CDC, it is in his interest and in the interest of the party that he desist from making counterproductive statements that have the proclivity to bring the party to total disrepute.

 

Lastly, we hereby call on the National Executive Committee of the CDC to set a timetable for the holding of the Party’s National Congress and primary, a necessary forum required to curtail the mammoth constitutional violations being perpetuated by some misguided party executives. To these things, we are completely flabbergasted at the party’s refusal to call this all important National Congress, which cannot be compromised owing to the total overhaul the party stands in need of.

 

 

Signed:

 

Mulbah K. Morlu, jr.,

 

Stalwart, CDC

 

African Movies & Books

THE HUNGER  PROJECT-XL RESULTS FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED AT
2007 CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE*

*New York** (26 September 2007): At the 3rd annual Clinton Global Initiative meetings, a $5 million (USD) commitment by XL Foundation to The Hunger Project will be announced today. *This commitment will enable The Hunger Project to expand its strategy for ending hunger in rural India. The strategy empowers the rural women elected to serve on local village councils/ /with a support structure that includes ongoing trainings (skill-building, leadership, legal rights, local government law), mobilizing the support of media and civil society, and building federations for policy reforms at the state and national level. **

The $5 million contribution over five years from the XL Results Foundation will build the capacity and enhance the decision-making power of 50,000 elected women leaders whose actions in turn will affect the lives of 15 million villagers. It will help mobilize local action campaigns to improve health, education, nutrition and family income in partnership with elected village councils. This major financial contribution will also support alliance building to advocate for policy reform. It will track, document and widely publicize the progress being achieved in a large sample of these villages

Development experts agree that when women have voice in their villages, they alter the development agenda to address the critical issues of meeting basic needs and to confront harmful cultural practices. Joan Holmes, President of The Hunger Project has said: "Women in local government shift the development agenda towards meeting basic human needs. They also take on harmful cultural practices like dowry, domestic violence, child marriage and child labor. They empower other women to know their rights. Empowered women begin to transform gender relations and call into question the deeply entrenched patriarchal system. I've seen it work. I've seen what these women can do."

Roger Hamilton, Chairman of the XL Group commented "The Clinton Global Initiative exists to tackle the toughest issues of our time and clearly hunger and poverty are top of that list. The Pioneer Club is about bringing practical results for real problems and we are proud to partner with The Hunger Project in working toward the sustainable end of world hunger."

The Hunger Project is an international NGO that works in partnership with grassroots women and men in more than 22,000 villages across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America to sustainably end their own hunger. It is on the roster of the UN Economic and Social Council, and has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

The XL Results Foundation, led by Roger Hamilton, is Asia's largest entrepreneur network, with 60,000 entrepreneurs across Asia, and operations in China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and USA.

The Clinton Global Initiative is a non-partisan project which brings together a community of global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.

For more information about The Hunger Project visit www.thp.org and for more information about XL Results Foundation visit www.resultsfoundation.com

 

Presidential appointment of mayors and chiefs, a constitutional violation

August 31, 2007

 

Press Release

The political history of the nation state Liberia has been plagued with gross disrespect for the constitution by leaders who should be the ultimate defender of the law. Today the Sirleaf led administration has shown no difference as the Executive Mansion is seeking appointment for elected position.

 

The constitution of Liberia is clear on the issue of holding municipal and chieftain elections. Instead of President Sirleaf and her administration fulfilling and upholding the Supreme Law of the state, they have chosen to request the formation of an ephemeral alliance with the Legislature.

 

The President's request to the Legislature to have her appoint mayors and chiefs is a smart way of justifying her abuse of the law. The National Legislature should be cognizant of this clandestine and hidden agenda of the Executive which seeks to contradict the principles of good governance.

 

Liberia can not afford to have an imperial president with few oligarchs sitting at the pinnacle of authority, while the rest of the populations remain isolated. This theory of political isolation which fomented a serious participatory crisis in our land must be vehemently condemned by all lovers of democracy.

 

I therefore call on the National Legislature to reject President Sirleaf request as her action is tantamount to perjury, by ignoring the oath administered to her in upholding and defending the constitution of Liberia.

 

A presidential appointment of mayors and chiefs will not only be a constitutional violation but will signal a bad omen of dictatorial rule and justification for evading future election.

 

            Signed: Acarous M. Gray
            amgray27@yahoo.com

        ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL

        CONGRESS FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE

      

 

 

ALLIANCE OF RIGHTS GROUPS FOR THE PROMOTION OF PEACE AND DEMOCRACY IN LIBERIA

24TH STREET, SINKOR

MONROVIA, LIBERIA

CELL: 077268265

 

PRESS STATEMENT

(For immediate release) August 13, 2007

 

 

On Plans to appoint Madam Mary Broh as Mayor of the City of Monrovia

 

 

Ladies and gentlemen;

 

We congratulate the Liberian people, the International Community and the various United Nations’ systems for the appreciable successes made in the direction of the total democratization of Liberia, a necessary component required to move us away from the painful past in pursuit of a lasting culture of peace.

 

In this regard, we believe the 2005 ‘General and presidential elections’, was a critical factor which successful holding bears testimony to the prevalence of relative peace and stability in our country today.

 

In furtherance, we are of the conviction that the Liberian people and the international community, understand that that ‘General and Presidential Elections’ cannot be a completed success story except a defined democratic mechanism is put in place for the holding of a free, fair and transparent municipal and chieftaincy elections as called for by law.

 

We also believe the constitutionality of these elections as stated supra, was a major energy source leading to the holding of the October, 2006 Buchanan Forum themed the “Consultative Roundtable Conference on the Holding of Chieftaincy and Municipal Elections…”

 

It is our view that these (2 days) Buchanan Forums on “Municipal and Chieftaincy Elections” and their subsequent resolutions reached, offer the best practical road map for the holding of elections. Most interestingly, that a Special Joint Stakeholder Collaborative Committee (SJSCC)) was set up to delimitate and demarcate intra controversial chiefdoms and municipalities, deserves profound commendations.

 

And that said committee is now holding consultative meetings with local chiefs and opinion leaders with intent to correcting any technical or legal deficiency in the legal statues of chiefdoms/municipalities is a well injected dose which is sure to revive the arteries of our nurturing democracy.

 

Interestingly, having carefully investigated political details emanating from the office of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, we have solid grounds to believe that there are plans to have Madam Mary Broh, Director of Passports at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, appointed as Mayor of Monrovia.

 

This alleged strategy, if instituted, will not only violate “count one” of the Buchanan Resolution which concludes that “…those currently holding chieftaincy and municipal positions must remain in office until their successors are duly elected and inducted into office…”, but equally runs diametrical to the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which makes it clear that the appointing power of the President does not extend to positions which, by law, are subject to elections. 

 

Besides, though Madam Broh, a very close friend of President Sirleaf, enjoys Presidential favors, it is unfathomable that her appointment as Mayor will be contemplated in view of the fact that, amongst other things, her chaired Broad Street Road Beautification project operated in sharp contrast to the policies of the then Contract and Monopoly Commission.

 

Finally, we wish to sound an early warning that any plan to appoint Madam Mary Broh, or any other person as Mayor of the Municipality of Monrovia will be unconstitutional, thereby undermining the timely holding of planned elections. Consequently, we will vehemently oppose such political tactics and call on the designers to disengage and lend their support to the timely holding of municipal and chieftaincy elections as called for by the constitution of the Republic.

 

Signed: __________________

              Mulbah K. Morlu, Jr.

                     Chairman

 

FORUM FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WAR CRIMES COURT IN LIBERIA

- THE ANTI-WAR ADVOCACY WING OF THE PROGRESSIVE ACTION FOR CHANGE

1^ST STREET, SINKOR

MONROVIA, LIBERIA

06626209

Email: war_crimes_liberia@yahoo.com

4 June 2007

 

THE JULY 13^TH ANTI-CORRUPTION (NON-VIOLENT) DEMONSTRATION, TO CALL FOR THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF

  

Consistent with our campaign to curtail impunity by bringing to justice saboteurs and perpetrators of socioeconomic crimes undermining our moral and legal standards, signal a zero tolerance against “systemic” corruption in the current regime, ensure prosecution for public officials alleged to have carried out documented cases of serious human rights abuses, and ascertain the existence of the rule of law, we hereby declare a non-violent public demonstration on July 13^th, 2007, intended to call for the resignation of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her bench of cabinet officials. The march begins in front of the BW Harris Episcopal High School at 8AM.

 

In that direction, we continuously hold to the belief that our fight for the establishment of a hybrid criminal tribunal for Liberia to investigate war criminals must be conducted alongside our fight against injustice and corruption that is so rampant under the current regime.

 

 And based on an objective appraisal of the Liberian situation, we see no evidence that Liberians will continue to enjoy peace if the abuse of incumbency and other gross discrepancies being carried out by government officials are not dealt with.

 

Further, you will remember that on 15 April 2007, we, as a member of an alliance of ‘Rights groups’ declared a policy of non-cooperation against the government of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her reluctance to bring to Justice Messrs Harry Greaves and others for corruption, Col. Chris Massaquoi and Ashford Peal, for the murder of Emmanuel Williams, et cetera. During that time, we were calling for the dismissal and prosecution of these and other individuals, some of whom have been promoted by the president’s office after committing such alleged heinous crimes.

 

For example, during our independent investigation into the death of Emmanuel Williams, we talked to family members of the deceased as well as a member of the Special Security Services present during the shooting incidence at the home of Col Chris Massaquoi. Interestingly, what we have gathered so far alleges that SSS personnel Emmanuel Williams may have been murdered for information he had that someone in the Service did not want leaked. Unfortunately, no court action has been taken to establish accountability and responsibility for the brutal murder; instead, the two were just recently promoted.

 

On the other hand, while the judicial branch of government reveals major inadequacies, unimpeachable sources unveiled a complete network of chain corruption routines that continue to mercilessly swallow up poor taxpayers’ money without consideration to the excruciating plight of the suffering masses. Already, the United Nations panel on Liberia has declared the president’s anti-corruption drive a mere “lip service”, a statement that corroborates the Auditor General’s conclusion that “this government is three times more corrupt…”

 

With these unfortunate revelations of the callous abandon of accountability and transparency in government, the same elements said to be responsible for the outbreak of hostilities culminating into a 14-year civil war, we fear a return to the past. This is why such a peaceful demonstration calling for the resignation of president Sirleaf is necessary, seeing that she lacks the ability to break us free from the ugly past as far as leadership is concerned.

 

Lastly, the continuous disregard by the President to take concrete actions in the reported scandals at the LPRC, the Finance Ministry, the NPA, etc only lends credence to our initiative which is essential for the survival of a pluralistic democratic culture.

 

We therefore call on all Liberians to turn out en masse for this national event which seeks to bring together more than 25 thousand peaceful citizens across the country.

 

 

Signed: ___________________

              Mulbah K. Morlu, Jr.

                    CHAIRMAN

FORUM FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WAR CRIMES COURT IN LIBERIA

- THE ANTI-WAR ADVOCACY WING OF THE PROGRESSIVE ACTION FOR CHANGE

1^ST STREET, SINKOR

MONROVIA, LIBERIA

06626209

Email: war_crimes_liberia@yahoo.com

4 June 2007

 

Press Release (For immediate release)

 

Declaration of a three day hunger strike against the unconstitutional and corrupt practices in the government of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

  

We once again bring profound greetings of peace to all Liberians as we look forward to the successful building of a wholesome functioning democracy in Liberia, a necessary exponent required for the birthing of a pluralistic and multicultural habitat for all of our people.

 

In that direction, we do not believe