Were you in Liberia during the reign of this guy and did you or an acquaintance experience any negative contact with this ruthless individual?

A documentary tv station, the Documentary Channel, recently announced a January 22th upcoming feature of a Joshua Milton Blahyi who was notoriously known as General Butt Naked during Liberia's 14 year long civil war.

According to the article:

Joshua Milton Blahyi –aka General Butt Naked –was a ruthless and feared warlord during Liberia's 14-year civil war. Today, he has renounced his violent past and reinvented himself as a Christian evangelist on a journey of self-proclaimed transformation. Blahyi travels the nation of Liberia as a preacher, seeking out those he once victimized in search of an uncertain forgiveness. But in the end, are some crimes beyond the pale of forgiveness?

Dubbed "General Butt Naked" for fighting with nothing more than an AK-47 and a pair of leather shoes, Blahyi believed he possessed supernatural powers that made him impervious to bullets. The General and his army of child soldiers are said to have killed thousands during Liberia's horrific civil war.

Following a dramatic conversion to Christianity, the General abruptly laid down his weapons in 1996, leaving behind his soldiers, his country and a war that would rage for another seven years.

Today, Blahyi is on a quest for redemption: facing those he once terrorized, preaching where he once murdered, and trying to rebuild the shattered lives of those he commanded during the war. For five years, filmmakers Eric Strauss and Daniele Anastasion tracked his often troubling path up-close, finding both the genuine and disconcerting in Blahyi's efforts. The film forces us to question the very nature of what true, meaningful reconciliation looks like in a country where justice has not been available.

Were you in Liberia during the reign of this guy and did you or an acquaintance experience any negative contact with this ruthless individual? Would you say that he is now a change man?

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By Charles S. Mombo
@CafeLiberia, #Liberia, @burnedbrass, @charlesSMombo

U.S. Democrat Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. who represents the 2nd Congressional District of Illinois and U.S. Republican Representative Ed Royce who represents California's 40th District have indirectly warned the Liberian government that if former Liberian president Charles Taylor was found non-guilty and returned to Liberia it would cause far-reaching consequences and seriously undermine bilateral relations with the Republic of Liberia and the United States of America.

According to a recent article by AllAfrica.com, U.S. Democratic Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. who represents the 2nd Congressional District of Illinois and U.S. Republican Representative Ed Royce who represents California's 40th District have indirectly warned the Liberian government that if former Liberian president Charles Taylor was found non-guilty and returned to Liberia it would cause far-reaching consequences and seriously undermine bilateral relations with the Republic of Liberia and the United States of America. The men also threatened Liberia with the possibility of cutting U.S. support to Liberia. Taylor’s trial which was conducted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) at the International Criminal Court in The Hague has concluded and he is awaiting the verdict.

Jackson and Royce were reacting to comments by Winston Tubman, the Chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) political party in which he told the press in London that if Taylor is acquitted of the pending war crimes charges by the Special Court for Sierra Leone, he could be free to come home to Liberia.

After reading the article, the questions that immediately came to mind is whatever happened to double jeopardy? Double jeopardy is a procedural defense that forbids a defendant from being tried again on the same or similar charges following a legitimate acquittal or conviction.

Would Royce and Jackson have made the same irresponsible comments by suggesting the possibility of cutting of U.S. financial support if this was Israel? Jackson and Royce comments can best be described as belligerent and a chauvinistic U.S. foreign policy towards African.

 

No Fan of Charles Taylor

I’m absolutely no fan, whatsoever, of Charles Taylor. In my opinion, similar to previous presidents, Taylor was an ineffective leader and did not have the slightest clue of governance. Today, Taylor or previous Liberian presidents would be incapable of managing a two man crew at a McDonald’s restaurant or any other fast-food joint. Sadly so, they all have some things in common: poor character or integrity; little or no track record; self-serving or egotistical nature; one size fits all leadership style; lack of focus and follow-through; no vision or proactivity; and, no focus on citizen development.

Although I am not a fan of Taylor, fair is fair. The “Lady of Justice” with her blindfold, sword and scales which symbolize fairness and equal administration of the law without corruption, avarice, prejudice, or favor should be applicable to all democratic countries, be it the U.S. or Liberia.

 

The case against Taylor

Taylor, President of Liberia from 1997 to 2003, is the first African president to face trial for war crimes at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. On April 31, 2004, the Special Court for Sierra Leone ruled that Taylor’s position as former Head of State could not prevent him from being prosecuted by an international tribunal. He is charged with five counts of crimes against humanity which includes murder, rape, sexual slavery, other inhumane acts and enslavement; five counts of war crimes which includes acts of terrorism, murder, outrage upon personal dignity, cruel treatment, pillage; and one count of other serious violation of international humanitarian law which include enlisting children under the age of 15 years into armed forces. On the opening day of the trial, the Prosecution laid out a case which placed Taylor at the center of a systematic campaign of terror waged against civilians in Sierra Leone after November 30, 1996. 

I watched and observed the case against Taylor. In the years that followed, the case against him literally fell apart. The prosecutors' case could not hold water. It was extremely weak, circumstantial and at times they appeared to coerce the witnesses.

In my opinion, Taylor’s lead defense counsel, Courtenay Griffiths, and the rest of his legal team did an impeccable job by defending their client. On March 10, 2011, during their closing argument, they attacked the credibility of the prosecution’s witnesses. They brilliantly argued that the credibility of some of the witnesses was so poor that the court should completely disregard them. “In this case, there are so many examples of egregious implausibility and in a number of cases downright lies [that] we submit that it is appropriate to completely put aside several prosecution witnesses altogether,” said, Munyard, a member of Taylor’s defense team. The team also pointed to the danger of relying on insider witnesses, some of whom were accomplices, and the large amount of hearsay evidence heard in the trial. Hearsay evidence is allowed at the SCSL and other international courts. However, the defense suggested that hearsay evidence can affect the witness’s credibility and that hearsay evidence cannot be used to corroborate or support other hearsay evidence.

 

Why is Liberia reluctant in charging Taylor?

I have always wondered why the Government of Liberia went mute on the issue of Taylor’s atrocities and not pressed charges against him. His crimes were committed against his own people – the Liberian victims. As a key instigator in the Liberian civil war that left at least 250,000 citizens dead, those who survived his brutal and barbaric tactics were left physically and emotionally scarred.

If the Liberian Government was really serious about persecuting Taylor, they simply could issue an arrest warrant for him the moment he is released from prison in The Hague.  

 

Living in a glass house

As I write this article, Jackson is being investigated by the U.S. House Ethics Committee for allegedly trying to buy President Barack Obama's vacated Illinois Senate seat. Jackson has denied the charges and has not been charged with any wrongdoing. The case was deferred in September 2009. Using Jackson’s illogical thought process, should I then assume that he should be banned from the House floor even if he is found innocent?

While the U.S. House Ethics Committee’s investigation is not clear, the committee is looking at whether Jackson, or someone acting on his behalf, offered to raise funds for then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in return for an appointment to the Senate seat. The committee previously revealed that the investigation included allegations that Jackson improperly used his staff in Washington and Chicago to mount a public campaign to secure the seat.

Jackson, the son of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, is in his ninth term. Jackson, Jr. has repeatedly said: "I have done nothing wrong, nor have I been accused of doing anything wrong. Everyone knew that I was interested in the Senate appointment. I was deeply honored and humbled to receive the support of public officials, organizations and citizens from across the state. My efforts and actions were all public, ethical and legal."

U.S. ramshackle bilateral relationship with Africa

Jackson and Royce’s threats to Liberia to undermine bilateral relations only underscore the current gravitational pull of trade between China and Africa. China is now Africa’s largest trading partner, and, surprisingly, China has a trade deficit with Africa, importing more than it exports to Africa. Visit any shopping center in any country in Africa and it is clear that China is flooding Africa with consumer goods and also machinery, automobiles and electronic items. China’s burgeoning economy is demanding more and more natural mineral resources like oil, copper, nickel, gold, etc. In the areas of minerals and food, Africa has great promise. It is well known that Africa is rich in a wide variety of minerals from oil to copper. Africa’s vast amount of land could fit the entire land mass of not only China but also India, the United States, Mexico, France, Italy and a number of other countries. Besides land, and more importantly, Africa has huge resources of water essential for bountiful harvests.

China’s attraction to Africa is clear. Africa is also attracted to China — China is a developing country demonstrating a successful growth model and this is an opportunity for African leaders to learn from them. China has the money to import Africa’s resources and the money to help build Africa’s urgent need for infrastructure: roads, railroads, ports, electric power systems, etc.

Africa’s exports to China are about 80% raw materials like oil, but it is increasingly trading manufactured and agricultural goods such as Egyptian oranges, South African wines, Ghana’s cocoa beans, Ugandan coffee, Tunisian olive oil and more. In order to promote that trade, China has bilateral trade agreements with 45 African countries, a number of which now have zero tariff preference with China.

In addition to trade, investment from China into Africa between 2003 and 2009 grew from $490 million to $9,300 billion.  Investments focused on 49 African countries in mining, manufacturing, construction, tourism, forestry and fisheries. Part of the China’s efforts is to sign a bilateral agreement, now with 33 African countries, for protection of Chinese investments. A China-Africa Development Fund has already been created to invest in African equities. That fund has already reached $1 billion for investing in over 30 projects in agricultural machinery manufacturing such as electric power and mining. Plans call for the fund to expand to $5 billion.

As early as the 1970s China has helped to build infrastructure projects in Africa such as the 1,860 kilometer Tanzania-Zambia railway, the 58,000 square meter Cairo International Conference Center,  the highway in Somalia, a harbor in Mauritania, a canal in Tunisia, a National Stadium in Tanzania, and over 500 other projects.

Preferential loans amounting to over $10 billion to finance projects for airports, housing and hydropower plants have also been made.

The Chinese government has always supported African countries in their effort to reduce their debts, which has helped relieve their burden of debts to China. From 2000 to 2009, China canceled 312 debts of 35 African countries, totaling 18.96 billion yuan. That demonstrates China’s determination to help Africa develop and to help Africa reduce the debt it owes to other countries.

Although China does not interfer in other countries’ internal affairs, their trade and investment in Africa is not without problems. Like other countries around the world, there have been scandals, corruption, and disputes.  There was a Chinese infrastructure project in Algeria mired in a bribery scandal, and, an arbitrary seizure of property in Zimbabwe, among other issues.

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Armand Scott is the producer and director of Separated at Birth.

Despite his very busy schedule, we had the opportunity to sit and talk with Armand Scott. Scott is the producer and director of Separated at Birth. An inner-city drama, Separated at Birth, is about an elementary school teacher telling a story to his students about twins that were separated at birth. Using this backdrop as a guise, he cleverly interjects a theme impressing upon his students the importance of career choices in life. One twin, Andre, gets the powerful privilege of money and influence; while his brother Simon, gets the sad dismal reality of a street life education.

Save the date because you don't want to miss the playing of Separated at Birth at the Gene Siskel International Black Harvest Film Festival on Saturday August 6th @ 8:30 and Wednesday August 10th @ 8:15.

The producer and director Scott, was born in Chicago, but grew up under the palm trees off the Atlantic seacoast city of Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. After graduating from the American Cooperative High School in Monrovia, he attended Pennsylvania State University obtaining a B.A. in Film&Theater in 1991. His career started off working at Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood as a Production Assistant as well as various Hollywood movies including Groundhog Day, Blankman, Devil In A Blue Dress, Crimson Tide, Murder at 1600 and Panther.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JJ_mJiXUiQ

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Liberian Community Association of Illinois, Inc. (LCAI)
1507 E. 53^rd Street, Suite 886
Chicago, IL 60616

June 25, 2011

Fellow Liberians:

Greetings from the Liberian Community Association of Illinois, Inc.

By now you probably have heard about the formation of the Liberian Community Association of Illinois (LCAI).

Why was there a need to form another Liberia organization?

Months ago four letters were written to OLCI President Mohammed Toure and OLCI Board of Director pertaining to issues and concerns as they related to the organization and its membership. These letters were ignored and were never acknowledged.

Below, please see facts pertaining to some of the concerns expressed in our previous letters:

• During past election, potential Board members brought in cars load of relatives and tribal members to vote on their behalves. These are people that we have never seen before but only appeared during elections.
  

• A prominent member was unilaterally and unconstitutionally suspended indefinitely without due process. The letter was signed by the Board of Directors and the President Toure and circulated on the Internet. Despite their signatures on the letter, neither the Board nor the President is taking responsibility of authorizing the suspension.
  

• We submitted 4 (letters) separate letters with member signatures to the President and the Board of Director expressing concerns about the organization’s gross disrespect and innumerable unilateral decisions to no avail. Neither the Board of Directors nor the President was courteous enough to acknowledge any of our letters. Either President Toure or the Board of Directors was not cognizant as to how an organization works, or they figured that they were above the Bylaws of OLCI.
  

• OLCI uses membership dues to make unilateral payment to the Union of Liberian Association in the Americas  ULAA-K. Let OLCI members decide if they want to write ULAA a check. Don’t impose it upon them.  
  

• During the last election, the Board Chairman, Mr. Isaac Vowal, was hand-delivered a letter with signatures of other members expressing several issues regarding the direction of the organization. In a childish tantrum-like manner and with an uncontrollable outburst of rage he folded the letter into a ball and slammed it on the floor in the presence of the entire OLCI membership.
  

• After Vowal, the Chairman of the Board of Director’s childish outburst and the Election Commission’s refusal to hear our grievances regarding the fraudulent and pending election, our candidates with over half of OLCI’s members present boycotted the election and will not recognize Mr. Tamba President of OLCI.  
  

As you can see follow Liberians, OLCI was laden with conflicts, disrespect for members, unilateral decisions, isolation of fellow member, the elders  youths, and the formation of a clique. As a result of their self-aggrandizement, a group of concerned, professional and intellectual Liberians came together to organize themselves to be known as Liberian Community Association of Illinois, Inc. which was incorporated in the State of Illinois.

Without a doubt OLCI leadership (or lack) of OLCI is the culprit to creating the wedge within the Liberian community in Illinois. They have drifted away from the Liberia people in Illinois. OLCI is fiscally and financially irresponsible. They dibble and dabble into the organization’s checking account and make payments as it is their personal piggy bank.

Let’s face it fellow Liberians, besides having party, what have OLCI done for you as a Liberian in Illinois? When was the last time OLCI presented a financial report that reflects earnings or losses from their innumerable parties?

Whatever happened to the immigration and social-economic concerns that the non-functional Board members claimed they would pursue?

When was the last time OLCI filed a tax returned?

When was the last time OLCI used her 501(c)(3) status to write proposal or grants to advance the needs of her membership. Example: education, immigration awareness,  youth empowerment, women empowerment and socio-economics?

This fiasco, gross disrespect and slap-in- the-face of responsible Liberians in Illinois by a handful of self-centered individuals will NOT be tolerated. The selection of Richard Tamba, an ineffective former Board member, as OLCI’s current president can best be described as a JOKE and a time to MOVE-On!  

Sincerely,

Charles S. Mombo, Interim President
Liberian Community Association of Illinois
(Follow LCAI on facebook)

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Is there a leadership struggle and political mud bath going on within the various UP-USA factions?

I don’t know or care to know who Varney Sherman, Frederic S. Gibson and Gayah Fahnbullah are; but these individual names keep coming up as possible obstacle courses and impediments to the Unity Party Standard Bearer, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's re-election bid.

From every indication, Johnson-Sirleaf’s reelection teams need to sit their self-centered and egotistical arshes down and iron out their differences. On the other hand, they can continue doing what they are doing if their goal is to promote their individual, political and personal agendas.

One question that I keep asking myself is what is Johnson-Sirleaf’s position or reaction to her dis-United Party? Being mute is not an excuse, it shows that either she has fallen asleep at the wheel or she is projecting her lack of leadership skills.

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The Late Gloria Acolatse. All photos are courtesy of Dr. Mariah Seton.

The Forte, Harris and Acolatse families regret to announce the death of their wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt Mrs. Glorianna Perpetual Musu Forte Harris Acolatse.

This sad event occurred on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove, Illinois.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband Mr. Clarence K. Acolatse, her ex-husband Mr. William Henry Harris, her children: Wilimusuline Goffin (June), Wyquiatta Patton (Cortez), Scyquiatta Harris, William Harris Jr. (Brooke), James Harris, Fatugygenea Bulke (Chad), Ophelia Acolatse Nimene, Ceola Acolatse, Clarence Acolatse Jr. (Darlene), Bernice Acolatse and Gershon Acolatse.

She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and her siblings: Mabel Forte, Joyce Forte Dennis, Nuku Saad Watson, Elaine Forte, Wyndell Forte and Calvin Forte and a host of other relatives and friends in the United States and Liberia.

Wake:
June 3, 2011 Time: 3:00 pm To 9:00 pm

 Funeral Services:
Saturday, June 4, 2011 10:00 am,
St. Matthew Church, Glendale Heights, Illinois

 For More Information Please Contact:
(331) 454-0408

Mr. Clarence Acolatse, husband, with the decease. All photos are courtesy of Dr. Mariah Seton.

From left to Right, Mr. June Smallwood, brother of the decease, Mr. Clarence Acolatse, husband of the decease with Gloria Acolatse, the decease. All photos are courtesy of Dr. Mariah Seton.

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Source: Chocolate City

Two beautiful AKA Sorors - Sonja Smith and her mother shared a tradition while standing next to a tree with AKA symbol at Howard University campus in Washington, D.C. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 15, 1908 at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

More…

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By: Tarnyon  Nyenon
Gedeh Association in the Americas Minnesota Chapter

Who will tolerate Vowal’s sometimes uncontrollable, emotional outburst and yelling at others, while they are performing a sacrificial unpaid voluntary duty for the Diaspora Gedeh community?

However, the day, usually known as welcome Friday is very significant this year, because of the banks and other financial records turnover ceremony associated with it, which takes place publicly, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Article X, Section, 4(C ) reads; “the National President shall publicly turnover to the Chairman of the National Board of Directors, all checkbooks and other financial documents required, to operate the Association’s account(s) as the first order of business during the opening session of the National Conference.”

The Friday ceremony, expected to occur between Pres. Kannah and Chairman Vowal, also marks a very important chapter in GGAA history, because it is the commencement of the 2011, GGAA 21^st annual National Convention.

Article X, Section 4, states, “the Board shall advise all banks and other financial institutions holding the Association’s account(s) of its temporary management responsibilities, as well as notify them that the National President, National Treasurer and National Secretary are no longer authorized to manage the accounts.”

The succeeding paragraph reads; “the notice shall be served on the financial institutions no later than two weeks prior to the National Conference.”

Now, the critical question that comes to mind is, has National Board Chairman Isaac Vowal already written the Banks, at which the GGAA holds its accounts as required by the GGAA Constitution?

If so, when and if not why? GGAA Members deserve to know who’s going to manage their money over an eight day transitional period, in the absence of any real check and balance.

This is very crucial because this is in compliance with Article X, Section 4(C), the same Article under which Mr. Vowal is being empowered, to assume such enormous responsibilities, while Chairman on the National Board.

There are other major tasks associated with Chairman Vowal’s responsibilities. Besides, some of the unanswered questions are who’s going to handle the expected huge amounts to be raised during the convention night ball?

Will it be the same National Treasurer, who would have been legally de-legitimized under Article X? Will Vowal select his own cronies to handle this very delicate task? Who can we trust during those eight days’ transitional period?

We know without any doubt that indeed, Mr. Vowal cannot do it alone, but we also know Vowal to be a paranoid fellow and a very polarizing figure. Vowal is also widely known for his very poor human relationship in terms of working with others.

He is an uncompromising individual and sometimes demonstrates erratic (irregular) behavior and at times very unreasonable guy to deal with, in the global public square.

It is our prayerful hope therefore, that this will pass off peacefully, without any hurdle. Who will help Vowal the dictator or Vowal the unilateralist, help the GGAA, handle carefully, count honestly, transport safely and deposit our money at the banks?

Who will tolerate Vowal’s sometimes uncontrollable, emotional outburst and yelling at others, while they are performing a sacrificial unpaid voluntary duty for the Diaspora Gedeh community?

Can you imagine an estimated four feet tall, 125lbs man standing over you yelling at the top of his voice, for no apparent reason(s)? On a very serious note. Does Vowal have what it takes to honestly undertake this tedious task without any hindrance?

It is worth noting that we are only sounding a note of caution and not blowing an unnecessary alarm. We know exactly what and who we are talking about. That’s Isaac Ggorkeh Vowal.

The Vowel who claimed he was arm bushed by Mr. Tarnyon Nyenon after an interview with him was published and he suffered a major backlash from the reading public.

In its Tuesday, January 5, 2010 edition, the MN Web published a story captioned, “WILL GGAA  2010 CONVENTION BE HELD?

In that story, Mr. Vowal was quoted as saying, he holds GGAA former National President, Henry Glay personally responsible for the difficulties being encountered, in finding a venue for the 2010 GGAA National Convention.

Mr. Vowal was also quoted as saying, “Mr. Glay as Presiding Officer of the 2009 National Conference, should have ensure the 2010 Convention and its venue were decided by the 2009 National Conference as we traditionally do.” He added, “we are now trying to clear up the mess left behind by Henry Glay.”

However, after the publication of the interview the readership began pounding Mr. Vowal for his continued blame game against Mr. Glay, for everything.

Vowal immediately disclaimed the content of the story and instead shifted his blame game to Mr. Nyenon, accusing him (Nyenon) of “ambushing him (Vowal).” We know about whom we are writing.

It is the same Isaac Vowal, who was quoted as saying, he did not care whether there is a permanent split within the GGAA, or the split is deepened. The Sunday, June 13, 2010 story was published under the caption, “I DON’T CARE WHAT…” –VOWAL.

We know the Isaac Vowal about whom we are writing. He is the one who unilaterally blocked, in the name of the National Board, former President Glay, from serving as Keynote Speaker, during the inaugural program of Mr. David Zweh, current President of the Missouri Chapter of the GGAA.

We know the Isaac Vowal about whom we are writing. He is the same one who also helped in blocking Mr. Charles Gaye Breeze, from serving as Installing Officer, at then President-elect Isaac Yah‘s inaugural program as President of the MD/DC Chapter of the GGAA.

We know the Isaac Vowal about whom we are writing. He is the same one who unilaterally ran the National Board (as a kangaroo one) for nearly seven months.

We know the Isaac Vowal about whom we are writing. It is the same one who threatened the INDEPENDENCE of the GGAA Independent Elections Commission (IEC).

He also warned Presidential Aspirants that, they risk being disqualified, if any of them ever owe the GGAA a penny. A responsibility reserved for the National Administration and/or the Independent Elections Commission.

We know the Isaac Vowal about whom we are writing. He is the same one who unilaterally refused to recognize the elections result of the Iowa Chapter’s Board of Directors, because according to him, Mr. Henry Kyne his ach ‘enemy,’ was elected on that Chapter’s Board.

Vowal seems not to know the limit of his authority. We hope his eight day authority will be utilized wisely and that he will not behave like a five year child with a well loaded gun, while at the children’s playground.

THE INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), THE LEADER AND FASTEST NAME IN NEWS. WE REPORT, YOU DECIDE.

By: Tarnyon  Nyenon
Publisher & Managing Editor
Independent Eye News-www.libeye.org
tnyenon59@yahoo.com-(763) 226-3634-Cell

Story culled from the Independent Eye News

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By: Charles Mombo
Twitter Hashtags: #CafeLiberica
Twitter's Username: @CafeLiberica
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Credit: Image/Screengrab: The Hill, produced and directed by Jomo Stubblefield

A group of Liberians have taken a proactive community-based effort to address their own health issue. They meet on Benson Street hill to exercise. Image/Screengrab: The Hill, produced and directed by Jomo Stubblefield

Is health care a fundamental Liberian right, regardless of a person's ability to pay? Well, a group of Liberian young men and women, who meet regularly on Benson Street hill to exercise, are not holding their breath or waiting for their government to answer that question. They have taken a proactive community-based effort to address their own health issues.

In a compelling 7 minutes video essay, The Hill, produced by Jomo Stubblefield, he documented how “a group on folks on Benson Street, who believes that exercise is the answer to everything that ills the body.” Stubberfield's video essay underlines the blend of targeted actions, tenacity, and grassroots efforts toward exercise and healthcare.

According to Moses Davis, founding member of the Hill Social Athletic Club, “The Hill Social Athletic Club has been in existence for about four years plus.” Davis also said the club is not supported by any sponsors; members paid approximately $.10 (ten cents) per week to workout with the group.

Speaking on what attracts so many people to exercise on the Hill, coach Peter Kollie said health issues and risk factors such as excess body weight, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are some of the factors attracting people to the hill. Kollie also added that men, women, boys and girls meet on the hill from “Sunday to Sunday”.

Another coach on the Hill, Bioma F. Gray, said getting regular, daily exercise can reduce the risk of illnesses such as fatal heart diseases and medical bill.

To contribute:

The Hill Social Athletic Club
C/O Grace Embassy
Old CID Road, Mamba Point
Telephone: 011 231 618275

The Hill by FilmandVideoWorks

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiJzMfMZhR4

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By: Charles Mombo
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To Liberians and the rest of the world, Hondros is best known for his famous or “not-too-famous” photograph of a Liberian militia commander loyal to the government jumping in the air after firing a rocket-propelled grenade at rebel forces at a key strategic bridge on July 20, 2003 in Monrovia, Liberia.

To Liberians and the rest of the world, Chris Hondros is best known for his famous or “not-too-famous” photograph of a Liberian militia commander, Joseph Duo, loyal to the government jumping in the air after firing a rocket-propelled grenade at rebel forces at a key strategic bridge on July 20, 2003 in Monrovia, Liberia.

Hondros had covered wars in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. His work has been widely published around the world. In 2003, Hondros made a picture of a Liberian government soldier with an RPG launcher that became one of the most iconic documents of that civil war. Listen to Hondros recount a funny story that resulted from this world-famous photograph.

Hondros' photographs from Liberia, and many others, won top honors in photojournalism, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination, World Press Photo, Pictures of the Year International, and the Best of Photojournalism.

Chris Hondros is best known for his famous or “not-too-famous” photograph of a Liberian militia commander, Joseph Duo, loyal to the government jumping in the air after firing a rocket-propelled grenade at rebel forces at a key strategic bridge on July 20, 2003 in Monrovia, Liberia.

At a 2005 reunion, Chris Hondros meets with Joseph Duo who is now de-commissioned by the United Nations and unemployed, lives in a squalid neighborhood on the outskirts of Monrovia with a wife and three children, but his fame lives on.

Duo, now de-commissioned by the United Nations and unemployed, lives in a squalid neighborhood on the outskirts of Monrovia with a wife and three children, but his fame lives on.

Joseph Duo is well known among Monrovians and is often stopped by people who recognize him from the photo. He is unapologetic about his military career, which began at the start of the Liberian civil war in 1990, when he was 14.

'You have to adapt yourself to the system, and that's the system I found myself in,' he says, 'I fought in the interest of the people.' (Photo Getty Images)

Hondros talks about the Liberian war

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/42686283#42686283

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By: Charles Mombo
Twitter Hashtags: #CafeLiberica and #LIB2011
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With some of the largest unexploited gold and diamond deposits in the world, Liberia has become a heaven for “gold diggers,' and a deep pocket for greedy and selfish politicians.

The price of Gold shot above $1,500 an ounce on Wednesday for the first time ever; as the world's economy boosted the metal as a safe haven. Meanwhile in Liberia, Aureus Mining has literally struck gold with its 25 years agreement with the Liberian government. Aureus Mining headquarter is located at 79 Wellington Street West, Toronto, ON M5K 1H1, Canada.

With some of the largest unexploited gold and diamond deposits in the world, Liberia has become a heaven for “gold diggers,' and a deep pocket for greedy and selfish politicians. Aureus Mining which owns 100% Bea Mountain mining license in Liberia are projected to make billions of dollars from Liberian gold and diamond. As Aureus Mining's top executives smoke Cuba's expensive cigar, Motecristo, and high-five themselves to the bank, the struggling villagers whose county the minerals were found continue to be screw, exploited and fed bread crumbs instead of reaping the benefit of the new found jackpot in their backyard.

Aureus Mining issued a press release on Wednesday. According to David Reading, President and CEO of Aureus, “I am very excited about the potential of Weaju, Gondoja and Silver Hills. Because of the size and prospectivity of the Bea Mountain Mining license to date, and with very limited exploration having been carried out throughout the area, we have always believed that there may be additional large deposits in addition to New Liberty.”

But would you blame Reading about his excitement and his company's being poised to reap a huge and significant benefit from Liberia's untapped natural resources. Absolutely Not! It is not Reading's responsibility to lookout for the native people in the area his company is about exploit. It is the responsibility of the Liberian government to lookout for its people. The government of Liberia should and MUST put the villagers first in ALL transaction regarding the resources of their land.

A gold rush and oil drilling invades the forest

As the gold and oil rush invades Liberia and a vast swath of Liberian rain forest are destroyed, western and Liberian wildlife experts are warning that elephants, pygmy hippos, bongos, duikers, leopards, chimps, red and black Diana monkeys, azure peacocks, tiny zebra antelope, and dozens of other rare Liberian species are at risk.

Despite 15 years of bloodshed that left about 200,000 Liberians dead, Liberia's Sapo National Park, a vast swath of Liberian rain forest, has kept intact a treasure. Sapo National Park is one of the world's most diverse wildlife populations and contains among other things large concentration of mammals, birds and other species that inhabit the 1,800 square kilometers, or 700 square miles, of this protected forest. Western wildlife experts also estimate Sapo National Park to harbor 125 mammal species, 590 bird species, 74 kinds of reptiles and amphibians, and more than 1,000 insect species.

Now several thousand miners have moved into Sapo National Park. They live in hastily constructed shacks; in their spare time, they relax at newly set up video entertainment halls. But most of their time is spent ripping trees of the virgin rain forest out at their roots in search of gold nuggets. These miners are using portable generators and water pumps to tear through the topsoil and pan for treasure, a technique that environmentalists say is likely to scar the Sapo reserve beyond recognition.

I have not had the privilege to review the contracts between the Liberian government and the mining or oil companies and can not intelligently speak on it. However, in my opinion, any contract regarding Liberia's natural resources MUST include the following significant infrastructure projects to benefit the villagers that live in the area. With $BILLIONs worth of gold and diamond are being extracted from Weaju, Gondoja, Silver Hills, Bea Mountain, Ndablama and Gondoja the following projects should be a tiny and insignificant dent in any mining or oil drilling company's profit margin.

• Developed a planning board that includes the villagers.

• Constructed an airstrip capable of handling commercial flights to those areas.

• Constructed modern access road allowing locals to travel by public transport and visit nearby towns and villages.

• Provide electricity

• Constructed infield roads to allow local visits to other nearby villages.

• Established modern aid posts so locals can obtain medical assistance.

• Built high schools and junior college comparable to those in Canada and the US.

• Established police station with trained officers.

• Build hospitals or clinics comparable to those in Canada and the US.

• Improve the reception for the national radio station and encourage local radio broadcasting station.

• Build and equip the area with updated and modern library.

• Provided landowner training.

• Provided village self help programs (water tanks).

• Established village development committees.

• Constructed a heliopad for medi-vac

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By: Charles Mombo
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Charles Brumskine, the political leader of the Liberty Party, has accused the Liberian National Election Commission (NEC) of incompetency and lack of objectivity to conduct a free and fair election.

The political leader of the Liberty Party, Charles Brumskine, has accused the Liberian National Election Commission (NEC) of incompetency and the lack of objectivity to conduct a free and fair election.

Brumskine who filed a lawsuit against NEC also said NEC has shown favoritism in the past toward the ruling Unity Party. Brumskine further added, “We do not believe that the elections commission as constituted has the requisite competence or objectivity to preside over this most critical election in Liberia. As you may know, the Liberty Party has already taken the commission to court on its composition. The law provides for five commissioners; we have seven commissioners.”

Responding to Brumskine's allegation, James Fromayan, NEC's Chairman says, “Brumskine and other candidates should spend more time nationwide courting voters who, he says, are going to make the ultimate decision in the election rather than criticize the commission's composition.”

Fromayan also said, “Counselor Brumskine is a lawyer, and I’m glad that he said he went to court with respect to the composition of the commission. In the first place, the composition of the commission is not determined by the constitution of Liberia, but by statute.” Fromayan added, “The statute changing the number of commissioners from five to seven was enacted during the administration of former Liberian President Charles Taylor.”

Brumskine, a legal scholar, worked with former President Taylor but didn't complain, at the time, when Taylor changed the commissioners composition from five to seven.

Liberian's 2011 general election is scheduled to be held on October 11, 2011.

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