RABAT, Morocco — Liberia has strengthened its cybersecurity cooperation with Morocco and secured membership in two regional digital security initiatives, as the government moves to bolster the country’s cyber resilience and protect critical national infrastructure.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com 

The development followed the participation of Liberia’s Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Sekou M. Kromah, in the four-day Morocco Cyber Security Week, hosted by Morocco’s General Directorate for Information Systems Security (DGSSI) in Rabat.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the engagement represents a continuation of bilateral efforts to deepen cybersecurity cooperation between Liberia and Morocco.

During the summit, Minister Kromah participated in discussions on Liberia’s national cybersecurity legislation, outlining key implementation priorities and highlighting the technical infrastructure, institutional capacity, and enforcement mechanisms needed to translate the law into effective national cybersecurity protections.

The discussions also focused on addressing gaps that could undermine Liberia’s ability to respond effectively to emerging cyber threats and safeguard its digital infrastructure.

Liberia, Morocco Agree to Pursue Cybersecurity MoU

On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Kromah held discussions with General Boutrig, Director General of Morocco’s DGSSI, on possible support for Liberia’s cybersecurity development and efforts to strengthen national cyber resilience.

Both sides agreed to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing a framework for capacity building, knowledge exchange, technical cooperation and practical cybersecurity assistance.

The proposed agreement is expected to provide a basis for closer institutional collaboration as Liberia works to improve its technical capabilities and strengthen its response to evolving digital security threats.

The engagement builds on earlier diplomatic efforts to establish a bilateral cybersecurity cooperation framework between the two countries. 

Liberia’s Ambassador to Morocco, Joseph F. Johnson, participated in previous high-level diplomatic discussions in December 2025.

Liberia Joins African Cybersecurity Networks

A major outcome of the Morocco engagement was Liberia’s admission into the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA) and SMART Africa.

Liberia joined the initiatives alongside Malawi, Lesotho, Mali and Egypt, in a move expected to create further opportunities for regional cooperation on digital governance and cybersecurity.

Membership in the networks is intended to support knowledge sharing, institutional collaboration, cross-border engagement, and coordinated responses to cybersecurity challenges confronting African countries.

The development also advances Liberia’s efforts to strengthen its cybersecurity governance and establish partnerships that can support the implementation of national digital security policies.

Government Eyes Stronger Digital Protection

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications said cybersecurity remains essential to Liberia’s national development, particularly in protecting critical information infrastructure, securing public institutions and supporting the growth of a trusted digital economy.

The Ministry noted that cooperation with Morocco and other regional and international partners forms part of Liberia’s broader efforts to develop the technical and institutional capacity required to secure its digital environment.

Through the partnerships, the government hopes to advance its cybersecurity agenda, improve telecommunications infrastructure, strengthen policy implementation and promote a more secure and inclusive digital ecosystem.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to Liberia’s digital transformation through stronger cybersecurity policies, international cooperation, infrastructure development, and capacity building.

“A secure digital Liberia is a stronger Liberia,” the Ministry stated in a statement was signed by Nathon S. Bearngar, Director of Communications at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.

MONROVIA — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has received newly accredited United States Chargé d’Affaires Kristin Gilmore, with both sides expressing commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through investment, trade, public health, and security cooperation.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com 

The October 14, 2026, courtesy meeting marked Gilmore’s first engagement with President Boakai since the United States Government announced her appointment, as Liberia and the United States seek to deepen their longstanding diplomatic and economic partnership.

Welcoming the U.S. diplomat, President Boakai reaffirmed his government’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability while creating an enabling environment for investment and expanding bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.

The engagement comes amid continued diplomatic consultations between Monrovia and Washington on shared priorities, economic development, public health, and international security.

During the meeting, Gilmore expressed enthusiasm about returning to Liberia, where she previously served from 2007 to 2009, and commended the country’s progress in democratic governance and its growing role in international affairs.

“Mr. President, I want to say that it is great to be back in Liberia. I worked here before from 2007 to 2009, so it really is an honor and a privilege to come back and to see how far Liberia has come in terms of democratic governance and also Liberia’s role on the world stage,” Madam Gilmore said.

She added: “It’s very impressive. I actually have an even deeper connection to Liberia. My mother, back in the 1960s, was confirmed at an air base in California by the Episcopal Bishop to Liberia, Dilworth Houston Brown, at that time. And so my mom, before I came this time, took out her prayer book and showed me that the Episcopal Bishop to Liberia had been the one to give her her first communion.”

Gilmore described her return as a privilege and expressed her desire to work with the Liberian Government to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

“I’m very excited at the prospect to seek out new commercial opportunities, to look for U.S. investment, to look for U.S. companies to come to Liberia to participate in your arrest agenda and to deepen our economic collaboration together,” she said.

The U.S. diplomat also highlighted public health, security, and the development of collaborative teams as areas of potential cooperation between Liberia and the United States.

Charge’ D’Affaires added: “I look forward to working on public health together, and I’m also looking forward to building teams, including through Liberians, to U.S. The Foreign Minister and I have discussed a little bit of that, and I really welcome your thoughts as well. We can together to build peace strength, Liberia Security Council together.”

Gilmore was accompanied to the meeting by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Newsome, Ms. Tiffany Miller, and Mr. Jullion Cooper.

U.S.-Liberia Diplomatic Engagement Continues

Before meeting President Boakai, Gilmore had engaged Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti on October 8, 2026, to discuss shared priorities and Liberia’s engagement at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

According to the U.S. Embassy in Liberia, Gilmore also thanked the Foreign Minister for Liberia’s endorsement of the Proliferation Security Initiative, a framework aimed at strengthening international cooperation against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

“She also thanked Minister Beysolow Nyanti for Liberia’s endorsement of the Proliferation Security Initiative. The United States values Liberia as a strong partner and looks forward to working closely together,” the U.S. Embassy posted on its Facebook page on October 10, 2026.

Liberia and the United States maintain longstanding diplomatic relations covering political cooperation, economic development, public health, and international security. Both countries have continued to pursue opportunities to attract investment, expand commercial partnerships, and support Liberia’s development agenda.

Gilmore’s engagement with President Boakai signals the continuation of diplomatic efforts to build on that relationship, with investment, public health, and security cooperation emerging as key areas for further collaboration. 

BEIJING, China — Authorities operating Beijing’s 12345 Citizens Service Hotline are encouraging African countries, including Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, to adapt China’s public service model to strengthen government accountability, improve service delivery and enhance citizen engagement.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh | websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

The call was made by Feng Yingyi, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Citizens Service Hotline Center, during a visit by participants of the Second Session of the China International Press Communication Center.

Feng said China is willing to share its experience with African countries and other developing nations interested in improving the way governments response to public concerns.

“In the past years we have received guests from abroad most especially from the African countries who are more interesting in our Beijing models. We are very much willing to share our success stories,” Madam Feng told journalists.

“We also hope that all countries can adapt this model to their own conditions and learn properly from these practices because we have the Chinese characteristics model. We hope that these countries can develop their own model, their own characteristics so that we can all be successful,” she stated.

A MODEL FOR AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS

The Beijing 12345 hotline provides a centralized platform through which residents can submit complaints, make inquiries and offer suggestions to government authorities.

With Beijing’s population estimated at 21.8 million, the system enables residents to communicate their concerns to relevant government departments while allowing authorities to coordinate responses and monitor cases.

For African countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone and Mali, the model could offer lessons in establishing integrated citizen service centers that connect people to ministries, local authorities and public agencies through telephone services, digital platforms and in-person assistance.

Such systems can also help governments establish clear deadlines for resolving complaints, track cases transparently and use public feedback to identify recurring problems and improve policies.

Madam Feng called on developing countries to study Beijing’s experience while adapting the system to their respective national circumstances.

THE CHALLENGES FACING THE HOTLINE

Despite its reported achievements, Beijing’s 12345 hotline continues to face challenges associated with heavy workloads, complicated complaints, interdepartmental coordination, service quality and the long-term resolution of public problems.

According to figures cited in the center’s 2025 annual report, the hotline handled 25.802 million requests from the public and businesses in 2025, representing a 6.6 percent increase from 2024.

The report put the resolution rate at 97.3 percent and the satisfaction rate at 97.7 percent.These figures highlight the scale of the operation and the demands placed on the system as Beijing continues to address the concerns of residents and businesses.

Madam Feng said the city’s size, population and complex urban challenges require authorities to continually improve public service delivery. She acknowledged that the challenges confronting the hotline change as the city develops and public expectations increase.

“We have higher rates and higher standards for future governments. So, for the challenges, we have different stages when it comes to development. But we are trying our best to continue to overcome more challenges back to another and then we set our new higher goals for us,” Madam Feng said.

HOW THE 12345 HOTLINE OPERATES

The Beijing 12345 Citizens Service Hotline originated in 1987 as the Mayor’s Hotline. In January 2019, it was renamed the Beijing Citizen Service Hotline Center and developed into a central platform for handling public complaints and supporting urban governance reforms.

The system operates on a people-centered approach built around rapid response, efficient processing, timely feedback and proactive governance. According to information provided by the center, the hotline has handled approximately 200 million requests from residents and businesses over more than seven years.

The center’s reported resolution and satisfaction rates have remained high, reflecting its central role in Beijing’s approach to public administration. In 2025 alone, the hotline processed 25.802 million requests, averaging more than 70,000 cases daily.

To manage the workload, the center operates 750 workstations staffed by more than 1,700 operators working in shifts to provide round-the-clock services. Its mission is captured in the phrase, “When the people call, we respond,” while its service commitment is expressed through the slogan, “Let You Hear Our Smile.”

The operational framework is designed to ensure that citizens’ concerns are received, assigned to the appropriate departments, addressed and followed up. The hotline consequently serves as a link between residents’ everyday experiences and the broader machinery of municipal administration.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRANSFORMS PUBLIC SERVICE

The visit also provided journalists with an opportunity to learn about the digital transformation of Beijing’s 12345 hotline and the growing role of artificial intelligence in public service delivery.

In line with the 2026 Beijing Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints, whose annual theme is “Digital Intelligence Era and People’s City,” Beijing has upgraded its “Visit 12345” program.

The initiative includes the “12345 Hotline Digital Intelligence Innovation Lab,” which showcases developments in digital technology and artificial intelligence through interactive demonstrations and practical applications. The transformation focuses on four major areas: intelligent customer service, intelligent agent systems, intelligent workplace operations and the intelligent hub.

These innovations are intended to improve efficiency, strengthen coordination among government departments and help authorities respond more accurately to public needs.

Technology has helped transform the hotline from a traditional telephone-based complaint service into an integrated, data-driven public service and governance platform.

Through digital communication systems, big data, artificial intelligence and interconnected government information systems, the hotline can receive complaints, transfer cases to responsible departments, monitor progress, analyze recurring problems and provide feedback to citizens.

The approach supports Beijing’s Swift Response to Public Complaints reform, which emphasizes addressing citizens’ needs and resolving problems more efficiently.

TECHNOLOGY AND THE HUMAN TOUCH

Feng said the growing demands on government made technological innovation increasingly important in improving public service delivery. “Now with Science and Technological advancements, our artificial intelligence with our technological model, it is guaranteed that our services are fast running,” she said.

She added: “By the technology we can use these to analyze, to make judgment in an accurate way to identify potential risks and timely and accurate support to decision makers.”

One major area of development involves using large artificial intelligence models to improve communication between residents and the hotline.

The technology can facilitate dialogue between people and AI, automatically collect information about requests, generate work orders and direct cases to the appropriate government departments.

Through the Jingtong App, residents can access the quick-response public complaints service and use the 12345 intelligent agent. The system allows users to submit requests through an interactive process similar to a telephone conversation. It also supports text-based submissions, multilingual consultations and the uploading of photographs and videos.

These features give residents additional ways to explain their concerns, provide supporting evidence and communicate with government authorities.

MULTILINGUAL SERVICES EXPAND ACCESS

Beijing’s 12345 hotline also provides multilingual services to improve access for foreign residents and users who do not speak Chinese. According to a Beijing municipal government report published on October 11, 2026, the hotline provides services in eight foreign languages in addition to Chinese.

However, the official Beijing government website’s multilingual hotline page lists 10 languages, including Portuguese and Italian, suggesting a discrepancy between the two published sources. The multilingual arrangements reflect the importance of making public services accessible to people from different linguistic backgrounds.

For African countries considering similar systems, Beijing’s experience offers examples of how centralized complaint-handling platforms, digital technologies and multilingual communication can be incorporated into public administration.

While Feng expressed Beijing’s willingness to share its experience, she emphasized that countries should adapt the approach to their own circumstances and develop systems reflecting their national characteristics.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) could accelerate the development of infrastructure, industrial parks and industrialization across Africa, according to Dr. Wenping, Research Project Director at the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh  -websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com 

They are asking for time, flexibility and a system that allows the opportunity they have been given to grow.

Speaking to African journalists after delivering an extensive lecture series on the Belt and Road Initiative, Dr. Wenping said the BRI is moving in the right direction.

She spoke during a session with participants of the China International Press Communication Center Second Session at the Teaching Building on the campus of Renmin University of China in Beijing.

The BRI, which has been in existence for more than 13 years, is an economic and infrastructure initiative designed to strengthen China’s connectivity and cooperation with countries across Asia, Europe, Africa and beyond.

However, questions remain over the extent to which the African continent is benefiting from the initiative, particularly in moving from the export of raw commodities towards local processing and the production of finished goods.

The Silk Road Economic Belt is currently facilitating the movement of goods between Asia, Africa and Europe.

A key question is how the BRI can help African countries move beyond exporting raw materials and develop local processing industries capable of producing and exporting finished goods.

 Dr. Wenping stated that several elements need to come together to enable resource-rich countries to move up the value chain.

“One is technical know-how. All those resources underground, first thing you got to know where are they, then you got to know how to dig them out, and then you got to know how to make the value added on them and so Africa is now moving toward these directions. So with these transitions, of course you need outside support and now China is doing it,” Dr. Wenping intimated.   

The Research Project Director added: “We (China) support investments, we support technical know-how, we even give financial support and so with these combining together Africa can gradually moves up.”

The Possibility of Africa’s Landlocked Countries

The BRI consists mainly of the Silk Road Economic Belt, which promotes land-based connections across Asia towards Europe, and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, which focuses on sea routes and ports.

For Africa’s landlocked countries, however, access to international markets remains a major connectivity challenge.

Dr. Wenping said landlocked countries in Africa are among those that most need improved connectivity with the outside world.

“Those labdlock countries are no longer being locked completely, they have access link with outside to other countries and eventually link to the international market and that is mostly important for building infrastructure connectivity like the railway express way and make the market,” she said.

Professor Dr. Wenping added: “Now Africa is saying that building a single market, make the economy an integrated one, Africa Union is moving forward with great efforts with its 2063 Agenda and now China is offering our support of making this one single market from its infrastructural connectivity.”

The Belt and Road Initiative was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.

 It seeks to promote infrastructure development, trade, investment, financial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges among participating countries.

BRI projects have included railways, roads, ports, pipelines, power infrastructure and telecommunications networks.

The initiative has created opportunities for improved connectivity and trade, particularly in countries with significant infrastructure needs.

At the same time, the World Bank has highlighted issues that require careful management, including debt sustainability, transparency, environmental and social impacts, and governance risks.

MONROVIA — Liberia’s push to improve transparency, accountability and sustainable management of its fisheries sector has entered a new phase, with the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) launching a three-year initiative aimed at strengthening governance and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh | websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

The initiative, titled “Creating Greater Fisheries Transparency in Liberia,” was launched Thursday, September 24, at the Boulevard Palace Hotel in Monrovia with support from Oceans5.

The launch brought together government officials, lawmakers, development partners, fisheries stakeholders and civil society representatives as Liberia seeks to address longstanding governance challenges in the sector and outstanding concerns associated with the European Union’s 2017 “Yellow Card” designation over alleged shortcomings in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

NaFAA Director General J. Cyrus Saygbe, delivering the keynote address, described fisheries as a national resource critical to coastal and inland communities as well as Liberia’s broader economy.

“NaFAA remains committed to managing the sector through transparency, science, technology and the rule of law,” Saygbe said.

He highlighted several reforms already underway, including a new system that has reduced fish-import permit processing time from about three weeks to three days.

Saygbe also announced plans to launch a toll-free call center and short code, 6232, by October 2026, allowing fisherfolk and members of the public to report suspected fisheries violations.

Four Yellow Card Issues Remain

Saygbe said Liberia has reduced the number of outstanding issues associated with the EU Yellow Card from 15 to four.

He identified the remaining areas of concern as the management of unauthorized vessels, implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement, monitoring of Liberia-flagged vessels and enforcement of fisheries sanctions.

The developments come as the government continues efforts to strengthen the legal and institutional framework governing the sector.

As part of the fisheries law reform process, Saygbe said a legal firm has been engaged to review Liberia’s fisheries laws, while the International Labour Organization (ILO) is providing technical assistance toward ratification of Convention No. 188 on work in fishing.

A steering committee and technical working groups have also been established under NaFAA’s leadership.

Madia H. Peters Magbollah, NaFAA’s Deputy Director General for Administration and chief launcher of the initiative, described the project as part of long-awaited reforms in Liberia’s fisheries sector.

She said the initiative would reinforce existing systems while supporting efforts to combat IUU fishing and strengthen enforcement.

“The initiative would reinforce existing systems and contribute to efforts to combat IUU fishing and strengthen enforcement,” Magbollah said.

Grand Bassa County Senator M. Gbezhongar Findley, chairman of the Senate Committee on Aquaculture, Forestry and Fisheries and co-launcher of the project, pledged legislative support for the reforms.

Findley said he would review proposed reforms aimed at bringing Liberia’s fisheries sector into greater alignment with international standards.

EJF Seeks Legislative Backing

Speaking at the launch, EJF West Africa Regional Manager Cephas Asare said the initiative is designed to secure the legislative and institutional support required to advance fisheries reforms.

He noted that several of the project’s objectives will require legislative action and sustained collaboration among government institutions, lawmakers, civil society organizations and fishing communities.

EJF, an international environmental and human rights organization, has operated in Liberia since 2019, focusing on fisheries governance.

According to Asare, momentum for greater fisheries transparency increased following Liberia’s endorsement of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, and continued with the country’s endorsement of the Mombasa Declaration at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Kenya.

The three-year initiative will support reforms to Liberia’s fisheries laws, advance ratification of ILO Convention No. 188, promote implementation of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency and expand public participation in the governance of Liberia’s marine resources.

EJF also plans to organize a series of national dialogues involving fisheries associations, women’s groups, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to broaden participation in the reform process.

EU Announces €25 Million Fisheries Initiative

The European Union also reaffirmed its engagement with Liberia’s fisheries sector.

Maria Winnubst, Program Officer at the EU Delegation to Liberia, referenced the EU’s June 2025 Ocean Pact and ongoing support for aquaculture, food safety and regional maritime security initiatives.

She also announced a €25 million Strengthening Artisanal Fisheries (SAFish) initiative for Liberia.

According to Winnubst, the five-year program will operate across Liberia’s coastal counties, with the possibility of being extended to seven years.

The program is expected to support efforts to strengthen artisanal fisheries and improve the sector’s contribution to livelihoods and food security.

Beyond Funding

Asare cautioned that international funding alone would not be enough to transform Liberia’s fisheries sector.

He called for sustained domestic investment and stronger cooperation among government institutions, lawmakers, fishing communities, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.

The new initiative will involve NaFAA, the Liberia Maritime Authority, the Liberia Fisheries Association and civil society organizations.

For Liberia, the reforms come at a critical point as authorities work to strengthen fisheries governance, address remaining concerns linked to the EU Yellow Card and ensure that the country’s marine resources are managed with greater transparency and accountability.

Monrovia – Sawabenu, a rule-of-law civil society organization, is raising grave concern over the mass jailbreak at the Kakata Central Prison in Margibi County on Sunday, 20 September 2026.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh –websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

More than 100 inmates reportedly escaped from the Kakata Central Prison on Sunday evening, triggering a massive manhunt across Kakata and surrounding communities, as the Ministry of Justice confirmed a jailbreak and announced an ongoing search-and-recapture operation.

In a statement issued Sunday, September 20, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that a number of inmates had escaped from the facility, while noting that the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation was still verifying prison records to establish the exact number and identities of those involved.

The ministry said the Joint Security of Liberia had been alerted and was actively pursuing the escapees.

Sources within the prison, speaking to FrontPage Africa on condition of anonymity, said the escapees were predominantly inmates housed in Block “A,” which comprises three cells.

According to the sources, the inmates broke through sections of the prison walls before scaling the facility’s high barbed-wire perimeter fence and fleeing into nearby communities.

Sawabenu says the incident reflects systemic failures in Liberia’s justice system that continues to compromise public safety and human rights standards across the country.

Base on a firsthand engagement with the facility and its detainees. The legal group says in June 2026, it deployed volunteer lawyers across Montserrado and Margibi Counties under its Justice on Wheels Mobile Legal Clinic. Working in close collaboration with the Public Defender, the City Solicitor, and the Kakata City Court.

The group, according to Cllr. Sarnyenneh M. Dickson, Acting Executive Director said it facilitated a fast-track trial at the Kakata Central Prison that successfully secured the release of 21 pre-trial detainees, many of whom had been held for months on minor offenses without trial.

A similar intervention was carried out in the final quarter of 2025 and in other counties, all with the support of SIDA, Acting Executive Director of Sawabenu said.

“The increased pretrial detention numbers our legal team documented during these deployments are among the very drivers that precipitated Sunday’s breach,” the legal group said.

Cllr. Dickson furthering his group advocacy, Sawabenu convened the National Dialogue on Pretrial Justice Reform on August 27, 2026, just three weeks prior to the jailbreak. Hosted at the Ministry of Justice under the theme “Justice for All, Delays for None,” the dialogue assembled key justice sector stakeholders, international organizations, and civil society actors.

The discussion, he stressed, highlighted the ever-increasing numbers of prolonged pre-trial detainees and critically assessed the national prison sector’s infrastructure and resource deficits.

“These candid exchanges produced nineteen actionable recommendations designed to resolve the precise systemic failures behind the Kakata prison breach,” Cllr. Dickson said in a statement.

He added that several key measures Sawabenu calls for in this statement reflect recommendations previously raised by the very institutions responsible for their implementation.

“Although the Government of Liberia reports that Joint Security forces are actively pursuing the escapees, the jailbreak incident underscores deep-seated operational breakdowns within the country’s correctional and judicial institutions,” he said.

To mitigate further risk and ensure public safety, Sawabenu joins the call for citizens to report information about escapees directly to law enforcement, and reminds the public that harboring any escapee constitutes hindering law enforcement and a violation of Liberian law.

“At the core of this security failure is a severe crisis of prison overcrowding and prolonged pretrial detention, which accounts for more than 60% of the prison population nationally,” he said.

According to the group, on the day of the jailbreak, Kakata Central Prison reportedly held 217 inmates in a facility designed for a maximum capacity of 60 persons.

The group stressed: “Operating at over 360 percent of capacity, more than 158 inmates, more than 72%, were pretrial detainees who have not been convicted of any crime. Persistent judicial delays, excessive court backlogs, lack of legal defense, and the denial of bail leave detainees trapped in severe overcrowding, in violation of basic human rights standards and of Liberian law,” cllr. Dickson said.

He added: “This prison break marks the second mass escape from the Kakata Central Prison in just twenty-four months, following a similar breach in September 2024. The event reflects a broader pattern of chronic failures across Liberia’s correctional facilities, including previous mass escapes at the National Palace of Correction (2012), Monrovia Central Prison (2013), Voinjama Central Prison (2016) and Grand Cape Mount Prison (2018), among others.”

The legal group said the recurring incidents point to systemic negligence, critical staffing shortages and chronically underfunded infrastructure.

“Moreover, the security failure at the Kakata Central Prison is not an isolated incident. It is the direct consequence of systemic overcrowding, prolonged pretrial detention and sustained under-resourcing of the correctional sector,” he said.

According to reports, Liberia’s 14 to 16 correctional facilities have a direct operating cost of $810,001 in the current national budget. The Police Training Academy alone receives 20% more direct budgetary support than the entire corrections sector. Basic sustenance and hygiene consume 73% of what corrections receive.

Sawabenu also called for a full, transparent and impartial investigation into the Kakata Central Prison security breach, with findings made public and negligent officials held accountable.

The group furthered stressed the need for an urgent judicial review of all pretrial detentions nationally, prioritizing the granting of bail to non-violent offenders and the expediting of stalled cases, to reduce prison populations before the next breach and a full adherence to human rights standards by security forces pursuing the escapees, strictly prohibiting excessive or unreasonable force, arbitrary searches and collective punishment.

BEIJING, China — Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned that many of the world’s problems would be difficult to resolve without cooperation between China and the United States, stressing the need for the two countries to work together despite their differences.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

President Xi made the remarks during his visit to the White House in Washington, D.C., on September 24, 2026, where he met with U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

The meeting marked the second encounter between the two presidents in four months.

According to President Xi, the interests of China and the United States are deeply intertwined, creating significant opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.

“China-U.S. cooperation may not solve every problem in the world. But, without our cooperation, it would be hard to solve many of the world’s problems,” Chinese President Xi said.

During President Trump’s visit to China, the two countries agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability, an approach President Xi said is widely welcomed by the people of both countries and the international community.

“I am ready to work with you to steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relationship on a steady course toward the future. We should coexist in peace. As I have said many times, China and the United States, as two major countries, stand to gain from cooperation and will both lose in confrontation. We do not need to avoid mentioning competition, but our competition should be a healthy one and should be kept within bounds,” President Xi said.

The Chinese President added: “It should be a race of catching up with one another, not a wrestle in which one either wins or loses.

“China and the United States must hold the line of no conflict and no confrontation between us, and we can certainly find the right path for our two great countries to get along on this planet we both call home.”

Maintaining Military Dialogue

President Xi also called for continued dialogue between the Chinese and American militaries, citing the historical cooperation between the two countries during World War II.

During the Second World War, Chinese and Americans fought shoulder to shoulder against what was said to be fascist aggression.

President Xi said the Chinese and American people have never forgotten that part of history.

Xi called for continued collaboration between the militaries of the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America.

“Our two militaries should maintain regular dialogue, and improve mechanisms for crisis communication and prevention. The Thucydides Trap can be overcome,” President Xi said.

President Xi stressed that the Chinese side’s position on safeguarding national reunification and territorial integrity is clear-cut.

“We hoped that the U.S. side will adhere to the correct position of opposing Taiwan independence, and handle the Taiwan question with caution, so as to lay a solid foundation for China-U.S. strategic cooperation and the development of bilateral relations.”

Welcoming Investment and Trade

China and the United States remain the two biggest economies in the world, and President Xi said cooperation between the two countries could expand areas of collaboration while reducing areas of disagreement.

“China keeps its door wide open, welcomes American companies wanting to invest and do business there (China). We hope Chinese companies are treated fairly here in the United States,” Xi said.

Both China and the United States are leading nations in artificial intelligence, another area President Xi identified as requiring greater cooperation.

Xi added: “We have both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good, and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control and serves the well-being of the people.”

He furthered: “On counternarcotics and law enforcement, the Chinese side is willing to strengthen cooperation with the United States. Our two sides may also increase direct flights to facilitate two-way travel and trade.”

U.S.-China Relationship to Become Successful 

Also at the event, U.S. President Donald J. Trump described President Xi’s state visit to the United States as a great visit, adding that both the United States and China are great nations.

“President Xi and I are good friends, and we maintain deep and close communication. Under our leadership, the U.S.-China relationship will undoubtedly be a success,” President Trump said.

President Trump disclosed that a new round of consultations between the economic and trade teams of the two countries had produced new outcomes.

The United States President furthered that the two sides should continue the dialogue and reach an even better deal.

“AI concerns the future of humanity. The United States and China should maintain dialogue and strengthen cooperation on AI,” President Trump stressed.

The two presidents also exchanged views on major international and regional issues, including the situation in the Middle East, the Ukraine crisis and the Korean Peninsula.

The two presidents agreed to support each other in hosting the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and the G20 Summit.

President Xi also announced an invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges and study over the coming five years.

As an envoy of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples, President Xi offered a giant panda to be brought to America in the coming days.

“Here, I have a piece of good news. In a few days, two pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, will come to their new home in Zoo Atlanta and meet with the American people,” President Xi said.

New York, USA — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has launched Liberia’s Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP III), reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding women’s participation in peacebuilding, governance and national security.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh, websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

President Boakai made the declaration Monday, September 21, at a High-Level Event on Women, Peace and Security held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Speaking before diplomats, international partners and representatives of women’s organizations, President Boakai said Liberia’s experience demonstrates that women are not simply participants in peace processes but key architects of peace.

“We have a saying in Liberia, that, ‘Men make the big decisions while women make the small decisions. But it is the women who decide which decisions are big and which decisions are small,’” President Boakai said.

He also extended greetings to women participating in the event from Monrovia, including women gathered at the Peace Hut in Fish Market. The President said the history of Liberia’s civil war cannot be told without recognizing the courage and determination of Liberian women, who played a critical role in bringing an end to the conflict.

“The story of the end of Liberia’s civil war cannot be told without recognizing the courage and determination of Liberian women,” he said.

According to President Boakai, Liberia’s peace was not achieved solely through negotiations at the peace table in Accra, but was also driven by women who mobilized in markets, churches, mosques, streets and communities across Monrovia.

“Our war did not end only at the negotiating table in Accra. Peace was driven from the markets, churches, mosques, streets, and communities of Monrovia, where women refused to be silent and refused to leave until leaders listened,” he said.

He cited the contributions of the Women in Peacebuilding Network, the Liberian Mass Action for Peace, market women, and Muslim and Christian women who mobilized across religious, ethnic and political divisions.

“They were not invited to the peace processes; they made themselves impossible to exclude,” Boakai declared.

NAP III Builds on Previous Plans

President Boakai recalled that Liberia became the first post-conflict country in the world to adopt a National Action Plan for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

He said Liberia subsequently implemented a second National Action Plan and has now introduced its third iteration.

“Since then, we have implemented a second NAP, and today we present the third iteration of that commitment: NAP III,” he said.

The President acknowledged that Liberia encountered challenges and made mistakes during the implementation of previous plans, saying those experiences informed the development of the new action plan.

“Because of those experiences, NAP III is our answer not only to what worked but also to what did not,” he said.

The new plan, according to President Boakai, is organized around five areas of action and aligned with his administration’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.

The five areas are prevention; protection and access to justice; participation; relief, recovery and resilience; and coordination, accountability and financing.

Focus on Prevention and Justice

On prevention, President Boakai said Liberia would focus on addressing the underlying causes of conflict rather than merely responding to its consequences.

“Prevention means investing in social cohesion, addressing inequality, challenging harmful norms, strengthening early-warning mechanisms, and ensuring that women are at the center of efforts to prevent violence before it escalates,” he said.

On protection and access to justice, President Boakai pointed to Executive Order 131 of 2024, which established the Office to operationalize the War and Economic Crimes Court.

He said transitional justice remains essential for women who survived conflict-related violence. “For women who survived conflict-related violence, transitional justice is essential to accountability and closure,” he said.

President Boakai also credited women advocates and civil society organizations for their role in advancing statutes that prioritize gender-sensitive justice through the establishment of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court.

He said the framework addresses conflict-related sexual violence and gender-based atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil wars. Boakai Seeks Greater Female Representation in Armed Forces

On participation, President Boakai said sustainable peace cannot be achieved if women remain victims of conflict while being excluded from decision-making.

“Peace cannot be sustainable when women are present as victims but absent from decision-making,” he said.

The President said his administration is committed to increasing women’s representation in elected and appointed positions and ensuring their meaningful participation in peace and security decision-making.

He also highlighted efforts to increase female participation in the Armed Forces of Liberia.

In February 2026, the AFL, in partnership with UN Women Liberia, launched a two-year Elsie Initiative Fund project aimed at removing institutional barriers, strengthening the recruitment and retention of women, and expanding opportunities for women to serve in leadership and United Nations peacekeeping roles, where applicable.

“Our immediate ambition is to reach 15 percent female representation in the Armed Forces by 2028, while contributing to our broader national goal of 40 percent by 2030,” Boakai said.

He added that Liberia, as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, must demonstrate domestically the same commitment it advocates internationally. “Now, we must ensure they have the opportunity, authority, and institutional support to lead,” he said.

New Threats to Peace

President Boakai said NAP III also recognizes that threats to peace and security extend beyond Liberia’s past civil wars.

He cited climate pressures, democratic reversals, violent extremism, transnational crime, displacement, economic insecurity and other forms of violence as emerging challenges with significant implications for women and girls.

“For women and girls, these challenges can further deepen existing vulnerabilities and inequalities,” he said.

Boakai said the new action plan is therefore designed not only to address the legacy of Liberia’s civil war but also present and future threats.

“Our approach to recovery must go beyond rebuilding infrastructure. It must also rebuild livelihoods, restore dignity, strengthen institutions, and ensure that women and girls are not left behind,” he said.

Liberia’s Security Council Presidency

The President said Liberia’s current position on the United Nations Security Council presents an opportunity for the country to make Women, Peace and Security a signature priority.

Liberia, he noted, spent fourteen years on the UN Security Council agenda before becoming a member of the Council and preparing to assume its presidency in December.

“This moment is significant for another reason. Liberia’s journey from being on the UN Security Council agenda for fourteen years to now sitting at the Council table and assuming its Presidency in December presents an important opportunity for the country to make Women, Peace and Security a signature priority,” he said.

Boakai said Liberia intends to draw on its own peacebuilding experience, particularly the Peace Hut model, as part of its contribution to the global Women, Peace and Security agenda.

“Drawing on Liberia’s peacebuilding experience and women’s leadership through initiatives such as Peace Huts, Liberia offers evidence of localization, with the Peace Hut model as our contribution to the global Women, Peace and Security toolkit,” he said.

He also pointed to challenges facing the West African sub-region, including democratic reversals, transnational crime, insecurity and contested borders.

Liberia, he said, will advocate for preventive diplomacy and locally led solutions before crises escalate into conflicts requiring reactive intervention.

‘A Seat Is an Opportunity, Not an Achievement’

President Boakai recalled Liberia’s commitment, when seeking a seat on the Security Council, to bring the voices of women and young people into

the chamber, particularly those involved in peacebuilding within their communities.

“As a member of the Security Council, we intend to arrive at the annual Women, Peace and Security Open Debate having done at home what we ask of others internationally,” he said.

He stressed that Liberia’s presence on the Council should be measured by what the country does with the opportunity.

“A seat is an opportunity, not an achievement. What we do with it is the achievement,” Boakai declared.

According to the President, NAP III represents the domestic component of that commitment at a time when financing for peacebuilding is declining globally.

He said Liberia recognizes that it cannot implement the plan alone and will seek support from international partners, while emphasizing that the country must demonstrate political ownership. “We have learned an important lesson that a plan that depends entirely on the priorities of others is not truly a national plan,” he said.

“While we recognize that Liberia cannot do this alone, and seek support to implement the NAP III, we are committed to demonstrating the highest level of political will to own it,” he added.

‘Women Changed the Course of Our Nation’

President Boakai said Liberia’s ultimate responsibility is to ensure that future generations inherit not only the memory of the peace fought for by women but also the institutions, opportunities and freedoms needed to sustain that peace.

“Our task now is to ensure that the next generation inherits not only the memory of the peace women fought for, but also the institutions, opportunities, and freedoms that make that peace enduring,” he said.

He thanked Liberia’s international partners for supporting the country and recognizing the role of Liberian women in building and sustaining peace.

Addressing women gathered at the Fish Market Peace Hut, President Boakai said their contribution had permanently shaped Liberia’s history. “To the mothers at the Fish Market who joined us today, your courage changed the course of our nation. Today, we carry that courage forward,” he said.

He said NAP III represents a commitment to creating a Liberia where women and girls can live safely, participate fully in national affairs and exercise leadership. “That is the promise of this Third National Action Plan—to build a Liberia where every woman and girl can live safely, participate fully, lead with dignity, and help shape our country’s future,” President Boakai said.

He subsequently formally launched Liberia’s Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

MONROVIA — Rain and tears marked a chaotic morning at More Than Me Academy on Tuesday as a court-ordered eviction forced hundreds of students out of their classrooms at the all-girls school on Ashmun Street in central Monrovia.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh, websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

The eviction came amid a heavy downpour, disrupting classes as students were reportedly ordered to gather their books and leave the premises shortly after arriving for the school day.

Teachers had not yet begun classes, while students had little time to collect their belongings before being forced to vacate the building. The development is the latest turn in a long-running legal dispute over ownership of the property, which has been occupied by More Than Me Academy for years.

A court sheriff reportedly arrived at the school with an order directing the institution to vacate the premises. Police subsequently barricaded the entrance, preventing students from re-entering the building as the eviction exercise unfolded.

The property is claimed by the Montgomery family, which says it has been denied access to the premises for more than 15 years.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Erica Davis said the family recently obtained a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court, which it believes paved the way for enforcement of the court’s decision.

Davis described the eviction as the culmination of a legal battle that the family had pursued for more than a decade.

“I told them that they suppose to move. I got my documentation. It has been 15 years on this case. They got to go today and we are not going to be nice to them and say let’s talk about it later, no, we gave them time, we gave them 15 years to talk but they called me crazy woman, she is not the property owner. And so, we are not sorry for them l, they need to go,” the Montgomery family spokesperson says.

Davis further questioned why students were present at the property despite the ongoing legal dispute.

“Let the children go home, they can’t use the children of Liberia. Why they had the children out here when they know they are going through court issues.”

School Blames Government

The school’s administration, however, said it does not blame the Montgomery family for the eviction, instead accusing the Liberian government of failing to adequately communicate the status and outcome of the legal proceedings.

According to officials of the school, More Than Me Academy had been occupying the premises under government instruction and expected government officials to keep the institution informed as the legal case progressed.

School authorities said they received no subsequent information about the status of the case, describing the sudden eviction as a betrayal and arguing that the government’s responsibility should have included protecting the interests of students whose education has now been disrupted.

“We do not blame the Montgomery family, but the government failed us,” an official of the school said.

The school said it was particularly disappointed that it was not informed whether the government had prevailed or lost the case, arguing that either outcome should have been communicated to the institution before enforcement of the ruling reached its doors.

With the academic year already underway, the eviction has left hundreds of students without access to their classrooms.

School administrators are now reportedly exploring alternative arrangements to ensure that students can continue their education.

The institution is also said to be attempting to negotiate with the private property owners in the hope of finding a temporary or long-term arrangement that would allow classes to continue and prevent students from losing additional instructional time.

BEIJING, China — The Government of the People’s Republic of China has urged 109 journalists from 101 countries participating in the second session of the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) 2026 program to help strengthen understanding between China and the rest of the world through objective and firsthand reporting.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh, websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

The call was made Tuesday, September 8, 2026, during the opening ceremony of the international media exchange program held at the Renmin University of China in Beijing.

The CIPCC is a major international media exchange and journalism program organized under the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA).

Established in 2014, the program brings journalists from developing countries and the Global South to China for firsthand reporting, professional exchanges and cultural experiences.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, China’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hong Lei, said the CIPCC was established to provide a bridge for media professionals from Global South countries to come closer to and better understand China.

“I hope through your participation in the program, you will become “bosom” friends of China and help better connect China with the world,” Mr. Hong said.

The Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister also urged the journalists to develop what he described as an intimate understanding of China’s history and dynamism and to present the world with what he called a true, multidimensional and panoramic picture of China through objective coverage and diverse perspectives.

“I hope you will delve deep into the vivid practices of Global South countries advancing modernization together, and bring them to a wider audience, so that the world will hear the voice of South-South cooperation, and the story of our win-win cooperation will become the prevailing narrative of our times,” he said.

Mr. Hong added: “I hope you will transcend the barriers between different cultures and civilizations and strengthen the bond of mutual respect and mutual learning, so that dialogue between civilizations will continue forever.”

Replacing Stereotypes with On-the-Ground Observations

Also speaking at the ceremony, Tong Xiaoling, Vice President of the China Public Diplomacy Association, called on participating journalists to use their objective lenses to help reshape narratives about China.

She said the world is undergoing profound changes amid what she described as “intertwined” global challenges, making cross-border media exchanges increasingly important.

“Against this complex backdrop, candid exchanges among cross-border media practitioners are all the more essential. Stereotypes ought to be replaced by on-the-ground observations, and global narratives ought to be enriched by diverse perspectives, so as to inject public opinion

momentum into mutual trust, enhanced understanding and deeper cooperation among nations,” Madam Tong said.

She added: “News media serve as bridge across national borders and bonds connecting peoples. Transcending geographical divides, they enable societies to see one another’s true realities. Grounded in facts, they mitigate misperceptions and prejudices and create viable pathways for dialogue among civilizations.”

According to the CPDA Vice President, over the past 12 years, the China International Press Communication Center has worked to establish a platform for media professionals worldwide to perceive and engage with China.

She said the program has advanced China-foreign press exchanges and public diplomacy while expanding its outreach from selected regions to countries across the globe.

“Successive generations of overseas journalists have traveled across China. With pens and cameras, they have toured the country, witnessed its development and experienced its culture. Through professional perspectives, authentic writings and vivid footages, they have chronicled the development transformations, people-centered vitality and cultural heritage of China in the new era.”

More Than 700 Journalists Trained Since 2014

This year marks 12 years since the inception of the China International Press Communication Center, with Renmin University of China hosting participating journalists in its dormitory facilities during the program.

Professor Zhang Donggang, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Renmin University of China Committee, said the CIPCC program is China’s largest and most comprehensive professional development

program for foreign journalists and one of the programs with the greatest influence.

“For more than a decade, successive groups of foreign journalists have engaged directly with Chinese society and observed China’s development, while bringing to China the -experience, cultures and concerns of their own countries and regions,” he said.

Professor Zhang added: “Since 2014, Renmin University of China has played a major role in hosting the program and has trained more than 700 media professionals from over 100 countries and regions. In doing so, it has created an important platform for journalists from China and around the world to deepen understanding, expand exchanges, strengthen cooperation and build mutual trust.”