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Protests await Weah’s a g Annual Message Pe11

a g Pe11 Lawmakers vow to boycott session WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 2019 w w w .t henewdawnliberia.com N E W D A W N 2

Gunmen attack Nairobi hotel complex uspected militants started hearing gunshots, and Ferdinand Omondi at the The number of victims the Somali government but have attacked a then started seeing people scene: "Things are not good. r e m a i n s u n c l e a r. O n e has also carried out attacks Sluxury hotel complex running away raising their People are dying. photographer for Agence throughout East Africa.Kenya in Nairobi, with a number of hands up and some were Mr Boinnet later said most France-Presse reported five is part of a regional people feared dead. entering the bank to hide for of main building had been bodies slumped over tables peacekeeping operation that Gunfire and blasts were their lives."Police then secured, but police were still on a restaurant terrace in the s u p p o r t s t h e S o m a l i heard at the compound in the rushed to the scene. One working to flush out any c o m p l e x . T h e f i v e - s t a r government in its battle Westlands district of the officer told the BBC's surviving gunmen. DusitD2 hotel has 101 rooms. against al-Shabab. Kenyan capital, which houses Located in the Westlands In September 2013, al- the DusitD2 hotel as well as suburb, minutes from the Shabab gunmen entered the offices.The Somalia-based capital's business district, it Westgate shopping mall in militant group al-Shabab said has its own spa and several N a i r o b i a n d t a r g e t e d it was behind the attack but restaurants. shoppers. gave no details. Kenya has seen a number During an 80-hour siege at People - some with bullet of terror attacks in recent the upscale centre, 67 people wounds and covered in blood years - most notably in areas were killed. - were escorted out of the close to the Somali border Two years later, the group building by heavily armed and in the country's capital. carried out its deadliest ever police.The attack began at Who are al-Shabab? assault in Kenya, shooting about 15:00 local time (12:00 They are a militant dead almost 150 people at GMT). The gunmen threw Islamist group that opposes Garissa University.BBC bombs at vehicles in the car park before entering the lobby, where one blew himself up, Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinnet told reporters. A woman working in a neighbouring building told Reuters news agency: "I just Zimbabwe fuel protests: MDC opposition office torched he main office of Bulawayo. opposition's headquarters Z i m b a b w e ' s Social media platforms w o u l d h a v e b e e n Topposition party, have been blocked and targeted.Security Minister MDC, has been torched businesses have closed as Owen Ncube confirmed there violence in the eastern city of g o v e r n m e n t d r a g g e d following protests sparked by police patrol the streets. had been deaths but did not M u t a r e , w h e r e p e o p l e Zimbabwe out of a similar the more than doubling of the Access to WhatsApp, give an exact death toll. attacked passenger buses and crisis and ministers took fuel price. Facebook and Twitter are He blamed opposition destroyed some shops, it drastic pay cuts. Photos taken at the scene restricted but some people are figures and political rights adds.Their own government Today the authorities are show security gates torn down, using Virtual Private Network groups for the violence and had told them as much, accusing the opposition and windows smashed and burnt (VPN) to bypass the block. said an investigation was under warning that - after the human rights groups of debris on the floor. T h e g o v e r n m e n t h a s way.Zimbabwe's governing failures of the Mugabe era - the orchestrating the violence. It Several people have been blamed the opposition and Zanu-PF party says its property economy was in crisis, the is beginning to look and sound killed and hundreds arrested political rights groups for has also been damaged. state was broke, and tough very much like the old following protests in the Monday's violence. Pr e s i d e n t E m m e r s o n reforms would now be Zimbabwe. c a p i t a l , H a r a r e , a n d It is not clear why the Mnangagwa - who is trying to required. Zimbabwe is experiencing revive Zimbabwe's struggling But in the space of a few high inflation while wages economy - said the fuel price chaotic months, Zimbabwe's have stagnated. rise was aimed at tackling new leaders seem to have The southern African nation shortages caused by an squandered any public trust or faces a severe shortage of US increase in fuel use and goodwill. dollar cash and confidence in "rampant" illegal trading. The clumsy handling of a its bond notes, which are Protesters accuse the currency crisis has left most supposed to be worth the president of not understanding people struggling to afford same as the dollar, is low.The their situation.For a second basic goods. bond notes, or "bollars", have day residents in the suburb of F u e l s h o r t a g e s , t h e lost value because of a lack of Epworth in the capital are back imposition of new taxes, and a foreign currency backing the on the streets and businesses sudden, extravagant fuel price note, and are now worth much remain shut in the capital and hike, have cause more genuine less than a dollar. Bulawayo, the BBC's Shinagi hardship. Zimbabwean companies Nyoka in Harare reports. The president and his are also not producing enough Tear gas was also launched ministers have not helped to satisfy local demand or to from a military helicopter at matters by chartering jets, and earn foreign currency by protesters who had put up buying new cars, while urging exporting goods. Instead, the barricades in the capital, the the public to travel by bicycle country is importing more Associated Press agency to save money. than it is exporting and It's unclear who was behind the attack on reports. MDC headquarters in the capital, Harare It's a sharp contrast to a struggling to pay.BBC Witnesses also reported decade ago, when a unity WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 2019 w w w .t henewdawnliberia.com N E W D A W N 3

Commentary By Minxin Pei “Green city” turns smoky city China’s Perilous Taiwan Policy MONROVIA CITY MAYOR Jefferson Koijee's dream to transform the Liberian capital into a “green city” is China's tough stance toward Taiwan has so far proved counter- becoming far-fetched as marketers and residents of productive, bringing no concessions from the government in Taipei and various communities have resorted to burning heap of exacerbating tensions with the US. Unless China changes course, an uncollected garbage across the capital, spewing thick escalating battle of wills with the US could erupt into direct conflict. smoke instead, over the city.

FOR ABOUT NEARLY two to three months, the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) headed by Mayor Koijee has ASHINGTON, DC – The unfolding responded with a defiant speech of her own, in failed to collect garbage in the streets and at market geopolitical contest between China which she flatly rejected both the One China places, resulting to stockpile of filth engulfing the city, Wand the United States has been principle and the “one country, two systems” described by many as a new cold war. If it ever formula, and called for the international accompanied by flies, cockroaches and rats. becomes a hot one, the flash point could be community to support Taiwan’s de facto Taiwan, owing in large part to Chinese policy independence. MONROVIA MAY SOON face a potential health hazard as toward the island. these insects and rodents could lead to diseases such as Although Xi’s tough stance toward Taiwan may dysentery, diarrhea, typhoid, and yellow fever, among China’s government suspended diplomatic end up reinvigorating flagging support for Tsai health problems. contact with Taiwan in June 2016, because the and the DPP, there is no reason to think that he pro-independence Democratic Progressive will abandon it any time soon. But nor is there IN A BID to get relief from the stinks that have engulfed Party (DPP), which had just returned to power, reason to think that China’s policy will stop refused to recognize the so-called 1992 backfiring. While inflicting economic pain and the city, residents have resorted to burning the garbage Consensus, the political basis for the One China diplomatic humiliation on Taiwan may produce both day and night, sending thick smoke into the air principle. Since then, however, Taiwanese some short-term psychological satisfaction for that has created serious pollution, even creating more President Tsai Ing-wen has pursued a moderate China, the island will adjust over time, and danger for the population. policy, disappointing hardline DPP supporters. Chinese actions will yield decreasing returns.

THE YOUTHFUL CITY mayor came to office, promising That is not good enough for China, which has For example, after China cut the number of to make Monrovia green thru a 180-day campaign with continued to tighten the screws on Taiwan. For mainland visitors, Taiwan turned its attention to support from the government and partners. example, it persuaded five other countries to attracting tourists from other countries. Despite follow it in severing diplomatic ties, reducing the decline in visitors from the mainland, 11 the number of countries that maintain formal million tourists – a new record – visited the island PRESIDENT GEORGE MANNEH Weah, accompanied by relations with the island to just 17. China has in 2018. To reduce its economic dependence on First Lady Clar Marie Weah, and officials of also taken steps to stifle tourism from the the mainland, Taiwan has also been aggressively government launched the “Weah for Clean City mainland: whereas nearly 4.2 million diversifying its overseas markets. Campaign”March last year in several communities mainland-Chinese tourists visited Taiwan in across Monrovia. 2015, when the pro-Beijing Kuomintang Moreover, although China’s economy is far larger, government was in power, the total fell to just Taiwan has some important sources of leverage. “THE CAMPAIGN WE hope will reach out to every area 2.73 million in 2017. For example, restricting its electronics industry – which forms a vital link between China and of society and seek to instill in Monrovia, particularly Taiwan’s government has not blinked. But, last global information-technology supply chains – residents and visitors to this city, the importance of November, the DPP did suffer devastating from doing business with the mainland would keeping our public places and city clean,” Koijee had losses in local elections, largely because of significantly accelerate the exodus of export- said. anemic economic growth – an outcome that oriented manufacturers from China spurred by drove the politically weakened Tsai to resign as rising US import tariffs. BUT BARELY 10 months after the launch, has the party leader. campaign completely come to a standstill with MCC Perhaps the most dangerous consequence of garbage trucks inconspicuously absent from the For China, this seemed like the ideal moment China’s Taiwan policy is that it raises further to turn up the heat. So, on January 2, Chinese tensions with the United States. As the ultimate streets, leaving residents and the general public to President Xi Jinping delivered a major speech protector of Taiwan’s de facto independence, contend with the heaps of garbage and the associated on Taiwan, in which he made it clear that China the US has already taken steps to convey the stinks and looming diseases. remains determined to seek reunification. message that it will not just sit by and watch China bully the island into submission. Last KOIJEE AND HIS team of officials are providing no Xi dismissed the argument that China’s February, the US Congress unanimously passed explanation for the ugly situation, which if left autocratic political system is fundamentally the Taiwan Travel Act, which will allow senior unchecked, may lead to a national health crisis. incompatible with Taiwan’s boisterous American officials to visit Taiwan and vice versa. democracy, insisting that the “one country, Something urgently needs to be done to address the Though the measure is largely symbolic, it has two systems” formula, first applied to Hong infuriated China, because it amounts to official problem. Kong when it reverted from British to Chinese recognition of the Taiwan government. rule in 1997, would be sufficient to protect IF THE CITY Mayor cannot live up to the task, he should Taiwan’s interests and autonomy. The formula Furthermore, in September, the US recalled its relinquish the office immediately to give way to is, however, now unraveling in Hong Kong, ambassadors to the Dominican Republic, El somebody serious because the lives of more than 1.5 where freedoms have been eroding during Xi’s Salvador, and Panama, in protest over these million inhabitants of Monrovia should not be sacrificed tenure. countries’ decision to sever diplomatic ties with for his apparent insensitivity and inaction. Taiwan. And proposals to strengthen US-Taiwan Nor did Xi indicate that he would offer defense cooperation, including through the sale concessions to entice Taiwan back to the of more advanced weapons, are under negotiating table. On the contrary, despite discussion. declaring that “Chinese will not fight Chinese,” he refused to renounce the use of So far, China has responded to such challenges to force to prevent Taiwan from seeking formal its One China policy by ratcheting up the independence. China must, in his words, pressure on Taiwan – sustaining a highly “reserve the option to take any necessary dangerous dynamic at a time when US-China measure,” though he claims that the threat is relations are already fraught. Unless China’s aimed at “external forces and at an extremely leaders break the cycle, an escalating battle of small number of ‘Taiwan independence’ wills with the US could erupt into direct conflict. Published by the Searchlight Communications Inc., Crown Hill-Broad Street, separatists.” Adjacent Afriland Bank Monrovia-Liberia. Tel: +231-0886484201, +231-0777007529, +231-0886551057 Again, Taiwan’s government was unfazed. Tsai E-mail: [email protected]; www.thenewdawnliberia.com WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 www.thenewdawnliberia.com N E W D A W N 4

By Anne O. Krueger O-ped By Robert Skidelsky Opinion Rhymes from Central Europe Trump’s Brain Drain ASHINGTON, DC – America’s high-quality universities are among the key ONDON – On December 3, 2018, the Central European University announced that from sources of its greatness. Every year, top students from all over the world vie September 2019 it would relocate most of its teaching from Budapest to Vienna. for access to graduate and undergraduate programs in the US, and American Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government had, in effect, closed down the W L universities occupy most of the top spots in global rankings. Moreover, the basic CEU, founded by Orbán’s favourite bogeyman, George Soros. “Arbitrary eviction of a research conducted at US universities has been a primary driver of innovation and reputable university is a flagrant violation of academic freedom,” declared the university’s economic growth, as well as the source of a disproportionate share of Nobel prizes. rector, Michael Ignatieff. “It is a dark day for Europe and a dark day for Hungary.”

But not for Orbán, who, as The New York Times reported, “has long viewed the school as a America’s universities cater to a wide variety of students, researchers, and other bastion of liberalism, presenting a threat to his vision of creating an ‘illiberal democracy.’” economic actors. The top research universities attract not just the best and the And Orbán’s “desire to shut it down was only deepened by its association with Mr. Soros,” brightest students, but also clusters of high-tech companies, such as those in Silicon whom he “has spent years demonizing.” In particular, he accuses Soros, who was born in Valley and Boston. At the same time, public and private universities across the Hungary and survived the Nazi occupation and the Holocaust, “of seeking to destroy country offer excellent programs for four-year degrees. And community colleges European civilization by promoting illegal immigration.” provide vocational training as well as a pathway to a four-year degree for countless other high-school graduates. Mark Twain is often quoted as saying, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Sadly, we are a history-blind generation. Most people who read history do so for fun, not for With competition between public and private institutions ensuring a high level of instruction. The European Union is a symbol of overcoming the past, marking out a future excellence across the board, higher education in the US has long been a major export guided by insights from science and economics, not from history. Yet disturbing recent industry. According to Catherine Rampell of the Washington Post, US “educational developments, not just in Hungary, rhyme with ideas and discourses that most thought had exports are about as big as [US] total exports of soybeans, coal and natural gas been discarded decades ago. combined.” With three times more foreign students studying in the US than Americans studying abroad, the US higher-education sector contributed a net surplus of around Norman Stone’s sparkling new book, Hungary: A Short History, is a warning against ignoring $34 billion to the US current account in 2017. history. It presents a country that never quite “caught up” with the West, and therefore never “settled down” to a calm post-nationalist existence. The modernizing influence of Foreign students’ attendance at US universities confers many advantages. For industrialization has always been subsumed in the problem of borders, religions, starters, these students usually pay full tuition rates (especially at the undergraduate languages, and nationalities. level), which allows universities to allocate more financial aid for Americans who Hungary dreamed of nationhood long before it became a nation. Class structure took a need it. At the graduate level, more than half of those enrolled in computer-science typical East European form: German landlords, a Jewish merchant and financial class, and and engineering programs are foreign-born and could remain in the US to work. a “native” peasantry. A standardized Hungarian language was invented in the nineteenth Without them, America’s high-tech companies would face an even greater talent century before any but “peasants and back of beyond clergymen” spoke it. Hungarian shortage than they already do. nationhood came too late – and was too often frustrated – to be readily reconciled with a larger European identity; nor, unlike in Germany, was nationalism discredited by self- Finally, the presence of foreign students enriches the university experience for inflicted catastrophe. Americans themselves. And, as an added soft-power bonus, many foreign students return home as staunch supporters of America, and can influence their country’s In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the medieval Catholic Magyar kingdom of foreign-policy positions accordingly. Hungary disappeared, its territory squeezed between Islam and Protestantism. It was first conquered by the Ottomans and then incorporated into the Habsburg Empire, before re- Until 2016, the number of foreign students studying in the US had been rising, but it emerging as a “gigantic dwarf” with the establishment in 1867 of the Austro-Hungarian then fell by around 3% in 2016, and by 6.6% in 2017. And initial reports indicate that it dual monarchy. dropped by another 7% in 2018. Part of this decline is probably due to the fact that other countries have recognized the importance of hosting top-quality universities, The Treaty of Trianon (1920) broke up the Austro-Hungarian empire into its “national” parts and are working harder to attract foreign students and retain their own. (including a much-shrunken Hungary), roughly in line with Woodrow Wilson’s principle of “national self-determination,” but left large, unhappy Hungarian minorities in Romania, But another important factor is US President Donald Trump’s administration. Since Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. Of the three successor states, only Czechoslovakia Trump’s inauguration, it has become harder to obtain a student visa, and foreign managed to establish a stable democracy – but only by keeping Hungarians (and far more numerous ethnic Germans) out of government. students already enrolled in US universities have had to worry about whether they will be able to travel to and from their home country. The unwelcoming atmosphere – Hungary was ruled by a dictator, Admiral Miklós Horthy, from 1920 to 1944. In the Vienna epitomized by Trump’s notorious travel ban – is deterring a growing number of first- Award of 1940, Hitler handed back Transylvanian Romania to Hungary in exchange for rate students from pursuing higher education in the US. Hungarian adhesion to the Axis. After 1945, Hungary reverted to its 1920 frontier, nominally independent, but in fact part of the subordinate “people’s democracies” of the Soviet To be sure, there are also problems within the US higher-education sector itself. bloc. It regained its sovereignty in 1989 and joined the European Union in 2004. In its Complaints about rising tuition and fees, for example, have been building for years. current truncated form, Hungary is not big enough to strut on the European stage, but not What is often forgotten, though, is that the knowledge one gains from leading small enough to fit into a post-nationalist mold. universities has also become more valuable, particularly in fields such as biochemistry, computer science, and environmental studies. And even in other fields, Stone is particularly good on the role of Jews in Hungarian history. Although the Jewish innovations such as big data have vastly enhanced our understanding and broadened contribution to modern Hungary was “overwhelmingly positive” in culture, thought, and the scope of practical applications in areas such as business, medicine, and public economic development, there were enough “dark sides” to entrench anti-Semitism. The policy. ability of emancipated Jews to remake themselves into whatever form circumstances required fed the great anti-Semitic conspiratorial myth. Twenty-eight of the 36 leaders of Put another way, one rarely hears complaints about the price of a Tesla compared to the short-lived Hungarian Soviet Republic of 1919 were Jewish. This led directly to the birth that of a Ford, or about the price of a Ford today compared to that of a Model T in the of Hungarian fascism and, ultimately, the deportation and extermination of more than 1920s. Insofar as tuition costs have risen, a large part of it is almost certainly due to 400,000 Jews in 1944. Jews who survived were also prominent in Mátyás Rákosi’s Stalinist advances in knowledge, and thus the quality of a four-year degree. Just as a car today regime from 1949-1956. is more valuable than one from 100 years ago, so, too, is a four-year degree. The rise – or better, the return – of “illiberal democracy” in parts of Europe today surprises us, because it refutes the established narrative of progress. But what is odd is not the Of course, even as knowledge has increased, so have other costs. According to a study reappearance of ancient faiths and prejudices, but rather the liberal belief that they could of 13 US colleges and universities by the Boston Consulting Group, “regulatory so easily be overcome. Our theory of progress is unidirectional. It links the growth of compliance represents 3 to 11 percent of higher education institutions’ nonhospital civilization to the growth of knowledge. But as the political philosopher John Gray points operating expenses.” And with the emergence of new cutting-edge fields and high- out, in ethics and politics, unlike in the natural sciences, things that are learned don’t paid opportunities in the private sector, the costs of attracting and retaining faculty necessarily stay learned. Even in the United States, torture was rehabilitated during the have also risen. Bush presidency, and Trump is certainly some kind of throwback. As a partial solution, colleges and universities have increased their financial aid to Likewise, different countries do not necessarily learn the same thing. That is why attention offset the “sticker price” (full tuition charges) for more students. In fact, some to their particular histories is so important. To understand why 17.4 million people in universities now spend as much as half of their budgets on financial aid. But, again, Britain voted to leave the EU, it is not enough to call them “left behinds” or ill-educated. the more foreign students there are to pay full tuition, the smaller this burden will be. One needs to know British history to understand why one suit does not fit all sizes. Please note that this post is a National Post and is opened to applicants of either sex. Preference will Forb ale gl ivoefn hi tos e cquoamplly qlauainliftise dab womuten t chaen dUSida ttrades. e deficit, Trump is shooting himself in the Two rhymes from history can be heard in contemporary Hungarian politics: nationalism and foot by ordering his administration to tighten visa requirements and thereby anti-Semitism. So it is not foolish to draw parallels with interwar fascism. But to rhyme is undercutting exports of US higher-education services, as well as harming higher not the same thing as to repeat. There is no parallel today to the existential crisis of education itself. With other countries attempting to beef up their own universities, European civilization following the World War I. And anti-Soros sentiment is a pale shadow the US should be increasing its efforts to attract foreign students. Doing so would cost of classical anti-Semitism. With a modicum of common sense, liberals should be able to ensure that the old tunes are muted. Not everything done in the name of history should be the US nothing, attract the talent its economy needs, and make higher education condoned. But nor should we neglect history as a portent of alternative futures. more affordable for more Americans.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017. www.project-syndicate.org Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017. www.project-syndicate.org

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 www.thenewdawnliberia.com N E W D A W N 5 More headline news More headline news Drugs shortage hits clinics in Bong By Joseph Titus Yekeryan correspondent that her son violating prescriptions, patients in Bong became sick and died after in the area usually travel far everal clinics in Bong four days. distances to buy drugs because C o u n t y a r e She explains that when they they are not available in clinics Sexperiencing severe first started experiencing nearby. drugs shortages, a situation some unusual behaviors by her When contacted about the that has reportedly resulted to son, they immediately took s i t u a t i o n , t h e C h i e f the death of several children in him to the Gbalatuah clinic. Administrator of the Bong the region. But when they entered the County Health Team Jonah N. Our correspondent says clinic, Garman says nurses Togbah said the challenges are some of the clinics that have informed them that the clinic everywhere. been highly hit by drugs lacked drugs. He adds that they are shortages include Yila Clinic, Meanwhile, the Officer in currently appealing to the Gbalatuah Clinic and Zebay Charge of the Yila Clinic in Ministry of Health for supply to Clinic. District #1 is calling on those clinics. Some officials at some of government, through the Bong Mr. Togbah states that the these clinics have been afraid County Health Team for supply County Health Team even lacks t o s p e a k t o r e p o r t e r s of essential drugs at the health adequate budgetary support to concerning the lack of drugs, facility. effectively operate. but some have called on Yi l a C l i n i c p r o v i d e s “We do not have money, our government through the medications to thousands of ambulances are all spoiled and County Health Team for quick residents of that locality no money to fix them. All we can intervention. including parts of Nimba tell our nurses and people is that Due to the lack of drugs, County along the St. John they should remain calm as we residents of Gbalatuah and children as a result of malaria, of the women in the district to River. engage the Ministry to quickly Zebay have expressed serious adding that the government do peaceful march at the Briefing this Paper, the OIC intervene,” he says. frustration, many of whom are needs to quickly help their c o m p o u n d o f t h e Daniel Sumo says as a result of Mr. Togbah wants huge threatening to march at the clinic in Zebay with drugs. Superintendent to draw the the lack of essential drugs at budgetary allocations from compound of the County “I will say my son died of superintendent’s attention to the health center, nurses are government especially for the S u p e r i n t e n d e n t E s t h e r malaria because when I took the matter. now giving prescriptions to three Hospitals in the County. Nyamah Walker to draw the him to the hospital, the nurses Our correspondent says a patients. Phebe, Bong Mines and CB attention of local authorities. only gave me some pieces of seven - year - old boy recently He maintains that as they Dumbar Hospitals are facing “Whenever we go at the papers which they say I should died of malaria in Gbalatuah prescribe the drugs, majority serious constraints ranging from clinic, nurses will tell us there take ... to drugs store. But due to the lack of medication. of the patients do not go by the low number of ambulances and is no tablet, the only thing we there is no drugs store or even The man who has been prescription, warning that it is p o w e r s u p p l y t o d r u g s receive from them are money, so me and my mother helping the deceased’s mother dangerous to their health. shortages.--Edited by Winston prescriptions. And we don’t started applying herbs but [to] has gone blind for more than Mr. Sumo says besides W. Parley have money to buy drugs,” no avail,” she explains. four years, and so the mother Krubo Massaquoi, a mother of “I had six children but they is left struggling alone to feed five children told our Bong are now five because the the rest of the children and County correspondent. malaria recently killed one of send them to school. Mrs. Massaquoi says she them” Mrs. Massaquoi adds. Garman Flomo, the mother recently lost one of her She promises to organize all of the dead child told our Several projects abandoned in Nimba several projects across all 17 -As politics takes center stage administrative districts of By Thomas Domah/Nimba Nimba, including renovation of he faith of several Cooper is busy with politics the presidential palace in d e v e l o p m e n t ahead of the 2020 midterm S a n n i q u e l l i e o r t h e Tprojects in Nimba senatorial election. Superintendent Compound, but these projects have come to a standstill. Due to the growing focus on politics, 22 yellow machines acquired by the county during the former 53rd Legislature are all grounded. The machines were bought with money from the county Movement for Democracy and of the county legislative caucus, and social development funds Reconstruction (MDR), calling who have expressed interest in to pave roads, including on Nimbaians support Koung’s vying for the senate, of playing streets in six cities, but these bid for the senate. politics. a c t i v i t i e s h a v e b e e n Also speaking to reporters He discloses that government abandoned over a year now. in the county, Senator Thomas has failed to restitute US$1.5 Nimba County Senator S . G r u p e e , a c c u s e d Million as royalty paid by the Prince Yormie Johnson, Superintendent Dorr Cooper of mining company, ArcelorMittal. dubbed as ‘godfather’ of abandoning office to go Sources say the Government politics in the country had campaign. Senator Grupee of Liberia borrowed said amount accused Superintendent Dorr himself is seeking re-election. over three years ago with the Cooper of campaigning ahead W h e n c o n t a c t e d , intent of paying back, but has of the pending senatorial S u p e r i n t e n d e n t C o o p e r not lived up to its obligation. election, using government complains that since he took Superintendent Cooper Superintendent David Dorr Cooper vehicles. office, neither government nor confirms the abandonment Senator Johnson himself the county social development projects in the county, but recently endorsed District One funds has provided money to attributes the situation to County is in limbo as the The county administration Representative Jeremiah Kpan enable him complete the p o l i t i c s a m o n g N i m b a county leadership, including headed by Superintendent Koung as his choice for the projects. l a w m a k e r s . - E d i t i n g b y Superintendent David Dorr Cooper had embarked on senatorial race on the ticket of He accuses some members Jonathan Browne WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 2019 w w w .t henewdawnliberia.com N E W D A W N 6 More headline news More headline news Cinta Township records 12 drowning cases Bong Service Center By Ramsey N. Singbeh, Jr. Friends of Watee explained in Margibi total number, the first 10 are that he drowned while crossing commits support also all adults, two of them are inta Township in the river after four of his By Joseph Titus Yekeryan in Bong M a r g i b i C o u n t y children and among the two, colleagues had crossed the Crecords 12 deaths as a one is a girl less than two years river by swimming. ong County Service collection of the center and result of drowning in the past or maybe two years and the In December 2018, a year- Center Coordinator also help those that are out of two years, according to Police most recent boy is a year and old boy fell into a well after his BJefferson Gbanyan Gbarnga to access the center. statistics. some months old.” guardians left him alone. says the Center remains The Bong County Services The statistics, which is very This means within a period Police Inspector Kelemue committed in decentralizing Center coordinator also scaring and alarming, details of one year and nine months, notes that some of the causes government’s activities and complains of the lack of these incidents occurred from twelve persons lost their lives for the wave of drowning in the raising revenues to support the vehicle, stating that the March 2017 to December 2018. t h r u d r o w n i n g w i t h a area, according to police success of the Liberian situation is also undermining The Inspector of the Weala frequency of one death in investigation are as the result government. the progress of the center. Police Detail Francis Y. every month and a half or of negligence, drunkenness Mr. Gbanyan told an Mr. Gbanyan believes that Kelemue, explains to the New every six weeks. and the fact that Weala interview with this paper they will provide millions of Tuesday, 15 January in dollars every month if Gbarnga that in spite of the government provides vehicle many challenges, the service for their operation. center has continued to In a related development, contribute immensely to the the Bong County Service budget. Center has released progress He names the Ministry of report, announcing the Transport as the scorer of the amount of LD$3,637,487.67 highest mark in terms of plus US$3,712.00 as total money collection at the revenue generated during center. November 2018. During former President Mr. Gbanyan told our Ellen Johnson - Sirleaf’s correspondent that in the regime, government through month of November, they were the Ministry of Internal Affairs able to offer services to 812 with a European Union grant end users in the county. contribution, facilitated the He says out of the number, establishment of County 747 were males, 29 females Service Centers in all the 15 and 36 couples, respectively. Counties here. According to him, out of the About 15 service centers L D $ 3 , 6 3 7 , 4 8 7 . 6 7 a n d were either constructed or US$3,712.00, the Ministry of refurbished with funding from Transport generated LD$3, donors like the European 277,488.00 plus US$2,865.00. Dawn in an interview in Weala, Meanwhile, the recent surrounded by water. Union, the government of He notes that Transport “Since I came in the past two drowning cases include a 23 He says most of the Sweden and USAID. Ministry was followed by the years, we have had twelve years old man from the incidents happened during Mr. Gbanyan wants the Ministry Internal Affairs with cases of drowning, running Methodist Community in weekends, specifically on current government of 171,959.92LD plus US$400.00. between March 2017 and Weala, Margibi County, who Saturdays. According to him, President George Manneh According to him, the December 2018. We had drowned in the Borlor River the police have always Weah to also decentralize the Center for National Documents twelve cases of drowning while enroute to implement a c a u t i o n e d r e s i d e n t s , activities of the center at the and Record Agency generated incidents, let just say around contract along with some particularly families and District level. L D $ 8 7 , 9 4 3 . 7 5 p l u s Cinta area, not specifically friends. friends of victims to be careful Mr. Gbanyan believes when U S $ 1 9 5 . 0 0 . - - E d i t e d b y Weala and majority of them The deceased, Watee when crossing the river. - that is done, it will greatly Winston W. Parley are men mainly ten; you got 10 Kiamu, drowned on Thursday, Editing by Jonathan Browne help to increase the monthly of them who are men and the November 8, 2018. He was two are females. Amongst the popularly known as IT. LEC gets duty privileges #For the Pro-Poor Agenda to r e s i d e n t G e o r g e Manneh Weah has succeed undo the errors by Pissued Executive Order 94 exempting the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) from duty free and your predecessors. # Goods Services Tax (GST) on petroleum products. The exemption also covers GST on special categories of expand the number of particularly Heavy Fuel Oil equipment, materials and connections to the National (HFO), represent a significant vehicles used by the LEC in the Electricity Grid. expense to LEC, which show conduct of its operations. During its transition from investment in the transition to The Executive Mansion said the use of fossil fuels to the wider use of Hydro in a statement issued Tuesday, hydropower to generate Electronic Power in Liberia. 15 December in Monrovia that electricity, LEC faces external The Order further states the GST exempt for LEC market forces and risks that that customs duties and GST on includes 85.04 transformers, increase the cost of operations petroleum products are LEC’s 85.44 wires, 73.08 light poles of the corporation, the cost categories that have the and 90.28.90.00.00 electrical Mansion explains. potential to adversely impact wires. The Executive Order notes the monthly expense of the Others in this category of that some of these costs, corporation with implication G S T a r e 8 4 . 2 6 - 8 4 . 2 8 vehicles, the Mansion says. existing imperatives that which are associated with the on its expansion program.-- specialized vehicles and The Executive Order 94 by Government must tackle to purchase, delivery and Press release 87.02-87.04 operational President Weah recognizes give the LEC ample capacity to storage, and use of fossil fuels, WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 2019 w w w .t henewdawnliberia.com N E W D A W N 7 More headline news More headline news Over 5,000 risk eviction from Parker Paint By Winston W. Parley leave his property within 30 Earlier on Monday, Mr. John esidents of the Parker days whenever he was ready E. Tommy, the Political Officer Paint Community for it. in the office of Montserrado Rhave held protest He says based on his need County District #3 Rep. Ceebee outside President George now, he served them a notice C.D. Barshell said his boss and Manneh Weah’s office, seeking in December because he had the community chair have his intervention to suspend made them aware that he was been in talks with Mr. Parker on their eviction today, 15 about to start a work. his plan to evict the residents. January by property owner Mr. Parker explains that he H e s a y s w h i l e t h e Philip Parker. has taken money from a u t h o r i t i e s h a v e b e e n More than 5,000 family somebody for some work to be appealing to Mr. Parker, the heads are said to be at risk of done on the property, with two residents thought to also seek being affected by the eviction lots on the front view being of President Weah’s intervention exercise, according to local priority at this moment. by assembling outside his a u t h o r i t i e s f r o m t h e He tells this paper in the office at the Ministry of Foreign community. interview that it’s time that Affairs. Parker Paint is a community squatters leave the property Mr. Tommy notes that more in Paynesville, closer to the because some of them have than 5,000 family heads are Redlight General Market. benefited from it by renting due to be affected, and they Madam Lorpu Kolleh, a out rooms, running video clubs are appealing for Mr. Parker to resident of the Parker Paint and have even built properties extend the eviction time to six Community, speaking on at different locations where months considering their behalf of the protesters they could relocate. children’s school issue as well. Monday, 14 January told Parker gave them notice in Community Chairman have “All that one we saw, we “We are talking about more journalists outside President December 2018, informing been trying to intervene, but didn’t have any problem with than 5,000 family heads, it’s a Weah’s office that they want them to leave because the their intervention has not it because we didn’t have a big community. The Parker the President to talk to Mr. eviction will take effect on 15 changed Mr. Parker’s decision need, but now … we have a Paint Community is a big Parker to delay their eviction January. to carry out his planned financial need and things have community by itself,” says Mr. because their children are She says they have paid eviction. not been so good,” he says. Tommy. currently in school. money for their children’s She expresses fears that if school, complaining that they sit without doing According to Lorpu, Mr. evicting them now will put something, Mr. Parker might Weah demands ID Cards Parker gave them the land to them in a bad position because move in today, 15 January with squat there for so many years they have nowhere to go. yellow machines to break and while there they have “But now it’s getting down their homes. during alcohol purchase established families and their serious. Even the building he “But we’re appealing to children are in school this year. had there, he’s taking off some him, we are not fighting him. She says she has been on Mr. roof …,” she laments. We beg him,” Lorpu concludes. r e s i d e n t G e o r g e Parker’s land for 17 years, but According to Lorpu, they In a follow up with Mr. Philip Manneh Weah has and alcohol. for those she met there, she have begged Parker, but this Parker via mobile phone Pissued a proclamation It is further directed by the cannot say how many years time he refuses to give them Monday, 14 January, he told directing all law enforcement presidential proclamation that some of them have inhabited additional time. this paper that the community agencies in the country to a “Person who wishes to enter the land as squatters. She says their District dwellers had earlier told him ensure that children under 18 a shop or shore, drug store, According to Lorpu, Mr. Representative and the that they would be prepared to are not exposed to cigarettes, b a r , n i g h t c l u b a n d narcotics, drugs and alcohol, entertainment center, for the d e m a n d i n g p r o p e r purpose of selling, purchasing, Police officer assaulted in Paynesville identification cards confirming giving or exchanging alcohol By Emmanuel Mondaye The defendant allegedly inflicted minor injury on the h e P a y n e s v i l l e assaulted the officer while the victim’s chest and head. Magisterial Court in victim was performing his duty The document indicates Th a s c h a r g e d as a police officer. that the act of defendant defendant Jack Briggs with the The document also discloses Briggs was criminal and crime of simple assault for that the defendant’s action intentionally done. It says he allegedly assaulting an officer against the private prosecutor caused serious injury to the of the Liberia National Police happened at the Zone 9 Depot private prosecutor, thereby (LNP). 1 Police Station in the Redlight d e p r i v i n g h i m o f h i s The court arrest order Community of Paynesville constitutional right. reveals that police officer w h i l e t h e o f f i c e r w a s The court record discloses E n o c h W. J a c k s o n o f performing his official duty. that the action of defendant Johnsonville Township was on The writ of arrest furthers Briggs is in gross violation of 10 January at about 11: AM that defendant Briggs beat on Section 14.21 of the New Penal assaulted by defendant Briggs the peaceful body of the Law of Liberia. of the City of Paynesville. private prosecutor and The Writ of Arrest was signed by the Clerk of Court Henry G. Doelakeh. While the defendant was present in court along with his lawyers, there was no notice of assignment that would have set the stage for legal a r g u m e n t b e t w e e n t h e that a buyer is 18. beverages, drugs and narcotic prosecution and defense In an Executive Mansion substance must exhibit a valid lawyers. release issued Tuesday, 15 identification card confirming As a result of that, the January, the Proclamation he/she is 18 years or above.” defendant was released after orders that no parent or T h e p r o c l a m a t i o n his lawyers filed a valid guardian contributes to the concludes that no child under r e a p p e a r a n c e b o n d a s delinquency of minors by the age eighteen should provided for by law, under the giving or sending a child to consume or purchase alcohol, watchful eyes of Stipendiary purchase or expose a child to d r u g s a n d n a r c o t i c Magistrate James S. Cooper. -- substance use such as substances.--Press release Edited by Winston W. Parley narcotics, cigarettes, drugs WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 2019 w w w .t henewdawnliberia.com N E W D A W N 8 Français L’année 2019 sera décisive (le Président George Weah) e président George libérien et 12 de l’exécutif. Manneh Weah a dit Le Président Chambers a Laux législateurs de déclaré qu'en 2018, des Capitol Hill que 2019 serait preuves matérielles qui une année très décisive pour mettent en cause un juge l’objectif national de associé en exercice de la Cour consolidation de la paix et de Suprême ont été présentées à l'élimination de la pauvreté l a C h a m b r e d e s au Libéria. représentants. Ces faits L e p r é s i d e n t d e l a concrets décrivaient des abus république a prononcé un du pouvoir et plusieurs discours le lundi 14 janvier à violations des principes sur l'ouverture de la deuxième lesquels reposent les lois du session parlementaire de la pays. 54ème législature du Libéria. Il a rappelé que la Chambre Il a rappelé que lors du des Représentants, après lancement du plan de avoir délibéré de manière développement national, exhaustive sur l’affaire du l'Agenda en faveur des juge associé Kabineh M. pauvres pour la prospérité et Ja’neh, a adopté à la majorité le développement (PAPD), il un projet de loi qui porte avait demandé l'effort d o m a i n e s t e l l e s q u e collègues à se préparer à se concrétisent. destitution du juge. Et le collectif et la coopération de l'éducation, la santé, les relever tous les défis qui se Selon le président de la dossier avait été transmis au tous les Libériens, en infrastructures, la paix et la présenteront à eux cette chambre basse, au cours de la Sénat libérien pour qu'il soit particulier de ceux qui sécurité et l'agriculture. année 2019. Il a ajouté que première session en 2018, la jugé. d i r i g e n t e n v u e d e Il a félicité les législateurs leurs électeurs attendent Chambre des représentants a Il a ajouté que l'Assemblée transformer le Libéria en une pour « l'excellent travail qu'ils beaucoup d'eux d’où la tenu 57 séances ordinaires, 43 législative veille à ce qu’il nation moderne. ont accompli lors de la nécessité pour eux de faire séances exécutives, 6 séances règne une harmonie entre les Il a aussi rappelé aux première session l'année preuve de bonnes lois. spéciales et 15 séances trois pouvoirs de l’Etat, à législateurs qu'ils ont été élus dernière ». Il les a en outre exhortés à extraordinaires, ce qui vaut savoir l’exécutif, le législatif par le peuple pour servir et Pour sa part, le président mieux exercer leurs fonctions au total 121 séances. et le judiciaire. qu'ils doivent donc travailler d e l a C h a m b r e d e s dans le meilleur intérêt du Toujours selon le patron de Pour terminer, il a promis ensemble pour répondre à r e p r é s e n t a n t s , B h o f a l peuple afin que les projets et l a c h a m b r e d e s de soutenir le programme du leurs attentes dans tous les Chambers, a appelé ses les promesses qu’ils ont faites représentants, ils ont pu gouvernement pour les adopter 26 projets de loi et 8 pauvres, sous la direction du résolutions dans le meilleur président Weah et de toujours intérêt du peuple libérien au proposer des programmes Côte d’Ivoire: Laurent Gbagbo et Charles cours de l'année 2018. Parmi alternatifs, des politiques les projets de loi et les nouvelles via le dialogue et résolutions, neuf émanent de des lois afin que le meilleur Blé Goudé acquittés devant la CPI l a C h a m b r e d e s intérêt du peuple soit a C o u r p é n a l e audience aura lieu sur ce sujet président ivoirien, Laurent représentants, cinq du Sénat préservé. internationale a décidé mercredi matin. Gbagbo. Lce mardi 15 janvier 2019 A la CPI, le climat était d’abord Les juges considèrent que le de l’acquittement de Laurent assez tendu ce matin, dans la procureur n’a pas été capable Gbagbo et de Charles Blé Goudé. galerie qui surplombe la salle d’apporter suffisamment de Les deux hommes étaient d’audience, une salle pleine. Il y preuves pour démontrer que poursuivis pour crimes contre avait là des diplomates, des Laurent Gbagbo et Charles Blé maître Altit, ont montré leur l’humanité après les violences journalistes et beaucoup, Goudé étaient à l’initiative d’un féliciter chaudement. L’une des postélectorales de 2010 et 2011. beaucoup de militants du FPI. Puis plan commun visant à se satisfaction : « C’est une victoire, avocates de Laurent Gbagbo a une victoire pour la justice. C’est Les juges ont ordonné la remise l’audience a débuté à 11 heures. maintenir au pouvoir et de ce fait même versé une larme, signe de en liberté immédiate des deux Le juge principal a pris la parole, il à user de violence pour y parvenir. aussi une victoire pour la Cour l’émotion qui régnait également pénale internationale. Vous savez, accusés, mais elle a été a fait l’historique de la procédure, Les juges estiment par ailleurs dans le prétoire. suspendue à la demande du puis a donné son délibéré. La CPI que le procureur n’a pas la Cour pénale internationale a été Mais, finalement, quelques critiquée ces derniers temps. Par procureur dans l'attente d’un s'est prononcée en faveur de démontré que les deux prévenus minutes plus tard, l'ordre de mise nouvel appel. Une nouvelle l'acquittement de l'ancien ont prononcé des discours de cette décision, les juges ont en liberté a été suspendu jusqu'à montré qu’ils étaient de grands haine contre les populations demain en attendant de savoir si civiles. La CPI a également professionnels et qu’ils étaient le procureur faisait appel. Une indépendants. Ils ont assuré, de ordonné la mise en liberté nouvelle audience doit donc avoir immédiate de l'ancien chef de notre point de vue, la pérennité de lieu demain à 10 heures, heure la Cour pénale internationale. l'Etat ivoirien. locale. Audience qui déterminera Explosion de joie dans la C’est certainement une décision donc si Laurent Gbagbo sera remis qui fera date de ce point de vue. galerie. On entendait des cris, des ou non en liberté. personnes pleurer de joie. « C’est C’est ensuite et surtout la victoire Cela fait sept ans que Laurent d’un homme, le président Gbagbo fini ! C’est fini ! », pouvait-on Gbagbo est en détention. Il était entendre parmi ces cris. Les cris qui a été injustement accusé. La a c c u s é d e q u a t r e c h e f s justice est passée, les accusations étaient tellement forts que les d'inculpation de crimes contre juges et même les deux prévenus sont tombées et le président l'humanité : meurtres, viols, Gbagbo peut savourer une ont dû faire des signes au public persécutions et autres actes pour que la séance puisse se véritable victoire parce que c’est inhumains. Des faits qui couvrent la victoire de la réalité, de la poursuivre. la période de crise postélectorale Les accusés impassibles vérité. Et puis, c’est aussi une en Côte d'Ivoire entre novembre victoire d’une équipe de défense Tout au long du délibéré, 2010 et avril 2011. Des violences Laurent Gbagbo et Charles Blé qui pendant des années, et des qui ont causé la mort de plus de 3 années, a porté la parole du Goudé sont restés impassibles, 000 personnes en cinq mois. Des concentrés à écouter le délibéré président Gbagbo et s’est battue faits pour lesquels Laurent pour faire prévaloir la vérité et des juges. Ils ont attendu la Gbagbo avait plaidé non suspension de la séance pour se pour que la justice puisse être coupable.A la sortie de la CPI, les rendue ». prendre dans les bras et se avocats de Laurent Gbagbo, dont WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 2019 w w w .t henewdawnliberia.com N E W D A W N 9 Français Le parti au pouvoir répond à Cummings Commentaire By Minxin Pei

a C o a l i t i o n p o u r l e interposée. Dans une démocratie changement démocratique libre et une culture médiatique La politique périlleuse de L(CDC) au pouvoir a répondu comme la nôtre, la seule réponse au chef de l'opposition, Alexander politique à cette menace la China envers Taiwan Cummings, qui avait formulé des rampante consiste à alerter les critiques acerbes à l'encontre du citoyens et à concevoir des gouvernement du président mécanismes vigoureux pour ASHINGTON, DC – La lutte géopolitique discours provocant à son tour, dans lequel elle a George Weah. exposer les mensonges, la qui se déroule entre la Chine et les États- catégoriquement rejeté à la fois le principe d'une En effet, la coalition au pouvoir a propagande et la partialité de la WUnis a été décrite par beaucoup comme seule Chine et la formule « un pays, deux systèmes décrit M. Cummings comme un « p r e s s e . L e g o u v e r n e m e n t une nouvelle guerre froide. Si cette dernière », et a appelé la communauté internationale à chef d'entreprise dont le seul but continuera de défendre et de devait se réchauffer, le détonateur pourrait être soutenir l'indépendance de facto de Taiwan. est de piller énormément au pays maintenir et de promouvoir la Taiwan, en grande partie à cause de la politique le jour où il se verra confier le liberté de la presse et de pouvoir de l'Etat ». l’expression. » chinoise envers l'île. Même si la position ferme de Xi envers Taiwan M. Cummings, ancien directeur Il y a cinq jours, M. Cummings a pourrait finir par raviver le soutien affaiblit à Tsai et pour l’Afrique de la multinationale déclaré : « Le vol doit cesser. Vous Le gouvernement chinois a suspendu les contacts au DPP, il n'y a aucune raison de penser qu'il puisse en Coca Cola et leader politique du ne pouvez pas avoir une poche qui diplomatiques avec Taiwan en juin 2016, parce changer dans un avenir proche. Mais il n’y a pas non Congrès alternatif national, a coule et essayer d'ajouter plus que le Parti progressiste démocratique (DPP) plus de raison de penser que la politique de la Chine v i v e m e n t c r i t i q u é l e d'eau. Il y a une poche qui fuit à indépendantiste, qui venait tout juste de revenir cessera de se retourner contre elle. Bien que les gouvernement du président cause des vols et de la corruption au pouvoir, avait refusé de reconnaître le soi- préjudices économiques et l’humiliation George Manneh Weah, l’accusant au sein du gouvernement et cela disant Consensus de 1992, la base politique du diplomatique imposés à Taïwan puissent produire de corruption et d'amasser des doit cesser. À tous les égards, principe d'une seule Chine. Depuis lors, toutefois, une certaine satisfaction psychologique à court richesses personnelles seulement l’économie est en train de le président taïwanais Tsai Ing-wen a poursuivi une terme en Chine, l'île s’ajustera au fil du temps et les en un an aux dépens des citoyens. s’effondre. Rien ne marche pour le politique modérée, décevant les partisans de la actions chinoises donneront des rendements Il a spécifiquement accusé le peuple libérien. L'inflation est p r é s i d e n t W e a h e t s e s partout. Les prix montent. Ce ligne dure du DPP. décroissants. fonctionnaires de piller les coffres gouvernement a eu un (F) comme de l'État. note. Je n’ai pas besoin de le dire Ce n'est pas assez pour la Chine, qui a continué à Par exemple, après que la Chine ait réduit le nombre Mais Mulbah Morlu, président aux Libériens, ils en ressentent les augmenter la pression sur Taiwan. Par exemple, de visiteurs en provenance du continent, Taiwan a national de la coalition au pouvoir, effets et ce qui ne fait qu’aggraver elle a convaincu cinq autres pays à rompre les tourné son attention vers l’attraction de touristes a déclaré : « l'attention de la les choses à mon avis, c’est que le liens diplomatiques à sa suite, ce qui réduit le d'autres pays. En dépit de la baisse du nombre de coalition au pouvoir et du gouvernement ne semble pas avoir nombre de pays qui entretiennent des relations visiteurs du continent, 11 millions de touristes – ce gouvernement libérien a été de plan pour remédier à cette officielles avec l'île à seulement 17. La Chine a qui représente un nouveau record – ont visité l'île en attirée par la dégénérescence du situation. » également pris des mesures pour étouffer le 2018. Dans le but de réduire sa dépendance discours public, le recours à des Mais pour le parti au pouvoir, ces tourisme au départ du continent: alors que économique au continent, Taiwan a également allégations et des déclarations affirmations ne sont pas vraies. Il mensongères et sans fondement s’agit plutôt du mensonge. « Nous presque 4,2 millions de touristes chinois cherché très activement à diversifier ses marchés émanant des personnalités n e l é g i t i m e r o n t p l u s d e continentaux ont visité Taiwan en 2015, lorsque le d’outre-mer. politiques, des substituts des mensonges, d’allégations sans gouvernement pro-Pékin du Kuomintang était au médias et des commentateurs fondement et d’affirmations pouvoir, le total est tombé à seulement 2,73 Par ailleurs, bien que l'économie chinoise soit parrainés ». erronées de la part des leaders millions en 2017. beaucoup plus grande, Taiwan a des sources de S'exprimant lors d'une conférence politiques qui ne disposent levier importantes. Par exemple, limiter les de presse à Monrovia le lundi 14 d’aucun siège au parlement », a-t- Le gouvernement de Taiwan n'a pas cligné des possibilités pour son industrie électronique – qui janvier, le président Morlu a il déclaré. yeux. Mais, en novembre dernier, le DPP a subi un forme un lien vital entre la Chine et les chaînes déclaré que s’il y a quelqu'un qui M. Morlu a fait savoir que c’est la échec retentissant aux élections locales, en d'approvisionnement mondiales dans le domaine des devait être qualifié de criminel ou Ligue des jeunes du comté de grande partie en raison de la croissance technologies de l’information – de faire des affaires de pillard, ce serait plutôt le chef Montserrado de la Coalition pour le de l’opposition et leader politique changement démocratique qui a économique anémique – un résultat qui a poussé avec le continent accélérerait considérablement de l'ANC. été désignée pour répondre « aux Tsai, politiquement affaiblie, à démissionner en l'exode des fabricants chinois tournés vers Selon lui, M. Cummings a reçu 10 mensonges et aux rumeurs », et tant que chef du parti. l'exportation déclenché par la hausse des tarifs millions de dollars américains des que les journalistes et les d'importation des États-Unis. entreprises partenaires pour sa organisations de médias qui posent Pour la Chine, cela semblait être le moment idéal c a n d i d a t u r e à l ' é l e c t i o n des questions au sujet « des pour faire monter la pression. Ainsi, le 2 janvier, le Peut-être la conséquence la plus dangereuse de la présidentielle de 2017, mais il n'a affirmations sans fondement président chinois Xi Jinping a prononcé un politique chinoise envers Taiwan est qu'elle soulève présenté que 200 000 dollars au émanant des politiciens » sont important discours sur Taiwan, dans lequel il a de nouvelles tensions avec les États-Unis. En tant parti, c’est ce qui a en partie priés de s’adresser à l'aile des clairement indiqué que la Chine reste déterminée que protecteur ultime de l'indépendance de facto de empêché le parti d’avoir de bons jeunes du comté de Montserrado à rechercher la réunification. Taiwan, les Etats-Unis ont déjà pris des mesures résultats lors des élections pour avoir des réponses officielles. pour faire passer le message qu'ils ne se législatives où il n'a remporté "Dans la mesure où ces fausses aucun siège. allégations ont pour but de tenir Xi a rejeté l'argument selon lequel le système contenteront pas d’observer en silence la Chine En réponse à la déclaration de l’image des représentants du politique autocratique de la Chine est intimider l'île dans le but de la soumettre. En février Cummings selon laquelle "les gouvernement, ces derniers fondamentalement incompatible avec la dernier, le Congrès américain a adopté à l'unanimité dirigeants mangent en dernière démentiront le moins possible les démocratie tumultueuse de Taiwan, insistant sur la Loi Taiwan Travel, qui permettra aux hauts position", Morlu a affirmé que mensonges et demanderont à la le fait que la formule « un pays, deux systèmes », fonctionnaires américains de visiter Taiwan et vice cette affirmation indique presse et à tous ceux qui sont d'abord appliquée à Hong Kong quand elle est versa. Bien que la mesure soit largement clairement que le plan du dirigeant intéressés à s’adresser à la ligue passée de l’administration britannique à celle symbolique, elle a provoqué la colère de la Chine, de l'ANC pour le Libéria est de des jeunes de Montserrado pour chinoise en 1997, serait suffisante pour protéger parce que cela revient à une reconnaissance piller le pays, en déclarant : "Notre une réponse plus détaillée ", a-t-il les intérêts et l'autonomie de Taiwan. Cette officielle du gouvernement de Taïwan. président ne mange ni le premier conclu. formule est cependant de moins en moins ni le dernier. Son désir est plutôt L’administration Weah subit une de servir et de répondre aux pression accrue de la part de ses effective à Hong Kong aujourd’hui, où les libertés De plus, en septembre, les Etats-Unis ont rappelé besoins du peuple libérien. Ceux adversaires qui lui demandent de ont été progressivement érodées au cours du leurs ambassadeurs en République dominicaine, à El qui veulent manger en dernier sont faire preuve de transparence dans mandat de M. Xi. Salvador et au Panama, afin de protester contre la déjà corrompus et [c’est avec] la gestion des affaires de l’Etat décision de ces pays de rompre les liens l’esprit criminel qu’ils arrivent. face aux informations faisant état Xi n'a pas non plus indiqué qu'il offrirait des diplomatiques avec Taiwan. Et des propositions Dieu merci, eux et leurs partisans de la disparition des fonds énormes concessions pour attirer Taiwan à la table de visant à renforcer la coopération militaire entre les ont été rejetés par le peuple et des transactions financières négociation. Au contraire, en dépit d’avoir États-Unis et Taiwan, y compris par la vente d'armes libérien aux urnes lors des louches hors du système bancaire déclaré que « des Chinois ne combattront pas des de pointe, sont en discussion. élections. " et face à la dépréciation rapide du Chinois », il a refusé de renoncer à l'usage de la Il a ajouté que « si le Libéria avait dollar libérien et de la hausse force pour empêcher Taiwan de chercher Jusqu'à présent, la Chine a répondu à ces défis fait de grands progrès en fulgurante des prix des denrées de l'indépendance formelle. La Chine doit, selon ses pesant sur sa politique d'une Chine unique en favorisant la liberté de la presse et première nécessité. d e l ' e x p r e s s i o n e t d e s L e s s o u p ç o n s s o n t m ê m e mots, « se réserver la possibilité de prendre toute augmentant la pression sur Taiwan – continuant une rassemblements au cours des dix exacerbés par la construction mesure nécessaire », bien qu’il affirme que la dynamique très dangereuse à un moment où les dernières années, un résultat simultanée par le Président de menace ne vise que « les forces extérieures et un relations sino-américaines sont déjà tendues. À regrettable de cette évolution plusieurs résidences privées, dont très petit nombre de séparatistes du mouvement moins que les dirigeants de la Chine brisent ce cycle, positive est la tentative de fonder un complexe de villégiature, de ‘Taiwan indépendance’». un bras de fer de plus en plus dur avec les États-Unis les discours et les débats publics multiples duplex et une église pourrait dégénérer en conflit direct. sur le mensonge, et les allégations f a m i l i a l e , a i n s i q u e d e Encore une fois, le gouvernement de Taiwan est n o n f o n d é e s c o n t r e l e l’acquisition de terres dans resté imperturbable. Tsai a répondu par un gouvernement et certains de ses l’ensemble du pays seulement en hauts responsables par presse moins d’un an. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2018. www.project-syndicate.org WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 2019 w w w .t henewdawnliberia.com N E W D A W N 10

January 8,W 2018ith Bai M. Gbala, Sr. P E R S P E C T I V E S January 12, 2019

Public Policy . Economics . Democratic Politics . Political/Economic Decentralization . Public Dishonesty . Dual Citizenship ANC CHARGES CDC COALITION IS SOCIO-ECONOMICALLY INCOMPETENT, ARROGANT AND VIOLATES THE NATION’S CONSTITUTION Cummings Vows to prosecute President Weah

In a blistering, unusual outburst on the local FM radio interview (Front Page Africa, January 11, 2019) and (New Dawn, January 11, 2019), the Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, moaned and lashed out against the CDC Coalition of the George Weah-led Government for what he described as “arrogance, looting, stealing, incompetence and conscious violations of the Liberian Constitution”. The former US corporate executive turned Liberian politician held that:

a) The Weah-led Government is “arrogant”, is in conscious violations of the Constitution by appointments/commissions (George Patten as Ambassador-designate without Senate confirmation, for example) and disregards the concerns and plight of the citizens;

b) There is massive graft/greed or corruption in government – “The stealing and looting (of public resources by government officials) must stop”; President George Weah ANC Leader, Alexander Cummings

c) The Liberian Nation is being “led by owned enterprises, government agencies and Conclusions incompetents under President Weah, a ministries of state were and are now managed and Now, it has been proven that Mr. Alexander complete opposite to what a good (national) staffed by BSCs, MSCs, MBAs BLAWs, LLMs, PhDs, Cummings, former US corporate executive turned leadership is about around the world; the etc. But . . . Liberian politician, is citizen of a foreign country, roguish behavior has to stop”; and violation of Liberian Constitutional as well as d) Mr. Cummings vowed to “prosecute War, Economic Crimes & Distrust Statutory and Elections Laws, that: President Weah (and others) based on the But due to allegations of war and economic crimes - facts, if elected President,” for War and that Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was the major ·The Constitutional law includes Article 52(c) Economic crimes in order to stop “the organizer and warlord of the recent civil war and which provides that “No person shall be prevailing culture of Impunity”. economic crimes - Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, as eligible to hold (and, therefore, stand for President, did not achieve confidence nor had election of) the office of President . . . unless Commendation admiration or support not only of the that person is resident in the Republic (and Indeed, we applaud and support the ANC Leader, overwhelming majority of the Liberian people; her citizen) ten years prior to his/her election”. particularly, for his courage and bravery in government adjudged the most dictatorial and speaking out, forcefully and reasonably, on these dishonest in the history of Liberia, but also, that ·Therefore, Mr. Alexander Cummings being critical issues affecting our country and people at she has been expelled as Party Leader from the citizen of a foreign country, is prohibited this critical cross roads of our times. UNITY Party that brought her political power, from standing for and/or holding Liberian wealth and national/international prominence. elected offices. However, the facts of Liberian History show that graft, greed or corruption – the stealing and Also, her Government was declared the most ·In the light of the foregoing legal looting of the nation's treasury by government corrupt government in a comparative, world prohibitions, Mr. Cummings has no standing officials deeply-rooted in the absence of good analysis by international economic analysts and in law to “prosecute President Weah” in governance characterized the performance experts. keeping with his (Mr. Cumming's) vow; history of all Liberian ruling groups since 1847, because President George Weah is citizen particularly, the Republican (RP) and True Whig Now, therefore, the critical and crucial socio- of a foreign country like Mr. Alexander (TWP) political parties and others which, economic and political difficulties facing Liberia Cummings. together, ruled Liberia for 133 years up to the are not, only and simply, professional present; but leading officials of governments competence and graft/greed or corruption, but Lastly, it is highly likely that Mr. Alexander were competent, professionally-trained and also, disloyalty and lack of patriotism, Cummings will end up in support of, not prosecute experienced individuals. expressed by lack of citizenship at the highest nor act against, President Weah, since both of national leadership level. them supported the illegal/unconstitutional Examples include the recent 12-year, two-termed appointment of Cllr. Jerome Korkoya as Chairman governments of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Professional competence, in and of itself, is not a of the National Elections Commission (NEC), the “Harvard University-trained Economist”. guarantee or assurance of required, successful benefited and continue to benefited therefrom. performance. Performance is based upon Not only that President Sirleaf was Liberia's former commitment, loyalty, allegiance and patriotism, That support (of the illegal appointment of the Minister of Finance, but also, that she organized and grounded on citizenship. One is citizen of a NEC Chairman) is the foundation or basis of introduced the Super Ministry of Finance & country because one is loyal, allegiant and “stealing (thieves), looting (daylight banditry) of Development Planning, MF&DP (abolished the patriotic to that country. This is an international, the national treasury for personal gain, Ministry of Planning & Economic Affairs); standard requirement. In fact, one may not stand incompetents” graft/greed or corruption in improved management & information systems for election as president of a country of which one government by elected and appointed officials and/or re-structured, re-organized and energized is not a citizen. Recall, for example, the US –Senators, representatives, presidents, judges of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA); the Liberia debate (falsely prompted by businessman Donald courts & justices of the supreme court, ministers, Maritime Commission into Liberia Maritime Trump) about the birthplace, therefore, heads of agencies, state-owned enterprises, Authority (LMA); many of the economically- citizenship of US Presidential candidate, Barack superintendents of counties, etc., etc. That is important state-owned Enterprises, NOCAL, LPRC, Obama in 20008. why Mr. Cumming's “this must stop” will not, but NPA, NIC, LAA, etc.; and most of these state- continues infinitively from the past!!! WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 2019 w w w .t henewdawnliberia.com N E W D A W N 11 Protests await Weah’s Annual Message By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor the William Richard Tolbert Investigation Team set up by s President George Joint Chambers at the Capitol the government has submitted M a n n e h W e a h when President Weah takes its findings sever since, but the Aprepares to deliver the stage to deliver his Annual Weah administration is his second Annual Message on Message on Monday, January reneging on informing the the Fourth Working Monday of 28. public about the outcome, January in line with the Rep. Kolubah, who adding that the report entirely Constitution, some lawmakers contested as an Independent i n d i c t e d t h e c u r r e n t on Capitol Hill and civil society Candidate and won a seat in administration. group, Economic Freedom the House, says they are He laments that it is Fighters of Liberia are building consultation with u n a c c e p t a b l e f o r t h e planning to protest to disrupt other lawmakers to join the President, amid huge financial the event. planned protest. scandal facing the state to Reports from the Capitol T h e s e l f - s t y l e d stand before the Liberian say Grand Bassa County Commander-In-Chief of the people to deliver anything Re p r e s e n t a t i v e T h o m a s Economic Freedom Fighters of called ‘Annual Message’ Goshua and Montserrado Liberia, Emmanuel Gonquoi A r t i c l e 5 8 o f t h e County Lawmaker Yekeh discloses they will take the Constitution of Liberia states: Kolubah complain that the streets of Monrovia for the The President shall, on the E x e c u t i v e b r a n c h o f s e c o n d t i m e , i f t h e fourth working Monday in government headed by government failed to release January of each year, present President Weah has failed to findings from probe on the the administration’s legislative provide funding to undertake missing 16 billion Liberian program for the ensuing banknotes. session, and shall once a year legislative projects in their against the government Kolubah and Goshua are Speaking to the NewDawn report to the Legislature on the respective districts. especially, the manner in contending if the Executive on Tuesday, January 15, via state of the Republic. In They claim the President which some officials are does not resolve in disbursing mobile phone, Gonquoi notes presenting the economic has cool-shouldered them handling the affairs of state. funding for their legislative the government has failed to condition of the Republic, the because of their critical stance Both Representatives projects, they will walk out of release findings from the report shall cover expenditure investigation. as well as income. -Editing by Lawmakers vow to boycott session He says the President Jonathan Browne By Bridgett Milton They indicate that these Representatives and not for ome members of the issues also severely impact the the public. Bomi caucus damns H o u s e o f delivery of services to their But Rep. Gray insisted that SRepresentatives have people and they will not there was nothing spelt out in vowed not to attend session participate in any discussion the communication for plenary Supt. Robinson until their concerns can be that precedes the requested to go to executive. addressed by the House of executive session for that Gray argues that if you want -For sale of county’s only yellow machine Representatives. matter. to advert to executive, the By Emmanuel Mondaye On Tuesday, 15 January, six Mr. Sloh describes Speaker issue must be spelt out to know Representatives in persons of B h o f a l C h a m b e r s a s why plenary is going to enator Sando Dazoe consent of other local officials Jay Nagbe Sloh of Sinoe; Beyan incompetent and cannot lead executive. He continues that J o h n s o n o f B o m i of the county. D. Howard of Lofa; Thomas 73 people, warning that this is there is no need to go to SC o u n t y s a y s t h e The Bomi County Senator Goshua and Vincent S. T. Willie not about Coalition for executive. county’s legislative caucus has q u o t e s S u p e r i n t e n d e n t of Grand Bassa; Adolph A. Democratic Change (CDC) Also speaking, Rep. Adolph brought a guilty verdict Robinson as saying that he sold Lawrence and Yekeh Y. issue. A. Lawrence says for the past against Superintendent Adama the equipment because it had seven years that he has been at Robinson for singlehandedly not been in good condition for the Capitol, it is his first time selling the only yellow several years prior to his for issue that affects members machine that belongs to Bomi. a p p o i n t m e n t a s to be discussed in the public. He says members of the Superintendent. After few minutes of caucus reached the verdict on He says the caucus has arguments among lawmakers, 13 January following an instructed Superintendent a motion was made by Rep. intensive investigation. Robinson to appear on two of Gray that the communication He adds that officials of the the county’s community radio should be dismissed and don’t county had been concerned stations to publicly apologize return since the lawmakers did who really stole the single for his illegal action. not want to talk in the public. yellow machine and motive Effort by the New Dawn to In an interview with Rep. behind the action. contact Superintendent Sloh after session, he says they According to Senator Adama Robinson on the matter want to know what is Johnson, Superintendent proved fruitless as one of his happening to duty free gas Robinson admitted to the office staff Kadala Allison, told that they don’t receive it for caucus that he sold the this paper the Superintendent the past month. earthmoving equipment as would speak on the matter According to Sloh, they scrap with the knowledge and through a formal statement. want explanation over who is receiving the gas, saying when Speakers Chambers was a common lawmaker, he put up a b i l l c a l l i n g f o r t h e standardization of salaries and benefits of the Speakers, Kolubah of Montserrado But after reading the Deputy Speaker of the House. r e q u e s t e d p l e n a r y f o r communication, ruling party However, Sloh observes suspension of the House’s Coalition for Democratic that today, Chambers’ budget agenda for for an executive Change (CDC) Rep. Acarous is 15 time more than what session. Moses Gray made a motion that members of the House are The six lawmakers say in a the communication be open in earning. communication to the plenary the public because they did not He argues that they all are that their request was based have anything to hide. Representatives and they are on the urgent need for the When the motion was equal. willing to give them cars. He says they are demanding House to discuss a number of seconded and the floor turned Rep. Sloh laments that At the same time, he says that their cars be delivered to very pertinent issues that over to Rep. Sloh, he said what when they passed the budget, they were given option to the Capitol.--Edited by affect the smooth operation of they wanted to discuss issues Speaker Chambers told them either take the cars or the Winston W. Parley the House of Representatives. concerning the House of that the Executive was not Legislative support project. eTwhe French Version Inside N TDRULYa INDwEPENDnENT VOL. 8 NO. 238 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 PRICE LD$40.00 With Emmanuel B. Juduh

what life holds for me off the pitch." Cech arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2004, having been signed from Rennes, and made his Premier League debut in a 1-0 win over Manchester United, which was a l s o n e w l y - a p p o i n t e d manager Jose Mourinho's first league game in charge. The goalkeeper went on to become a Blues legend, making 494 appearances in all competitions (sixth-most all- time) and winning a host of trophies. He moved on to Arsenal in the summer of 2015 and rsenal goalkeeper signed my first professional continued to impress, making and Premier League contract, so it feels like the well over 100 appearances and Agreat Petr Cech has right time to announce that I winning the FA Cup in 2017. announced that he is retiring will retire at the end of this He remained the club's at the end of the season. season. number one at the start of the The 36-year-old, who won "Having played 15 years in current season but his place to the Premier League four times the Premier League and won Bernd Leno after suffering an and the Champions League every single trophy possible, I injury against Watford, and during his time at Chelsea - feel like I have achieved has been on the bench for all announced his decision in a everything I set out to achieve. Premier League games since post on his Twitter account. "I will continue to work hard returning to fitness, only Cech said: "This is my 20th at Arsenal to hopefully win one s t a r t i n g i n t h e c u p season as a professional player more trophy this season, then I competitions. and it has been 20 years since I am looking forward to seeing Chelsea face UEFA action over racism EFA has opened D i s c i p l i n a r y I n s p e c t o r few mindless individuals at d i s c i p l i n a r y commissioned to conduct an some of our recent matches" Up r o c e e d i n g s investigation". and added Chelsea "will not against Chelsea after the During the game against rest until we have eliminated alleged racist behaviour of Vidi, which was played at the all forms of discrimination their fans during their Groupama Arena in Budapest, from the club". Europa League match it was alleged a number of Lacking enough evidence against MOL Vidi in Hungary Chelsea fans sang a derogatory from officials at the game, in December. s o n g a b o u t To t t e n h a m UEFA appointed a disciplinary UEFA announced the news f e a t u r i n g a n t i - S e m i t i c inspector to investigate the on Tuesday morning, based language. incident. on "the report submitted by Chairman Bruce Buck t h e U E FA E t h i c s a n d condemned the actions of "a

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