🇱🇷 Liberia lower house votes to set up war crimes court
Liberia's lower house of parliament has approved a motion to set up a war crimes court - more than two decades after the end of a devastating civil conflict.
In 2009 a Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended the establishment of the court but the move was resisted partly because a number of accused warlords remain influential.
About a quarter of a million people died during Liberia's civil wars between 1989 and 2003.
The atrocities included massacres, rape, cannibalism and the forced recruitment of child soldiers.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's lower house of parliament has approved a motion to set up a war crimes court - more than two decades after the end of a devastating civil conflict.
In 2009 a Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended the establishment of the court but the move was resisted partly because a number of accused warlords remain influential.
About a quarter of a million people died during Liberia's civil wars between 1989 and 2003.
The atrocities included massacres, rape, cannibalism and the forced recruitment of child soldiers.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberian president sets up task force to trace stolen state assets
Liberian President Joseph Boakai on Wednesday issued an executive order to identify and recover stolen state assets and prosecute complicit current and former officials under a crackdown on graft launched since his January inauguration.
The order will establish a task force that will have the legal mandate and state funding to investigate and retrieve wrongfully acquired government assets and seek the extradition of suspects involved, the presidency said.
It did not name any suspects or estimate the losses to the state, but cited a need to "curtail this alarming menace that has engulfed our country and address the situation of converting public assets to private use by officials placed in positions of trust."
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberian President Joseph Boakai on Wednesday issued an executive order to identify and recover stolen state assets and prosecute complicit current and former officials under a crackdown on graft launched since his January inauguration.
The order will establish a task force that will have the legal mandate and state funding to investigate and retrieve wrongfully acquired government assets and seek the extradition of suspects involved, the presidency said.
It did not name any suspects or estimate the losses to the state, but cited a need to "curtail this alarming menace that has engulfed our country and address the situation of converting public assets to private use by officials placed in positions of trust."
#Liberia
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇱🇷 Liberia lower house votes to set up war crimes court Liberia's lower house of parliament has approved a motion to set up a war crimes court - more than two decades after the end of a devastating civil conflict. In 2009 a Truth and Reconciliation Commission…
🇱🇷 Liberia parliament approves creation of war crimes tribunal
Liberia's parliament voted on Wednesday to approve the creation of war crimes court, twenty years after the bloodiest conflict in the west African country's history.
Liberia suffered two civil wars between 1989 and 2023 in which serious atrocities including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers were committed.
A truth and reconciliation committee recommended the establishment of a special tribunal to try those accused of committing crimes but no action was taken.
The proposal to create the court was fronted by new President Joseph Boakai and was backed by 42 legislators out of 72. To be implemented, the resolution must be approved by the senate.
No date has been set for the senate vote.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's parliament voted on Wednesday to approve the creation of war crimes court, twenty years after the bloodiest conflict in the west African country's history.
Liberia suffered two civil wars between 1989 and 2023 in which serious atrocities including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers were committed.
A truth and reconciliation committee recommended the establishment of a special tribunal to try those accused of committing crimes but no action was taken.
The proposal to create the court was fronted by new President Joseph Boakai and was backed by 42 legislators out of 72. To be implemented, the resolution must be approved by the senate.
No date has been set for the senate vote.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia sacks port officials in corruption crackdown
Ten senior officials have been dismissed by Liberia's National Port Authority (NPA) after being accused of corruption.
Sekou Hussein Dukuly, managing director of NPA, said the individuals were involved in “financial improprieties”.
He said the individuals were found liable "after an internal investigation”.
Dukuly said the case has been sent to the police for prosecution.
But some of the accused individuals are planning to take legal action against the NPA.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Ten senior officials have been dismissed by Liberia's National Port Authority (NPA) after being accused of corruption.
Sekou Hussein Dukuly, managing director of NPA, said the individuals were involved in “financial improprieties”.
He said the individuals were found liable "after an internal investigation”.
Dukuly said the case has been sent to the police for prosecution.
But some of the accused individuals are planning to take legal action against the NPA.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇿🇦🇳🇬🇬🇭🇱🇷🇧🇯🇧🇫🇨🇮🌍 South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Benin, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast hit by major internet outages
Major internet disruption has been reported in various countries across Africa.
Widespread outages were reported on Thursday in countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin, Ghana and Burkina Faso.
"There seems to be a pattern in the timing of the disruptions, impacting from the north to the south of Africa," said Cloudflare Radar, which provides information on internet connections.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which regulates the telecoms industry, said the outage was caused by damage to international undersea cables running along the West African coastline.
"The cuts occurred somewhere in Ivory Coast and Senegal, with an attendant disruption in Portugal," said NCC spokesman.
He added: "You can also have undersea earth slides - sections of seabed can become unstable, sending huge amounts of mud down a canyon or gulley."
#SouthAfrica #Nigeria #Ghana #Liberia #Benin #BukinaFaso #IvoryCoast #Africa
@africaintel
Major internet disruption has been reported in various countries across Africa.
Widespread outages were reported on Thursday in countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin, Ghana and Burkina Faso.
"There seems to be a pattern in the timing of the disruptions, impacting from the north to the south of Africa," said Cloudflare Radar, which provides information on internet connections.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which regulates the telecoms industry, said the outage was caused by damage to international undersea cables running along the West African coastline.
"The cuts occurred somewhere in Ivory Coast and Senegal, with an attendant disruption in Portugal," said NCC spokesman.
He added: "You can also have undersea earth slides - sections of seabed can become unstable, sending huge amounts of mud down a canyon or gulley."
#SouthAfrica #Nigeria #Ghana #Liberia #Benin #BukinaFaso #IvoryCoast #Africa
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia opposition will not cooperate with anti-graft plan
Liberia's main opposition party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has called President Joseph Boakai's programme to recover allegedly stolen state assets as “nonsense”.
The party's secretary-general Jefferson Koijee told at the weekend that “none of our officials will submit to it”.
The CDC's George Weah lost his bid for a second presidential term last year.
Boakai, who narrowly beat him, recently set up a task force to crack down on corruption and try and get back stolen funds.
The CDC’s secretary-general alleged that the action was a violation of the constitution - though he did not state which part of the constitution - and it will be resisted by the party.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's main opposition party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has called President Joseph Boakai's programme to recover allegedly stolen state assets as “nonsense”.
The party's secretary-general Jefferson Koijee told at the weekend that “none of our officials will submit to it”.
The CDC's George Weah lost his bid for a second presidential term last year.
Boakai, who narrowly beat him, recently set up a task force to crack down on corruption and try and get back stolen funds.
The CDC’s secretary-general alleged that the action was a violation of the constitution - though he did not state which part of the constitution - and it will be resisted by the party.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Several people killed in accident at abandoned Liberia gold mine
Several people have been killed in Liberia in an accident at an abandoned gold mine, the country's mines minister said.
Minister Wilmot Paye said on Tuesday seven people died in Monday night's incident, but acknowledged the authorities could not yet provide an exact death toll until a team reached the site in River Cess County in south-central Liberia.
"I was told that seven persons died, but I can't say much until the team gets there. The mines had been abandoned several months ago," Paye told, adding that he did not know which company had operated the site.
"If we get the details of the company, the law will take its course," he said.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Several people have been killed in Liberia in an accident at an abandoned gold mine, the country's mines minister said.
Minister Wilmot Paye said on Tuesday seven people died in Monday night's incident, but acknowledged the authorities could not yet provide an exact death toll until a team reached the site in River Cess County in south-central Liberia.
"I was told that seven persons died, but I can't say much until the team gets there. The mines had been abandoned several months ago," Paye told, adding that he did not know which company had operated the site.
"If we get the details of the company, the law will take its course," he said.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇱🇷 French court confirms Liberian ex-rebel's conviction
A French court has confirmed the conviction of Liberian former rebel, Kunti Kamara, for his role during Liberia's civil war three decades ago.
At his first trial in 2022, following his arrest in France, he was found guilty of crimes against humanity and violence against civilians, but appealed against the ruling.
He was accused of failing to prevent soldiers who were under his command from raping two teenage girls in 1994, the AFP news agency reports.
Kamara was a regional commander of a faction of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy which fought the National Patriotic Front of former President Charles Taylor.
The conflict between 1989 and 2003 killed more than 250,000 people.
#France #Liberia
@africaintel
A French court has confirmed the conviction of Liberian former rebel, Kunti Kamara, for his role during Liberia's civil war three decades ago.
At his first trial in 2022, following his arrest in France, he was found guilty of crimes against humanity and violence against civilians, but appealed against the ruling.
He was accused of failing to prevent soldiers who were under his command from raping two teenage girls in 1994, the AFP news agency reports.
Kamara was a regional commander of a faction of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy which fought the National Patriotic Front of former President Charles Taylor.
The conflict between 1989 and 2003 killed more than 250,000 people.
#France #Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberian president signs order to establish war crimes court
On Thursday, Liberian President Joseph Boakai signed an executive order to create a war crimes court aimed at delivering long-overdue justice to victims of serious atrocities committed during the country's two civil wars. The conflicts, spanning from 1989 to 2003, were marked by widespread violence, including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers.
Despite previous calls by a Truth and Reconciliation Committee for the establishment of a special court, no concrete steps were taken until Boakai's election last year. The President's proposal to establish the court was subsequently approved by Liberia's lower house and senate. Boakai expressed gratitude to the legislators and emphasized the importance of justice and healing for lasting peace.
While the move has been welcomed by activists and civil society groups, some in Liberia have raised concerns that the court could reopen old wounds and potentially conflict with existing amnesty laws. Once operational, the court will adhere to international standards and address economic crimes as well.
#Liberia
@africaintel
On Thursday, Liberian President Joseph Boakai signed an executive order to create a war crimes court aimed at delivering long-overdue justice to victims of serious atrocities committed during the country's two civil wars. The conflicts, spanning from 1989 to 2003, were marked by widespread violence, including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers.
Despite previous calls by a Truth and Reconciliation Committee for the establishment of a special court, no concrete steps were taken until Boakai's election last year. The President's proposal to establish the court was subsequently approved by Liberia's lower house and senate. Boakai expressed gratitude to the legislators and emphasized the importance of justice and healing for lasting peace.
While the move has been welcomed by activists and civil society groups, some in Liberia have raised concerns that the court could reopen old wounds and potentially conflict with existing amnesty laws. Once operational, the court will adhere to international standards and address economic crimes as well.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia's President Joseph Boakai has announced that he will slash his salary by 40%.
His office said he hoped to set a precedent for "responsible governance" and demonstrate "solidarity" with Liberians.
Government salaries have been under intense scrutiny recently as Liberians complain about the rising cost of living. Around one in five people live on less than $2 (£1.70) a day in the West African state.
Mr Boakai revealed in February that his annual salary was $13,400. The cut will bring it down to $8,000.
Mr Boakai's move echoes that of his predecessor, George Weah, who took a 25% cut in his salary.
Mr Boakai took office in January after defeating Mr Weah in a run-off election.
He vowed to tackle corruption and financial mismanagement.
As well as declaring his assets since taking office, Mr Boakai has ordered an audit of the presidential office. The results have not yet been released.
Mr Boakai has also beefed up the General Auditing Commission and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.
Mr Weah's government was plagued by allegations of corruption, and lavish spending, which triggered mass protests as the cost of living spiralled for ordinary people.
#Liberia
@africaintel
His office said he hoped to set a precedent for "responsible governance" and demonstrate "solidarity" with Liberians.
Government salaries have been under intense scrutiny recently as Liberians complain about the rising cost of living. Around one in five people live on less than $2 (£1.70) a day in the West African state.
Mr Boakai revealed in February that his annual salary was $13,400. The cut will bring it down to $8,000.
Mr Boakai's move echoes that of his predecessor, George Weah, who took a 25% cut in his salary.
Mr Boakai took office in January after defeating Mr Weah in a run-off election.
He vowed to tackle corruption and financial mismanagement.
As well as declaring his assets since taking office, Mr Boakai has ordered an audit of the presidential office. The results have not yet been released.
Mr Boakai has also beefed up the General Auditing Commission and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.
Mr Weah's government was plagued by allegations of corruption, and lavish spending, which triggered mass protests as the cost of living spiralled for ordinary people.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Anti-homosexuality law in Liberia
The Liberian House of Representatives has begun considering amendments to the anti-homosexuality law, which should make non-traditional relationships a criminal offense.
The motion was made by MP Johnson Williams. He commented that he wanted to make Liberia's position on this issue clear.
#Liberia
@africaintel
The Liberian House of Representatives has begun considering amendments to the anti-homosexuality law, which should make non-traditional relationships a criminal offense.
The motion was made by MP Johnson Williams. He commented that he wanted to make Liberia's position on this issue clear.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia contemplates moving capital after disastrous flooding
Severe flooding in Liberia has led a group of senators to propose relocating the capital city away from overcrowded and poorly managed Monrovia, a suggestion met with a mixture of enthusiasm and hesitancy in the West African country.
Flash floods triggered by torrential rains between the end of June and early July left some 48,000 Liberians in urgent need, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) said.
The flood-prone capital was particularly badly hit, owing in part to overpopulation, a poor sewage system, and a lack of building regulation.
An estimated 100,000 people are "at risk of flooding, windstorms, and coastal erosion, with incidences of water-borne diseases also expected to rise."
And the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2020-2024 for Liberia says that the country needs "more resilience and adaptive capacity to combat the effects of climate change."
Meeting to discuss the persistent flooding problem, a senate joint committee in early July suggested establishing a new city to replace Monrovia.
Nigeria's Abuja is one of a handful of planned capital cities on the African continent.
Tanzania's capital Dodoma and Yamoussoukro in Côte d'Ivoire were also established as administrative capitals towards the end of the 20th century, with all three cities occupying geographically central positions in their respective countries.
Monrovia is home to 1.5 million people and lies on the Atlantic coast of Liberia, one of the poorest countries in the world.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Severe flooding in Liberia has led a group of senators to propose relocating the capital city away from overcrowded and poorly managed Monrovia, a suggestion met with a mixture of enthusiasm and hesitancy in the West African country.
Flash floods triggered by torrential rains between the end of June and early July left some 48,000 Liberians in urgent need, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) said.
The flood-prone capital was particularly badly hit, owing in part to overpopulation, a poor sewage system, and a lack of building regulation.
An estimated 100,000 people are "at risk of flooding, windstorms, and coastal erosion, with incidences of water-borne diseases also expected to rise."
And the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2020-2024 for Liberia says that the country needs "more resilience and adaptive capacity to combat the effects of climate change."
Meeting to discuss the persistent flooding problem, a senate joint committee in early July suggested establishing a new city to replace Monrovia.
Nigeria's Abuja is one of a handful of planned capital cities on the African continent.
Tanzania's capital Dodoma and Yamoussoukro in Côte d'Ivoire were also established as administrative capitals towards the end of the 20th century, with all three cities occupying geographically central positions in their respective countries.
Monrovia is home to 1.5 million people and lies on the Atlantic coast of Liberia, one of the poorest countries in the world.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberian Govt Refutes Witch-Hunt Claim By Former Minister
Former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah has described the call for his arrest by the Liberian government as an act of political witch-hunt since the investigation that led to a warrant being issued only covered the six-year tenure of former president George M. Weah, in whose administration he served, and not the period before that when the current ruling party led the country.
Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah has denied the claim, saying that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, which carried out the investigation, was appointed by the previous administration, and not the one led by President Joseph Boakai.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah has described the call for his arrest by the Liberian government as an act of political witch-hunt since the investigation that led to a warrant being issued only covered the six-year tenure of former president George M. Weah, in whose administration he served, and not the period before that when the current ruling party led the country.
Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah has denied the claim, saying that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, which carried out the investigation, was appointed by the previous administration, and not the one led by President Joseph Boakai.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Weah Threatens To 'Resist' Arrests of Former Liberian Officials
Former President George M. Weah has accused the administration of Joseph Boakai of "undermining" the rule of law by engaging in a "witch-hunt" of officials who served during his time in office, threatening to use both "legal and political" means to resist calls for their arrest.
Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah has, however, denied the witch-hunt claim, noting that officials of the intergrity institutions that conducted the investigations which led to the arrests were appointed by the Weah administration, not Boakai.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Former President George M. Weah has accused the administration of Joseph Boakai of "undermining" the rule of law by engaging in a "witch-hunt" of officials who served during his time in office, threatening to use both "legal and political" means to resist calls for their arrest.
Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah has, however, denied the witch-hunt claim, noting that officials of the intergrity institutions that conducted the investigations which led to the arrests were appointed by the Weah administration, not Boakai.
#Liberia
@africaintel