The former Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia, Michael Kpakala Francis, has died at the age of seventy-seven (77).

While announcing the death of Archbishop Francis on the state owned Radio Station, (ELBC), his successor, Archbishop Lewis Zeigler did not state the cause, or time and date of death.

However, it may be recalled that since suffering a stroke in 2004, which incapacitated him, Archbishop Francis never fully recovered. Archbishop Zeiglier said the revered Archbishop Francis died at his Sinkor eighth Street residence, after being ill for a protracted period.

The late Archbishop Francis was an outspoken clergy of the Catholic Church. His fearless advocacy for Human Rights brought his Catholic Church head on coalition with the Doe and Taylor Administrations.

The late Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis was considered a very popular and fearless in his denunciation of government tactics by attempting to silence the people.

He was known and well respected by many. He told truth to power at all times even at the peril of his life. He was widely considered the ‘Voice of Conscious’ amongst many Liberians.

He presided over the Diocese of Monrovia, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Montserrado, Grand Bassa, River Cess and Margibi Counties and the then Statutory District of Gbarma and Bopolu.

He also chair a number of national, regional and continental bishops’ conferences within the Catholic Church. He has published 75 pastoral letters in which he was very critical.

He specifically spoke critically against immoralities, injustices, abuse of human and fundamental rights and corruption. He further spoke about the need for national reconciliation and democratic values.

Born February 12, 1936 in Kakata, Margibi County, Bishop Francis became a priest in 1963 and eventually became Archbishop of Monrovia in 1981, before resigning due to his ailing health.

He attended primary school at St. Martin’s in Gbarnga, Bong County and St. Mary’s in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, from 1944 – 1950.

Bishop Francis studied Moral Theology with emphasis in Bio-ethics, Medical Ethics and Formation Psychology at the Catholic University of America, Bio-ethics.

He attended the Medical Ethics at the Georgetown University and Ecumenical Theology at the Howard University School of Religion.

The late Archbishop was ordained Deacon and Priest on August 15, 1962 and August 4, 1963 respectively in Liberia.

He was appointed by Pope Paul VI as Vicar Apostolic of Monrovia and subsequently ordained Bishop on December 19, 1976, by Archbishop Dermot Carroll, SMA former Bishop of Monrovia and Nuncio Apostolic as principal Ordaining prelate.

Prior to becoming an Archbishop, Bishop Francis served the Catholic Church in many capacities, starting at the tender age of seventeen (17).

He also served the state becoming Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Liberia, a state owned only highest institution of Learning, in the tiny West African Republic of Liberia.

While in his prime, some of Bishop Francis were football, volleyball and basketball. In 1951, he sustained a major injury, broking his leg. The Catholic Prelate was said to be very fluent in several Liberian vernaculars including Gio, Mano and Vai.

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PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR,

INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN)

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It appears ‘THE DIE IS CAST’ between the Liberian Media on one hand and the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Africa’s first female elected President, Liberia’s Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who is currently visiting the United States.

This feud is over threats issued against Liberian Media practitioners, by Mr. Othello Daniel Warrick, the President’s Chief Body-Guard, or Director of the Executive Security Service (EPS),

This episode provoked a very serious crisis situation between the media’s governing body, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the Liberian Presidency.

The President backed her Protagonist, Director Warrick, against the Media, in spite of his unprovoked outrageous attacks fraught with threats, in which he described Liberian Journalists as “TERRORISTS” and threatening to arrest them without warrant.

Warrick made these wild allegations without any iota of truth or adducing a stride of evidence at least in the Court of Public Opinion (COPO), to substantiate his claims.

On the other hand, the Press Union of Liberia moved swiftly in defense of its potential victims, its Members, by imposing a news blackout against the Johnson-Sirleaf Administration for an indefinite period.

The Media, of the entire West African sub-region, wasted no time; they were firmed in standing behind their Membership Union, the Press Union of Liberia, whose Members are being threatened.

In the face of the near unanimous media blackout against her administration, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf chose a belligerent posture against the media.

While en route to the United States, she tormented the independent media, before her departure. She informed the state-owned radio Station (ELBC), when asked about the blackout saying, ”I don’t care about the blackout. I am  enjoying  it and I hope it continues for the next one year.”

Despite all this bolstering posture and arrogance, the President managed to get her Public Relations piece in some of the American media. The Public Relations paid advertisement from the President, was published in the Washington (Reuters) Newspaper, claiming, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf won international acclaim for her “ZERO TOLERANCE” stance against corruption.

We, the Editorial Board of the Independent Eye News (IEN), dismiss this claim as nothing but a public relations piece. We consider this kind of classification as a HOLLYWOOD movies assertion, which beats our imagination and is the subject of this Editorial.

We consider this a Hollywood movies classification because, it is far from the truth and reality. While we do not blame the President for corruption in the Liberian body politic, we hold her solely responsible for her total lack of political will, to fight it.

If President Johnson-Sirleaf were demonstrating “ZERO TOLERANCE” stance against corruption, her declaration of corruption as “PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE” would not have become a miserable failed policy, during her first six years in office.

If President Johnson-Sirleaf  were demonstrating “ZERO TOLERANCE” stance against corruption, hundreds of government officials would have been sitting in jails today. There are uncountable number of corruption cases, which never saw a courtroom, solely due to her lack of political will to prosecute.

These and many more reasons are why we, the Editorial Board of the Independent Eye News dismiss and classify this as a HOLLYWOOD movies classification.  After nearly seven years in office as President, there is no stride of evidence of a fight against corruption order than paying lip service, by the Johnson-Sirlleaf Administration.

On the other front, the paper also claim that “President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf turned around a country devastated by 14 years of sporadic civil war that ended in 2003.” This claim is very highly questionable and debatable.

Whenever one asks about progress made by the Johnson-Sirleaf Administration since coming to power, there are always narratives that the administration renovated old streets and bridges and paved of a few streets in Monrovia and its suburbs.

This is absolutely laughable because, after receiving SEVENTEEN BILLION United States (US$17B) over just a six-year period, this so-called development is absolutely nothing, comparatively. We must state in categorically terms, that even if the claim were true, Monrovia and its suburbs alone, do not constitute the Republic of Liberia.

Liberia has fifteen political sub-divisions, therefore, carrying out renovation in Monrovia and its suburbs alone, does not mean that Liberia is being developed in its entirety, as was anticipated by our acclaimed Harvard University Graduate.

We hold this conviction very strongly because, President Johnson-Sirleaf is yet to use her good governance expertise to formulate policies that will reduce the high rate of unemployment by at least a percent, just a percent.

We must also underscore the fact that the fourteen year old war initiated, planned, executed and  exacerbated, by Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s US$10,000.00 initial voluntary donation to an armed red-tag rebel  National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), created a brain drain.

As a result of the fourteen year old war, a major vacuum was created most especially in the educational arena. Thousands of Liberian youths were deprieved schooling opportunities during those years of carnage. The youth  knew nothing, but war and enjoyed murdering innocent people.

It is not enough to just whine and criticize the very youths for being unemployable because they lack skills. Oh! Yes! It is absolutely true. The youths lack skills because our “ACCLAIMED NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE,” stole fourteen precious years from their lives.

She armed and drugged them to kill, if possible demolish Monrovia, if that is what it takes to get her in power. She has being in power for nearly seven years now. So, she is responsible and must now find the solutions. Not only that. She pledged to reconstruct Monrovia in twenty-four hours. That mandate to her NPFL fighters, is still riveting to this date.

Howbeit, We the Editorial Board of the Independent Eye News (IEN), are willing to help her in the process by earnestly suggesting what solutions need to be put into place. However, we wish to remind her that although she usually boasts that her children are qualified because they are educated, a reason which accounts for offering them  multiple lucrative jobs, the poor Liberian children can only afford vocational training, just to survive.

We are not saying she should send them to Harvard, John Hopkins, Yale, with Wall Street experience as she and her children had the opportunity to do by acquiring education from such advanced educational institutions of learning. We, the Editorial Board of the Independent Eye News, are only appealing for the least, just the basic vocational training such as carpentry, mechanic, electricity, mason, pluming, agriculture, etc.

While we are prepared to help in every way possible, she must now put into place solutions with her good governance expertise and policies, because the presidency she has craved for since her birth has been donated and delivered to her on the silver platter, with two hundred fifty thousand lives of Liberians and other nationals attached.

This was also backed by SEVENTEEN BILLION United States dollars (US$17B)  from the International Community, to her government, during just her first six years in office as President. That money could have been used to build vocational institutions, or equip existence vocational institutions to provide skills for the youth, who is condemning today, for lack of skills.

We, the Editorial Board of the Independent Eye News, hold this conviction very strongly because additionally, she is yet to reconcile the nation, after the war she initiated with her US$10.000 United States dollars initial donation claimed the lives of two hundred fifty thousand Liberians and other nationals, according to the United Nations estimates.

We hold this conviction very strongly because the Johnson-Sirleaf Administration is yet to undertake a major national project that will have a lasting impact on the country, after she shall left office. Again, we wish to remind her and her fanatics that Monrovia and its suburbs alone, do not constitute the Republic of Liberia.

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BY: TARNYON NYENON

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR,

INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN)

TNYENON59@YAHOO.COM- (763) 226-3634-CELL

Mary County Senator H. Dan Morais, of the National Patriotic Party, an offspring of the erstwhile armed rebel National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), says “wealthy Europeans are better  being granted dual citizenship rather than exiled Liberians.”

The erstwhile red-tag rebel stalwart opined that it was better giving citizenship to wealthy Europeans seeking naturalization in Liberia than Liberians, who he claims, previously “denounced” their country for glory elsewhere.

Morais stressed that Liberian organizations seeking the passage of the dual citizenship bill are made of people who according to him, have abandoned their country for long period of time.

The NPP Senator is recommending that those Liberians should therefore not be given any credence adding, “they now wants to be “children of two cities.”

Sen. Morais argued that the passage of the bill is to, “enable those Liberians keep their connection to their homeland, retain their right to own property and eliminate family feuds over property ownership, among others.”

Interestingly, the NPP Maryland County Senator give no reasons why he believes very strongly that the bill should not be passed into law, other than trying to prophesize the motives of those pursuing a legitimate democratic process, such as going through their elected representatives, the Legislature.

Analysts say Morais failed to make his case against the passage of the bill, by stating in categorical terms, what negative impact it will have on Liberia and or Liberians, be it political, economic, security or otherwise.

He did not say what will happen to Liberia and Liberians, if exiled Liberians who fled his NPFL mass murders were granted dual citizenship, rather than to simply say the Liberian Senate will oppose it, when he has no control over the rest of the twenty-nine  (29) senators.

Political Observers say it is worth noting that the Liberian Senate comprises a total of thirty (30) senators, representing the fifteen political subdivisions of Liberia with Dan Morais as just one of the them.

Meanwhile, according to Diaspora Liberians, if the bill is passed into law, their parents, children and grandchildren would feel reassured that they belong to the country which they believed will strengthen their cultural loyalty to Liberia.

The Diaspora Liberians argued that dual citizenship would provide great socio-economic benefits to Liberians by broadening the economic base. According to them, the law will foster trade and investment that would allow Liberians abroad to invest their talents and wealth by developing their native country.

Representatives of groups advocating the passage of the dual citizenship bill into law, who attended the meeting at the University of Liberia included the Union of Liberian Association in the Americas (ULAA) and the European Federation of Liberian Association (EFLA).

Others were the Federation of Liberian Communities in Australia (FOLICA), Union of Liberian Association in Ghana (ULAG) and other African Countries.

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BY: TARNYON NYENON

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR,

INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN)

TNYENON59@YAHOO.COM- (763) 226-3634-CELL

Maryland County NPFL/NPP Senator, H. Dan Morais has classified as “unpatriotic” Diaspora Liberians seeking dual citizenship through the legal legislative process.

Morais claims Liberians advocating the passage of the dual citizenship bill through the National Legislature have selfish motives as such, he will fight tooth and nail to oppose it.

He also claims those Liberians who are advocating such move “denounced” their Liberian citizenship during the heat of the fourteen year-long mass murders led by his armed rebels, the National “Patriotic” Front of Liberia (NPFL).

Morais further said those Liberians who according to him, “denounced” their Liberian citizenship did so “with the belief that Liberia would ‘NEVER’ have resurfaced to normality,” but Political Observers say maybe the Maryland County Senator would have preferred all Liberians remain in Liberia until his NPFL murders as many Liberians as they can, so as not to loss their Liberian citizenship.

Morais, who chair the Liberian Senate’s standing Committee on Foreign Affairs stressed that the Liberian Senate will oppose the dual citizenship bill. He also declared that instead of “those ‘unpatriotic’ people fighting for dual citizenship, they should be appreciating the United States for the level of education acquired so far in foreign lands.

The Maryland County Lawmaker then  suggested that Liberians who are in the vanguard of the dual citizenship battle, “have nothing to offer Liberians.” However, Critics maintain that the mass murders of some two hundred fifty thousand Liberians and other nationals initiated by Morais’ NPFL was the best offer he had for Liberians as such, fleeing the NPFL onslaught was not the best option.

Senator Morais made these statements described by Observers as bizarre, when he spoke to reporters outside the Auditorium of the University of Liberia (UL) after attending a town hall-style meeting. The meeting was  held at the auditorium of the University to create awareness for citizens regarding Diaspora Liberians’ quest for the passage of the dual citizenship bill into law.

Representatives of groups advocating the passage of the dual citizenship bill into law, who attended the meeting at the University of Liberia included the Union of Liberian Association in the Americas (ULAA) and the European Federation of Liberian Association (EFLA). Other were the Federation of Liberian Communities in Australia (FOLICA), Union of Liberian Association in Ghana (ULAG) and other African Countries.

Senator Morais noted that the only reason behind the dual citizenship bill being pushed by Liberians in the Diaspora is to afford them the opportunity to return to Liberia at a time the economy was booming. He tried ferociously to buttress his argument by stressing that those Liberians were seeking another citizenship in Liberia because the oil sector and other national reserves were attracting investors.

The NPFL/NPP  Senator further suggested that Liberians seeking dual citizenship which according to him, “they long rejected, now wanted to return to Liberia purposely to take over what should be for Liberians.”

He concluded by warning that any attempt by the Legislature to pass the dual citizenship bill into law, will only create room for a return into the old days and the “long years” of divide between Liberians over claims of class system.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD OF THE INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), WELCOMES FEEDBACK (COMMENTS/REACTIONS) FROM OUR READERSHIP TO ANY OF OUR PUBLICATIONS.

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BY: TARNYON NYENON

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR,

INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN)

TNYENON59@YAHOO.COM- (763) 226-3634-CELL

The Director of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s Executive Protection Service (EPS),  Othello Daniel Warrick’s recent  threats issued on Friday, May 3, against Journalists throughtout the Republic of Liberia and the President’s unwavering support for such described by Observers as unwarranted, callous and cawardly, have drawn swift reactions. 

Several Media Institutions on the African Continent most especially the West African sub-region, have declared their unqualified and unflinching support for actions taken by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and are demanding more. against the Government of Liberia (GOL).

In a very strongly worded statement issued today, May 17, the Media Institutions among others, demanded the immediate dismissal of Director Warrick, withdrawal of his statement, a public apology to the PUL and a firmed commitment by the Government of Liberia, to press freedom in Liberia.

For the benefit of our readership, the Editorial Board of the Independent Eye News (IEN), as usual, has elected to publish the statement verbatim, unedited. Below is the full text. 

“The West African Journalists Association (WAJA) and the undersigned media partners and freedom of expression groups wish to express our grave concern over recent threats against media freedom in Liberia by senior state officials, which we strongly condemn. We are also worried about the reported stance of the Office of the President on the matter, which unfortunately is apparently not supportive of media freedom.

Information received from WAJA member, Press Union of Liberia (PUL), indicates that in one of the most recent manifestations of this intolerant attitude, on World Press Freedom Day (May 3) 2013, Mr. Othello Warrick, Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), described journalists as “terrorists” and threatened: “Be careful, because you have your pen and we have our guns. And if you incriminate the character or integrity of Liberians, like myself, we will come after you.”

A few days later, on May 12^th 2013 Your Excellency was also quoted as stating “I don’t care. If the Journalists like they should continue the protest for one year,” in reaction to a PUL led protest which included a black out of the Presidency. Neither Your Excellency nor Mr. Warrick has denied making these weighty statements.

It is particularly shocking, disappointing and ironic that these statements were made during the celebration of this year’s World Press Freedom Day whose global theme was: Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media. States all over the world were expected to reflect on the theme and identify ways in which to increase media freedoms and create an enabling environment for journalists and media workers to work freely and safely.

Your Excellency, it is regrettable that a senior official of your government has chosen to act against the spirit of the world press freedom day by issuing such threats which unfortunately also indicate a rising pattern of impunity against journalists and the media in Liberia, which the PUL has been trying to address as reflected in its invitation to the security sector.

Mr Warrick’s comments on World Press Freedom Day and your apparent stance are worrying signals of your government’s growing intolerance of the watch-dog role of the media as the fourth estate of the realm.

Mr. Warrick’s reference to the use of arms in his statement: “you have your pens and we have our guns” leads us to believe that an armed agency of your Government intends to use harsh tactics to prevent journalists from doing their work.

These statements further signal a worrying state orchestrated interference with the free flow of information, willingness to illegally interfere with the processing of news and ideas without recourse to or respect for any form of legal procedure.

Your Excellency, your position on the media blackout would suggest that your Government is not living up to its obligations under international law to protect and defend the rights of media practitioners and ensure that they are not subjected to any form of disability in the performance of their professional duties. It would accordingly imply that your Government does not intend to promote the free flow of ideas and divergent views.

We respectfully remind Your Excellency that, as a public figure and head of state and government, under international law, you are expected to be subject to a higher level of scrutiny and criticism from the press than other ordinary citizens and that you are in fact expected to tolerate such higher level of scrutiny and criticism.

Your Excellency, you are no doubt aware that the Press Union of Liberia is to host the WAJA Congress scheduled to take place in Monrovia in July this year. As the sub-regional association of journalists and parent body of the Press Union of Liberia, we chose Monrovia based on your Government’s many positive strides, including the passing into law of a Freedom of Information Bill in September 2010, your personal endorsement of the Declaration of Table Mountain in July 2012, and your Government’s accession to the African Platform on Access to Information (APAI) Declaration in September 2011.

WAJA also wishes to remind Your Excellency that by the adoption of the Freedom of Information Act, the Government of Liberia has implicitly identified the free flow of information and ideas as being among its main priorities for national development. The Liberia Constitution of 1986, also commits to the fundamental principles of free expression.

We consider the statement of Mr. Warrick repressive and inimical to the exercise of independent journalism, free expression and freedom of opinion while we find your stances on the matter extremely unhelpful. The recent statements run contrary to the spirit with which we chose your country, Liberia as host of our important gathering and will be consulting with the PUL to further consolidate their position on the matter.

We also wish to bring to your attention our unflinching support to the Press Union of Liberia, independent journalists and all media partners in Liberia. WAJA stands by each and every position that the PUL has so far taken in protest and looks forward to the resolution of this crisis.

We the undersigned hereby demand:

• · A clear and unequivocal statement by the Government of Liberia dissociating itself from the statement credited to Mr. Othello Warrick, Director of the Executive Protection Service.
• The Government of Liberia directs Mr. Othello Warrick, Director of the Executive Protection Service to publicly withdraw the statement credited to him, which amounts to undue threat and intimidation against the media community in Liberia and issues a public apology to the Liberian media
• The immediate removal of Mr. Othello Warrick as the Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS) because his conduct is inimical to on-going peace and reconciliation efforts in post-war Liberia in which the Liberian media has been playing a vanguard role
• The issuance of a firm assurance by the Government of Liberia on the security and safety of lives and property of journalists and the media in Liberia.
• The Government of Liberia should express a clear commitment to freedom of expression and media freedom in Liberia.

Your Excellency, should Warrick’s statements not reflect on your Government’s position on free expression and freedom of the media, we also call on you, to publicly reiterate the Government of Liberia’s commitment to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Sincerely,

Mohamed GARBA

President

Co-Signatories

1) Association des Editeurs de la Presse Privée (ASSEP), Mali

2) Conseil des Diffuseurs et Editeurs de Presse du Sénégal

3) Federation of African Journalists (FAJ)

4) Gambia Press Union (GPU)

5) Ghana Journalists Association (GJA)

6) International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

7) International Press Centre (IPC), Nigeria

8) La Festival International de la Liberté d’Expression et de la Presse (FILEP)

9) La Société des Editeurs de la Presse Privée du Burkina Faso (SEP)

10) Le Forum des responsables des medias de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (FORMAO)

11) Le Groupement Patronal de la Presse au Mali

12) Maison de la Presse du Mali

13) Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Nigeria

14) Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)

15) Réseau des journalistes pour la promotion de droits de l’homme, (RJPRODH), Mali

16) Syndicat des journalistes et techniciens de la Communication sociale (SINJOTECS), Guinea-Bissau

17) Syndicat des Professionnels de l’Information et de la Communication du Sénégal – SYNPICS

18) l’Union des journalistes indépendants du Togo (UJIT)

19) Union des Radio et Télévision Libres du Mali (URTEL)

CC:

Hon Lewis G. Brown, Minister of Information Culture and Tourism, Liberia

Hon. Norris Tweah, Deputy Minister of Information, Liberia

Hon. Edward McClain Jr., Chief of Staff, Office of the President, Republic of Liberia

Peter Quaqua, President, Press Union of Liberia (PUL)

H.E Kadre Desiré Ouédraogo, President, ECOWAS Commission

H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson, African Union Commission

Faith Pansy Tlakula, Special Rapporteur, Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, ACHPR

Frank La Rue, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, UN

Dr. Jim Yong Kim, President, World Bank

Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund

Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank

George Soros, Founder and Chairman, Open Society Foundations”

Africa’s first female elected President, Liberia’s Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, considered the “Darling of the West,” has somersaulted and turned the wheels of democracy on its head.

In the wake of recent threats issued against Journalists throughout the Republic of Liberia, by Mr. Othello Daniel Warrick, Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) placed a blackout on the Johnson-Sirleaf Administration.

Unfortunately, in her first public reaction to the media blackout after nearly three weeks of silence on the issue, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said she is enjoying the blackout and hopes its continues for the next one year.

Speaking on the government owned radio station (ELBC) in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, shortly before her departure for the United States, President Johnson-Sirleaf said this: “I’m enjoying the media blackout and I hope it continues for the next one year.” Interestingly, under the same breath, she accused the Liberian media of denying the people the right to information.

At a mass meeting last week, Members of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), agreed and took several actions including the decision a blackout against the Government in reaction to disparaging and threatening remarks made against journalists by Director Warrick.

The Union says its sanctions are expected to be in addition to the media blackout, according to Mr. Peter Quaqua, President of the Press Union of Liberia. Meanwhile, the Press Union of Liberia is expected to announce further sanctions against the Johnson-Sirleaf Administration today, Thursday, May 16.

Observers say one of the major decisions expected to be announced may include a complete boycott of the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs & Tourism (MICAT), regular weekly press briefings.

It will be a major blow to the Johnson-Sirleaf Administration if the PUL decides to completely boycott the briefings, described as nothing less than public relations information from the Liberian presidency. PUL President, Quaqua stated further, “We will issue a strongly worded statements on the blackout and the way forward.”

But, while en route to the United States, President Johnson-Sirleaf remained unapologetic. She  told the government owned radio station (ELBC), that she is enjoying the media blackout against her government and hopes it continues for the next one year.

Interestingly, while demonstrating her belligerent posture, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who is also the West African Editors’ Award (WAEA) receipant, accused journalists of violating the people’s right to information.

However, the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), took on a more conciliatory role, by urging the PUL to reconsider and reverse its “news blackout” decision against the government. A MICAT press release quoted Deputy Information Minister Isaac Jackson as saying, “the right of the people to know is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Liberian Constitution.”

The release quoted Jackson as reminding “each stakeholder to information dissemination, including the PUL, that they have a compelling duty to the people not only to uphold this right, but also to resist any temptation to restrict its continuous exercise and practice.”

He however stopped short of adding that the government equally has a constitutional responsibility to ensuring an enabling environment for the continued exercise of such fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Liberian Constitution.

It may be recalled that the President’s Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), Othello Daniel Warrick, described journalists as terrorists and threatening to move on them by arresting them without any warrant and curtailing their rights.

Warrick warned, “if you question the integrity of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, or other Liberians. “If you incriminate the character or integrity of Liberians, like myself, we will come after you,”

Continuing, Warrick warned. “Be careful, in questioning the integrity because you have your pen and we have our guns.”

He made these remarks at programs marking the annual observance of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) in Buchanan, Grand Bassa county when given an opportunity to make remarks on Friday, May 3.

After waiting nearly two weeks, the PUL became outraged at the continued unexplained silence of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf,

The Union then fired back, questioning the Johnson-Sirleaf Administration’s commitment to upholding press freedom in spite of the signing of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), the Table Mountain Declaration (TMD) and its commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD OF THE INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), WELCOMES FEEDBACK (COMMENTS/REACTIONS) FROM OUR READERSHIP TO ANY OF OUR PUBLICATIONS.

WE ASSURE YOU, YOUR FEEDBACK WILL BE PUBLISHED WITHOUT CENSORSHIP.THE INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), IS THE FASTEST AND LEADING NAME IN NEWS. WE REPORT, YOU DECIDE.

BY: TARNYON NYENON

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR,

INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN)

TNYENON59@YAHOO.COM- (763) 226-3634-CELL

With just about sixty months to the next presidential elections in the tiny West African Republic of Liberia, another political organization, Liberians For Prosperity (LFP), has been born.

The organization’s Political leader, Mr. Richard Miller says LFP is not a political party,  rather a political institution whose aims among others is to ensure the sustenance of democracy and an equitable distribution of the nation’s natural resources.

Making these assertions in an exclusive interview with the Independent Eye News (IEN), Mr. Miller said another primary objective of his organization is to help sustain Liberia’s young democracy, by instilling a merit-based system within Liberia’s body politic. 

He pledged his organization’s commitment to initiating and playing a pivotal, collaborative role with other like mind democratic institutions for the development of a prosperous country for the benefit all Liberians.

On the chronic issue of corruption in the Liberian system, Miller says he does not blame the Liberian people for being despaired about politics and Politicians counting on their experiences with past and present political Leaders’ failed pledges of good governance.

The LFP Political Leader said it is unfortunate that most Political Leaders say one thing and do quite the opposite once elected to power to serve the people adding, “They quickly loss site of their roles as servants  and become dictators.” He observed.

“Instead of serving the people as promised during political campaign rallies and even as enshrined in their respective platforms, they become masters and consider the people their subjects” vowing, “These are some of the ills we intend to fight.”  

He stressed that the issue of equitable distribution of the nation’s resources, will not remain mere rhetoric as has been in the past.  “The Liberians For Prosperity political organization, will remain very vocal in fighting the many ills within the Liberian society.”

Miller, an Energy Consultant and a Entrepreneur by profession, said while his organization remains fundamentally opposed to many policies of the Johnson-Sirlleaf Administration, it is equally prepared to utilize its expertise to help the Liberian People.

He noted that rather than only criticize, his organization is willing and prepared to make its expertise available to the Johnson-Sirleaf Administration in the fields of energy conservation to bring immediate relief to all Liberians.

Miller, who earned two under graduate degrees in Business Administration and Environmental Science Protection & Safety Management from Temple University, also holds two Master Degrees, from two different Universities.

He earned a Master in International Business Administration from Eastern University and another Master in Environmental Science Protection & Safety Management, from Saint Joseph’s University, all in Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania.

He currently serves as a Manager at the Energy & Sustainability Facility with ten corporate entities, nine of which are based here in the United States, with one in the United Kingdom.

He emphasized his twenty years’ practical work experience as an Businessman and an Environmentalist. He said as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and an Energy Consultant, he intends to utilize his expertise to bring immediate relief to Liberians.

Miller, who previously served as the National Chairman of the Highest Options for Peace an Empowerment (HOPE), used the occasion to announce his departure from that political organization effective last April.

Asked what necessitated his abrupt departure from HOPE, Miller said he felt it was necessary to move in a different direction, believing it will afford him an opportunity to leverage his skills and capabilities by effectively implementing LFP’s vision for Liberia.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD OF THE INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), WELCOMES FEEDBACK (COMMENTS/REACTIONS) FROM OUR READERSHIP TO ANY OF OUR PUBLICATIONS.

WE ASSURE YOU, YOUR FEEDBACK WILL BE PUBLISHED WITHOUT CENSORSHIP.THE INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), IS THE FASTEST AND LEADING NAME IN NEWS. WE REPORT, YOU DECIDE.

BY: TARNYON NYENON

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR,

INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN)

TNYENON59@YAHOO.COM- (763) 226-3634-CELL

In the wake of the recent threats issued against Journalists throughtout the Republic of Liberia, by Mr. Othello Daniel Warrick, Director of the Executive Protection Services (EPS), the former National President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Mr. J. Siaka Konneh has condemned the threats, in a strongly worded statement.

The Editorial Board of the Independent Eye News (IEN), has elected to publish the self explinatory statement verbatim, unedited for the benefit of our readership. Below is the full text.

Statement from J. Siaka Konneh Regarding Liberia’s Chief Security Warrick’s Threats Against Liberian Journalists; and the Boycott of Government’s News:

I have just learned, with profound regrets, recent threatening statements from the head of Liberia’s Executive Protection Service (EPS), Mr. Othello Daniel Warrick against Liberian journalists.

According to media reports, Mr. Warrick was speaking during an event on May 3, 2013 in Grand Bassa County, Liberia, when he out rightly threatened journalists in the country and said, among other threats, that his “EPS has the right to arrest journalists without warrant and he would go after any journalist who publishes articles critical of him or the presidency.”

This diabolical threat from the Liberian government’s chief security executive reminds Liberians, most especially journalists, about some of the ugly pasts that journalists and other human rights advocates suffered in the country under previous despotic regimes.

As a former President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and a staunch advocate for press freedom and democracy in Liberia and other parts of the world, I strongly condemn, in no uncertain term, this diminishing threat coming from Mr. Warrick.

At this time, in the country, when Liberia and Liberians are piecing back together the pieces that were shattered by the civil war created by the evil hands of rebels and their leaders as well as other unpatriotic Liberians, no government official, or anyone, for that matter, should be in the business of claming-down on journalists in the country.

The concentration of our leaders, including members of the security apparatus should be on reconciliation, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and general development.

I strongly believe that President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf, herself, who was in the vanguard of advocating for social justice and other basic human rights of Liberians in the early 1980s before escaping from Liberia through Grand Bassa County, will not tolerate such mess coming from one of her lieutenants.

We therefore call on President Sirleaf to strongly condemn Mr. Warrick’s threatening statements and should also disassociate herself from such ugly behavior, of which she, herself, suffered during the administration of the late President Samuel K. Doe.

While President Sirleaf is contemplating on the matter, we are also urging the Liberian National Legislature’s Committee on Information and Broadcasting to immediately summon EPS Director Warrick to appear before that august body to clarify his threatening remarks in the best interest of the Liberian people.

As we unflinchingly support and join the PUL in all of its actions against such behavior from a security director in the country and as a former recipient of a prestigious Human Rights Watch award,

I am in the process of sending a communication to Human Rights Watch in Washington, D.C. and the Committee To Protect Journalists (CPJ) in New York to keep watch and warn the Liberian government against such dilapidating behavior of Liberian government officials.

Although the CPJ is already aware, but being a partner of them, I have decided to add my support to whatever cause they are undertaking in the interest of journalists in Liberia. As the saying goes: “when a blind man says I will stone you with a rock, he already has a rock in his hands”, no one should take this threat as an empty threat coming from a security chief in the country.

We are further admonishing every patriotic Liberian anywhere to vehemently condemn this action of this chief security officer. Our call is intended to wipe away such threatening remarks and behavior from government officials, as we are all advocating for total peace and pursuing the happiness of all Liberians.

Let’s keep praying for Liberia.

J. Siaka Konneh

9166676390

9164004315

jsiaka@aol.com

The Strategic Journalists Committee (SJC), has vowed to consult with its international partners to withdraw the recent West African Editor Award (WAEA), given President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, if she fails to dismiss fire her Director of the Executive Protection Service, Mr. Othello Warrick.

The media Committee’s call was contingent on recent threats issued by Director Warrick, against Journalists throughout Liberia to the effect that the Executive Protection Services will go after Journalists.

Director Warrick issued while making remarks on the occasion of the celebration of WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY (WPFD) held in the port citi of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on Friday, May 3.

The Journalists’ Committee urged the Liberian Chief Executive to fire EPS Director on grounds that his statements undermine the Table Mountain Declaration (TMD), signed by the President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, late last year.

The TABLE MOUNTAIN DECLARATION (TMD), replaces statues under which journalists and/or media practitioners may be prosecuted as criminal defendants for alleged criminal defamation.

The TMD seeks to earnestly appeal to all Africans, especially those in authority to recognize that the political and economic progress they seek, flourish only in a climate where the press is free and independent of governmental, political or economic control.

It also seeks to abolish ‘INSULT’ and ‘CRIMINAL LAWS’ in Africa by setting the stage for a free press higher on the agenda.

In a strongly worded statement, the SJC warned that the President’s refusal, or failure to distant herself from Director Warrick’s threatened statements clearly indicates that she is in full support of his threat against journalists.

The media group described Director Warrick’s statement as “endangering the lives of journalists throughout the country.”

The Strategic Journalist Committee emphasized that Director Warrick’s threatened statements undermine Press Freedom and the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), in the country.

The Freedom Of Information Act was passed on September 16, 2010 by an act of the National Legislature and signed into law by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

The SJC’s statement was issued in the Liberian Capital, Monrovia, on Tuesday, May 7, the under the signature of National Chairman, Mr. Rhodoxon S. Fayiah.

In a rather usual damage control mood, the Johnson-Sirleaf Administration through one of it lower level staffer, 2nd Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Mr. Christopher Seelee, has denied the SJC’s assertions that the Liberian Leader was backing Director Warrick’s unprovoked threats against journalists throughout Liberia.

It is rather unusual because the denial did not come directly from Presidential Press Secretary, Jerolinmek Piah, or Mr. Lewis G. Browne, II, the Minister of Information Cultural Affair & Tourism (MICAT), the official Spokesman of the Liberian Government.

However, Analysts maintained that this could be a deliberate design by the Johnson-Sirleaf Administration as an attempt to minimize the damage, by not allowing a high=profile official to reaction on behalf of the Foreign Ministry/Executive Mansion.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD OF THE INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), WELCOMES FEEDBACK (COMMENTS/REACTIONS) FROM OUR READERSHIP TO ANY OF OUR PUBLICATIONS.

WE ASSURE YOU, YOUR FEEDBACK WILL BE PUBLISHED WITHOUT CENSORSHIP. THE INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), IS THE FASTEST AND LEADING NAME IN NEWS. WE REPORT, YOU DECIDE.

BY: TARNYON NYENON
PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR,
INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN)
TNYENON59@YAHOO.COM-(763) 226-3634-CELL