Even since the campaign for the Presidency of the Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas (GGAA), ended on Saturday, May 28, followed by the election of Mr. Tillman Nuahnee Collins on Sunday, May 29, it is now time to govern effectively, Mr. President.

Mr. President, your overwhelming election under your campaign leadership team, Restoring Unity Services and Hope (RUSH), was not only an historic development, but equally a clear message from Grand Gedeans that they desperately needed change for the better.

The popularity contest has since been over. It is now time to govern effectively, Mr. President. There are more challenging national tasks here in the United States and most critically back home in the west African Republic of Liberia.

We want to remind you Sir, that the tedious tasks ahead of you must be tackled head on because, all the institutions involved are not just part and parcel, but the nucleus of the Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas.

We wish to specifically make references to the paralysis being suffered by the  Gborho Ahmuyan (GA) and the big split within the National Sixty Born (NSB) and the Gbarzon District Association in the Americas (GDAA), here in the United States.

The Gborho Ahmuyan is completely paralyzed right now as a result of leadership squabble, although nobody on either side of the isle is willing to admit that indeed, there is a split.

We also have the long standing split within the National Sixty Born (NSB) organization. As a result, there is a splinter faction known as the United Sixty Born (USB), with both claiming legitimacy within the same Diaspora Grand Gedeh Community.

In the Gbarzon District Association in the Americas (GDAA), two of her sons in the persons of, Messrs. Moses Ehrich and Ralph Jolo, are battling it out with each faction also claiming legitimacy to the presidency of the Association.

The Memberships in all of these community Associations are in denial that indeed there are problems within their mists which need to be addressed instead of pretending that all is well when the opposite is true.

On a more critical development, is the national presidential elections in Liberia which is winding down and becoming clearer and clearer by the day that indeed, the ruling Unity Party of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, is prepared to do anything at all cost to win the Presidency.

If this were to happen, the critical question that needs an answered is, where does Grand Gedeh County and its inhabitants fit in an Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Liberia, considering the way the county considers her and her treatment of the county and its inhabitants during her last six years’ tenure?

To answer this question satisfactorily, the Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News (IEN), wishes to appeal and advise you Sir, on what you need to tell her in her face, when you ever have an opportunity of meeting with her.

Please let her know that Grand Gedeh County is not a Republic within a Republic. Our County is an integral part of the Republic of Liberia. She should not treat the county and its inhabitants as endemic species, because of its stiff opposition to her administration’s policies.

Please let her know also that we are not seeking special favors or treatment from her and/or her government. We only want to be treated equally, as any other county within the Republic of Liberia.

With a near unanimous vote of ninety nine point nine, nine percent (99.9.9/) vote against her Presidency as was exhibited during the last two elections circles (2005 and 2011), we are extremely concern, based on past experiences.

It is indeed no secret that the people of Grand Gedeh County, are diametrically opposed to her policies of marginalization of the county, as a result of the stiff opposition to her from the county.

We are not oblivious to the fact of how some African leaders react whenever they are opposed through the democratic process, as was done by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf against Grand Gedeh and Grand Gedeans, during her last six years now.

We are also fully aware that she will CONTINUE to marginalize the county in every way possible, after her obvious victory is announced as was demonstrated after she emerged victorious in the 2005 presidential elections.

Note; we used the word ‘CONTINUE’ deliberately because after the 2005 presidential elections in which Grand Gedeans again voted against her at ninety nine point nine, nine percent (99.9 9/), she deliberately marginalized the county, over the last six years.

The Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News (IEN), wishes to make it abundantly clear that no county, no matter what its votes are, should ever be marginalized by the President of the Republic, in this case, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, as she did during her first term which is now coming to a end.

We believe that voting against her policies as Grand Gedeans did, is no reason whatsoever, to marginalize the county. Our opposition to her as a county, is part of the beauty of democracy. We wish to remind the ‘Harvard Trained Economist,’ as her western allies usually like to refer to her.

Grand Gedeh County was treated like a step child by the Sirleaf-Johnson Administration. Her government’s marginalization of the County was done in such a “CLEAVER” manner, it was not wildly noticed, but we observed it with an eagle eye and concluded that it was obviously deliberate.

Three classic examples of the Johnson-Sirleaf Government’s marginalization of Grand Gedeh are the selective elevation of one of the two in-land Multilateral Senior High Schools in Liberia namely the Vorjama and Zwedru Multilateral Vocational Senior High Schools.

The Johnson-Sirleaf Government only chose to elevate the Vorjama Multilateral Senior High School to a Junior College level, while the Zwedru Multilateral Senior High School remains untouched, as though it did not exist.

The Harbel Multilateral Senior High School in Margibi County at least has some advantages considering its proximity where the county’s inhabitants have asses to the many universities and collages in the nation’s capital, Monrovia.

However, that is also not a good reason to marginalize it. It is only that the situation with Grand Gedeh is much more acute considering its geographic location of approximately more than three hundred fifty miles away from the nation’s capital Monrovia, compare to that of Margibi County.

As a result, students who graduate from senior high schools in Grand Gedeh county and desirous of pursuing higher education, have no asses to any university or a junior college in the immediate proximity.

Another glaring example is the building from scratch of a twenty first century multi-million dollars hospital in Tapata, Nimba County, while the Martha Tubman Memorial Hospital in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, one of the oldest in the south-eastern region, remains untouched.

A third example of President Johnson-Sirleaf’s resentment of Grand Gedeans was when she told the leadership of the Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas, under the then leadership of  National President, Adolphine Kannah, why she (President Johnson-Sirleaf) could not appoint a Grand Gedean to manage the Gedeh Mountain exploration project, claiming there was no Grand Gedean who is a Geologist.

This was an affront (insult) to all Grand Gedeans for the President of the Republic of Liberia to have made such reckless remarks on two different occasions, when President Kannah had the opportunity of meeting with her twice, first in Liberia and later here in the United States.

Besides, we believe this was only a smokescreen by the President Sirleaf to pursue her act of vengeance and vendetta against Grand Gedeans with flimsy excuses to justify her actions.

We wish to remind President Johnson-Sirleaf that she has the constitutional prerogative to appoint whoever she so desires, rather than providing excuses. Under the same breath, she has an obligation to meet other constitutional requirements, which calls for equal opportunities for all.

If President Johnson-Sirleaf were sincere in her desire to have appointed a Grand Gedean, she did not need a Grand Gedean as a Geologist to manage or carry out an administrative function. This was only an attempt by her to hide her real intent for not appointing a Grand Gedean, if she wanted to.

The Johnson-Sirleaf Government’s actions were a clear and deliberate acts of vengeance/vendetta. If it were not, then we want to know what is. It is obvious that these developments were not an oversight, but were deliberately designed.

All of these encounters with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Grand Gedeans, can be best interoperated as the President telling Grand Gedeans, “THIS IS WHAT YOU GET AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU WHEN YOU OPPOSE ME.”

It was a payback for the 2005 overwhelming vote against her and her Unity Party, a situation which was repeated during this 2011 first round elections, in which Grand Gedeans again overwhelmingly voted against her policies.

But the real question is, should any given county be marginalized by the President of the Republic, who is suppose to be the leader of all Liberians, irrespective of their votes against her?

It will therefore be no surprise to us if she CONTINUES her acts of vengeance and/or vendetta following the formal announcement of her ‘CORONATION VICTORY’ for a second term as President of the Republic of Liberia, after the November 8 runoff election. We have already brace ourselves, come what may.

On the other hand, while we were busy fighting among ourselves here in the United States, over community Presidency, President Johnson-Sirleaf’s Government was also busy marginalizing our County and its people, back home and only used the county for her so-called ‘CABINET RETREAT.’ Whatever that was, as we are yet to know the significance of that retreat.

To President Collins, we wish to state that after nearly five months in office, the Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News (IEN), wishes to remind and urge you again Sir, to govern more effectively and not worry about whether or not your decisions will be popular with the people?

We wish to remind you not to loss track of what you were elected to do. After winning the lion share of Grand Gedeans’ votes which was a clear mandate and an indication of our trust in you, hoping you would do what you promised plus more. We are still waiting and are only reminding you Sir.

It must also be noted that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf alone cannot be blamed for the total disaster that obtained during her first six years’ term. Our County’s Legislative Caucus must equally share some of the responsibilities/blame and be held accountable.

The five-man Caucus could not even hold together. There was in-fighting among them, a situation which was apparently exploited by President Johnson-Sirleaf. Remember the old saying, “if your house does not sell you, the street will not buy you?”

Our county’s Legislative Caucus failed us miserably and also sole us to the Johnson-Sirleaf Government for thirty pieces of silver, just by remaining silent at the time we needed them the most. We doubt if they even had any legislative agenda for the county’s development.

An example was the Gedeh Mountain Contractual fiasco. That agreement was forced down the throat of the Liberians people in general and Grand Gedeans in particular, who stand to be affected the most as a result of foreseeable environmental disaster that me occur, as a result of their failure.

The Grand Gedeh Legislative Caucus failed miserably to conduct any debate with the hope of addressing some of those major critical concerns. The Liberian Legislature as a whole, also failed the nation unforgivably in exercising its constitutional mandate.

What did the Grand Gedeh Legislative Caucus do? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! They were there only looking after their own interests, a decision which will have very serious ripple effect now and for generations yet unborn.

The River Gee and Sinoe Counties’ Legislative Caucuses must equally be held accountable because, we did not hear from them as well. All of us stand to loss at the end of the day as a result.

Not one of them raised a finger at President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Not even with a simple press release, by just expressing concern over the extra ordinary speed with which the bill was flown through the Liberian Legislature, by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

However, the Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News (IEN), wishes to make it unequivocally clear, that we will never relent in our effort to inform, educate, entertain and advocate for just causes.

We pledge to remain very, very vocal in making our contributions towards the overall national development of our county and country as a whole. We will continue to hold our leaders accountable, irrespective of who is involved.

Be it here in the United States, or back home in Liberia. We feel equally obligated to play our part regardless of the consequences. This is our role and our vow which we pledge to play to the best of our ability without let.

The Editorial Staff 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),WWW.INDEYE.ORG

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

The man who was elected recently under circumstances described by Political Analysts as rather dubious, for not disclosing his status before contesting the Interim Co-Chairman of the National Board of Directors of the Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas (GGAA), Mr. Vlantee Marcus Koolor has fallen from grace to grass.

Kooler, who was the Interim Co-Chairman of the National Board of Directors of the GGAA and also Co-Chairman of the Minnesota Chapter’s Board of Directors, has now lost all those positions as a result of the election of the Alex Gaye Board leadership of the Minnesota Chapter.

The Minnesota Chapter maintains a tradition wherein its two elected officials, the Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Directors, are automatically the two legitimate representatives to the National Board of Directors of the Grand Gedeh Association in  the Americas.

However, at the time of Mr. Kooler’s designation by the Chapter President, Alexander Barmon, the Board Chairman, Nehemiah Garley was preoccupied and there was no Secretary of the Chapter’s Board. President Barmon was therefore left with no other alternative than to designate Mr. Kooler to the National Board only as a proxy.

Interestingly however, Kooler took what was described by Political Analysts as a big political gamble, when he ran for and was elected Interim Co-Chairman of the National Board of Directors of the GGAA, while only a proxy for the Minnesota Chapter. He was also the Co-Chairman of the Minnesota Chapter’s Board of Director.

Since his election on Friday, September 3 as Interim Co-Chairman of the National Board, in Des Moines, Iowa, Mr. Koolor’s Critics have questioned the legitimacy of his election and have vowed to ensure it does not stand.

As a proxy for the Minnesota Chapter, Mr. Kooler was only eligible to vote and not to seek any elective office on the National Board. Opined, an Observer. Kooler however ran for the Co-Chairmanship of the National Board without informing his colleagues about his status only as a proxy.

With the election of a new corps of officers for the Minnesota Chapter’s Board of Directors, under the leadership of Mr. Alex Gaye, Kooler has effectively fallen from grace to grass and remains only as an ordinary Member of the Minnesota Chapter’s Board of Directors.

It may be recalled that Mr. Kooler made an unsolicited motion calling for the dissolution of the Minnesota Chapter’s Board leadership of Mr. Nehemiah Garley, during the Board’s meeting on Sunday, October 9.

Although his motion which called for the dissolution of the Garley Board leadership was not solicited by then Chairman Garley, it was passed by a vote of three to two in favor of the dissolution.

Political Pundits are wondering what was Mr. Kooler’s motives for his unsolicited motion. Interestingly, it has now turnout his own design has come back to hurt him, haven lost both Co-Chairmanships of the national and local Board of Directors of the GGAA, as a result.

When questioned in an exclusive interview with the Independent Eye News on his motives for making the unsolicited motion for the dissolution of the Garley Board leadership, Koller, in a rather bessiare fashion, denied any knowledge of his action sayimg, “what you are asking me is all news to me.”

He however pointed out, “as far as I am concern, there is nothing going on the Chapter’s Board” but then added, “whatever happens on the Board, is the Board issue and should have remain as such.’ He concluded.

Mr. Neheniah Garley, now former Chairman of the Minnesota Chapter’s Board of Directors, was quoted by the IEN in an exclusive interview at the time as saying, “I have no idea why the Board’s leadership was dissolved.”

Garley further expressed regrets over his colleagues’ decision to dissolve the Chapter’s Board leadership adding, “I tried my best to put the Board together, but whatever decision was taken, I’m fine with it.

He further noted, “I will support anything that will move this organization forward and I intend to remain a Member of the Board. I’m prepared to work with whoever is elected, because I believe all the current Members of the Board are qualify to lead.” He concluded.

Also speaking to the Independent Eye News, Board Member, Kamaty Diahn expressed regrets over the majority Members’ decision to dissolve the Garley Board leadership, pointing out, “this is very bad precedence we are setting.”

“It is unacceptable,” he went on, “for any Board Member to just make a motion for the dissolution of the Board’s leadership without any tangible reason(s). These are some of the things we do, that turn people off.” He pointed out.

Diahn also questioned Mr. Marcus Kooler’s decision to seek the Interim Co-Chairmanship of the National Board while only a proxy for the Minnesota Chapter, a situation which recently provoked a national debate.

However, Mr. Randy Kaydea, then only a Member of the Board, but is now the newly elected Secretary of the Board and a prospective Member of the National Board, told the IEN, “I supported the decision to dissolve the Garley Board’s leadership because it has been inactive for a very long time.”

“I felt there was a need to reshuffle the Board’s leadership so we can make progress.” Kaydea observed. ”The decision was not targeted at any individual or group, but I thought Grand Gedeans’ interest will be best served with a changed leadership.” He opined.

“There was complete insanity on the Board with the leadership doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting a different result.” Mr. Kaydea emphasized.

When contacted for his reaction to the changes in the Minnesota Chapter’s Board representation, National Board’s Interim Chairman, Eric Kohn told the IEN, “the National Board has not received any official communication to that effect, from Mr. Alexander Barmon, President of the Minnesota Chapter.”

“Whenever I do, I will put it on the National Board’s agenda for deliberation of the contents of the communication, but for now, I have not received any official communication regarding any change of names of the Minnesota Chapter’s representatives to the National Board.” Chairman Kohn concluded.

The Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News, welcome 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), THE FASTEST AND LEADING NAME IN NEWS. WE REPORT, YOU DECIDE.

BY: TARNYON NYENON

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR

INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), WWW.INDEYE.ORG

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

Exactly two weeks following the dissolution of the Garley Board leadership, Members of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Chapter of the Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas (GGAA), have elected a new leadership.

Those elected to preside over the chapter’s Board for the next nine months are Messrs. Alex Gaye, Eric Booh and Randy Kaydea, as Chairman, Co-Chairman and Secretary respectively.

The Sunday, October 23 elections followed the Sunday, October 9 dissolution of the Garley Board’s leadership which lasted fifteen months. The Gaye Board leadership’s tenure expires in June, 2012.

The election of the Gaye Board leadership now brings to three the number of leadership turnovers in just twenty eight months, despite the chapter’s Board tenure of three years.

It all began with the Nyenon Board leadership (June, 2009-July, 2010), followed by the Garley Board leadership (July, 2010-October, 2011), which has now been replaced by the Gaye Board leadership, which runs from October, 2011- June 2012.

However, prior to the chapter Board’s leadership elections which were scheduled for 6:00pm, on Sunday, October 23, at the office of outgoing Chairman Nehemiah Garley, he sent out what has been described by Observers as an interesting text message to all his colleagues.

In the message which was sent out at 4:51pm, with just nine minutes to the commencement of the meeting, Mr. Garley announced the unilateral postponement of the Board meeting at which the Board’s leadership elections were scheduled to be held.

Garley cited his personal scheduling conflict as the reason for calling off or atempting to call off the scheduled Board meeting, but failed to specify what the scheduling conflict was that prompted his abrupt postponement announcement.

In the text, copy of which is in the possession of the Independent Eye News (IEN), Mr. Garley wrote, “I regret to announce the postponement of today’s (October 23) meeting due to conflict in my schedule. If the Vice Chairman or the Secretary can chair the meeting, that will be fine.”

 A Critic observed that what is most interesting in Mr. Garley’s text message is the contradicting contents, which were also described as a calculated design to sabotage the then pending Board leadership elections.

The Critic pointed out that while announcing the unilateral postponement of the scheduled Board meeting, Mr. Garley also suggested under the same breath, that if the meeting is chair be either his Vice Chairman or Secretary, he would have no problem.

As a follow up to his earlier message sent out on Sunday, October 23, Mr. Garley also sent out another text message at 8:11Am, on Monday, October 24, requesting his colleagues on the Board to send him their schedules on their availability for the Board’s leadership elections.

The text, copy of which is also in the possession of the Independent Eye News, reads: “I’m sorry about yesterday, I’m kindly asking everyone to please text me your availability to have the Board election schedule. I look forward hearing from you.”

Unfortunately, Mr. Garley’s message came too little, too late, as the Board held its leadership elections twenty four (24) hours earlier on Sunday, October 23 as was originally scheduled. 

The new leadership was immediately inducted into office, by the Board’s former Co-Chairman, Alvin Zelee, regarded as a senior Board Member because of his logivity on the Board.

Two other Board Members, Messrs V. Marcus Koolor and Kamaty Diahn, who were both said to be contenders for the chapter Board’s chairmanship, failed to show up for the meeting apparently owing to their inability to drum up sufficient votes.

Notwithstanding, four of the seven members including Messrs, Alex Gaye, Alvin Zelee, Eric Booh and Randy Kaydea who constitute a two third (2/3) majority, went ahead and held the elections which produced the current chairmanship of Mr. Alex Gaye. Messrs. Nehemiah Garley, Marcus Koolor and Kamaty Diahn were conspiciously absent.

When contacted to comment on whether or not his absence was a boycutt, Mr. Diahn told the IEN, “I stayed away because while enroot to the meeting, I got a text message from Mr. Garley that the meeting has been postponed to a later date.”

On whether he received the second text message from Mr. Garley requesting Board Members to text him (Garley) their availability for the Board elections, Mr. Diahn denied ever receiving any other text message from Mr. Garley. He claimed he has not checked his text message since he received the earlier text the day before.

Asked whether he was aware of the Board’s leadership elections been held which ushered in the new chairmanship of Mr. Alex Gaye, Mr. Diahn said, “I’m not aware of the Board leadership being elected.”

A call placed to Mr. V. Marcus Kooler, former Co-Chairman to Mr. Garley for an interview on his failure to show up for the scheduled Board leadership elections, was not answered, nor a message left for a return call honored.

Following the induction of the new Board leadership, former Co-Chairman Zelee made it plain, “the people’s work must continue, because Grand Gedeh and the Membership of the Minnesota Chapter are bigger than any individual or group.” This statement is being viewed by Political Observers as an apparent rebuff of those who boycotted the scheduled Board elections.

Mr. Zelee also appealed to Chairman Gaye to run the Board with transparency and accountability. He urged the new Board Chairman to make use of the press by allowing the press to cover every major event of the Board.

In his brief remarks, Chairman Gaye pledged to provide the necessary leadership by helping the administration of President, Alexander Barmon, to ensure a successful second term for the Barmon Administration.

Chairman Gaye then mandated the new Board Secretary, Randy Kaydea, to formally address a letter to President Barmon informing him about the election of the new Board leadership of the Minnesota Chapter.

In an exclusive interview with the IEN, President Barmon disclosed that he will address an official communication to GGAA National President, Tillman Nuahnee Collins and National Board Interim Chairman, Eric Vowar Kohn, immediately upon receipt of the communication from the Gaye Board leadership.

President Barmon emphasized that his loyalty is to the entire Membership of the Minnesota Chapter, rather than to any individual or group adding, “I pledge to work cooperatively with the Gaye Board in the best interest of all Minnesota Grand Gedeans.

The Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News 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), THE FASTEST AND LEADING NAME IN NEWS,. WE REPORT, YOU DECIDE.

BY: TARNYON NYENON

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR

INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), WWW.INDEYE.ORG

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

By Alphonso W. Nyenuh anyenuh@yahoo.com

 BACKGROUND

 Elections are at the heart of a democracy. A nation’s adoption of elections as the medium through which to choose its leaders and to make periodic leadership changes is at the core of what makes democracy works. And democracy lives or dies on a people’s willingness to submit themselves to elections and to accept the outcomes of elections. Just as an informed and involved civil society keeps the wheels of democracy functioning, elections are the periodic heartbeat that keeps democracy alive.

While elections do not of themselves constitute democracy, periodic elections that are free and fair are a powerful indicator of the viability of a democratic system. Elections represent the single most important forum through which the people (as the custodians of power) can directly participate in the affairs of state.

No other element in the democratic deck of cards provides the people the opportunity to exercise direct power and authority in the affairs of state, as elections do. If democracy is governance by the people then elections constitute that one big medium by which the people can directly participate in governance.

 AFRICA AND ELECTIONS

 Unfortunately electioneering in Africa has largely been a flash point for conflict, violence and destabilization. Elections and the periods leading to or following them are often marred by violence and bloodshed.

Dictators and autocratic ‘strong men’ wanting to cling on to power have time and again employed such nefarious tactics as stoking ethnic or regional enmity, intimidating and attacking political opponents and perpetuating a reign of fear and violence, and have, in more cases than not, engaged in outright ballot stealing, vote rigging or have simply refused to abide by the outcomes of elections.

Challenger candidates and opposition political organizations have also played a disappointing role in perpetuating Africa’s tragic state of affairs. Often rising to prominence on the backs of the people’s discontent with the status quo, with grandeur promises of change and a new democratic and just national order, this breed of African politicians have demonstrated time and again a failure to change politics as it has existed and more often than not have shown an unwillingness to commit to the democratic process.

They almost always never accept election results in which they lose; and have often engaged in tactics and made utterances that fan the flames of bloodshed, ethnic and sectarian violence. They make trumped up allegations of fraud, even when all indications are clear that a particular election was fair and transparent.

While it is true that many existing African governments are corrupt, unaccountable to their people and even outright despotic, and many would be glad to see the backs of them, the alternatives have often been weak and equally, if not more, corrupt and arrogantly presumptuous.

Believing that they are automatically deserving of the people’s vote, this new caliber of political power seekers fail to change politics.They fail to build viable and inclusive political institutions based on ideas and ideologies, and, like the old orders they seek to replace, they appeal to ethnic and other sectarian support structures and rely too heavily on prevailing discontent.

This has not only stymied the growth of democracy on the Continent, it has kept Africa mired in violence and unending wars, perpetuated poverty, and blunted any opportunity for development; subjecting millions to abject poverty and hopelessness.

The violence that erupted in Kenya following the December 1997 elections in which machete bearing gangs of ethnic antagonists slaughtered and murdered members of rival ethnic groups, and burnt down whole towns and villages; the brutality that characterized the aftermath of the 1997 Zimbabwe elections,

The months long violence that tore apart Ivory Coast following its 2010 elections; and now, the cloud of renewed violence, fear and uncertainty hanging over Liberia, following its recent October 11, 2011 polls are all too common occurrences that characterize election periods in Africa.

Africa is poor and unstable. Its people are extensively divided along ethnic, tribal and other sectarian lines. A great mass of them also lack formal education and an understanding of democracy and issues- based politicking. Consequently alliances tend to be constructed on ethnic and regional affinities rather than on ideologies and ideas. All of these are ingredients that fuel conflict and violence.

While the Ivory Coast- Laurent Gbabo scenario represents a classic situation in which an incumbent strongman refused to leave office after losing elections deemed credible and fair by the entire world body, thus igniting a brutal civil war with colossal consequences in human and material terms, recent developments in Liberia illustrate the lengths to which irresponsible oppositions are prepared to go to plunge their nations into anarchy in their misguided quest for power.

LIBERIA

In Liberia, months before the October 11 polls opposition figures and political parties undertook a campaign of intimidation and incitement, bringing the country just recovering from 15 years of war on the brink of renewed violence.

As their leaders ramped up dangerous rhetoric designed to create doubt in the legitimacy of the elections process, foot soldiers of opposition political parties undertook a concerted wave of threats and attacks against journalists, political opponents and even some of their own who disagreed with their actions.

Shortly after the October 11 balloting, and before any results were announced, the main opposition party, the Congress For Democratic Change (CDC) issued a preemptive statement charging that international observers did not do a good enough job of observing the process; consequently they would not accept any results short of an ‘absolute majority’ win for them or a second round re– run of the elections.

And, barely days after polling and when initial results pointed to the possibility that incumbent President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf might win outright in the first round, nine opposition political parties (including the second placed CDC and former warlord Prince Johnson’s third placed NUDP), unwilling to accept defeat resorted to dangerous tactics designed to delegitimize the election and create instability.

They charged (without pointing to any evidence) that the election process was flawed; announced they were withdrawing from the process and planned a massive rally which, from all indications would have been a massive national security headache and carried the huge potential of not only undermining the election process, but also of creating violence.

They decided to return to the election process only final tallying assured that President Sirleaf would fall short of the absolute majority needed to win in the first round.

 FINDINGS OF INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL OBSERVERS

All this, in spite of overwhelming evidence that the election process was free, fair and transparent; as attested to by local and nternational observers, including the Carter Center (of former US President Jimmy Carter), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), as well as local and international journalists.

In its Preliminary Statement on the conduct of the October 11 balloting, issued 13, 2011, the Carter Center reported “the voting process was peaceful, orderly and remarkably transparent.” On October 20, 2011 the Carter Center issued its Statement on Liberia’s Tally Process noting that the “Carter Center observers monitoring the tally and tabulation of final results in Liberia report a largely transparent process with no evidence of systematic fraud or manipulation of the results.”

On October 11, observers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a Preliminary Declaration stating that “on the whole, the elections of October 11, 2011 were conducted under acceptable conditions of freedom of voters and transparency of process.”

In 2005, following allegations of fraud by then CDC Standard Bearer George Weah (now Vice Standard Bearer of the Party) and after declaring himself president, groups of angry youth (many of whom make up the CDC’s following) took to the streets ,armed with sticks, broken glass and Molotov cocktails, smashing cars, destroying properties and setting fires.

They clashed with ECOWAS and UN peacekeepers, destroying UN vehicles and wounding some UN troops. At least four persons were killed in the violence. In election related violence leading to the October 11 balloting, CDC supporters attacked several journalists who they claimed were reporting negatively about the party.

Following their own primaries, rival CDC youth groups converged on the party headquarters armed with sticks, pipes and other weapons threatening to kill the party chair whom they blamed for ‘irregularities’ that caused their preferred candidates to lose.

SECOND ROUND BALLOTING, INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND LIBERIAN CIVIL SOCIETY

The looming second round balloting in Liberia and the period of uncertainty surrounding it represent a test to the commitment of the international community to promoting stability and building democracy in Africa.

While the outcome of a single election period will not produce the magic wind that sweeps democracy across the Continent and create peaceful elections, the international community’s role, especially the extent to which it is prepared to go to discourage and punish those who incite and promote violence,

as well as ensure that the outcome of the elections are free, fair and transparent, will not only determine the future direction of a country already battered by war and violence; it will also heavily influence how future elections are approached across the Continent.

By making sure that the election process in Liberia is void of violence and abuses, the International Community will be sending a strong message that it will insist on elections being fair and transparent but also that it will not relent in holding accountable any and all who undermine democratic processes and incite violence and unrest.

Though the voices of reason in Liberia are speaking out, Liberian civil society is still in its infancy. Battered by years of abuse from autocratic and dictatorial regimes, civil society in Liberia has only begun to re-establish.

And as is the case with weak and emerging civil society movements, major national situations of this magnitude can and have been too powerful to withstand. The international community’s support and also direct involvement are necessary both to save the day as well as to strengthen the hand of civil society.

Recent pronouncements by the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court that the Court was paying a close attention to developments in Liberia, especially to pronouncements and actions with the potential of creating undue tension and leading to violence is the kind of forceful intervention that must be applied, along with democratic tenets of fair elections, accountability and the rule of law to ensure democracy and peace in Africa.

It is critical that every effort is made to ensure that elections matter in Africa; that election processes are free, fair and democratic, and seen by all to be so; but also that outcomes of such elections are respected and accepted by all; and that all behave responsibly and do not engage in actions that undermine the peace, lead to violence and ultimately to human rights abuses.

ELECTIONS AND LOSERS’ ROLE

Elections are a competition of ideas and, the people get to decide which ideas they prefer and which ones to reject at a given time. Also, elections are periodic and losers in a particular election can return again to offer their ideas in future elections. Consequently, engaging in actions that may undermine the stability and peace is never a prudent, and should never be an option in the democratic arena.

Besides, elections do not mark the end of the competition of ideas. Losers still have and can take advantage of the opportunity to remain engaged in the governing process. They can continue to challenge the policies of and contrast the ideas of the winning party with their ideas. This is active civic engagement and participation.

The point must be made that elections are never perfect processes and, as in the case of imperfect processes, their outcomes may become contentious. Even Election authorities with the greatest of intentions to be fair and transparent do make mistakes.

Besides, history has demonstrated time and again there are many election officials who are simply corrupt and may resort to outright manipulation of election the processes and outcomes to favor certain candidates. Consequently, contestants may have legitimate concerns about the conduct of elections.

 REDRESS MECHANISMS

But it is in the realization that these things may occur, that various institutions and redress mechanisms have been put into place. There are internal structures within the National Elections Commission to settle election protests, and then there is the Supreme Court of Liberia empowered to rule on election disputes.

Democracy can only thrive when Liberians are prepared to believe in and trust these institutions to provide justice. It is the demands of citizens on these institutions that will obligate them to deliver the services they are set up to deliver.

Following the US elections of 2002, when the Florida State results were disputed, parties to the election trusted and went to the judicial system for redress and when the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of then Governor Bush, against then Vice President Albert Gore Jr., Mr. Gore and the Democratic Party, though unsatisfied with the ruling, accepted it because they understood and accepted the fact that the Supreme Court is the final arbiter of justice.

They also accepted to abide by the ruling because they knew that it was more important for themselves and the country to preserve their democracy and respect in the institutions of justice than to risk disturbance that could undermine the structures of state and the state itself.

Liberians and the Liberian opposition must take their queue from this landmark historical precedent. Resorting to violence or actions that could undermine the structures of state and the state itself will

Alphonso Nyenuh is a Liberian human rights activist. He worked previously with the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission in Liberia during the height of the Liberian civil conflict as Information Officer.

He also worked for Forefront, a network of leading grassroots human rights activists from around the world who are recipients of the Reebok Human Rights Award. Forefront operated within the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, now Human Rights First. He headed the Voter Education Project of the Liberia Election Observers Network (LEON), the first ever local election observation undertaking Liberia.

In the wake of the recent endorsement of Liberia’s President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, by Nimba County’s Senior Senator, Prince Yomie Johnson, Ms Celue Allace Yeatta Doe, daughter of the late Liberian President Samuel Kanyan Doe, launched a media bliss.

In her campaign, Ms. Celue Doe publicly appealed to President Johnson-Sirleaf, to reject Senator Johnson’s endorsement because according to her;

“Prince Johnson is a notorious warlord around the world who has gone on record to account for his inhumane acts of evil in the 14 years of the Liberian civil war that destroyed Liberia and caused the loss of thousands of precious Liberian lives, including the life of my father, Dr. Samuel K. Doe.”

“It is a well known fact.” Ms. Celue Doe went on, “that my father was brutally tortured, mutilated and killed on (video) tape by Prince Johnson for the world to see.” She recalled.

Since Ms. Doe launched her campaign, reactions have been mixed. It is in this vein, the Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News (IEN), has decided to contribute to the debate with a passionate plead. Our plead goes specifically to the Grand Gedeh Community because of the many sentiments expressed from the community in support of her appeal. 

We wish to remind Celue, the Doe family and our fellow Grand Gedeans that although the late President Doe was a Grand Gedean, he was a Liberian first. As a matter of fact, when Mr. Doe was born in 1952, there was nothing known as Grand Gedeh County.

The area was known only as the Eastern Region and was declared a county twelve years later in 1964, after he was born. However this is not the object of our Editorial.

To the Doe Family, most especially his daughter, Celue, we know how painful it was to see your father mutilated and finally murdered the way he was. But we want to let all of you know that he played his part very, very well.

It must be noted that Mr. Doe made undeniable history as the first indigenous to become Head of State and subsequently, the nineteen President of the Republic of Liberia.

The April 12, 1980 Revolution led by him when he was just a Master Sergeant, will forever be remembered and will remain in the annals of not just the Liberian, but the history of the world.

He led a group of seventeen (17) enlisted men who risked their lives on the morning of Saturday, April 12, 1980 to toppled an autocratic and corrupt more than two century old True Wing Party (TWP) regime.

A regime which knowingly excluded the majority of the Liberian people from the political, economic and social decision making process of Africa’s oldest independent Republic.

This was after one hundred thirty-three (133) years of existence as a Republic, under the minority rule of former slaves shipped from here in the United States, to the west African region which is today known as Liberia.

First the revolution led by him when he was  just a M/Sgt. within the Liberia National Guard (LNG) now the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), brought many uncountable and unqualified opportunities to the masses of the Liberian people to participate in the affairs of their own country.

One of such opportunities was practical multi-party democracy, rather than what obtained under the True Wing Party hegemony for nearly one hundred thirty-three years, dominance of the Liberian body politic.

The Revolution ended the True Wing Party’s practice of taxation without representation and caporal punishment for those who dare question, let alone challenge the system through any democratic or legal means.

The Revolution created opportunities for infrastructure development to take place using the country’s resources and stop the economic waste by the over one hundred thirty-three year old government.

A government which did not want to have its own ministry and agency buildings, because it was leasing those structures from the same government officials, which clearly demonstrated conflict of interest with impunity.

Mr. Doe was not a perfect man, but a mortal man like any other human being. The revolution he led as Head of State and Chairman of the People’s Redemption Council (PRC), was historic.

Howbeit, we as Grand Gedeans, must come to the realization and accept the fact that President Doe is dead and gone and is never coming back, but history will never forget him for either good or evil.

We must accept the fact that Grand Gedeh County, his county of origin is only now one of the fifteen political sub-divisions and an integral part of a Republic, called ‘LIBERIA.’ Mr. Doe was a Liberian first.

We must accept the fact that Mr. Doe was President of the Republic of Liberia, who happen to have been a Grand Gedean. He was not representing Grand Gedeh County as the President of the Republic.

We must however be mindful that our pronouncements and actions will be scrutinized more carefully than any other group of Liberians just because Samuel Doe was a Grand Gedean.

Although this is an unfair assessment, we just have to learn to live with the situation considering the kind of society we find ourselves in. A society that believes if collective guilt and/or guilt by association.

“Just because Samuel Doe was a Grand Gedean, whatever he did or failed to do, all Grand Gedeans must be held accountable.” This is the kind of society we live in. Rightly or wrongly.

We must live beyond President Doe and reintegrate ourselves within the greater Liberian Community/Society once again. He played his part, haven served the country for ten consercutive years (1980-1990). It is now left with history to judge.

Let us not see ourselves and our county as a Republic within a Republic. We must accept the fact that we are Liberians first, before any other political county nomenclature or demarcation.

We must strive to live an exemplary life of peaceful co-existence as any other group of Liberians, no matter what others may think about us as a people. Let us not be the once to fan the flames of hatred and permanent division within the Liberian Society.

We must not isolate ourselves from the greater Liberian Society by playing the victim card and/or the blame game. We must live our lives as normally as any group of Liberians and hold our heads high up.

Notwithstanding, we must never waiver. We must always continue to remain vocal on the ills of our society as Liberians and never see ourselves as being different from the rest of the Liberian people, as an ethnic group.

We have two options, either to pursue the path of ‘FORGIVENESS and RECONCILIATION,’ or live in the past believing that Samuel Doe will one day re-emerge and become the President of the Republic of Liberia again.

Do we want to live in the past, or pursue the path of FORGIVENESS and RECONCILIATION, where we will embrace our brothers and sisters as Liberians once again and live in peace and harmony?

Specifically addressing the endorsement by Senator Prince Johnson of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, let us always remember to respect the freedom and rights of our fellow compatriots, to make their choices as is guaranteed under Article 15 (A) and (B) of the Liberian Constitution which reads in part;

Article 15 (A) reads; “Every person shall have the right to freedom of expression, being fully responsible for the abuse thereof. This right shall not be curtailed, restricted or enjoined by government save during an emergency declared in accordance with this constitution.”

Article 15 (B) reads; “The right encompasses the right to hold opinions without interference and the right to knowledge. It includes freedom of speech and of the press, academic freedom to receive and impact knowledge and information.”

With all these freedoms guaranteed under our constitution, the Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News, can safely say that Senator Prince Yomie Johnson like any other person, was only exercising his freedom as a Liberian.

He reserves the right to endorse Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf or whomever he so desires regardless as such, his right to freely choose Madam Johnson-Sirleaf, must be respected by all.

Let us not vilify others simply because they disagree with us. We may disagree with one another on a given issue, but not to the point of questioning each other’s patriotism to our beloved country.

This bring us the question, GRAND GEDEANS, WHICH WAY? Do we want to pursue the path of VENGEANCE, or the path of FORGIVENESS and RECONCILIATION? The Editorial Staff of the (IEN), proposes the latter.

The Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News, welcomes feedback (comments/reactions) to any of our publications. We assure you, your feedback will be published without censorship

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

 BY: TARNYON NYENON

 PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR

INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), WWW.INDEYE.ORG

 TNYENON59@YAHOOCOM-(763) 226-3634-CELL

This Editorial is in fulfillment of our September 12 pledge in the Editorial, “THIS IS OUR VOW,” in which we promised to fight tooth and nail, for the transformation of the Union of Liberian Association in the Americas (ULAA).

In that vain, the Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News (IEN), are today continuing our relentless campaign to achieve that goal, by again highlighting those shot comings and making recommendations which we believe if implemented, could alleviate these impediments.

We pledge that in our struggle, we will use all legal means at our disposal including, but not limited to the writing and publishing Editorials, Commentaries and even writing Letters to the ULAA Leadership of Mr. Gaye Duwah Sleh, Jr. and Mr. Wilmot Kunney, President and Chairman of the Board of the Directors respectively.

In our September 12 Editorial, the Independent Eye News also reflected the fact that ULAA is now only a toothless political bulldog, surviving on past glory as a once upon a time, powerful political force to recon with in the 1970s and 1980s.

We further pointed out that ULAA, or what is left of it, is a bunch of political flunkies whose sole objective is to gain fame politically, with the hope of securing Liberian Government jobs at the end of the day.

However, we wish to make it unequivocally clear that we are not in any way, shape or form oppose to the choices of our fellow compatriots (Liberians), to provide services to our beloved country and people.

We realize the sacrifices associated with rendering public services to the people, be it through the Government of Liberia, United Nations Systems, the private sector, or any other institution.

In our September 12 Editorial titled, “THIS IS OUR VOW,” we did not only highlight ULAA’s failures and how she lost her mojo (charm), but we also acknowledged her many contributions to the Diaspora Liberian Community and our country in the past.

We also acknowledged the fact the ULAA played a very pivotal role to the extend of assuming the role of the Liberian Legislature by her checks and balance approach to the powers of the Liberian Government, a constitutional role willfully neglected by the legislature.

In all our engagements with the Union, we intent to remain very vocal, critical and brutally frank, but yet civil, diplomatic and polite in our interactions. We will not only criticize, but we will also make constructive recommendations and/or suggestions on the right way forward.

In that direction, the Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News, wishes to use this opportunity to appeal to the newly elected leadership of  the National Administrative President, Gaye Duwah Sleh, Jr. and National Board Chairman, Wilmot Kunney.

We appeal to the ULAA Sleh Administration and the ULAA  Kunney Board not to just listen attentively, but they must act appropriately in the best interest of the Liberian Communities, both here in the Diaspora and the Homeland (Liberia).

In view of the forgoing, we wish to make the following recommendations which we believe if implemented to the letter and intent in good faith, will no doubt make ULAA regain her mojo and even beyond her original goals and become relevant again.

We recommend that: ULAA incorporates all Community County Organizations (CCO), from all fifteen political sub-divisions of the Republic of Liberia, if it is to become a true umbrella organization as it currently claims.

The incorporation of Community County Organizations within the ULAA system preferably on the ULAA Board of Directors, will to a greater extend, make ULAA a more broad based National Organization representative of the Liberian mosaic.

In that way, whenever ULAA speaks, she will truly be speaking for and on behalf of the entire Diaspora Liberian Community. She will truly be representing our aims and aspirations, although we may not always agree on every decision she takes, as is human nature.

We strongly believe that as is, ULAA is not a true Umbrella Organization that represents the entire Diaspora Liberian Community. We believe ULAA only represents those hand-picked delegates who do not enjoy our mandate after haven picked “our leaders” through a caucus system.

We however acknowledge her present leadership and recommend that: ULAA improves her electoral system by amending her constitution to provide for a ‘ONE MAN, ONE VOTE’ System and introduce NATIONAL ELECTIONS to be held throughout the United States and Canada instead of the present delegate system.

The current delegate system is repugnant and obsolete. It must be scrapped because it excludes the vast majority of Diaspora Liberian Community from determining who our true leaders ought to be.

The improvement of ULLA’s electoral system by amending her constitution to provide for a ONE MAN, ONE VOTE system will definitely enhance the membership’s role by legitimizing the ascendancy of ULAA’s leadership to authority.

The holding of national elections throughout the United States and Canada will mark a dramatic turn of events for the better. It will make ULAA to be seeing as a genuine broad based umbrella organization rather than just a finger-full of individuals, masquerading as community leaders.

If this particular recommendation is implemented with the taxation of just five dollars per head to vote during ULAA’s electoral process, the organization could raise thousands of United States dollars to help our unfortunate bothers and sisters back home with medical and/or school supplies annually.

We recommend that: ULAA establishes one member chapter in every state of the United States where Liberians are resident in significant numbers, with sub chapters/branches in each of those states. This is necessary because there are some very large states with the distances between cities up to five or six hours drive.

The establishment of one member chapter within each state, where there are a significant number of Liberians and sub-chapters/branches, in the leeward cities, will definitely maximize ULAA’s capacity as a very strong organizational institution. This will be a real progressive turn of events for the better.

We recommend that: ULAA introduces a scholarship scheme where Liberians both here and back home, will be awarded scholarships in various fields base on a merit system. This is another way of saying, “Big Brother is here to help you.”

The introduction of a perminent scholarship sheme within ULAA if effectively implemented, will clearly demonstrate that indeed ULAA is not just a toothless political bulldog and/or advocacy organization.

ULAA will be regarded as a respected community service organization rather than an organization where people come only to build their political careers and focus on their political ego, while serving in leadership positions of the Union.

ULAA will rather be seeing as a real community based organization whose objectives are not just to promote her handpicked leaders, but an institution deeply rooted in investing in the human resource development of her members as well.

We also recommend that: ULAA places emphasis on the provision of Social Services such as child Care, through its own daycare system in as many states as possible. This will make ULAA a model to be emulated by community county organizations and put her more in torn with the people.

The introduction of a childcare program will be taking ULAA to a higher level, whereas Liberian mothers will be opportune to pay at least a minimum amount for child care to their own organization, rather than to others.

This program, if implemented to the letter, will be a remarkable and an unforgettable service to our community, because it will go to the heart of the community that indeed, ULAA has now truly become our own community service organization.

We further recommend that: ULAA introduces a vigorous leadership training workshop system to help community leaders become accountable to their members and know their roles as servants of their respective community organizations, rather than behaving like thieves and dictators.

The introduction of leadership training programs within ULAA will help enormously by curtailing a lot of the ills in our community. It will help community leaders or those who aspire to become community leaders, know and actualize the popular saying, “we are your servants, not your masters,.”

It will make community leaders know the limit of their authority and the consequences associated with their actions if for example, they engage in stealing the community’s money.

It will help community leaders realize that they are accountable to their members at all times and not just some of the times. It will also make them realize that accountability is more than just giving account of money.

The leadership training workshops being recommended could be sponsored by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), if a grant is applied for by the ULAA leadership of Messrs. Sleh and Kummey.

This is a worthy cause which must be undertaken, if this Union is to become relevant again. As the popular saying goes, knowledge is power which can never be taken away, even with death being our worse enemy. ULAA, THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY.

The Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News (IEN), welcomes feedback (comments/reactions) to any of our publications from our readership. We assure you, your feedback will be published without censorship.

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

BY: TARNYON NYENON

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR

INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS, HTTP//WWW.INDEYE.OR

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

Admits wild spread allegation that he boycotted the general and presidential elections in Liberia, Grand Gedeh County Senior Senator, Isaac Nyenabo has categorically denied ever boycotting the Liberian elections.

It was alleged that the Gedeh Senior Senator boycotted the election at this critical time, to seek sanctuary here in the United States where he has been vacationing since early September this year.

However, Senator Nyenabo denied the allegation in an exclusive interview with the Independent Eye News (IEN), from his temporarily sanctuary in Lansdale, Montgomery County, in the state of Pennsylvania.

In the Friday, October 14, interview, the Gedeh Senator argued, “my visit could have only met the criterion of a boycott if there were a government to be formed, or a pending presidential inauguration, a situation which could have demanded my presence.”

He continued, “although participation in elections is a right, it is not compulsory that I vote. It is optional therefore, I am exercising my right not to vote, but that does not mean that I have boycotted the elections. My absence is on the basis of my constitutional right.” He stressed.

On why he left Liberia during these very crucial elections, Senator Nyenabo said, “these elections are not crucial, they are only historic” adding, “as a matter of fact, the Legislature is on recess.”

The Gedeh Senator stressed, “I did not leave Liberia clandestinely, My visit was officially announced by the Liberian Senate and it was published in most of the news papers back home.”

Quizzed why his trip had to be officially announced since he claimed he was on recess, Senator Nyenabo narrated, “my trip was officially announced because my colleagues had to know my whereabouts.”

“This is very necessary” he noted, “because the Legislature could be recalled at anytime, ether by the President or at the legislature’s own volition and condition for such a recall could be in the event of a national security emergency.”

He disclosed, “the legislature is on recess which runs from September this year (2011), through January next year (2012), but I will be returning home at the end of this month (October).”

“My visit here in the United States is also to complete my doctorial degree program in Management, with emphasis in Organizational Leadership at the University of Phoenix. My trip only coincided with this electoral period.”

Asked about the possibility of completing his doctorial degree program within just two months, Senator Nyenabo explained, “the program has two components, a residency and an online components and I am here to complete the residency component.”

Senator Nyenabo further claimed, “I am also here to consult with members of my constituency. I have already contacted the National President of the Grand Gedeh Association, Mr. Tillman Collins and I am suppose to be meeting with him, to arrange a town hall style meeting with Diaspora Grand Gedeans.”

On whether the cost of his trip was underwritten by the Liberian tax payers, Senator Nyenabo said, “my trip here was self-sponsored and did not cost the Liberian taxpayers a penny.”

The Liberian Lawmaker lectured the Independent Eye News on how he was certificated by the Liberian Senate in his absence for what he described as his “hard work and extra ordinary provision of oversight responsibility for the Senate Standing Committee on Banking & Currency, a committee I chair.”

He also claimed to have been honored by the Liberian Senate for according to him, “academic excellence,” having obtained two master degrees almost at the same time in two years, from two different Universities, the University of Liberia, and the Cuttington University College, which now has an annex on the Sinkor Old Road, in Monrovia.

The Grand Gedeh Senior Senator said he obtained a Master Degree, soma cum lade from the Ibrahim Badamaci Babangida School of In International Relations of the University of Liberia with a grade point average of 3.9.

The Lawmaker also claimed to have earned another Master Degree, soma cum lade, with a grade point average of 3.6 in Business Administration. He further disclosed that he is currently a Graduating Senior and a candidate for his third Master Degree in Public Administration, all from the Cottington University College.

The Liberian Legislator was able to attain all these “remarkable achievements,” while still serving as the Senior Senator of Grand Gedeh County, despite his very tight legislative schedule.

It may be recalled that in 2010, the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, blasted Liberian Legislators for the many visa applications to travel to the United States for almost every vacation.

Ambassador, Thomas-Greenfield reminded Legislators, “your constituents are in the leeward counties here in Liberia, not in the United States” adding, “you should instead be visiting your constituents whose lives need to be impacted by their representation.”

In a related development, unofficial legislative elections results from Grand Gedeh County say the County’s Junior Senator, William Sandy has been defeated by Mr. Alphonso Gaye, while Rep. Rufus Gbior, who represented Gbarzon District, was also defeated by Mr. Alex Chesia Grant of the same District.

Rep. Zoe Pennoh of Tchien District won re-election for the District, while Mr. Morais Tarwoe Waylee of Konobo District defeated Rep. Kayee Farley of the same District.

The Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News, welcomes feedback (comments/reactions) to any of our publications from our readership. We assure you, your feedback will be published without censorship.

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

 BY: TARNYON NYENON

 PUBLISHER AND MANAGING EDITOR

 INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), www.indeye.org

tnyenon59@yahoo.com-(763) 226-3634-Cell

Grand Gedeans resident in the State of Texas have organized themselves into a chapter and are now seeking Membership within the Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas (GGAA) as a Union Member.

The Texas Chapter’s decision to seek Union Membership within the GGAA was contained in a two page letter dated Tuesday, September 20 and addressed to Mr. Eric Kohn, Interim Chairman of the National Board of Directors of the Association.

In the letter, copy of which is in the possession of the Independent Eye News (IEN), the newest Chapter’s President, 1Lt. Jonathan Gayechuway, inform Chairman Kohn and Members of the GGAA National Board of their decision to form the Chapter.

President Gayechuway disclosed that the decision to form the Taxes Chapter was formalized on Friday, February 11, 2011 in the city of Austin. Research by the IEN shows that Article III, Section 1(A) under Membership reads in part;

“Membership shall be accorded to any local Grand Gedeh Association organized and operating in any of the fifty (50) states of the United States, Canada and other countries of the Americas.”

However, the Article continues with a precondition which reads, “provided the local Association has at least fifteen (15) Members and requested Membership through a written communication addressed to the National Board of Directors of the Association.”

The new Texas Chapter met two of the three preconditions for Membership within the Gedeh Union since September this year, when it submitted its letter of intent and copy of its constitution to the National Board. But the Membership fees of five hundred United States dollars (US$500.00), was paid on Thursday, October 13.

When contacted for confirmation, GGAA National Treasurer, Richard Dayway told the Independent Eye News (IEN), “I can confirm emphatically that the Texas Chapter has met all of her financial obligations to the Gedeh union for full flesh Membership.”

The National Treasurer said, “I advised the Texas Chapter’s leadership through the President , Jonathan Gayechuway, to deposit the money into the GGAA’s account and reserve the deposit slip as their temporary receipt which he did accordingly.”

On the issue of the new Texas Chapter’s membership, President Gayechuway told the IEN, “the Texas Chapter’s current membership stands at eighty (80) although,” he pointed out, “there are a lot of Grand Gedeans in this state, who have expressed their desire to obtain membership within the chapter.”

According to Article III, Serction 1(C ) of the GGAA Constitution, only fifteen members are required to form a chapter within any state of the Americas and Canada. The Article reads thus; “No local Grand Gedeh Association shall be denied membership except it has less than fifteen (15) members, or its constitution and By-Laws are not in harmony with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association.”   

However, GGAA National Board Interim Chairman, Eric Kohn also told the IEN, “I have not yet got any confirmation from National President Collins concerning the Texas Chapter’s payment, but whenever I do, the National Board’s leadership will schedule a meeting to confirm the Chapter’s status.

Preconditions for Membership within the Gedeh Union include, a letter of intent, a copy of the would-be chapter’s constitution and  five hundred United States dollars (US$500.00).

A breakdown of the money is three hundred dollars (US$ 300.00), as the Union’s Membership fees, while two hundred dollars (US$200.00) go towards the annual sitting fees for the chapter’s two representatives on the National Board.

The registration of the Texas Chapter now brings to total seventeen (17), the number of active registered Member Chapters within the Gedeh Union excluding the New Jersey Chapter, which is still inactive.

If the New Jersey Chapter becomes active again, it will bring to total eighteen, the number of registered active member chapters within the Grand Gedeh Union.

Research by the Independent Eye News shows that current registered member chapters within the Gedeh Union include, New York, Pennsylvania, New England, Illinois and Maryland/DC.

Others are; Minnesota, Iowa. Missouri, Georgia, Arizona, North Dakota, South Dakota, Florida, Indiana, Rhode Island, Kentucky/Tennessee and now Texas.

The Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas (GGAA) which was founded in 1975, is one of the oldest Diaspora Liberian Community  county organizations in the Americas.

However, it is only one year younger than the Union of Liberian Association in the Americas (ULAA), which was founded in 1974, as the largest Liberian Community Organization.

Officials of the new Taxes Chapter are: Messrs. Jonathan Gayechuway, Sarbga Subah and James Quiah as President, Vice President, and Secretary respectively.

 Others are, Messrs. James Grear and Mrs. Kley Farley as Treasurer and Chaplain respectively. Officials and Member of the Chapter’s Board of Directors are, Prof. Yancy Peters Flah, Chairman, Samuel Sobah, Vice Chairman, Earnest Jones, Secretary and Samuel Nayou, Member.

The Independent Eye News (IEN), welcomes feedback (comments/reactions) to any of our publications from our readership. We assure you, your feedback will be published without censorship.

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

 BY: TARNYON NYENON

 PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR

 INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN),

WWW.INDEYENEWS.ORG

 TNYENON59@YAHOOCOM-(763) 226-3634-CELL

The leadership of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Chapter of the Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas (GGAA), has been dissolved again, within just a one three-year term.

In taking the decision on Sunday, October 9, six of the seven-member Board voted with a majority of three for the dissolution, while a minority of two voted against the dissolution of the Nehemiah Garley Board leadership.

Garley, who presided over the Chapter’s Board meeting could not vote, as the Chairman of the Board and Presiding Officer, thus interestingly presiding over the demise of his leadership.

It all started in what appears to be a “what goes around, comes around” scenario, when Mr. V. Marcus Kooler, Co-Chairman of the Chapter’s Board, made an unsolicited motion calling for the dissolution of the Chapter’s Board leadership.

Although Mr. Kooler’s motion was not solicited by Chairman Garley, it was passed anyway, by a vote of three to two, in favor of the dissolution.

Mr. Garley took over the Chapter’s Board leadership in July, 2010 in a similar fashion, when he made an unsolicited motion calling for the dissolution of the Board leadership of Mr. Tarnyon Nyenon.

At the time, Garley accused the Nyenon Board leadership of being ineffective and not been tough enough on the Barman Administration and for also cooperating with the Administration against the interest of the Board., although he did not say what the Board’s interest was.

Meanwhile, Sunday, October 23 has been set for the Board new leadership elections. According to Article VI, Section 1(A) of the Minnesota Chapter’s Constitution, the tenure of the Board is three consecutive years. The current Board was elected in June of 2009 and its tenure is expected to expire in June 2012. 

In a series of interviews with five of the six Board Members who participated in the Board’s deliberation, out-going Chairman Nehemiah Garley told the Independent Eye News (IEN), “I have no idea why the Board’s leadership was dissolved.“

”I tried my best to put the Board together, but whatever decision was taken, I am fine with it. I will support anything that will move this organization forward and I intend to remain a Member of the Board.”

“I’m prepared to support and work with whomever is elected because I believe all the current Members of the Board are qualified to lead, but I have no desire of re-contesting the Chairmanship.

On whether he has been approached by any of his colleagues for his vote in the pending new leadership election, Mr. Garley said, “not yet. Nobody has approached me for my vote.”

Speaking to the IEN, Mr. Kamaty Diahn expressed regrets over the majority members’ decision to dissolve the Garley Board leadership pointing out, “this is a very bad precedence we are setting.”

“It is unacceptable for any Board Member to just make a motion for the dissolution of the Board’s leadership, without any tangible reason(s).” Mr. Diahn opined.

“These are some of the things we do that turn people off for which they do not want to associate with the organization, whenever we need their participation in the community’s activities.” He stressed.

Diahn also questioned Mr. Marcus Koolor’s decision to seek the National Board’s Co-Chairmanship during the recent National Board Interim Leadership elections in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mr. Koolor ran and won the Co-Chairmanship of the National Board of Directors, while only a proxy for the Minnesota Chapter, apparently without the knowledge of his colleagues on the National Board.

In contrast to Mr. Diahn’s assertions regarding the dissolution of the chapter’s Board leadership, Mr. Randy Kaydea, also a Member of the Board, told the Independent Eye News, “ I supported the decision to dissolve the Board’s leadership because it has been ineffective for a very long time.” He claimed.

“I felt there was a need to reshuffle the Board’s leadership so we can make progress. The decision was not targeted at any individual or group, but I thought Grand Gedeans’s interest will be best served with a changed leadership.” He argued.

On whether he intends to run for any of the Board’s leadership positions, Mr. Kaydea said, “that decision will be made within the next couple of days and when that decision is made, I will immediately contact the Independent Eye News.” He promised.

On his possible choice for the next chairmanship for the Minnesota Chapter‘s Board, Mr. Kaydea said definitively, “no comment.” On whether he has been contacted for his vote by any Member of the Board for any leadership positions, Mr. Kaydea said, “no,” but added, “whoever is interested in my vote, must be thoroughly vetted by me.”

“My vote will not be based on family ties or personal relationship. It has to be earned, because this time around, we want to see tangible progress as such, we must put the right people in the right places.” Kaydea opined.

“There was complete insanity on the Board.” Kaydea observed. He then concluded by quoting Albert Einstein who defined insanity “as doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting a different result. This has to change.” Kaydea emphasized.

In what has been described by Pundits as a rather bessiare twist of events, Mr. V. Marcus Kooler, who made the unsolicited motion for the dissolution of the Minnesota Chapter’s Board leadership, denied any knowledge of his action.

When asked what was his motives for making such an unsolicited motion, Mr. Kooler said, “what you are asking me is all news to me. As far as I’m concern, there is nothing going on, on the Board.”

As though he has just been resuscitated from a coma and paradoxically, while denying any knowledge of his action, Mr. Kooler said, “whatever happened on the Board is the Board issue and should have remained within the Board.”

Political Analysts doubt whether Mr. Koolor understands his role as a public official who is answerable to the electorates, who elected him to serve them in the first place?

Mr. Alex Gaye, who is said to be a contender for the Board’s Chairmanship, also questioned what he described as “Mr. Kooler’s huge political gamble by contesting the National Board’s Co-Chairmanship, disregarding his status as a proxy for the Minnesota Chapter on the National Board.”

Also speaking to the Independent Eye News in an exclusive interview, the Chapter’s President, Alexander Barmon confirmed that indeed he only designated Mr. Koolor adding, “obviously, I designated him (Koolor) to proxy for the Minnesota Chapter on the National Board.”

“Mr. Koolor’s action in Iowa has the propensity of brewing serious controversy on the National Board, because as a proxy, he should not have contested any leadership position, especially without the knowledge of his colleagues that he was only a proxy.” A Political Analyst observed.

Political Observers also maintained that with the information now public knowledge, Mr. Koolor is most likely to lose his Co-Chairmanship on the National Board since in fact, it was obtained through illegitimate means as a proxy.

All efforts to get comments from another Board Member, Eric Booh prove futile, as a voice message on his answering service said, “at the subscriber’s request, this phone does not accept incoming calls.”

Members of the Minnesota Chapter’s Board of Directors are, Messrs. Nehemiah Garley, V. Marcus Koolor, Kamaty Diahn and Alex Gaye. Others are, Messrs. Randy Kaydea, Eric Booh and Alvin Zelee. Zelee was conspicious absent from the Board meeting as usual.

The Editorial Staff of the Independent Eye News, welcomes feedback (comments/reactions) to any of our publications, from our readership. We assure you, your feedback will be published without censorship.

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

 BY: TARNYON NYENON

 PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR

 INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), WWW.INDEYE.ORG

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

The National Presidency of the Union of Liberian Association in the Americas (ULAA), has been won by Mr. Gaye Duwah Sleh, Jr., current National Executive Vice President of the Union, in a tripartite (three way) race.

Sleh defeated two of his opponents, ULAA’s former National General-Secretary, Isaac Saye Zawolo, Jr, and Mr. John Puiteh Tarley, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM).

Out of the total of one hundred seventy seven (177) votes cast, Sleh snatched a lion share of one hundred one (101) votes total, while a minute number of only sixty (60) votes total was secured by his major challenger, Zawolo. Tarley was left with the crumbs of only sixteen (16) votes total.

However, the national debate for the presidency of the Union was reportedly won by Mr. John Tarley of Minnesota. Tarley, considered an underdog, as a ULAA outsider, reportedly raised the crowd to its feet on several occasions by turning to his two colleagues and asking pointed questions such as, “with all these years you guys spent in ULAA, what have you done for the Liberian Community?

Both Messrs. Sleh and Zawolo have been affiliated with ULAA for a protracted period of time. They are both considered in ULAA’s political circles as Gurus unlike Mr. Tarley who is not as well known as they are.

Both Sleh and Zawolo served in several capacities in ULAA prior to contesting the presidency. Mr. Sleh served as ULAA’s Northern Region Vice President before becoming National Executive Vice President and subsequently National Administrative President-elect.

Mr. Zawolo also served as the Eastern Region Vice President and National General-Secretary prior to seeking the National Administrative Presidency.

In contrast, Mr. Tarley barely served eight days, after he was democratically elected the first Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM). Tarley was arbitrarily kicked out of the Chairmanship after his election.

Notwithstanding, his debate performance in Washington, District of Columbia D/C, was described as superior and very thought provoking. Observers maintained that indeed Tarley won the ULAA presidential debate.

In the mean time, the outgoing ULAA National President, Anthony V. Kesselly in collaboration with the incoming National Administration of President-elect, Gaye Duwah Sleh, Jr., have constituted a seven-member Transitional Team to facilitate a smooth transition of authority and ULAA assets.

The Transitional Team is being chair by Ms. Manseh M Jones, National Executive Vice President-elect, while Messrs. Fayah Nyumah, Musa V. Trawally, National General-Secretary-elect and National Treasurer-elect, respectively, serve as Members.

Others are Messrs. Albert V. Morweh, Northern Region Vice President-elect and Samuel Leo Sherman, President, Liberian Association of Metropolitan Atlanta. The rest are, Messrs. Tarlow Miller and Morris A. Momo, Presidents of the Central and North New Jersey respectively.

A news release from ULAA Press copy of which is in the possession of the Independent Eye News (IEN), shoes that the swearing-in ceremony and transfer of the ‘Gavel of Authority,’ are slated to take place in the City of Newark, New Jersey on Saturday, November 5.

Meantime, the National Transitional Team has been mandated to plan the program climaxing a fundraising, honoring and certification of the elected officials at the events marking the swearing-in program.

Mr. Frank Carter, Chairman, ULAA’s Elections Commission will be performing the certification of the October 1, victorious candidates, after which the swearing-in ceremonies will be conducted.

Meanwhile, outgoing National Administrative President, Anthony V. Kesselly and in-coming National Administrative President-elect, Gaye Duwah Sleh, Jr., are inviting all Members of the ULAA family and well wishers to patronize the occasion.

In a related development, the Association of Liberian Christian Ministers (ALCM), has congratulated ULAA on the election of a new corps of National and Regional leaders, as well as National Board Members.

In a press release, copy of which is also in the possession of the IEN, ALCM emphases that “the smooth and fairness of the elections speaks volume of the willingness of the candidates and the electorates to prioritize unity, peace and decency.”

“The success of the elections,” the ALCM press release stressed, “is a feat for peace loving Liberians in the Diaspora.” This year’s ULAA elections were held during the 37^th National General Assembly of the Union in Burtonsville, Maryland on Saturday, October 1.

In the ALCM press release which was signed by its President, Rev. Suah S. Deddeh, the Ministers also congratulated the newly elected officers of ULAA and pray for peace from the Almighty God upon them for success in their endeavors.

ALCM also congratulated former candidates John Puiteh Tarley and Isaac Saye Zawolo, Jr., for “graciously accepting the outcome of the elections. This is exemplary and instructive .” The Chraistain Ministers stressed.

The Christain Ministers commended Mr. Frank Carter and the ULAA Elections Commission for “a job worthy of emulation and applauds the peace-building and mediation role of Mrs. Mydea Reeves-Karpeh and ULAA’s Council of Eminent Persons (UCEP), that made the elections possible.”

ALCM says the out-going ULAA leadership of Mr. Anthony Kesselly “deserves commendation for a smooth trasition and prays that the much needed peace prevails in ULAA and amongst Liberians in general.”

In the face of the successful ULAA elections, Liberians are preparing for the general and presidential elections in Liberia come Tuesday, October 11. This is another crucial time for Liberia. The Assiociation of Liberian Christian Ministers observed.

“The success of those elections and the acceptance of the outcome by political parties, will deermine the existence of lasting peace and tranquility in the country.”

ALCM then concluded by inviting all Liberians and friends of Liberia to attend the prayer service for the successful elections in Liberia. The Association of Liberian Christian Ministers, comprises pasters and other church leaders in the Washington metro area.

The Association endeavors to pray for Liberia, encourages Liberians in the Lord Jesus Christ, promote peace and harmony and engage in training and development.

The Editorial Staff of the Independent News (IEN), welcomes feedback (comments/reactions) to any of our publications from our readership. We assure you, your feedback will be published without censorship.

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

BY: TARNYON NYENON

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR

INDEPENDENT EYE NEWS (IEN), WWW.INDEYE.ORG

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