Frontpage: Neyor Threatens Suit Against Nocal

TOP
STORIES
Legislative
Beat
pg 8
Crime Watch
HASTY
OIL SALE
pg 8
CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA
KIDNAPPER
ARRESTED
MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES

LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR
But Police Tightlipped

On Identity
Legislature to Ratify Block 16
BUYING
FrontPage

L$82.00/US$1
L$83.00/US$1
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2014
L$82.00/US$1
L$83.00/US$1
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014
L$82.00/US$1
L$83.00/US$1
TUESDAY,DECEMBER 9, 2014

These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of

the foreign exchange market in Monrovia and its environs. The
rates are collected from the Forex Bureaux and the commercials
banks. The rates are not set by the Central Bank of Liberia.
Source:
Research, Policy and Planning Department,
Central Bank Liberia,
Monrovia, Liberia
www.frontpageafricaonline.com
PRICE L$40
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014
VOL 8 NO.744
SELLING
ON THE SALE OF FOUR OIL BLOCKS IN MIDST OF EBOLA OUTBREAK
NEYOR THREATENS
SUIT AGAINST NOCAL
It is a pity that not only were these oil blocks sold in the midst of the Ebola epidemic and against the
opposition of a cross section of the citizenry but the entire sale process was illegal under the prevailing
New Petroleum Law of Liberia adopted June of 2012. - Dr. Christopher Z. Neyor
Petroleum News - pg.5
LIBER IA VOTES 2014 - YOUR GUIDE TO THE 2014 SENATOR IAL ELECTIONS
SMOOTH SAILING
FOR PYJ?
p 6
Incumbency Factor Favors Nimba County Senator

GETTING READY
FOR 2017
Liberia Transformation Party Kennedy

Sandy Resigns With Eyes On Presidency
Your Vote is your Voice Vote your Nation & Vote Right
p 7

Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Page 2 | Frontpage
Monrovialaims and counter claims continue to pile up ahead of

Saturdays Senatorial elections in Liberia.
Already parties to the Montserrado County
Senatorial race have started trading accusations and
counteraccusations about possible attempts to cheat during the
election.
For days now reporters have surfaced alleging that some candidates
have been buying voters registration cards from vulnerable
constituents, a situation that was also reported during the 2005
election when the Unity Party of eventual winner President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf and her supporters were accused of buying voters
registration cards of young electorates perceived to be diehard
followers of George Weah of the CDC.
Sirleaf later in 2012 admitted that some of her followers did
unorthodox things during the 2005 elections to help her win.
While visiting the United States Sirleaf said some Liberian women
cheated to help her in the 2005 election race against Weah.
President Sirleaf at the time said that some women market-sellers
in Monrovia prevented their sons from voting in the 2005 elections
because they were afraid the young men would vote for Weah.
"Knowing then that they had young sons who would all be the
followers of one of the young candidates, they took all their voter
cards from them in the night to make sure that they were not able
to go to vote," said Sirleaf.
The president also said "They (the women) even did some
unorthodox things, as they confessed to me later on ... and I can
say it now since I am not running again."
Eventually, Weah came in first in the first round but was defeated
in the second round by Madam Sirleaf who got 56 percent of the
vote while Weah received 46 percent, according to NEC.
Weah and the CDC protested and result and staged street protest
but later abandoned their protest.
Events of 2005, 2011 linger
The opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) is once
again raising a red flag again describing as criminal and premature
what it terms as act by some individuals to print campaign
propaganda materials calling on partisans of the party not to turn
out to vote on Saturday, December 20, informing the public that
the CDC candidate has withdrawn from the competition.
According to Mr. Mulbah Morlu, Vice chairman for Operations
and Mobilization, a leaked election propaganda material printed
by some unknown individuals in the possession of the party is
quoting the party as calling on its partisans not to turn out to vote
on Election Day.
Mr. Morlu accused President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of sponsoring
the Propaganda materials against the CDC because in his words
she is desperate to ensure that her son is elected senator of
Montserrado County.
Morlu also claimed that some individuals using the name of the
CDC have printed T-Shirts bearing the party name rendering
support to the candidacy of Mr. Robert Sirleaf something he said
is criminal and has the propensity to encourage election violence.
The CDC official said: As we speak today we have in our
possession huge number of voter registration cards collected by
Mr. Eugene Nagbe youth and sports Minister and his Collaborator
Mr. Jacob Kabakollie at the Ministry of Youth and sports where
they have created a center there to collect voters cards in exchange
for money this is something we have said before and people
overlooked it.
He also claimed that it has being established that Minister Nagbe
and Kabakollie with support from Mr. Abraham Kromah deputy
police director for operation now have two cartoons of voters
cards collected from eligible voters in exchange for money.
Mr. Morlu also claimed that Minister Nagbe and his collaborators
are using the government funded Ministry of Youths and Sports
as a hub for the Robert Sirleaf campaign team something he says
violates the law governing the code of conduct for public officials.
The CDC executive also frowned on the decision by the National
Elections Commission to lift the ban on street parade days after
Mr. Sirleaf violated the regulation as deceptive and an important
Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com
For days now reporters have

surfaced alleging that some
candidates have been buying voters
registration cards from vulnerable
constituents, a situation that was also
reported during the 2005 election
when the Unity Party of eventual
winner President Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf and her supporters were
accused of buying voters registration
cards of young electorates perceived
to be diehard followers of George
Weah of the CDC.
coincidence that could suggest that the executive Branch of
government as always speculated is involved in arms twisting
with the NEC to make decision to favor candidate Robert Sirleaf.
He also claimed that the Robert Sirleaf campaign is using
economic strategies to compare employees at various public
agencies to wear Mr. Sirleaf Campaign shirt to turnout in their
numbers or lose their livelihood.
Baseless Accusations, Rob team says
Youth and Sports Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe, a member of the
Robert Sirleaf campaign team in a statement has described the
CDC claim as baseless and sophomoric.

It has come to my attention that the Executive Committee
of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), at a news
conference today, Tuesday once again spewed out its usual
baseless, sophomoric accusations which would not have merited
such response had our polity not been diluted by gullibility and
mediocrity, stated Nagbe.
Nagbe further added I am therefore constrained to respond to
the laughable accusations that voter registration cards are being
purchased at the Ministry of Youth and Sports and that a batch
of cards and other materials were seized at the Ministry by
Militants of the CDC. The allegations and vitriolic rhetoric are
totally untrue and are more of a reflection of the sorry state of
leadership at the CDC then they are an indictment of the Ministry.
According to Nagbe although he has announced his support for
Robert Sirleaf but stated that workforce of the Ministry of Youth
and Sports reflects all political parties.
Stated Nagbe Although I have announced my support for Mr.
Robert Sirleafs candidacy within my rights as a Liberian citizen,
the workforce of the Ministry is a reflection of all hues of our
national political dispensation partisans from all political parties
and persuasions, non-partisans all work here diligently under a
very professional atmosphere to deliver on our statutory mandate.
Nagbe said he will not distracted by what he termed paranoid
schemes by the CDC.
We will continue to focus on implementing solutions for the
manifold issues affecting the development of Liberian youths and
not be distracted by the paranoid schemes of this rudderless party
Nagbe declared.
In 2011, the CDC protested election results with a street protest
that led to a fracas between supporters of the party and state
security forces.
Live bullets were shot at protestors resulting to deaths and it
seems Liberians might be bracing for another rounds of protest
provided the necessary mechanisms are not put in place by NEC
to convince all sides that the elections were conducted free, fair
and transparent.
{L-R} A display of a poster bearing CDC logo pledging support to Sirleaf; Mr. Morlu displaying propaganda fliers calling on CDC partisans not to turnout to vote
Frontpage
Page 3
FrontPage COMMENTARY
EDITORIAL LIBERIA: BOOSTING FOOD
v
Commentary
A BIG THANK TO DR. ATAI

& THE UGANDAN DOCTORS
LIBERIA IS BIDDING fare thee well to Dr. Atai Umoruto and her
peers from the East African nation of Uganda who were brought in to
help Liberia fight off the deadly Ebola virus which has so far claimed
the lives of up to December 16, 2014, 6,841 people had been reported
as having died from the disease with the total number of reported
cases is more than 18,000.
THE THIRTEEN UGANDANS include Dr. AtaiOmoruto, Dr. Kaggwa
David, MadiraaKefa, Akugizibwe Rosemary, Waiswa Florence,
Komuhendo Judith, Kusemererwa Teddy, MukandirwaAsiat, Awilo
Sarah, Namutosi Catherine, NakayizaNakato- Annet, Candiga
Richard and Tony Walter Onena.
2014 BROUGHT UPON the West African sub-region, the worst ever
outbreak since scientists discovered the virus in 1976. The virus was
named after the Ebola River in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic
of the Congo (DRC).
TO DATE, THERE HAVE BEEN almost 20 outbreaks of the virus; in
the DRC, Sudan, Uganda and Gabon. In 2000 and 2001, around 425
people in Uganda were infected, four years later 149 people caught the
virus. Two further outbreaks were recorded in Uganda, but the total
the number of people infected with the virus was just over 30.
THIS IS WHY UGANDA answered the call when Liberia came
calling at the height of the outbreak in August, sending a team of
Ugandan doctors and health workers who were deployed by the World
Health Organization(WHO) to provide medical support for an Ebola
treatment centre in Monrovia.
THE TEAM came with vast experience in managing Ebola outbreaks,
having faced many cases of the disease since 2000.
WORKING IN SHIFTS, alongside their Liberian colleagues to
provide around the clock care and to help maintain strict infectioncontrol measures.
THAT THOSE doctors are bidding farewell to a nation turning the
corner on a deadly Ebola outbreak, speaks volume about the nature of
African solidarity.
DR. ATAI UMORUTO in particular has been a force, not just in
providing the basics to her Liberian peers but also looking out for their
welfare as well, pressing for benefits and other essentials for Liberian
health care workers, while stepping on the toes of some unhappy
campers in the Liberian government who advocated for her to be sent
back to Uganda.
AT A FAREWELL PROGRAM last Saturday, Dr. Atai said it was
nightmare when she first arrived in Liberia, to see dead bodies
everywhere even more than patients and health workers did not
to know what to do. I came in July, what I saw was dead bodies
everywhere, there were more dead bodies than patients, and nobody
seems to know what to do.
THIS IS WHY MANY including Montserrado District 13 Lawmaker
Rep. Saah Joseph, who attended the farewell ceremony expressed
shock that the Ugandan Doctors are leaving. Rep. Joseph whose
First Responders Ambulance were the first on the ground during the
high period of the Ebola outbreak has promised to write a letter the
Ministry of Health to ask the WHO why they are sending the Ugandan
Doctors away when Liberia has not been declared Ebola free. I will
really like for MOH to tell me why they are sending these Doctors
back when we still have Ebola in Liberia, they cant tell me there is no
money, I wont believe that, he said.
LIBERIA OWES a debt of gratitude to the people of Uganda and
those who came to Liberia during its darkest hour to help the country
battle what is inarguably the biggest epidemic ever to hit here.
THESE EXPERTS left their homes, their families and loved ones
to come to Liberias aid. At least two Ugandans died while helping
Liberia. DR. John Taban Dada, died October at a treatment center
on the outskirts of Monrovia, Liberia's capital while Dr. Samuel
Muhumuza Mutooro, died in July.
WE HOPE that those deaths would not be in vain and the expertise
of Dr. Atai and her colleagues would be passed on to Liberian
professionals.
LIBERIA AND LIBERIANS MUST never forget the contributions
of those who came to our aid, the Ugandans in particular came with
a mission of goodwill to aid fellow Africans and even dying in the
process. For this, we must honor and pay homage, they deserve the
highest honor Liberia has, because they came to our aid and helped to
save lives when we needed help the most.
SECURITY IN THE MIDST OF EBOLA

Francis W. Nyepon, fnyepon@aol.com, ducorwaste@aol.com; Contributing Writer
iberias Agricultural Sector is in an appallingly worrying

state due to the lack of vision, mismanagement, careless
investment priority and deficient capacity. Over 3.5
million Liberians or 8 in every 10 persons lack adequate
food for a healthy and active life. Liberia is one of the least foodsecure countries in the world, with a ranking of 182 out of 187
according to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Our
agricultural growth is stalled because we depend too heavily on
subsidized imports to feed our people. For instance, over 70%
of our food including 93% of our rice is imported. We cannot
grow sufficient food to feed ourselves because those who manage
the sector lack the require vision to transform it; while others
seem too scared to take decisive action because of job security
and preoccupation with politics. As a result, bold, daring and
courageous policy initiatives needed to transform the sector are
caught up in politics and self-interest.
In addition, farmers are not encouraged to either contribute
to improving the sector or reorganizing it to guarantee that
productivity increases. Instead, the overwhelming majority of
farmers are left to fend for themselves. According to the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), between 82 to
92 percent of Liberian farmers live in extreme poverty without any
possibility of upward social mobility in the next 50 years if things
continue as they are. Likewise, ensuring transformative success
in Liberian agriculture would require that farmers be given an
opportunity to actively engage policymakers or challenge policies
that are disadvantageous to them or to the country becoming selfsufficient in food production.
When these factors are paired with the effects of Ebola, many
Liberians are driven unnecessarily into hunger and unbearable
poverty as a result. Additionally, combined these factors with bad
roads, dismal transportation system, higher food prices, decline
in farming activities and restrictions in cross-border agriculture
trade along with limitations in inter-country food supply routes;
then, one can envision the severity of the distress, which plagues
Liberias productive agricultural sector and causes it to be stalled.
Ebola has made growing, trading, purchasing and obtaining food
extremely difficult for millions of Liberians. It has caused poor
crop yields on the one hand. On the other hand, it has caused
tremendous dependency on donors to supply the country with
food. Moreover, the situation has been exacerbated and made more
complex by the extreme poverty that exists in the country.
Existing Socioeconomic vulnerabilities require a new vision. An
analysis by the WFP concludes that over three and one half million
Liberians are currently having difficulty getting food because of
Ebola and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. And, the situation could
get worse if bold new food policies arent immediately introduced
to effectively deal with the situation. This authors visit to the
heartland observed the planting season without regular agricultural
activities taking place or being performed in a meaningful way
to yield results. Indisputably, in 2015, there will be substantial
shortage and higher prices for food due to disruptions in the
agricultural sector that has been compounded by Ebola.
The Ebola crisis can certainly be used to grow Liberias
productive agricultural sector in order to enhance productivity
and assemble the skill sets needed to guarantee recovery and
reform the sector in a more holistic manner. Recent visits by
this author to five counties, two of which were the countrys
breadbasket, reveal some shocking indicators that do not help in
supporting and promoting food security. During these visits, the
author observed severe disruption in the sector with vital farming
activities severely reduced. For instance, families that comprise
the majority of small-scale farmers were staying away from their
farms due to Ebola. Similarly, cross-border agriculture trade and
inter-country food supply routes with Guinea, Sierra Leone and the
Ivory Coast were disrupted. Likewise, transportation was a major
stumbling block in transferring food to market. Equally, the roads
that connected farms to markets were cordoned off; while, crucial
passageways that link major commercial centers of trade to the
people, were appalling and atrocious. The author also discovered
entire sections of the border in Bong, Nimba, River Gee, Grand
Gedeh, and Maryland severely barricaded, limiting or completely
being brought to a standstill cruelly suffocating critical social and
economic links.
The impact of Ebola on critical sectors of the economy, like
agriculture and food security can be remedied by homegrown
strategic policy alternatives. Agriculture, for all of its man-made
shortcomings in Liberia, can inevitably provide that comparative
advantage for sustainable development in terms of food security,
nutrition and health. Therefore, Liberia has this unique opportunity

to better harmonize and target food security as a prudent area for
obtaining real sustainable economic growth. However, policies
should be promulgated along with the appropriate vision to better
manage our resources in order to better lay-out an engaging
roadmap with direct implication for social expansion.
Restructuring the agricultural sector in the midst of Ebola could
boost food security in Liberia. The Ebola crisis presents a strategic
opportunity for Liberia to obtain greater food security. The
development and modernization of our agricultural sector can be
the catalyst and platform from which a successful roadmap can be
laid, and huge accomplishment in food security achieved within
3-5 years. In order to accomplish this goal, however, the following
should be considered:

First, we can improve our agriculture productivity
growth by employing a more skillful and visionary management
team at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Second, we can boost food security by decreasing our
dependence on imported foods; especially, rice.

Third, we need to implement innovative policy initiatives
to develop a pluralistic, decentralized, demand-driven and marketoriented system nation-wide and sector-wide.

Fourth, our government must painfully go out of
its comfort zone to encourage the participation of farmers
cooperatives and smallholder farmers in critical decision making
process to make the sector prosper in a more beneficial manner.

Fifth, we should employ a calculated strategy to
expand the purchasing power of vulnerable groups and local
communities through employment, training, capacity-building and
empowerment zones.

And, finally, the government needs to significantly invest
in the sector with a bold new initiative that allocates at least 15-20
percent of our annual national budget to the sector.
In addition, Liberias agricultural growth needs to be fuelled by
expanding cultivated areas in every county to enhance better
capacity to augment productivity. In addition, bold new investment
priorities, farm-to-market road networks should be prioritized,
along with building transportation hubs and transport services
to better facilitate the efficient movement of foods across the
country. Furthermore, bold new policy initiatives should guarantee
low interest loans and credit facilities for small-scale farmers to
purchase fertilizers and seeds, as well as, build irrigation and water
management systems. These are some of the superficial barriers,
which consistently deny Liberian farmers access to credit in order
to increase productive capacity.
These are the solutions and answers, which this author finds are
practical in addressing food insecurity in Liberia in the midst of
Ebola. Boosting food security in Liberia at this time is critically
important. Our agricultural sector needs vision, leadership and
bold new decision to move the sector forward in a holistic manner,
not recycled politicians and cronies who continue to run Liberias
agriculture sector amok. Social, economic and political disruptions
cannot continue to plague our country as they have done in the
past. Our leaders must now seize this opportunity to make Liberia
better by improving living standards, providing basic services, and
definitely insuring food security through adequate food production
for a healthy and active life for all Liberians. Liberias economy is
predominantly agrarian, yet our policymakers do not seem to truly
comprehend the magnitude of its impact on our society. Liberians
can do better. Liberians must do better. The failure to boost food
security is too grave to comprehend. If our leaders do not rise
to the occasion; then, the majority of Liberians will continue to
remain hopelessly disadvantaged, adversely deprived and linger in
abject poverty for generations.
For eight years, our annual budget was over half a Billion United
States Dollars. Yet, investment in our agriculture sector has been
under ten percent of the annual budget. As a consequence, there
have been minimal improvements in the sector rebuffing true
transformation from take place. Also, investing, monitoring and
evaluation of the sector were extremely weak during this past
eight years. This is because our government does not prioritized
food security as an important component of growth; therefore,
our high economic growth rate over the past eight years did not
yield tangible results for average Liberians, except for those wellconnected at the top. Living standards especially for farmers have
substantially dwindled to almost nothing. So, how can farmers
grow more food when they are severely challenged?
Page 4 | Frontpage
FrontPage
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB
COMMENTS FROM
FPA ONLINE
85 REDUX': LIBERIAN
PRESIDENT BITES THE
HAND THAT FED HER
LUSENE SHERIFF SANDTON, GAUTENG

Ohm, Liberia shall never return to the dark days when our leaders could do
whatever they wished. The sun has set in and darkness has vanished. This
president should learn lessons from the Arab Spring and take her cues from
the recent political showdonw in Burkina Fasso. Mind you, the youth are
awake and today's youth are far more awake than the youth of 30-40 years
ago. They are awake and not dangerous, but danger comes when leaders
begin to under-estimate the power of thier own population to demand and
enforce changes.
BLOJAY NATION TOP COMMENTER JANITORIAL SCHOOL
OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
Gongloe is correct on this one that any action affecting the conduct of
election should come of the NEC as the independent body solely responsible
to conduct and manage elections in Liberia. This consistent interruption of
election by both the executive and the court , so far, is chilling for our
struggling democracy.
SALIHO KENNEH TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT NEW
YORK, NEW YORK
Your Excellency the people of Liberia are tired of being pushed around.
Please for the sake of your grandkids and us please return to status quo
Henry C K Reeves Tuskegee University/Wayne State University
Your Point is misplaced! The most important point lies with the final
decision of the Liberian Supreme Court which will rule on the feasibility of
the Senatorial election to be held on 20 December 2014. Some of you think
you understand constitutional laws. Some of you criticised the president
for not acting quickly when the Ebola Virus first came into the country.
The security health of our people is at risk. That is the responsibility of the
president. You people forget the hash reality of the experiensed danger of
the Ebola epidemic. If you think the president's action is wrong take it to the
courts. I challenge you to do so.
ZAI ZAR-ZAR BARGBLOR TECHNION ISRAEL INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY
This is a good article, it contains pertinent information with reference to up
holding those principles that will ensure the discontinuity of past negative
attributes so common during previous administrations. The condemnation
of this practice is a good sign for the survival of Liberia's democracy.
BLOJAY NATION TOP COMMENTER JANITORIAL SCHOOL
OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
Really FPA! Is this a joke? "NO POLITICIAN in recent Liberian history
has worked so hard and fought so many battles with ruling establishments
than Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
PHIL GEORGE TOP COMMENTER
All she fought for has come to this: Prolific government corruption,
cronyism, incompetence and blatant abrogation of the constitution.
LIBERIAS DEMOCRACY
QUAGMIRE: STAY ORDER
ON EXECUTIVE ORDER
ZIONNEY (SIGNED IN USING YAHOO)

Liberia is teetering on the edge again....Timeline: 1979, 1980, 1985,
1989/1990-2003, than Ebola quite recently. Incompetence! Incompetence!
Incompetence! Lastly, just take a look at the senatorial candidates for
Montserrado County; needless do I mention the other counties. What a
shame!!!
BESTMAN JUDUE WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY
I'm not a proponent of the Sirleaf's administration, but must point out that
all of this mess was created by the National Legislators...authorizing NEC
to carryout elections in the middle of a disease outbreak ...ignoring the
(public) safety of our people for political gain and self aggrandizement...
knowing that massive gathering which prompts physical contacts violates
preventive measures of disease(s) outbreak, why carryout elections? Socalled pundits would refer to the constitution that is often ignored when
it comes to discharging public service(s)...once again, Liberians safety
was compromised...On the other hand, President Sirleaf imposed a stay
order to safe her administration from international pressure by adhering to
public safety measures...but the stay order also infringes on the rights of the
masses...WHAT A BAD JOKE! As J.J.Rawlins puts it "Popular nonsense
must give way to scientific truth "...I tell you one thing..when enough is
enough, the people will rise up and stage massive peaceful protsets and sitins at various government facilities to bid this government good bye...the
ten years syndrome is right around the corner ....."One of the great glories
of democracy is the right to protest for right ".- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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YOU WRITE; WE PUBLISH; THEY READ!
THE CERTAINTY OF A TSUNAMI

VICTORY FOR CANDIDATE
GEORGE MANNEH WEAH
The Editor,
he volcanic support and tsunami endorsement Amb.

George M. Weah continues to receive from Liberians
is an undeniable testimony of his selfless service to
humanity yesteryears. When no one could easily
convince ex-combatants to put down their arms and ammunitions,
it was Amb. Weah who was at the forefront promoting genuine
peace and reconciliation. Even though he did not give any
warring faction $10,000USD, but he became an active catalyst
of peace during and after Liberias 15 years of civil unrest. Due
to his invaluable involvement and contribution, 103,019 excombatants went through the Disarmament, Demobilization,
Rehabilitation, and Reintegration program (DDRR). As a result of
his humanitarian commitment to his war-torn nation, he won the
Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 2004.
In April 2004, former UN Chief Jacques Paul Klein and Amb.
Weah made a nationwide tour to cantonment and interim care
centers for ex-rebels and child soldiers. During one of their tours,
these were my candidates exact words. "Your responsibility
is to disarm and to call all your friends forward to disarm. You
must have the discipline to go back to school. You must respect
your parents. Tomorrow, somebody in this group will be another
George Oppong Weah. During this period, former UN Chief
Jacques Paul Klein who described Amb. Weah as a hero said
Mr. Weah has never let fame or fortune deter him from doing
what he can for Liberia and its people." While other prominent
citizens were purchasing guns for warmongers to kill our people,
Amb. Weah was tirelessly engaging world partners to rescue
Liberia from its dark hours of turmoil. Isnt this an outstanding
reason why candidate Weah should be given a chance to lead as
a Senator? Of course, it is! This world icon is a true definition of
peace and this is what Liberia needs most.
The appointment of Amb. Weah on April 7, 1997 as Goodwill
Ambassador of UNICEF increased vital support for HIV/AIDS
education programmes and other projects in Liberia and Ghana.
For instance, in June 1997 while in Liberia, he promoted vocational
training schools where former child soldiers and other war-affected
youth learnt new skills. My candidate has been running two key
organizations in Liberia: the George Weah Children's Foundation,
which pays school fees for children, and the Global Institute of
Vocational Education, which develops career opportunities for
young people, including former child soldiers who were forced to
fight in Liberia's civil war.
Candidate George Manneh Weah is not an overnight humanitarian
or philanthropists. The impact he has made in Liberia in visibly
apparent. His mission to help others did not just start today, but
long before he even thought about becoming a senator. Amb. Weah
is not one of those who pretend to love his people by implementing
4G projects with short lifespan in slum communities. He was not
expecting any reward when he launched a project called Lively
Up Africa, which helped to sponsor several childrens programs
in Liberia. Through his intervention, more than 50 primary
healthcare facilities were revitalized by UNICEF in Liberia.
What more can we say about this patriot. He deserves our utmost
honor and support especially at a time when the shadow of family
succession, elitism, and autocracy is so glaring. I plead with all well
meaning Liberians to give Amb. Weah an opportunity to unleash
his patriotic spirit. The choice is yours to remain where you are
or to rise above your current condition. Residents of Montserrado
County deserve safe drinking water, better health care, quality
education, good roads, improved sanitation, transportation, and
other social facilities. I strongly believe that Amb. Weah can
make a big difference considering his influence and affluence both
locally and internationally.

These are six genuine reasons why I am supporting Amb. George
Manneh Weah as a Senatorial Candidate for Montserrado County.
Here are my reasons:
Amb. George Weah is a true Patriot
He is an educator and is educated
He is a Philanthropist and Humanitarian
He is a Youth Promoter
He is a Peacemaker and Reconciler
He is an International Icon and a Lobbyist
In order to read the full text of my endorsement statement which
was titled A New Hope for A Different Montserrado, please
follow this link http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/
op-ed/commentaries-features/3768-a-new-hope-for-a-differentmontserrado-our-choice-is-amb-george-weah
Few days from now, Liberians will have another chance to make a
national decision. It is our choice to keither help or hurt ourselves
as a people. It is just a matter of time for Amb. Weah to be called
Senator Weah. I am supporting him all the way. Join me as we take
this patriotic son to the Senate.
Amandla Awethu!
Martin K. N. Kollie
martinkerkula1989@yahoo.com
WHAT KIND OF
COUNTRY IS LIBERIA
The Editor,
ook at the illogical reasoning of the two dissenting

justices, Banks and Kabineh, that these two men didn't
know Ebola fear is NOT a constitutional issue baffles
me. Now you know why Banks has been trying to
overshadow Chief Justice Francis Korkpor, and why Banks put the
"stay order" on this frivolous lawsuit. And why in most instances
Banks is awarded the "Justice in Chambers" role?
That a "smart" Banks as "Justice in Chambers" could not find
that the rule of law was abused, and question of constitutional
violation in the FPA/Rodney Sieh versus Chris Toe case tells me
how some on the Court are "pushing personal agendas" or trying
to legislate from the Court.
Banks worked for the law firm hired by Chris Toe. Banks' sister
is married to Emmanuel James. Emmanuel James was the lead
lawyer hired by Chris Toe. Banks and James worked for the same
law firm before his appointment to the Supreme Court. Banks did
not recuse himself from the case. Banks obviously did not see
any conflict of interests issues in the case. But he still sits on the
Supreme and is paid by taxpayers after he violated the law. What
kind of country is Liberia?
Rodney Sieh was railroaded; he went to jail for one month; his
business illegally shut down; his employees went without pay; he
was never compensated for the violation of his rights. His only
"CRIME": he published the government's own GAC audit report
that said Chris Toe as Agriculture Minister could not account for
million$ of dollars meant to fight army worms in Bong and Nimba
Counties.
And Liberia is supposedly a "democracy"? In America, the US
Supreme Court will not put a "stay order", let alone agree to hear
unconstitutional issues.
So precious time was wasted in senatorial race because Banks had
a hidden agenda made evident by his dissenting rant. We will stay
long inside.
Jerry Wehtee Wion,
Journalist and Political Commentator,
Washington, DC, USA
EDITORIAL TEAM
Rodney D. Sieh, Managing Editor, 0886-738-666;

077-936-138, editor@FrontPageAfricaonline.com;
rodney.sieh@FrontPageAfricaonline.com
Wade C. L. Williams, News Desk Chief, wade.
williams@frontpageafricaonline.com; 0880664793
Sports Editor, Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@
frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886236528
Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.
com
Al-varney Rogers al.rogers@frontpageafricaonline.
com, 0886-304498
Sports Reporter, A. Macaulay Sombai,macaulay.
sombai@FrontpageAfricaonline.com, 077217428
COUNTY NEWS TEAM

Grand Bassa, Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, 0777432042
Bong
County,
Selma
Lomax,
selma.lomax@
frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-484666
Sinoe County, Leroy N.S Kanmoh, leroy.kanmoh@
frontpageafricaonline.com
0886257528
BUSINESS/ADVERTISING
Kadi Coleman Porte, 0886-304-178/ 0777832753, advertise@
frontpageafricaonline.com
Frontpage
Page 5
ON HOLD
Rep Snowe Others Back Off On Executive
NEYOR THREATENS SUIT AGAINST NOCAL PETITION
Order #65 Petition; As Robert Sirleaf,
ON THE SALE OF FOUR OIL BLOCKS IN MIDST OF EBOLA OUTBREAK
It is a pity that not only were these oil blocks sold in the midst of the Ebola epidemic and against the
opposition of a cross section of the citizenry but the entire sale process was illegal under the prevailing
New Petroleum Law of Liberia adopted June of 2012. - Dr. Christopher Z. Neyor
Al-Varney Rogers avarney.rogers@frontpageafricaonline.com 0886304498

this illegally sold national asset
that belong to all of us.
Neyor explained that the speed
of the process could lead one to
conclude that the Liberian people
have been taken for a ride again.
It is a pity that not only were
these oil blocks sold in the midst
of the Ebola epidemic and against
the opposition of a cross section
of the citizenry but the entire
sale process was illegal under
the prevailing New Petroleum
Law of Liberia adopted June of
2012, Neyor said.
Neyor said the government
is insensitive to the plight of
Liberians by selling the oil
blocks while people are dying
from Ebola.
Neyor
said
unemployment
education
remains high and the
system a mess, while a small
group of people are living at the
expense of the vast majority of
the citizenry.
Our people cannot be dying
from Ebola, our young people
across the country remain
unemployed, the education
system is in a mess, roads to
densely populated communities
in our country are deplorable and
a small group in the government
forms a criminal syndicate at
the expense of all of us, Neyor
added.
The lawsuit by Neyor makes the
number of former officials in the
oil and gas sector two in recent
times suing the Oil Company.
Monrovia-
contestant in the
upcoming
Special
Senatorial Elections
and
a
Former
National Oil Company of Liberia
(NOCAL) boss Christopher
Neyor has termed the sale of four
oil blocks by the government
of Liberia as illegal under the
prevailing New Petroleum Law
adopted June 2012 and has
threatened a lawsuit against the
entity.
Neyor at a news conference on
Tuesday said the process leading
to the sale of the oil blocks
violated Chapter IV Section
4.4 of the New Petroleum Law.
Neyorthus threatened to file a
lawsuit against NOCAL for the
sale of four oil blocks under
dubious circumstances.
I am preparing affidavit with
additional factual information
as part of the filing to our high
court, he said.
As a stakeholder and one
whose leadership our people
look up to especially in the oil
sector, I [Neyor] have consulted
lawyers to file an injunction to
the honorable Supreme Court
against ratification of these
illegally obtained oil blocks.
Neyor said that he would be
forwarding information in his
possession to the Liberia AntiCorruption Commission [LACC]
for investigation.
I have strong reasons to believe
that some stealing is being

perpetrated against our country
and following the advice of
counsel will be forwarding the
information, he said.I have
written to the LACC for opening
of a full investigation into the
hurried and unwise sale of these
oil blocks.
Neyor told journalists that the
bidding process, evaluation of
bids and award of contracts were
outsourced to private accounting
firm adding that it contradicts the
law.
All of the evaluation works
were done in secret in London,
the United Kingdom, the
Former CEO of NOCAL said.
Neyor saida fragment of
the Hydrocarbon Technical

Committee was used in a
controlled and unprofessional
manner as rubber stamp.
Neyor added, that they were
used in an attempt to legitimize
a predetermined objective not in
the interest of Liberia.
Moreover trained Liberian legal
and technical experts within
NOCAL were sidelined in the
entire process for sales of these
oil blocks, he said.
Continued Neyor: four oil
blocks have been sold under
dubious circumstances and now
President [Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]
has asked the lawmakers to defer
their break again for the sole
purpose of ratifying contracts for
WRIT OF PROHIBITION INTENDED TO PROTECT

LIBERIANS: LAWYER ON HIGH COURT OPINION
Kennedy L. Yangian, kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com ,077296781
Monroviaast Saturdays ruling

by the Supreme Court
to quash the writ of
prohibition filed before
it by several Liberians to halt the
up-coming Senatorial election
rescheduled
for
Saturday,
December 20, 2014 seem not to
be a political blow to some of
the petitioners, rather an action
intended to protect the lives of
Liberians against the deadly
Ebola Virus.
Edwin Martins one of those who
joined several eminent Liberians
to oppose the holding of the
election in the mist of the deadly

Ebola virus by filing a writ of
prohibition to the Supreme Court
to says he has no regrets for
filing the petition.
Martins indicated that he
respected the Supreme Courts
decision on the matter as a
final arbiter of justice, but his
petition was understood and
taken into consideration due to
the dissenting views expressed
by two of the five high court
justices.
But Chief Justice Francis
Korkpor ordered the writ quashed
citing that the petitioners had
raised political issues rather than

substantive issues.
This court does not deal with
political issues as political
issues is left with the Executive
and Legislative branches of
government, it will not be this
court to cancel election because
we will not have the power to set
another election date, said Chief
Justice Korkpor hereby quashing
out the writ of prohibition.
Walking out of the Chamber of
the Supreme Court last Saturday
after the ruling, Martins told
FrontPageafrica that the matter
had become history which every
Liberians should take note of.

Yes the high court has spoken,
we accept the ruling of the
high court as the final arbiter of
justice you saw the dissenting
opinions from the two other
Associate Justices, that means
that what my lawyer had put
forth was what they dissented
to and that was strictly in the
interest and protection of the
Liberian people against this
virus said Martins. When
quizzed about what he made of
the courts US$ 300 fine imposed
by Chief Justice Korkpor on
Cllr.
LaveliSupuwood
one
of the lawyers for petitioner,
the
National
Democratic
Coalition (NDC) for negligently
representing his clients after filing
three briefs and withdrawing it,
Martins stated that the action
was very unfortunate for such a
constitutional matter.
Atty Martins stated that such
situation exists at times in legal
profession, but lawyers have to
be very careful when undertaking
such a task that claims public
attention, not locally but also
internationally because the end
results is sometimes unfortunate.
Martins said the view put
forward in the writ of prohibition
was intended to protect Liberians
against the deadly virus.He urged
Liberians to remain focused in
the fight against the virus, as they
go to vote across the country,
come Saturday.
Calls For Time to Consult Supporters

Kennedy L. Yangian, 077296781
kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com
O
Monrovia-
n Tuesday Liberians who gathered at the Temple of justice

to witness hearing into the writs of prohibition filed
separately by Independent candidate Robert A. Sirleaf
and some lawmakers against President Ellen Johnson
Sirleafs executive order 65, were disappointed, as the court could
not hear the matter.
Instead lawyer representing Senatorial aspirant Sirleaf called on
the judges to grant him time to consult his supporters on the last
Saturdays Supreme Court opinion to lift the stay-order placed on the
pending election.
Your honors, currently campaign is taking place and all aspirants are
campaigning for the Saturdays election, we want continuance (time)
so that the petitioner can meet his supporters for their input, Cllr.
Idriss Sherriff legal counsel for the petitioner.
Lawyer for the lawmakers announced before the high court that
the lawmakers have decided to withdraw their petition because the
election for which the petition was filed is just few days away so there
was no need to pursue the petition.
Petitioner Edwin Snowe and all beg your honors that they wish to
withdraw their petition filed before this court, for the fact that the
subject matter of the petition that is the election, is just few days
away said Cllr. KanieWesso, legal counsel for the lawmakers.
His request was rejected by Solicitor General Betty LarmieBlamo
who called on the high court not to accept verbal request of the
lawyer,but stated that the lawyer should make his request formal
through a written document in consonance with the law.
In response to Montserrado County Senatorial aspirant Sirleafs
request, Chief Justice Korpkor stated that the Supreme Court could
not honor the request for time and make determination because the
state had filed its brief on Tuesday morning and that judges do not
know what is in it. He fined Solicitor General Betty LaminBlamo
US$200 for filing the states brief late.
Responding to the lawmakers lawyer s request, Chief Justice
Korkpor told them to make their request formal by documenting it.
This bench has no fish to fry in anybodys oil, what you bring before
us is what we deal with, we are here to protect democracy; a parable
that means that the bench is absolutely neutral in its dealing with
any matter before it, said Chief JusticeKorkpor as he ordered the
suspended.
The Executive Order issued by the President on December 3, 2014 had
placed a ban on mass movement of people including rallies, parades
and demonstrations on the streets of Monrovia during the ensuing
special senatorial elections now scheduled for December 20, 2014
across the country.But a day after the Executive order was issued by
the president Sirleaf, several lawyers including Montserrado County
District#6 lawmaker Snowe filed a writ of prohibition to the Supreme
Court opposing the order.
In the petition the lawmakers called on the high court to quash the
Executive Order#65 because it violates Articles 13&17 of the 1986
Constitution and that Article 13 of the Constitution provides that
every person lawfully within the Republic shall have the right to
move freely throughout, reside in any part thereof and to leave there
form subject however to the safe guarding of public security, public
order, health or morals of the rights and freedoms of others.
The lawmakers to include Edwin SnoweJr, J. Gabriel Nyenkan,
Munah E. Pelham-Yougblood, Bill Twehway, Solomon George, A
VarmuyahConneh, Adolf Lawrence. Others are Saah Joseph, Julius
Berrian, Edward Forh, Acarous M. Gray, Thomas Fallah and William
Dakel the order also violates Article #17.
The Supreme Court moved to place a stay-order on the presidents
order after the lawyers and the senatorial aspirant filed the petition
before the high court pending the high court hearing which was
assigned on Tuesday, December 16,2014.
However a legal practitioner who spoke to FrontPageafrica strictly
on the basis of anonymity shortly after the high court was adjourned
had stated that with the lawmakers petition withdrawal does not no
way means that the President Executive Order#65 is in force as the
stay-order placed on the order is still holding until the high court can
make a determination.
Page 6 | Frontpage
PAGE
RONT
POLITICS
SMOOTH SAILING FOR PYJ?

Ganta, Nimba County s the countdown to

the December 20
special
senatorial
election in Liberia
commences, it is becoming
apparent that the incumbent
senator of Nimba County, Prince
Johnson, is riding a wave of
support that could see him retain
his seat.
The comparative turnout at the
campaign rallies of the three
leading contenders in the race:
former Nimba Superintendent
and Liberty Party (LP) candidate
Edith Gongloe-Weh, Congress
for Democratic Change (CDC)
Yarmie Gbeasaye and Senator
Johnson, coupled with the
expression of support by the
critical stakeholders in the
electoral politics of the county,
indicate that Johnson is set for an
easy ride back to the Capitol.
The race has seemingly turned
out to be a clear race between
Gongloe-Weh
and
Senator
Johnson.
The
expectations
that Gbeasaye will be a major
contender in the election had
evaporated when it turned out
that not a single prominent
member of his native BainGarr administrative district has
endorsed his candidacy.
Securing
Support
from
Influential Groups
The Nimba County senator has
also secured the support of the
highly influential Nimba elites
through the acknowledgement of
their contributions to the creation
and development of the county.
He introduced the annual Nimba
Honors Award through which
icons of the county irrespective
of party affiliations or political
tendencies are granted county
awards.
Political observers say, this
probably explains why while
Incumbency Factor Favors Nimba County Senator

Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
Senator Johnson receives daily

endorsements by the icons and
elders of Nimba County, even
those among the elders who are
members of the Liberty Party
have seemingly maintained
a deafening silence on the
candidacy of Gongloe-Weh.
This silence of the graveyard
from elders in the Liberty Party
seems to be noticeable among
the leading lights of the party in
the Gongloe-Weh campaign.
Although she has extended
the olive branch to fellow
contestants for the ticket of the
party, most of the aspirants,
FrontPage Africa has gathered
who indicated interest in the
Liberty Party ticket, have been
lukewarm to the Gongloe-Weh
campaign.
This has raised widespread
questions if the former Nimba
superintendent will enjoy the
support of her party structure in
the December 20 election.
A critical factor that seems to
be playing a major issue in the
election is the personality of the

two leading candidates. Nimba is
regarded as one of the counties
with the highest number of excombatants in Liberia.
FrontPage Africa tour of ten of
the 17 administrative districts
has observed that it is creating
a niche for itself as having the
largest concentration of exfighters in the country. Such a
county is better disposed to a
candidate that reflects the exfighters reference of the civil
war. This factor seems to weigh
heavily against Gongloe-Weh.
Current political permutations
Though, each of the three
candidates is specifically from
a particular district that does not
preclude that the entire votes or
that the largest chunk of votes
in that district would be for
the home candidate. This is so
because there are other factors
that will give certain candidate
reasonable additional votes
apart from his own district. An
analysis of their chances on the
NO SHOW T
BASSA SENATORIAL CANDIDATES
SNUBBED PUL DEBATE
ALPHA DAFFAE SENKPENI,
alpha.senkpeni@frontpageafricaonline.com

district basis testifies to this.
Though, the CDC candidate
is
from
the
Bain-Garr
administrative district, the two
other candidates are equally
strong in this district in terms of
personalities and influence.
For Senator Johnson, the bulk
of his votes are expected to
come from this area because the
Representative of the district,
Rep. Jeremiah Koung and four
members of the Nimba caucus
who had been pacified over
their choices turned up during
the senators mega rally held in
Ganta a week ago, to show his
solidarity.
Since neither Gbesay nor the
CDC can boast of any landmark
achievements in the area because
the candidate and the party had
not govern the county, the hope
of the candidate in Saturdays
election, according to pundits,
lies in his pedigree of the
candidate and that the people
would believe that he can deliver
all that he had promised if he
Buchanan, Grand Bassa County he five candidates in the ensuing Grand Bassa special
Senatorial election on Tuesday, December 16 failed to
honor invitations from the Press Union of Liberia (PUL)
to attend a town hall debate.
The debate was previously planned for December 3 but the
Supreme Courts stay order on election activities thwarted early
preparations by the Union. Four of the five candidates including
incumbent Gbehzongar Findley (independent), his main challenger
Jonathan Kaipay (Liberty Party) and Hon. Gabriel Buchanan
Smith (independent) as well as Solomon Murray of the Congress
for Democratic Change (CDC) were all invited to attend the
debate, according to the PUL.
The new debate date, December 16, was set after the National
Election Commission (NEC) extended the election to December
20 following the Supreme Court ruling on Friday, December 12.
PUL Debate Project Manager, E. Orlind Cooper described the
candidates action as disappointing: It is disappointing that people
who want to lead the Bassa people for nine will failed to show up
for the debate to explain their stance on issue that will affect the
lives of the people they are seeking vote from.
Cooper and his team said they ensured that they communicated
with all the four candidates but to no availed.
Several of the candidates who are reportedly on their campaign

becomes senator.
Though, there are not much
landmark projects initiated in
the area by Gongloe-Weh when
she served as superintendent of
the county compared to those
executed in other parts of the
county, most of the loyalists of
Gongloe-Weh made impact in
the lives of the indigenes of the
area in terms of employment at
the local level.
That the LP candidate would
get very appreciable votes
in the district cannot be over
emphasized for many reasons.
Going by the reasons advanced
above, the fight for votes in this
area is between Gongloe-Weh
and Senator Johnson. However,
the LP looks good to carry the
day in this district.
Gbehlay-Geh Statutory District
This is an indisputable major
stronghold of Senator Johnson
not only because the Nimba
senator comes from the district
but for other reasons that are
obvious to residents of the area.
Here, in this district, the senator

can boast of many landmark
developmental
projects
particularly in Nyor Gomarplay,
the senators native town. The
area can boast of many projects
such as road construction
and other modern healthcare
facilities.
In general terms and with what
is visible on ground, Saturdays
battle is mainly between the LP
candidate and Senator Johnson.
However, if the outcome of the
election is determined by the
level of crowd at the campaign
rallies, the number of lawmakers
of the Nimba Legislative caucus
who are declaring support
for candidates in the race, the
level of live touching projects
currently on ground and the
personal
relationship
that
Senator Johnson is noted for,
the incumbent is most favored to
win the election.
trail in rural areas of the county are arguing that the timetable for
the debate is inconvenient to their already congested schedule.
But Cooper claimed that their excuses are unrealistic because the
entire election timing is tight and limited. He added that the debate
is the key platform for the candidates to campaign by presenting
and explaining their platforms.
Amongst the four candidates, the debate moderators disclosed
that Hon. Gabriel Buchanan Smith (Independent) consented to
attend but the current court action against him over allegation of
ransacking a community radio station in Buchanan prevented him
from attending. Smith has not commented about the reported arrest
warrant but it appeared that the warrant for his arrest prompted his
absence from the debate.
Kaipay and Findley were reportedly conducting serious political
campaign respectively in District as many residents of Buchanan
were set to witness the debate while the PUL arranged with all
the community radio stations in the county to broadcast live the
debate.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that incumbent Findley had,
several months ago, stated that he was not willing to go to debate
with any of the candidates while CDC candidate, Solomon Murray
failed to respond to several calls made to him by the debate team.
The nationwide senatorial debate is organized by the PUL with
support from USAID through IREX.
PAGE
RONT
Frontpage
POLITICS
Page 7
COUNTDOWN TO D-DAY
Bong Senatorial Candidates intensify Campaign Ahead of Saturdays Poll
Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
Gbarnga, Bong County s the December 20

special
senatorial
election in Bong
County
draws
near, all political parties and
their candidates taking part in
the election have taken their
campaigns to a feverish level.
In the run up to the election,
candidates have intensified their
campaigns as they go round the
13 administrative districts of
Bong County trying to convince
the electorate to vote for them.
The election, FrontPage Africa
Monroviahe Political Leader

of
the
Liberia
Transformation Party
(LTP)
Kennedy
Sandy has resigned from
the
Constitutional
Review
Committee (CRC) in preparation
for the presidency come 2017.
I have voluntarily resigned
from the CRC. I want to be
president for Liberia 2017, the
LTP Political Leader said.
Many believe that LTP Sandys
decision to resign his post at the
CRC is to avoid getting trapped
by the Code of Conduct which is
expected to create tension 2017
election.
The Code of Conduct section
5.2 b sates that any other official
appointed by the President who
holds a tenured position and
desires to contest for public or
elective office shall resign said
post three (3) years prior to the
date of such public elections.
Sandy was among several
defeated Presidential candidates
in the 2011 election and was later
appointed by President Ellen
Johnson- Sirleaf.
Sandy said, his decision to work
at the CRC was not for paycheck
adding that it was his way of
contributing to Liberia.
has reliably gathered, is mainly

between the incumbent, Jewel
Howard-Taylor-Taylor of the
National Patriotic Party (NPP),
Unity Partys Ranney Jackson
and the Congress for Democratic
Change
(CDC)
candidate
Augustus Jonathan Flomo.
Other contestants are Cuttington
University
president
Dr.
Henrique
Flomo
Tokpa
(Independent), Liberty Partys
Franklin Siakor, the Movement
for
Progressive
Change
candidate Dr. Mator Kpangbai,
James
Gbarbea,
candidate
of the Alternative National

Congress ANC, Numehn Dunbar
(Independent), James Saybay
and the Liberia National Union
(LINU).
For Senator Taylor, the message
has been Let the progress
continue and One good tenure
deserves another. On his part,
Jackson has continued to harp on
the man you can trust.
Jackson, the former Bong
superintendent
started
his
campaigns in phases from to
districts to districts and on to
the streets of urban areas in the
county. In every district, the

Unity Party candidate told the
electorates to choose between his
achievements and the legacies of
the incumbent.
Jackson described the NPP as a
political party without a history
of performance in the county,
urging the electorate to reject
the NPP candidate at the polls
on Saturday, using their most
effective weaponthe voters
card.
According to him, if they tell
you what they will do in the
future, they must tell you what
they did in the past. What we

have to live for is to ensure
that Bong County must make
progress. As future leaders,
you have a duty to refuse to be
intimidated.
We must keep them out with
the power of the truth. Look at
the David Kuyon Sports stadium
built during my tenure as
superintendent of the county and
look at the NPP legacies since
the last nine years. On Election
Day, the choice is yours whether
to vote for the toilet house
constructed by Senator Taylor
called midwifery home or our
new revolution in education.
I urge you to stand by us.
Give us your votes and we will
shock you with more programs
and development. As a former
superintendent of the county, I
am bound to bring development
to the county. We have been
delivering on roads, schools and
electricity. We are redefining
politics to bring the greatest
good to the greatest number of
people.
We will remain focused on
issues of development. You must
wait till the results are announced
and let us see how they change
the results. For us to ask for a
new mandate to continue, we
must justify what we have done
in when we had the time to
serve you not as senator but as
superintendent.
Our work speaks louder than
our voice. You have your choice
to vote between evil and what
is good. We will do our best
for these communities. Our first
chance second will be a chance
to carry on with the second phase
of lifting the county, Jackson
said.
For his part CDC senatorial
candidate
Flomo,
in
his
campaigns
in
Samay,
electoral district two said his
administration would initiate

new projects and complete
ongoing ones in the localities.
He said the failure of the
incumbent senator to provide
employment for citizens of the
county c contributed immensely
to poverty in the area and which
in turn has resulted in very slow
pace of development in the rural
areas of the county.
The CDC Bong senatorial
candidate told his supporters
in Samay that Bong was one
of the counties receiving social
development funds in the
county but was now ranked
as one of the underdeveloped
counties in Liberia due to fund
mismanagement on the part
of the county leadership and
members of the Bong Legislative
caucus.
LINU
candidate,
Saybay,
promised to bring a 12-point
agenda when elected as senator
of the county which he said
includes agricultural revolution
for local farmers.
The candidate of ANC, Paul
Gbarbea, said he would provide
shelter, electricity, food and
things that would make life
easy for people of the county.
He promised to bring in foreign
partners for power generation.
For the Independent candidate,
Tokpa, eradication of corruption
and meeting of peoples need
would be his focus. He said large
scale farming would be done to
engage the youths and that farm
implements would be distributed
free.
Candidate of the Liberty Party,
Siakor said the missing link in
the county was human capital
development which he promised
to provide.
The political battle is on. The
dynamics
keep
changing.
December 20 will return the
verdict.
GETTING READY FOR 2017

Liberia Transformation Party Kennedy Sandy Resigns With Eyes On Presidency
Al-Varney Rogers avarney.rogers@frontpageafricaonline.com 0886304498
He said, the CRC has made gains

in reviewing the constitution
expressing that his absence
would not hinder the progress of
the review process.
Sandy added that his resignation
is to give way for a bigger calling
other than working at the CRC.
Sandy said his stay at the CRC
enabled him to understand the
level of support international
partners are providing to
Liberias recovery process.

I learned a lot about the support
the UNDP and UNMIL have
been giving this process and
Liberia, Sandy added.
Sandy promised to ensure that
the views of the Liberian people
are reflected in the constitution
review process despite his
absence.
I learned that the Liberian
people are crying for change in
their constitution even though

I have resigned but I am going
to stand up for that change to be
implemented, Sandy added.
The LTP political leader added,
that his absence from CRC is not
a suggestion that the process will
discontinue.
I went at the CRC to make sure
the revision of the constitution
is done, my absence does not
constitute the discontinuation of
the process, the process will go

on, there are competent people
and my resignation is only
because I have a higher calling,
Sandy said.
According to Sandy he tendered
his resignation to the President
since October. October 12, I
sent my resignation.
Sandy said, it is time for
Liberians to be together than
ever before in their country
history adding that the tension is
too high in these elections.
I see a lot going on in Liberia
during these elections; the
tension is too high we need to
pray for peace in Liberia, he said.
Sandy added that political parties
have the moral duty to help
protect the peace in Liberia.
Political parties, the life of
Liberia is in your hands. If you
want our democracy to die it will
but if you want it to flourish, it
will, Sandy explained.
He believes that his late arrival
on the political scene in Liberia
may have been one of his
hindrances to the Presidency in

2011.
I came late for this gone
election and the accident in Cape
Mount County exacerbated the
problem, Sandy noted.
The
former
Presidential
candidate added that he
wants to be a part of Liberias
transformation process.
He named corruption and lack of
vision as some of the reasons for
Liberias underdevelopment.
Liberia is a rich country in
natural resources but yet and still
it is among the world poorest
countries, Sandy said. Liberia
must be free, he continued.
Sandy said, Liberians have
witnessed lots of problems
adding that Security forces
should not remind them about
their ugly past.
Look at what happened to Shaki
Kamara, our Security officers
need counseling, they should
be protecting our citizens, he
noted.
Page 8 | Frontpage
HASTY OIL SALE

Legislature to Ratify Block 16
Henry Karmo (0886522495)
henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com
Monroviaike the scenario of oil Block 13 the National Legislature

is set to ratify oil Block 16 despite the absence of the
countrys oil law that was recently validated by the body
along with other civil society organizations.
The Executive Branch of Government Tuesday, December
16, 2014 presented to the National Legislature one of the four
remaining oil blocks for ratification before Friday of this week.
According to the communication from the Executive read in the
plenary of the House of Representatives three companies are
bidding for Oil Block 16 and if the agreement is ratified by the
Legislature, the Liberian government will generate twenty -two
Million United States dollars (US$22M) in signature fees.
The agreement for the Oil Block was subsequently sent to the
House Joint Committees on Judiciary, and Lands, Mines, Energy
and Natural Resources with a mandate for the committee to report
back to plenary by Thursday for final decision.
Some lawmakers have raised concerns about the availability of
the agreements regarding the remaining four oil blocks.
The House of Representatives failed to hold regular session
Tuesday, the basis for the extension of the time for the lawmakers
usual agriculture break.
According to sources the lawmakers are dissatisfied with the
alleged failure of the President to meet up with her obligation to
the body through extra incentives for their stay.
According to legislative sources the executive is yet to present
to the legislature the act to ratify the four oil blocks said, to be
ready for auctioning as a result of a discussion held between
the National oil company (NOCAL) and an international group
because of some financial obligations to the lawmakers.
It is also believed that the agreement has not appeared at the
Capitol because the oil law authorizing the sale of more oil
blocks has not being concluded by both chambers (Senate and
Representatives) to be implemented by a conference committee
comprising members of the two chambers.
On last Friday President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf wrote the legislature
to postpone its December 12 set day for closure that has already
being delayed by the outbreak of Ebola by one week to enable
the body ratify the agreements for four of the countrys oil blocks
Many believe that the agreement will not be critically scrutinized
by the legislature because of the limited timeframe they have to
meet the one week deadline.
Some lawmakers confided in FrontPageAfrica that the body
will ratify the instrument due to the necessary benefits attached
especially during this period of election where the hope of some
senators in retaining their positions is in doubt.
In 2013 the Legislature was criticized by the Liberian public for
ratifying oil Block 13 despite calls by civil society organizations,
foreign experts and ordinary Liberians for the government not to
go ahead with negotiations surrounding the sale of the oil block.
Some Liberians including civil society organizations have
criticized the President action to request the legislators to delay
their agriculture break by one week.
The group under the banner the Coalition for the Transformation
of Liberia (CONTROL) known for organizing the failed April 12,
2013 protest in a statement issued during the week described the
President request as wicked and criminal to the Liberian people.
According to the group they are disappointed to see the President
who should be protecting and preserving state resources writing
the legislature to stay on job for personal interest in the name of
investment.
The group also claimed that it has received tangible information
that some of the companies contracted for the purchase or lease
of the oil blocks are owned by the President and her son Robert
Sirleaf but being used by some agents covertly to criminally rob
the Liberian people as it has been done in the past.
CONTROL claimed to have had an agreement with the
government of Liberia which led to the cancellation of its protest
action to reserve the rest of the natural resources as well as the oil
blocks and said it was agreed by both parties.
KIDNAPPER ARRESTED, BUT

POLICE TIGHTLIPPED ON IDENTITY
Massa F. Kanneh, massa.kanneh@frontpageafricaonline.com
A
Monrovia-
Six year-old little girl in rainbow

dress and Aunt

motorcyclist
only
identified, as Kortee
believed to be in his
50s has been arrested
for allegedly kidnapping a six
year-old girl.
Police at the Johnsonville Depot
has since refused to reveal full
name or allow photograph of the
accused to be taken.
At about 11am on Tuesday,
Mami Gleekiah and her little
niece Irene Nuahn, set off for
Redlight to get the little girl hair
done for Christmas. Gleekiah
A
Monrovia-
n Associate Justice of
the Supreme Court
of Liberia says the
current
senatorial
electoral process is poorly
regulated and monitored by the
National Elections Commission
with limited mechanisms put in
place by the body to protect the
citizenry against the virus by
guiding against the conditions
that would enable or facilitate
further spread of the virus
which is posing real threat to the
population.
I submit that the demonstrated
inability by the NEC to ensure
that the voting rights guaranteed
citizens can be openly enjoyed
is not a political question, said
Justice Banks.
The recent opinion handed down
by the full bench of the Supreme
Court did not go well with the
fourth person on the Supreme
Court bench.
The Supreme Court is made
of five justices and a writ of
prohibition was filed by three
petitioners requesting the high
Court to dismiss the pending
Senatorial Elections but the court
dismissed two of the petitions and
ruled on one.
Chief Justice Francis Korkpor said
the petition before the court was
filed by Edwin Martin a bona fide
voter of the Republic of Liberia
and Resident of Paynesville City
of Liberia.
We only have Edwin Martin
petition and the petition is
political and this branch deals
with judiciable issues and we
do not intend to discuss petition
so with the majority of the
Supreme Court we are sending
it to the political branches that
is the Executive and Legislature
all we can tell NEC is to put in
guidelines to ensure the safety of
voters and their candidates, said
the Chief Justice.
But Justice Banks in his
descending opinion said I have
said they asked a motorbike rider

to drop them off at Redlight and
that she could pay him L$100
and the motorcyclist accepted.
To her dismay, Mami explained
they were taken on the bike
and on the way they came to
a waterside at which time the
motorcyclist told her to get down
because the water was deep.
Gleekiah said as she was trying
to get the little girl off the bike,
the rider instructed her to leave
the girl on the bike because she
weighed less, so he could cross
the water with the child sitting
on the bike. But to her uttermost

surprise after crossing the water,
the biker ran off. I wanted to
get the little girl from the bike,
he told me to leave the girl, so
when he crossed he just started
running with the girl. Thats how
I started crying, calling people.
And I paid some motorbike men
to run behind him.
Gleekiah said she immediately
called out for help and other
motorcyclists chased the man.
She said they were able to arrest
the biker and take him to the
Johnsonville police station but
explained that the police has not

investigated the matter although
the biker is in custody.
The girls father, Timothy
Gleekiah laments that he does
not trust the police, telling
FrontPageAfrica that the police
at the depot usually play double
standard with cases that are
taken to them.
I have been told by Neighbors
in the same community which
helped to arrest the biker,
that similar cases have been
happening and reports brought to
the same station but those people
have always been set free.
Gleekiah continued: I dont
want that to happen with mine; I
want them to do the investigation
and forward us to court.
Timothy says he that does not
want the case to be delayed as he
expressed delight and luck that
he was able to get his daughter
back from the kidnapper, fearing
that it could have been worse
as past incidents have led to
victims being used for human
sacrifices usually during election
periods. I was just lucky, this
kind of thing, they just go and
make sacrifice with children. I
dont want for this man to just
go with impunity. If he goes
with impunity, this thing will
continue. It will get rampant.
ELECTION POORLY MANAGED: SUPREME

COURT ASSOC. JUSTICE BANKS FROWNS
Bettie Johnson/ /0770197670/0886971922/ FPA STAFF WRITER
made this determination because

my conscience will not allow me
to sacrifice the legal principles
which I have stood for over the last
decades that a public institution
can forfeit its responsibility and
hide under the issue presented,
growing of its non- compliance
is a political issue and that the
court cannot determine whether
there has been a violation or not
of protected rights.
He added that he is of the view that
the rationale for the high Court
to ignore the legal duties and
obligations imposed on NEC also
conveys the impression that any
decision made by the two political
branches of the government,
which could have devastating
legal consequences for the nation
or be violation of the guaranteed
rights of citizens or even have
the effect of destroying the entire
nation and the entire people could
not be reviewed by the high court
because to do so could entangle
them in political and policy issues.
I believe that there are

limitations imposed on the
two political branches of the
government and that holding
a narrow interpretation as the
majority opinion ignore the rights
granted the people of Liberia by
the Constitution, defeats the intent
and purpose of Article 2 of the
Liberian Constitution Justice
Banks said.
Article 2 of the 1986Liberian
constitution states that This
Constitution is the supreme and
fundamental law of Liberia and its
provisions shall have binding force
and effect on all authorities and
persons throughout the Republic.
Any laws, treaties, statutes,
decrees, customs and regulations
found to be inconsistent with
it shall, to the extent of the
inconsistency, be void and of
no legal effect. The Supreme
Court, pursuant to its power of
judicial review, is empowered
to declare any inconsistent laws
unconstitutional.
Justice Banks averred that he

has not joined his colleagues of
the court because they failed in
addressing the core issues which
he described as the fundamental
issue of whether the NEC has
put into place constitutional and
statutory mechanisms for the
conduct of free, fair, transparent,
healthy and free of fear of death
in the current Ebola environment
which warrants the attention of
the court.
The Associate Justice added that
NEC is demonstrating a callous
disregard to the health and safety
of the Liberian people.
All it concerned itself with
was meeting the mandate of
the Legislature to hold the
2014 senatorial elections not
later than December 20,2014,
regardless of what legal and other
consequences would be. NEC
failed to coordinate with security
and health institutions, he said.
The associate Justice further
added I refused to subscribe to
the theory or conclusions that the
health and safety of the Liberian
people against the EVD thereby
becomes a matter of politics for
the Legislature and the Executive,
regardless of the health and legal
consequences of the people.
Justice Banks pointed out
that if the National Elections
commission could not hold the
elections or put in place proper
mechanism for the conduct of
elections, it owed the legislature
and the Liberian people to inform
them on the difficulties faced but
it was disingenuous on the part
of the commission to accept the
timeframe set by the Legislature
and Executive when it is an
autonomous agency.
Frontpage
Page 9
FOUR OIL BLOCKS HAVE BEEN SOLD

Press Statement of Mr. Christopher Z. Neyor

President and CEO of the Morweh Energy Group and
Senatorial Candidate for Montserrado County
on the Illegal Sale of Four (4) Oil Blocks by the Government of Liberia
MonroviaDecember 16, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press;
call you here today to this press conference to reveal to you and through you to our fellow citizens that while we were fighting the
Ebola epidemic that has ravaged our land causing killing many Liberians, our government has semi-clandestinely sold four oil blocks.
It is a pity that not only were these oil blocks sold in the midst of the Ebola epidemic and against the opposition of a cross section of
the citizenry but the entire sale process was illegal under the prevailing New Petroleum Law of Liberia adopted June of 2002.
Why am I bringing this to the public? As a Liberian citizen and an expert in this field and immediate past President and CEO of the National
Oil Company of Liberia, it is a patriotic duty to do so. Let me share with you, Ladies and Gentlemen, of the press copy of letter I wrote
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf last September adding my voice to the that of many Liberians calling on the President to halt the sale of
these oil blocks for the stated reasons in the letter. As typical of the President on these kinds of serious national issues, this letter and that
of the call of other citizens were ignored.
Chapter IV Section 4.4 of the above reference New Petroleum Law of the Republic of Liberia established a Hydrocarbon Technical
Committee an ad-hoc national Hydrocarbon Technical Committee under the chairmanship, supervision, and direction of the National
Oil Company of Liberia and may include but not necessarily limited to the following members: Minister of Lands, Mines & Energy;
Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Finance; National Investment Commission; Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisor to the President:
Ministry of Labor; and Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs. The law also states that the President of Liberia may, from time to
time, designate, not more than three (3) such other persons, shall not be officials of Government, to serve as members of the Hydrocarbon
Technical Committee.
The New Petroleum Law further states that The Hydrocarbon Technical Committee shall have the power, under the chairmanship and
direction of the President/CEO of NOCAL, or his/her designee, to negotiate and conclude agreements with all applicants for hydrocarbon
development and exploitation rights and such related permits. The agreement so negotiated and concluded, shall become effective and
binding upon the parties and the Republic of Liberia, when signed by the applicants, the National Oil Company Of Liberia, the Minister
of Finance, the Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy, the Chairman of the National Investment Commission, attested by the Minister of
Justice and approved by the President of Liberia.
We have credible evidence that the procedure for award of oil blocks as outlined in the New Petroleum Law of 2002 were not adhered to.
The biding process, evaluation of bids and award of contracts were outsourced to a private accounting firm contrary to the law and all of
the evaluation works were done in secret in London, the United Kingdom.
Fragments of the Hydrocarbon Technical Committee were only used in a controlled and unprofessional manner as rubber stamps in an
attempt to legitimize a predetermined objective not in the interest of our country and suffering people. Moreover, trained Liberian legal and
technical experts within NOCAL were sidelined in the entire process for sales of these oil blocks.
Four oil blocks have been sold under dubious circumstances and now the President has asked the lawmakers to defer their break again for
the sole purpose of rectifying contracts for these illegally sold national asset that belong to all of us. We can only conclude from the speed
of the process and other information we have that the Liberian people have been taken for a ride again.
As a stakeholder and one whose leadership our people look up to especially in the oil sector, I have consulted lawyers to file an injunction
to the Honourable Supreme Court against ratification of these illegally obtained oil blocks. I am preparing affidavit with additional factual
information as part of the filing to our High Court.
I have strong reasons to believe that some stealing is being perpetrated against our country and following the advice of counsel will be
forwarding the information I have to the Liberia Anti Corruption Commission (LACC) for opening of a full investigation into the hurried
and unwise sale of these oil blocks. Our people cannot be dying from Ebola, our young people across the country remain unemployed, the
education system be in a mess, roads to densely populated communities in our country are deplorable and a small group in the government
form a criminal syndicate at the expense of all of us.
I ask all well-meaning Liberians to support us as we take the initiative to stop corruption in the government by those we elect to manage
the natural resources that belong to all of us and should be used for our collective good.
Thank you.
Page 10 | Frontpage
IN BRIEF
FAILED 2005 LONDON

BOMBERS LOSE
EUROPEAN APPEAL
Strasbourg (France) (AFP) our men who attempted

to set off a series of
explosives in London
in 2005 did not have
their right to a fair trial breached,
the European Court of Human
Rights ruled Tuesday.
Three of the men argued that they
did not have access to a lawyer
during questioning and the
fourth said the proper procedure
was not followed when he gave
testimony.
The Strasbourg-based European
court however ruled -- by six
judges to one -- there had been
"no violation" to their right to a
fair trial.
SPAIN ARRESTS SEVEN

ACCUSED OF RECRUITING
WOMEN FOR ISLAMIC STATE
MADRID (Reuters) panish and Moroccan

police have arrested
seven people in a ongoing
joint swoop on suspected
efforts to recruit women to go to
Syria and Iraq to support Islamic
State insurgents, the Spanish
Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.
Spain is among a number of
European countries struggling to
stop the radicalization of young
Muslim citizens and deter them
from becoming jihadists in Syria
or Iraq, fearing they might return to
plot attacks on home soil.
Four women and a man were
arrested in Barcelona and the
Spanish North African enclaves of
Ceuta and Melilla, and two men
were detained in the Moroccan
town of Fnideq, close to Ceuta, as
part of the operation, the ministry
said in a statement.
PESHAWAR,
Pakistan
(Reuters) t
least
130
people, most of
them children,
were
killed
on Tuesday when Taliban
gunmen stormed a school
in the Pakistani city of
Peshawar, taking hundreds
of students hostage in the
bloodiest insurgent attack in
the country in years.
Troops
surrounded
the
building and an operation was
underway to rescue children
still trapped inside, the army
said.
Hours into the siege, three
explosions were heard inside
the military-run high school,
and a Reuters journalist at
the scene said he heard heavy
gunfire.
Outside,
as
helicopters
rumbled overhead, police
struggled to hold back
distraught parents who were
trying to break past a security
cordon and get into the
school.
Bahramand Khan, director of
information for the regional
Chief Minister's Secretariat,
said at least 126 people were
killed and 122 wounded.
"It may rise," he said, adding
that more than 100 of the
dead were school children.
A local hospital said the dead
and wounded it had seen were
aged between 10 and 20 years
old.
The hardline Islamist Taliban
movement
immediately
claimed responsibility.
"We selected the army's
school for the attack because
PAGE
RONT
WORLD NEWS
SCHOOLSKID SIEGE
TALIBAN STORM PAKISTANI SCHOOL, KILLING 130
the government is targeting

our families and females,"
said Taliban spokesman
Muhammad Umar Khorasani.
"We want them to feel the
pain."
It was not clear whether some
or all of the children were
killed by gunmen, suicide
bombs or in the ensuing
battle with Pakistani security
forces trying to gain control
of the building.
HOSTAGES
STILL
INSIDE
An unspecified number of
children were still being
held hostage in the school,
a provincial official said,
speaking some three hours
after the siege began.

The Pakistani Taliban, who
are fighting to topple the
government and set up a strict
Islamic state, have vowed to
step up attacks in response
to a major army operation
against the insurgents in the
tribal areas.
They have targeted security
forces, checkpoints, military
bases and airports, but attacks
on civilian targets with no
logistical significance are
relatively rare.
In September, 2013, dozens
of people, including many
children, were killed in an
attack on a church, also in
Peshawar, a sprawling and
started killing the students,

but left the hall suddenly.
"The attackers had long
beards, wore shalwar kameez
(traditional baggy clothes)
and spoke Arabic."
The army said five Taliban
militants had been killed and
that they were searching for
any remaining gunmen. The
Taliban had earlier said they
had sent six insurgents with
suicide vests to attack the
school.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
condemned the attack and
said he was on his way to
Peshawar.
"I can't stay back in Islamabad.
This is a national tragedy
unleashed by savages. These
were my kids," he said in a
violent city near the Afghan
statement.
border.
With the rescue operation "This is my loss. This is the
under way, the situation nation's loss. I am leaving
remained
fluid,
with for Peshawar now and I will
contradictory reports about supervise this operation
what was happening inside myself."
the school and witness Military officials at the scene
accounts difficult to come by. said at least six armed men
"An army doctor was visiting had entered the military-run
us teaching us about first aid Army Public School. About
when attackers came from 500 students and teachers
behind our school and started were believed to be inside.
firing," one student told "We were standing outside
the school and firing suddenly
Pakistan's Dunya Television.
"Our teachers locked the started and there was chaos
door and we ducked on the everywhere and the screams
floor, but they (militants) of children and teachers,"
broke down the door. Initially said Jamshed Khan, a school
they fired in the air and later bus driver.
-- up 37 percent on last year -thanks to the tactics of separatists

in eastern Ukraine and militants
operating in the Middle East and
North Africa.
Diane (R) and John Foley, the
parents of US journalist James
Foley, stand at the war reporters'
Of those kidnapped, 33 were in

Ukraine, 29 in Libya and 27 in
Syria. Forty are still being held.
"Local journalists pay the
highest price, representing 90
percent of those abducted," the
report emphasised.
"Of the 22 journalists currently
being held by armed groups in
Syria, 16 are Syrians. All of the

eight journalists currently held
hostage in Iraq are Iraqis."
Reporters Without Borders
highlighted several cases of
journalists punished by their
governments, including that
of Raef Badawi, a Saudi
citizen-journalist who won the
organisation's Press Freedom
Prize this year. He was sentenced
in September to 10 years in
prison and 1,000 lashes for
"insulting Islam" with his views
on the Liberal Saudi Network.
It also highlighted the case of
Khadija Ismailova in Azerbaijan
-- "now Europes biggest prison
for media personnel". Her work
on government corruption has
made her a target of smear
campaigns,
blackmail
and
spurious legal charges.
University of Central Florida
students attends a candle light
vigil for journalist Stephen
Sotloff o
"Now she is being held on the
absurd charge of 'pushing' a
former colleague to attempt
suicide, a charge that carries
a possible sentence of three to
seven years in jail," the report
said.
Worldwide, a total of 178
professional journalists were
in prison as of December 8, the
same number as last year.
- 'Carefully-staged threats' China is the world leader in
imprisoning journalists, with 29
currently behind bars, followed
66 JOURNALISTS KILLED IN PAST YEAR AS

ATTACKS GROW MORE BARBARIC: REPORT
MNANGAGWA IN CHARGE
OF ZIMBABWE AS MUGABE
GOES ON LEAVE

Harare (AFP) imbabwe's President
Robert Mugabe has left
newly-installed Vice
President Emmerson
Mnangagwa in charge as he
began his annual holiday, state
radio announced Monday.
The move comes after months of
political upheaval in Zimbabwe
over the succession to 90-yearold Mugabe when he dies or
steps down.
"President Robert Mugabe left
Harare yesterday for his annual
holiday in the Far East," Spot FM
radio reported.
"The president is expected
back in Zimbabwe in midJanuary. In his absence Vice
President Emmerson Dambudzo
Mnangagwa is the acting
president."
Mnangagwa, a long-time ally
of Mugabe who doubles as
Zimbabwe's Justice Minister,
was sworn in as vice-president
last Friday, putting him firmly in
line to succeed the veteran ruler.
Paris (AFP) ttacks on journalists

have grown more
barbaric
and
kidnappings
have
soared,
Reporters
Without
Borders said Tuesday, after a
year when violence against the
media took centre stage and 66
reporters were killed.
Among those murdered this
year was AFP journalist Sardar
Ahmad, 40, who was shot dead
in March when Taliban militants
stormed a hotel in Kabul. He
died along with his wife and two
of his three children.
The beheading of James Foley
and Steven Sotloff by the Islamic

State group also highlighted the
extreme danger journalists face
in covering modern conflicts.
"Rarely have reporters been
murdered with such a barbaric
sense of propaganda, shocking
the entire world," said Reporters
Without Borders in their annual
report released Tuesday.
There was a slight drop in the
number of murdered journalists
-- down from 71 last year -thanks largely to fewer deaths in
countries "at peace". A total of
720 reporters have been killed
since 2005.
But kidnappings soared to 119
closely by Eritrea (28) and Iran

(19).
Among the high-profile targets
is 70-year-old Gao Yu, who
won UNESCOs World Press
Freedom Prize in 1997. Having
already spent seven years in
prison in China, she is again on
trial for "divulging state secrets"
to a German broadcaster.
Conflicts also led to large
numbers of journalists fleeing
their homes. Forty-seven Libyan
and 37 Syrian reporters fled
their homeland in the past year.
A crackdown on privatelyowned Ethiopian media drove 31
journalists into exile.
Beatings and rough handling
were most common in Ukraine,
followed by Venezuela and
Turkey -- a symptom of the
targeted violence used by police
in attempting to suppress protests
in those countries this year.
The report "highlights an
evolution in the nature of
violence against journalists and
the way certain kinds, including
carefully-staged threats and
beheadings, are being used for
very clear purposes," it said.
"The murders are becoming
more and more barbaric and the
number of abductions is growing
rapidly, with those carrying
them out seeking to prevent
independent news coverage and
deter scrutiny by the outside
world."
Sports
Frontpage
HIGH ON CONFIDENCE
Page 11
SPORTS
HERRERA DENIES
MATCH-FIXING CLAIMS
Will Alex Nimely repay Port Vale coach Rob Pages trust by becoming another Darren Beckford?
much time on the ball to play

and thats what I like to do.Im
very mobile but unfortunately
the ball was going too long
because we were forcing our
way through to score. We just
have to make it right the next
game, he added.
Page has been keen to bring
in extra cover up front as he
continues to be without ninegoal top scorer Tom Pope
(knee), who is expected to be
out until January.
He has signed six players,
including Ghanas Enoch
Andoh on an 18-month deal
from Portugals FC Porto but it
is Nimelys deal that has taken
fans down memory lane.
Vale needed a striker to revive
their fortunes and fans held
a bucket collection to help
pay the 15,000 transfer fee
for Darren Beckford from

Manchester City in 1987.
What an investment that proved
to be as the then 20-year-old
Beckford, who was eventually
sold to Norwich for 925,000
in 1991, scored 81 goals in 204
games for the Valiants.
And Page is optimistic Nimely
can reproduce the talent and
skills that lured City into a deal
six years ago.
He has got the pedigree
behind him again. He was
at Manchester City as a
youngster.I spoke to a good
friend of mine who says he
has quality and we know he
is going to bring that quality
into the squad. So its pleasing
to get his signature. We need
to get him fit; he knows that
himself, but I think once we do
get him fit well have a player
on our hands, he told the
clubs website during Nimelys
unveiling ceremony.
Odds stark against Nimely
Nimely is not a prolific goal
scorer and it remains to be seen
whether that will change in
League One.
He won the Cameroonian
premier league with Coton in
2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons
and his five goals in nine
appearances look impressive
but a goal in 30 appearances,
spread across four clubs in
England, is a worrying sign.
Page, who took over Vale when
lying 23rd but are placed 16th
on the 24-team table with 23
points from 20 games after
six wins, five draws and nine
losses with 25 goals scored and
29 goals conceded, could help
Nimely finds a scoring boot.
And the deal is good news
for new Liberia coach James
Salinsa Debbah, who is hoping
he can persuade Nimely,
to switch his international
allegiance to the land of his
birth.
to a potential coaching role with

Arsenal after ending his career at
the New York Red Bulls, but said
he will become a TV analyst.
Henry holds the French record
of 51 goals in 123 internationals,
but he never achieved the same
popularity as Zinedine Zidane,
Michel Platini, Raymond Kopa or
even Just Fontaine.
He started his career at Monaco,
played briefly for Juventus, and
won more trophies at Barcelona.
But it's at Arsenal, from 1999
to 2007, where he joined the
pantheon of modern greats.
He won seven trophies at Arsenal,
among them two Premier
Leagues, including the unbeaten
2003-04 side. He is their leading
goal-scorer all-time (228), in
the Premier League (175) and in
Europe (42).
When asked if he thought about
another stint at the club, he said,
"You kind of never leave Arsenal.
How many comebacks do you
make? At one point, it will turn
out to be a bad movie. We all love
the first Rocky, but I'm not too
sure about the last one."

Henry, who was born in the tough
Parisian suburb of Les Ulis,
started playing football at the
age of six, and his talent did not
stay unnoticed for long. Nurtured
at the national football center
alongside Nicolas Anelka and
David Trezeguet, the astute, fast,
and technical forward started his
professional career at Monaco,
where he won the French league
in 1997.
FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 22,
2004 file photo Arsenal's Thierry
Henry celebrates after team ma
His achievements with Monaco
opened the door to the France
team, and he was selected for
the World Cup on his home soil.
Although Zinedine Zidane was the
big star of the tournament, Henry
did not disappoint, and scored his
first international goal in the group
stage against South Africa, then a
brace against Saudi Arabia. He
also showed his coolness under
pressure, scoring from the spot
against Italy in a penalty shootout
in the quarterfinals.
Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com
lex
Adebayor
Nimely is high on
confidence
and
who wouldnt be
like him, having found a new
job.
Nimely signed with League
One said Port Vale on
November 26 in a deal that will
keep him at Vale Park until the
end of the season.
The 23-year-old, who was
released by Manchester City
in June, was on trial with Rob
Pages side for several days and
played in the reserves league.
Nimely debuted for 24 minutes,
replacing Colin Daniel, in a 2-0
home defeat to Coventry City
on December 13.
And despite a bad start, the
striker is eyeing a starting
position, beginning at Crawley
Town on December 20, in
order to repay the trust reposed

in him by Page.
I spoke to the gaffer and he
discussed that he wanted me to
get more games under my belt
and after two or three games I
feel I am back to full fitness.
Im an all-round player. I like to
get on the ball, dictate the play
and score goals so hopefully
I can try and create and score
goals for the team, he told a
post-match news conference.
Nimely, a former England
under-20 international, played
for Barrack Young Controllers
(BYC) and Mighty Barrolle
before moving to Cameroons
Coton de Garoua in 2006 and
joined City in 2008.
He spent six years at the Etihad
Stadium but only played a
premier
league
gamea
6-1 win against Burnley at
Turf Moor on April 3, 2010,

and spent time on loan at
Middlebrough, Coventry City
and Crystal Palace.
And with a lack of competitive
action for almost six months,
Nimely is understandably
delighted to be back on the
pitch.
It was really, really good.
My family and everyone was
calling me and praying for
me because for a long time
I havent played so Im very
grateful.
Ive been injured for a while
and getting 20 minutes under
my belt was good but the result
was disappointing because Im
a winner but theres still a long
way to go so hopefully we can
get things right.
When I came on we wanted to
score goals and we didnt have
THE END OF AN
INCREDIBLE
JOURNEY
1998 World Cup winner Thierry Henry retires
PARIS (AP)
n announcing the end of
a distinguished 20-year
career, Thierry Henry made
it clear where he felt more
cherished.
It wasn't France, for which he

won the 1998 World Cup, remains
the national team's leading goalscorer, and second-most capped
player.
Henry, who speaks French,
English and Spanish, decided

to announce his retirement by
posting a message in English
on his Facebook page, and via
a statement from his future
employer, Sky Sports in Britain.
"The English have made a statue
of him, but in France, he has not
always been recognized at his full
worth," said Frederic Thiriez, the
president of the French league.
"(He) will, nonetheless, remain
a legend. He was an exceptional
striker."
The statue of Henry, on his knees
celebrating a goal, stands outside
the home stadium of Arsenal,
where he is regarded as the
Gunners' greatest player.
The 37-year-old Henry was linked
anchester
United
star
Ander Herrera
has pleaded his
innocence after he was one of
41 figures quizzed as part of a
match-fixing investigation in
Spain.
The midfielder, nine of his
former Real Zaragoza teammates and the club's ex-coach
Javier Aguirre stand accused
of paying Levante players
965,000 before the last game
of the 2010/11 La Liga season.
Herrera, who played for the
club between the age of 12
and 22 has fiercely denied the
claims on his official Facebook
account and promised to help
assist the case by any means
possible.
GARCIAS QATAR BIDDING

REPORT APPEAL REJECTED BY FIFA
ichael
Garcia
will not be able

to appeal Fifa's
report of his
investigation into the bidding
process for the 2018 and 2022
World Cups.
Former United States attorney
Garcia led the investigation
by Fifa''s Ethics Committee
into the bidding process for
the next two World Cups, to
be held in Russia and Qatar
respectively.
The decision to award Qatar
the 2022 showpiece was met
with particular criticism over
alleged corruption and staging
the tournament in the country's
extreme weather conditions.
I DREAM OF RETURN TO
FOOTBALL - PUYOL
ormer
Barcelona
defender Carles Puyol
has revealed he dreams
of making a return to
football, seven months after
hanging up his boots.
The 36-year-old spent his entire
career at Camp Nou, spanning
15 years between 1999 and
2014, before announcing his
retirement in May this year.
Puyol has since assumed a new
role at the club as Barcelona's
Assistant Director of Sport, and
though he admits injury meant
he couldn't possibly play on,
says he misses the game dearly.
"I often dream of returning and
playing football again," he said
in an interview with AS.
"I really miss playing and
training, I have to be honest.
But now I still can't really play
any sport at all at the moment
because of the knee injury that
ended my career.
Page 6a
12 | Frontpage
~ PERSPECTIVE ~
THE CLAIM OF MARGINALIZATION OF

THE MAH OR THEDAN PEOPLEOF NIMBA
A PRODUCT OF SELF-CENTERED, DIVISIVE POLITICAL GAME PLANNERS, DOOMED FOR FAILURE
Cllrs. Tiawan Saye Gongloe and Zaiye B. Dehkee, I, Contributing Writers
imba County remains one of the two

sub-political divisions in Liberia
that have resisted the temptation of
disintegration. During the Taylor
administration, when Lofa and Grand Gedeh
counties were being politically split into two
counties each, Nimba resisted the pressure
of disintegration from highly placed political
leaders (not Nimbaians) in government. The
focus of the Nimba people at that time was on
elevating the level of political governance of
the county by the creation of statutory districts,
administrative districts, townships, chiefdoms,
clans and magisterial districts to suit the size and
population. The knowledge that the proponents
of disintegration are lacking is that the founders
of Nimba county envisaged and engraved unity
in the hearts and minds of Nimbaians to be their
strength and authority in the embodiment of the
national politics. Evidently, this vision of Nimba
Countys founders has, from time and again, been
tested and demonstrated as reflected in Nimba
responses to national crisis and events irrespective
of internal disagreements with county governing
authorities or dissatisfaction with conditions of
governance. The successes scored in hosting
and handling national and international events
beginning with the formation meeting of the
Organization of African Unity in Sanniquellie in
1959 to the hosting and handling of three Liberia
Independence Day Anniversaries in 1972, 1999
and 2010 clearly demonstrates the true reflection
of unity and culture of hospitality of the Nimba
people. Though, the 1999 Independence Day
Anniversary, understandably, was poorly attended
due to the fact that Liberia was at war with itself,
Nimba County remains the beckon of hospitality
in Liberia. Nimba 2010 celebration of Liberias
Independence Day was redemptive. It was
declared by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as
the best Independence Day celebration under her
administration. Nimbas strength and successes in
scoring these high marks of national credentials
were and are embodied in unity envisioned and
engraved by the founders.
The Civil Crises: A burden of Reconciliation
Just as Ebola threatens the existence of humanity,
so was the Liberian civil crisis to Liberia. The
civil crisis was brutal in nature and threatened
the bond that unites the five ethnic groups (Dan,
Mah, Krahn, Mandingoe and the Gbi peoples). The
burden of reconciliation is the by-product of the
civil war that those who see themselves as political
leaders of the people of Nimba should and must
bear. Our people are seeking for leaders that will
fulfill the vision of the founders of the county, not
those who seek to create conditions of disunity
among them. Leadership is an authority that can
only be given directly by the people through an
electoral process or indirectly through the President
and other persons elected by the people and not
imposed. Only rulership, such as the one obtained
through military coups or monarchial system can
be imposed. Surrogate politicians who, being
inadequate in themselves and lack the appropriate
message for the people, would sing the song of
the proponents of disintegration, in some cases,
such as marginalization or political dominance
by one ethnic group of the other, especially when
the people are to freely make their choice at the
ballot box. There should be no dissent when the
people freely exercise their franchise, and so also,
when the executive, with consent of the choice of
the electorates, constitutionally exercise its rights
guaranteed under the constitution to appoint their
local officials.
Current Situation
Since the end of the fourteen years of civil conflict
in Liberia, the overriding concern of all wellmeaning Liberians have been to seek ways and
means by which Liberians can reconcile themselves
and unite to rebuild Liberia. Nimba County is at the
core of this search for reconciliation and unity. The
reasons are simple. First, all of the tribes that are
known for greater participation in the civil conflict
are found in Nimba County. It is a well-known fact
that the history of the Liberian civil conflict cannot
be a true story if it does not mention the roles

played by the Mahs (Manos) Dan (Gios) Krahns
and Mandingoes. While, some hold the view that
the weapons of death and destruction placed in the
hands of members of these tribes were pointed at
non-Nimbaians, the truth is that Nimbaians pointed
some of these weapons at their fellow Nimbaians.
There are so many stories of this nature in nearly
all of the districts of the County. The second reason
is that in the efforts of some Nimba politicians to
get political position, either elected or appointed
they tend to use methods that have the potential of
undermining the unity of the Nimba people. Those
who use the method of divide and rule do often
succeed in getting elected or getting appointed to
important political positions. While such persons
succeed in getting what they want, the net effect
of their success tends to plant the seed of disunity
among the people, becoming suspicious of each
others intention and thereby making it difficult
for Nimbaians to work together for the common
good of the people of Nimba County. What good
is a political position, if one feels that in order to
get it he must divide his own people? A divided
people cannot succeed in achieving anything for
their common good. So, the situation, in Nimba
today, is such that since 2006, the members of the
House of Representatives and Senate representing
Nimba County have not been able to work together
for the common good of Nimba County. Generally,
Nimbaians are disappointed, disheartened and
sometimes find the situation hopeless. Recent
pronouncements of some Nimbaians holding
public posts that have the tendency of dividing
our people demonstrate a lack of leadership. We
reject any and all messages of disunity and call
upon the people of Nimba County to cleave unto
the vision of unity of our forefathers and vote with
their conscience.
The most recent development in this regard is
that some legislators and politicians hailing from
Nimba have been quoted as saying that the Dan
(Gio) people are marginalized when it comes to
political appointments. As much as we do not like
to participate in a discourse of this nature because
of its parochial nature, we have chosen to make
certain clarifications on this is because, it would
be difficult for us to reconcile and unite the people
of Nimba as an integral part of the national effort
at reconciliation and unity, if some people holding
important public posts continue in their ignorance
to the true and factual history of Nimba to continue
to polarize our people by putting members of one
tribe against the others by preaching the message
of disunity to gain vote from a segment of our
population. There is not any factual history to
support this proposition or claim that the Mano
people have been marginalized by the Dan (Gio)
people or that the Dan (Gio) people have been
marginalized by the Mah (Mano) people. Anyone
who makes such a proposition either does not
know the factual history of Nimba County or is an
evil genius with a deliberate design to undermine,
peace, reconciliation and unity in Nimba County.
To prevent such evil geniuses from poisoning
the minds of young Nimbaians against any
group of Nimbaians or create tribal conflict, we
have decided to give a statistical history of how
Nimbaians of the various tribes have had their
fair chances in holding public posts since Nimba
County was created in 1964, fifty years ago.
In 1964, the area of Liberia from Kakata to the
Cestos River, then known as the Central Province
was a land occupied by tribes that were, largely,
united and peacefully living together. In 1964, the
chiefs and elders of this land gave their consent
for their educated children and their government
to create Nimba County. The chiefs who made this
historic decision included Paramount chief Glozuo
Toweh, Paramount Chief Karnwein Tuazama,
Paramount Chief Johnny Voker, Paramount Chief
Nyonton Paye, Paramount Chief John N. Strotter,
Paramount Chief Weh Dorliae, Paramount Chief
Samuel G. Dahn, Paramount Chief Bona Suah,
Paramount Chief Woto Mongrue, Paramount
Chief Soko Sackor, Paramount Chief Wehpa
Paye, Paramount Chief Siaway, Paramount Chief
Gogba Glahn (succeeded by) Chief James Berry

representing Gbi and Doru (the Bassa section
of the Province) amongst others, along with
enlightened elders including, Honourables Charles
S.G Boayue, Jackson F. Doe, Gabriel G. Farngalo,
Samuel T. Voker, Emmanuel N. Gblazeh,
D.Gborbo Dwanyen, David Toweh, Samuel Gizi
Kpan, Lewis Bailey, Marcus G. S Dolo, Peter G.
Dorliae, John. G. Sahn, Alfred Flomo, Benjamin
Tuazama, John Bartuah, Samuel T. Duo, Sr., Dr.
Joseph Saye Guannue, Ernest Boayue, amongst
prominent other founders. They made a deliberate
decision to establish one county, instead five along
tribal lines, which they named Nimba County.
These chiefs and our enlightened elders never
discriminated nor ever regarded each other along
tribal lines. Unfortunately, for us today, most of
these founders of Nimba County, except for a few
including Charles S. G Boayue and Dr. Guannue
are dead. These leaders, coming from the five tribes
inhabiting the area of Liberia that is known today
as Nimba County, made a deliberate decision that
all the tribes living between the Cestos River and
St. John River should live together in one county.
They named their newly established county after
the Nimba Mountain. They eloquently resisted a
proposition of the creation of a very large county
to comprise the area known then as the Central
Province including the districts of Kakata-Salala,
Gbarnga, Sanniquellie and Tappita to be known
by the acronym of KASAGBASATA.The chiefs
and elders chose Nimba, a word coined from
NeinbaaTohn (a Mah name for Nimba Mountain,
literarily meaning the mountain on which spinsters
slip or that is slippery for spinsters). They were
mindful of the fact that there existed a natural and
insitu bond that united the ethnic groups in Nimba,
something that was always reflected in their
cultures and traditions practiced over hundreds of
years. The simple fact is that members of the tribes
of Nimba County are cousins who are custodians
of insitu cultures in Liberia today. They have and
continue to maintain bigger and larger native towns
and communities with ancient insitu cultures and
traditions in Liberia today. We, who inherited this
land of united tribes must do everything to keep it
as united as the founders intended it to be.
Lets look at the history of those among the
sons and daughters of Nimba who have had the
privilege of holding important national and local
public posts. At the formation of Nimba County,
our first Superintendent was Honorable Gabriel
G. Farngalo, a Dan (Gio) man from Gbehlaygeh
County District, from 1964 -68. The second
person appointed as Superintendent was Samuel T.
Voker, a Mah (Mano) from Saclepea Mah County
District, 1968-72, D. Gborboe Dwanyen, a Dan
(Gio) from Tappita County District, 1972-74.
David Toweh, a Dan (Gio) from Tappita County
District; Fulton Dunbar, a Liberian of AmericoLiberian descent, who grew up among the Mano
and the Kpelleh people and could perfectly speak
both Mano and Kpelleh, 1977-80; Capt. Robert G.
Saye, a Mah (Mano) from Saclepea Mah County
District, 1980-81; Gen. Joseph N. Farngalo, a
Dan(Gio) fromGbehlay-Geh, 1981-83; Col. J.
Gonda Workie, a Mah (Mano) from Sanniquellie
Mah County District, 1983-86; Stephen Daniels,
a Mah (Mano) from 1986-90; Col. Jackson Paye,
a Krahn from the Kpiablee Chiefdom of Tappita
District, in 1990; Henry Bahn, a Dan from 199193; Princeton Monmia, a Dan, from Zoe-Geh
District from 1993-94; Gen. Edward Meneh, a
Dan from Gbehlaygeh, 1994-98; James W. Zotaa,
Sr., a Mah (Mano) from Sanniquellie Mah District,
1998-99; S. Yarlor Saywon, a Mah (Mano) from
Yarwin Mehnsonnoh County District, 1999-2001;
Rachael E. Miller, a Mah (Mano) woman from
Sanniquellie Mah District 2001-03; Harrison
Karnwea, a Dan(Gio) from Zoe-Geh District 200306; Robert S. Karmei, a Mano from Sanniquellie
Mah District, 2006-09; Edith Gongloe Weh, a Mah
(Mano) woman from Yarwin Mehnsonnoh County
District, 2009-11; Christiana Dagadu, a Mah
(Mano) woman from Sanniquellie Mah District,
2011-2014; and Fong Zuagele, a (Mah) Mano from
Sanniquellie Mah District, 2014-present. There has
been a fair representation of the Dans and Mahs

mainly and to a limited level the Mandingoes and
Krahns in other local government positions such as
Assistant Superintendent for Development, County
inspector, county attorney, judge, education
officers, etc. For example Samuel Bargibo, a
Krahn was one time Assistant Superintendent for
Development and the Late Asumana Kromah was
Assistant Superintendent for Development.
The people of Nimba County have elevated
Nimbaians and residents of Nimba in areas where
members of the majority tribes have chosen
members of the minority tribes over their own for
high public posts. For example, the first person to
represent the people of Sanniquellie Mah in the
House of Representatives was Chief Soko Sackor, a
Mandingo from a predominantly Mano Chiefdom.
He was succeeded my one of his sons, Hon.
Mamadee Soko Sackor, as representative when
he died. The first representative from Sanniquellie
Mah,who was Mano, was the Late Madam Yalama
Duayen Dokie. Also in the 1985 general and
presidential elections, the candidate who won the
election in Tappita, a predominantly Dan area was
Alhaji LansanaKromah, a Mandingo. Furthermore,
the man who won the representative post in the
same election from Zoe-Geh, a predominantly Dan
area, was AlhajiMamadeeKamara, a Mandingo.
In that same election year, the people of Ganta,
Nimba County, elected Mr. James Harris, a Grebo
man who had lived in Ganta for a protracted
period of time. Another Grebo man, Hon, Jeremiah
K. Koung is currently a member of the House
representing the Ganta area. During the 1997
election that brought Taylor to power, Madam
Ellen King, a Gbi woman was elected by the
people of Tappita District. Therefore, historically,
tribe has not been an issue when it comes to the
holding of public posts in Nimba County.
When it comes to the Liberian Senate, there has
also been a fair representation from at least the
two major tribes, Dan and Mah. At the birth of
the county, the first two Senators were Thomas
Quelyn Harris, a Dan from Tappita, Amalgamated
Gio Chiefdom and Johnny Voker, a Mah man from
Saclepea Mah Chiefdom. When T. Q Harris died
in 1969, he was replaced by Catherine Cummings,
a Liberian of Americo-Liberian descent whose late
husband was District Commissioner of Tappita
District, Central Province, before Nimba was
created. Then when Johnny Voker died in in 1976,
Jackson F. Doe, a Dan from Zoe Geh Chiefdom,
succeeded him as Senator. In 1985 Edward Sackor,
a Mandingo from Zoe Geh was elected Senator and
Hillary Gbunblee, a Mah (Mano) from Saclepea
Mah Chiefdom was elected Senator. Later Senator
Edward Sackor gave up his position for the post of
Minister of Internal Affairs and was replaced by
David Toweh a, Dan (Gio) from the Amalgamated
Gio Chiefdom as Senator. In 1997, Margaret
Kermah, a Dan (Gio) from Tappita, Amalgamated
Gio Chiefdom was elected Senator and George
Korkor, a Mah (Mano) from Saclepea Mah was
elected Senator. The current Senators are Prince Y.
Johnson, a Dan (Gio) from Zoe-Geh and Thomas
Grupee a Dan (Gio) from the Amalgamated Gio
Chiefdom. This representation is certainly not a
problem and should not be a problem because it
reflects the choice of the people of Nimba County.
It is the product of votes cast by Nimba people
in the 2005 and 2011 elections. Whenever the
people of Nimba want a different composition of
representation in the Liberian Senate, they can
do so in another election, now or in the future.
Therefore, no tribe or group of persons should be
blamed for the nature of representation that Nimba
County has in the Liberian Senate.
As it stands, the chiefdoms that have not produced
a Senator yet are Yarwin-Mehnsonnoh Chiefdom,
Sanniquellie Mah Chiefdom and Gbehley Geh
Chiefdom. Nimba County is not partitioned along
tribal lines but by clans, chiefdoms, administrative
districts and statutory districts. Therefore, in the
discussion of issues in the county, the focus should
be on the sons and daughters that have met the
leadership criteria to serve the people and not
tribe. This is because tribe has not been an issue
Continue on Page 6b
Frontpage
~ PERSPECTIVE ~
Page 6b
13
DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT
REGULATOR STILL IN LACC DRAGNET
in Nimba County, when it comes to the holding of

public posts.
Now lets come to national level positions. Since
the creation of Nimba County, the following
persons have held national level positions,
Enoch Dogolea, a Dan (Gio), Vice President
under President Charles Taylor; Moses Blah, a
Dan (Gio), Vice President, also under President
Charles Taylor and President after President
Taylor stepped down and went into exile; Jackson
F. Doe, a Dan(Gio), Minister of Education,
William R. Tolbert Administration;Luseni
Donzo, a Mandingo, Minister, Ministry Action,
Development and Progress under President Tolbert
and Minister of Public Works under President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf; Gabriel G. Farngalo, a Dan (Gio),
Ambassador of Liberia to Zaire(now Democratic
Republic of Congo) Guinea under President Tolbert
and Egypt under President Doe; Jenkins Wongbe, a
Dan (Gio) Director General, Civil Service Agency,
under President Taylor and Commissioner of the
Public Procurement Commission; Roger Woodson,
a Dan (Gio) Managing Director, Water and Sewer
Corporation, under Presidents Doe and Taylor as
well as Development Superintendent under Ellen
Sirleaf; D. Gborboe Dwanyen, a Dan (Gio) man,
Minister of Commerce, Samuel K. Doe Regime;
Edward Sackor, a Mandingo, Minister of Internal
Affairs, Samuel Doe Regime; S. Glorzuo Toweh,
a Dan (Gio) Minister of Agriculture and Minister
of Postal Affairs, Samuel Doe Regime; Ansumana
Kromah, a Mandingo, Minister of Internal Affairs,
Samuel Doe Regime and Commissioner, National
Elections Commissioner under Presidents Doe
and Sirleaf; Martha Sendolo Belleh, a Mah
(Mano) Minister of Health and Social Welfare,
during Samuel Doe Regime; Samuel Dokie, a
(Mah)Mano, Minister of Internal Affairs, Liberia
National Transitional Government(LNTG1),
Varlee Keita, a Mandingo man, Minister of
Public Works, LNTG1; Cllr. Zaiye B. Dehkee, I,
a Dan(Gio) Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy,
LNTG1; Y. Mewaseh Paye-Bayee, a Mah (Mano)
Commissioner of Immigration and Minister of
Post and Telecommunications under President
Taylor; David Zalee, Director of Budget, LNTG2;
Dr. Joseph Guannu, a Mah (Mano) Minister of
State for Presidential Affairs, Interim Government
of National Unity, Ambassador Plenipotentiary to
the United State of America, Samuel Doe Regime;
Harry Yuan, a Dan(Gio) Managing Director, Liberia
Electricity Corporation under Samuel Doe Regime,
IGNU and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Regimes and now
Commissioner of Liberia Telecommunications
Authority (LTA); Tiawan Saye Gongloe, a Mah
(Mano) Executive Assistant to the President,
IGNU, Solicitor General and Minister of Labor,
under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; Dr. Joseph
D.Z Korto, a Mah (Mano), Minister of Education,
under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; George
P. Gonpu, a Dan(Gio) Director of the Bureau
of Budget; Harrison Karnweaye, a Dan(Gio)
Minister of Internal Affairs, and Managing
Director, Forestry Development Authority.
Charles S.G. Boayue, a Mah (Mano) member,
National Elections Commission, under Samuel
K. Doe. J. Patrick Biddle, a Dan (Gio), Associate
Justice, Supreme Court of Liberia, under the Doe
Regime; Patrick Sendolo, a Mano, Minister of
Lands, Mines and Energy under President Sirleaf;
Frederick Norkeh, a Mah (Mano)Minister of Post
and Telecommunication under President Sirleaf;
Suzana Vaye, a Dan (Gio) Commissioner, Land
Commission, under President Sirleaf, Moses
Wogbeh, a Dah (Gio) Managing Director, Forestry
Development Authority, under President Sirleaf;
Lawrence Yekula, a Mah (Mano) Director General,
National Social Security and Welfare Corporation,
under LNTG1; Nyan Manten, a Mah (Mano)
Managing Director, Liberia Produce Marketing
Corporation under President Ellen Sirleaf; George
Bolo, a Mah (Mano) Director General, National
Social Security and Welfare Corporation and
Chairman, National Investment Commission under
Doe Regime; David Kialin, a Mano man, Director
General Agricultural and Industrial Training
Bureau; Isaac Saye Messah, a (Mah) Mano
man, Vice Chairman , Council of State, LNTG1;
Paul Guah, a (Mah) Mano man, Chairman,
National Elections Commission, under President
Charles Taylor; TargenWantee, a Dan (Gio)
Karmo Soko Sackor, a Mandingo, Commissioner
of Immigration, IGNU, Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court, LNTG1 and President Taylor
and member, National Elections Commission,
LNTG2; Emma Wuo, a(Mah) Mano; Minister of
Post and Telecommunications, under President
Taylor;Micheal Wiles, a Krahn Director General
of the Liberia Domestic Aviation Authority;

Emmanual Nyan Gblazeh, a Mah (Mano) Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia during the
Regime of Samuel Doe; James K. Belleh, a Mah
(Mano) man Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court of Liberia under Samuel Doe; Francis Sei
Korkpor, a Mah (Mano) man, Associate Justice
of the Supreme Court under LNTG2 and Ellen
Sirleaf and Chief Justice under President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf; Kabineh M. Janeh, a Mandingo,
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia.
This historical account may not be comprehensive
enough and may not be reflective of the full picture
of Nimbaians who have had the privilege and honor
to be preferred by various regimes to serve our
country in top level national posts. Occupants of
deputy and assistant level positions in ministries,
autonomous agencies and public corporations
have not been taken into consideration. Taking into
account the number of Nimbaians that have been
appointed to public posts at that level, it would
require more research work and more time and
therefore, delay a release of this very important
information which is intended to undermine any
attempt by any uninformed, less informed, or evil
genius to misinform the young people of Nimba
County and thereby create bad feelings among
them which could make them to be hateful of each
other based on their tribal affiliation, undermine
efforts at reconciling and uniting the people of
Nimba County and the general progress of the
county.
Our advice to the people of Nimba County is that
we should not allow anyone to plant the seed
of disunity and hatred amongst us because of
appointments of some of our brothers and sisters
to local and national level posts. We should know
that appointments are temporary and based on the
will and pleasure of the President of Liberia. Most
often, presidents appoint individuals that they
know or are comfortable with, as
long as such appointments are not in violation
of the Constitution of Liberia, a statute or public
policy.
Sometimes appointments are made based on
recommendations made by people that are close to
the president or that she or he trusts. In some cases
a president may appoint a person, not because she
or he is the most competent person for the post,
but because he just likes the person. For example,
there used to be a popular impression during the
Doe Regime, that as much as Emmanuel Shaw
is a competent professional, what motivated
Doe to appoint him to several positions in his
government was not his professional competence,
but the way he dressed and conducted himself.
The popular notion then, was that Shaw was,
largely, responsible for how Doe dressed and
conducted himself in the public. Doe liked Shaw
and so Shaw was appointed by him as Deputy
Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Minister
of Finance, amongst others. Some of Does
appointments may have even been influenced by
Shaw. Some appointments may even be a payback
for something good that the appointee or his parent
or some relative may have done for the president
before his/her presidency.
Appointments can be payback for support during
presidential campaigns. So also, it should clearly
be understood that while nobody has control over
the factors that influences appointments made by
a president, the failure of county political leaders
to influence equitable and just inclusion of their
citizens in government should not form the basis
of disunity. Therefore, Nimbaians should not
turn against each other because of presidential
appointments, irrespective of whether those
appointments are local or national in nature.
Rather, we should be happy when one of our Nimba
brothers or sisters is fortunate to be appointed by
a President of Liberia, especially to a national
level post. Nimba has been fortunate under most
presidents of Liberia, in this regard. Some counties
have not been as fortunate as Nimba when it
comes to appointment to public posts. Even under
Doe, when some counties did not have even one
cabinet level position, Nimba had many. We hope
that the information that we have provided in this
article will help to undermine conducts that have
the tendency to plant seeds of conflict in Nimba,
and open the door for reconciliation, unity and
objectivity during the pending senatorial election
and subsequent elections. We congratulate all our
brothers and sister who have placed their names
at the disposal of the people of Nimba County
to select one as our senator. BRAVO! BRAVO!
BRAVO!
Commission on Higher Education Director General long Corruption tale
he death is announced in her 76th year of Mother Sarah Nyene-Dio

Wesley Vah of Chocolate City, Gardnersville,Monrovia.
She died on Monday December 8, 2014 at 7:30 in the morning.
She leaves to mourn her loss several children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are as follows
On Friday December 19 at 4:00 P.M., the body will be removed from the St. Moses
Funeral Parlors and taken to her house in Chocolate City for an hour of viewing.
She will then be conveyed to the St. Augustine Episcopal Church on Barnersville
Road for wake-keeping beginning at 6 P.M.
On Friday December 20 at 10:00 A.M., funeral service will be held at the same
venue, the St. Augustine Episcopal Church.
Interment follows at the new Johnsonville cemetery.
This announcement was brought to this paper by Nyemade Harmon, Wade Wesley,
Amanda Wisner, Otis Mason and Ade Wede Kekuleh on behalf of the family.
DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT
his is to announce the death of Mr. Nabih Skaf which sad incident took
place at the JFK Memorial Hospital. He was 94; he lived in Liberia for
44 years doing business. His company was called (NASKA).
He leaves to mourn his wife Mrs. Janet Skaf, two daughters: Germaine
Skaf, Darbeh Skaf and the entire Labanese Community in Liberia.
Funeral Arrangements are as followsThe remains of the Late Mr. Nabih Shaf will be taken at the St. Moses Funeral
Parlors on Friday, December 19 at 8 am. Burial follows at his farm in Gbarma
(Gbarpolu County).
This announcement brought in by the Lebanese community.
TOTAL OPENS 27TH SERVICE STATION

ON DUPORT ROAD IN PAYNESVILLE
Total Duport Road Service Station
Total Managers at the opening of Total 27th Service Station
LPRC Deputy Managing Director for Operations

Mr. Aaron Wheagar making remarks
Guests at the Program
Opening of Total Duport Road Mini Mart
Total Managing Director Robert Fenech gives LPRC

DMDO Aaron Wheagar a tour of the facility
At the Liberia Corner in Total Duport Road Mini Mart

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TOP

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES

But Police Tightlipped

Legislature to Ratify Block 16

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2014

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

ON THE SALE OF FOUR OIL BLOCKS IN MIDST OF EBOLA OUTBREAK

Petroleum News - pg.5

Incumbency Factor Favors Nimba County Senator

Liberia Transformation Party Kennedy

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Monrovialaims and counter claims continue to pile up ahead of

Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

For days now reporters have

CDC claim as baseless and sophomoric.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

A BIG THANK TO DR. ATAI

SECURITY IN THE MIDST OF EBOLA

iberias Agricultural Sector is in an appallingly worrying

nutrition and health. Therefore, Liberia has this unique opportunity

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

LUSENE SHERIFF SANDTON, GAUTENG

ZIONNEY (SIGNED IN USING YAHOO)

The Reader's Page

Send your letters and comments to:

THE CERTAINTY OF A TSUNAMI

he volcanic support and tsunami endorsement Amb.

locally and internationally.

ook at the illogical reasoning of the two dissenting

Rodney D. Sieh, Managing Editor, 0886-738-666;

COUNTY NEWS TEAM

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Al-Varney Rogers avarney.rogers@frontpageafricaonline.com 0886304498

that some stealing is being

the Hydrocarbon Technical

WRIT OF PROHIBITION INTENDED TO PROTECT

Monroviaast Saturdays ruling

election in the mist of the deadly

raised political issues rather than

Liberians should take note of.

Calls For Time to Consult Supporters

n Tuesday Liberians who gathered at the Temple of justice

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

SMOOTH SAILING FOR PYJ?

Ganta, Nimba County s the countdown to

Incumbency Factor Favors Nimba County Senator

Senator Johnson receives daily

election is the personality of the

Here, in this district, the senator

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Gbarnga, Bong County s the December 20

Monroviahe Political Leader

has reliably gathered, is mainly

of the Alternative National

county. In every district, the

they did in the past. What we

administration would initiate

GETTING READY FOR 2017

He said, the CRC has made gains