Monrovia – Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, founder of the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership has told FrontPageAfrica that former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has proven to women in Africa that there is no glass ceiling for women’s achievement in leadership.

Report by Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

“It is an achievement for African girls and women that there is no glass ceiling and they can really help to move Africa forward,” he said while commenting on the awarding of the prestigious prize to former President Sirleaf.

In an exclusive interview with this newspaper via mobile phone on Monday, February 12, Mr. Ibrahim said Liberians should be proud of the former President’s achievements. He noted that the Foundation’s Index of African Governance of over a hundred parameters in rule of law, security, health, education, amongst others, discovered Liberia as the only country that improved in all four pillars of the index.

He said the award given to Madam Sirleaf is “in a way a recognition for the Liberian people who went through some terrible experiences: The civil war was really terrible, the toll was huge, human cost and then of course it fractured the economy and the Ebola crisis that was painful.

For Liberia to manage to really move into a peaceful society which is able to move forward and select a next President in a proper and peaceful manner and still standing as a country, I think that is a major achievement”.

The Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership awarded to Madam Sirleaf recognizes her relentless commitment to human rights and democracy in Liberia.

“Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has tirelessly strived for peace and national reconciliation since she took over the Presidency of her country which was torn by civil war,” a statement from the Foundation stated.

Ellen Johson-Sirleaf, who served terms as President of Liberia from 2006 to 2017, is the fifth recipient of the Ibrahim Prize.

The Ibrahim Prize aims to distinguish African leaders who, during their time in office, have developed their countries, strengthened democracy and human rights for the shared benefit of their people, and advanced sustainable development.

In its citation to the former Liberian President, who is yet the only democratically elected female head of state on the continent, the Prize Committee praised her exceptional and transformative leadership, in the face of unprecedented and renewed challenges, to lead Liberia’s recovery following many years of devastating civil war.

Announcing the decision, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, Chair of the Prize Committee, said: “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took the helm of Liberia when it was completely destroyed by civil war and led a process of reconciliation that focused on building a nation and its democratic institutions.

Throughout her two terms in office, she worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Liberia.

Such a journey cannot be without some shortcomings and, today, Liberia continues to face many challenges. Nevertheless, during her 12 years in office, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf laid the foundations on which Liberia can now build.”

Monrovia – They started up as two friends from their days in grade school at the College of West Africa (CWA) back in the days. Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her Vice President, Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, were friends even after high school.

Report By Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

They maintained their friendship even in the Diaspora until 2005 when they decided and agreed to run for the country’s highest offices – President and Vice President – respectively. Even as President and Vice President, they remained best of friends until 2017.

Sometime after the first quarter of 2017, rumours and speculations became to circulate that the two ‘best friends’ had become enemies to the extent of keeping speech from each other when he (VP Boakai) declared that he wanted to succeed his boss, who, by the Liberian Constitution, can’t contest again for Office, as her second and final Presidential term comes to an end by mid January 2018.

To many, the so-called “bad blood” between the two best friends was/is because of the friends they have made and the kind of people they have associated with during their tenures as President and Vice President, respectively.

For the first time, both the President and the Vice President did not attend one another birthday parties — showing the extent to which both leaders’ relation had gotten sour.

The Costa Show & 1st 150-Day Deliverables

On a local morning radio talk-show, “The Costa Show,” VP Joseph Boakai, on Monday, December 18, made it clear that his association with Cllr. Varney Sherman and Unity Party Chairman Wilmot Paye has soured his relationship with his long-time best friend, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

“I am guilty by association, that is the only crime I have committed against my long-time friend Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. My association with Cllr. Sherman and Party Chairman Wilmot Paye, who won the chairmanship on white ballot is the only crime I have committed.”

The Unity Party standard bearer, who is expected to face up with Montserrado County Senator George M. Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) in the second round of the October 10, 2017 polls, promised to provide 50 thousand jobs in his first 150 days as President of Liberia when elected.

He said, his vision and plan to build roads across the country will help provide Jobs and create wealth.

VP Boakai believes if the country is connected by roads, people especially local farmers will have the means to bring their crops and produce to the market and they will get empowered.

Corruption

The Unity Party government under Madam President, has been heavily criticized for doing nothing or very little in the fight against corruption.

Some Liberians believe that this administration under the leadership Madam Sirleaf and VP Boakai is the most corrupt.

To others, this government’s efforts to step up the fight against the maniac, is why the song of corruption is being sung the way it is now by most Liberians and their international friends.

As President, the Unity Party’s standard bearer, has promised to fight corruption to his best.

He described it as a poison that makes people in authority to want to use government to provide for them and their unborn generations.

“You want to be corrupt go elsewhere; it won’t happen under my watch,” he warned as he threatened stern actions.

National Elections Commission

Like many critics of the National Elections Commission (NEC),  VP Boakai, too, believes the Final Voter Roll (FRR) needs to be clean up. 

“This voter registration thing is fraudulent. It was done so by Mr. (Jerome) Korkoya. Let’s give this election process a chance,” he stressed.

Same-sex Marriage

Responding to questions about same-sex marriage, the Unity Party standard bearer, who is poised like Senator George Weah, to become Liberia’s next President, said the Liberian culture doesn’t permit such practice.

“In the Bible, we read God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve,” he said rhetorically taking a jibe on those promoting same-sex marriage.

The VP urged Liberia’s international partners, who are desirous of tying aid to governments legalizing the practice in their countries, to change that policy of theirs.

He called on them to allow Liberia and Liberians the chance to live and respect their culture. 

Monrovia – The Liberian government has issued a stinging rebuke of Mr. Allan White, the former chief prosecutor of former President Charles Ghankay Taylor, linking the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf-led government to support to the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change and football legend George Manneh Weah.

Report by Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Mr. White, in an interview with Straight Talk Africa on the Voice of America said he had information of the plan being mapped out for Robert to replace Senator Weah once the Coalition for Democratic Change’s standard bearer ascends to the Presidency.

Mr. White said he has been informed by an unnamed individual who has spoken directly to one of the President’s sons, that a deal had been sealed with Senator Weah in which he will never go after the Sirleaf administration for any political corruption or graft.

“Second of all, there will be no war crimes tribunal.

As you all know in the TRC there is a reference. I know all too well what her involvement was and what it wasn’t, but that is not what I am here to talk about today. But thirdly, which is a very important issue, is that her son Robert has run for office before and was defeated soundly by Weah.

So, Weah had promised, so I’m told, and I talked to people and confirmed to the extent that I believe there is some validity to it.” 

Asked whether he considers such evidence frankly incontrovertible, Mr. White replied: “Since you’re asking me, and this was brought up, I have not yet proven. I’m just telling you what I was able to uncover. But that the vacated seat of his position in Montserrado County, he would appointed.” 

A point of clarity was made by James Butty, one of the moderators on the show’s panel who clarified: “Not appoint. Weah would get his supporters because there is nothing, when it comes to votes that Robert Sirleaf has. But Weah has votes when it comes to Montserrado County. So if there is any deal at all, that’s where Weah would come in.” 

But Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe, responding to a FrontPageAfrica inquiry Saturday, said the government was gravely disappointed in Mr. White’s claims. 

Said Mr. Nagbe: “The government of Liberia is disappointed over recent comments on the Voice of America Straight Talk Africa program by Mr. Allan White who made several baseless, untrue and unfounded comments against President Sirleaf.

Mr. White’s regurgitation of politically motivated hearsay is quite unfortunate. We hereby categorically deny again that Madam President has entered into any political deal to give any support to the CDC as is being claimed. 

The statement said the Government, under the leadership of President Sirleaf remains focused on ensuing that she culminates her exceptional leadership tenure with a transition in which the people of Liberia will freely, fairly and transparently chose their leader at the ballot box within the constitutionally prescribed time-frame. We urge Mr. White and others to contribute positively to Liberia’s democracy by refraining from spreading untruthful propaganda. 

Mr. White has made a series of controversial statements in the ongoing presidential elections in Liberia. 

It can be recalled that Mr. White, during the early days of the political campaign season alleged that he had received information from credible sources that former President Charles Taylor was interfering with the 2017 election in Liberia.

“He’s been in discussion with Senator George Weah who recently signed an agreement to join forces with Jewel Taylor – Taylor’s former wife – to support seeking the presidency and the vice presidency. George will be at the top of the ticket”. 

The CDC at first denied the allegations but Senator Weah later acknowledged that he held a conversation on the telephone with Mr. Taylor but that such a conversation should not be misinterpreted to mean that he has a relationship with the ex-president.

“I was in a gathering and one of Mr. Taylor’s relative was in conversation with him (Taylor), and the guy walk up to me and gave me the phone saying President Taylor wants to talk to you; so I held the phone and spoke to him,” Senator Weah told journalists who quizzed him on a number of national issues recently.

Mr. White was also in the mix of the Liberian politics when Senator Prince Y. Johnson, alarmed that he was summoned to Accra, Ghana by Mr. White and Mr. Benoni Urey, standard bearer of the All Liberian Party(ALP). Senator Johnson said the meeting was called by White and his team to discuss the Liberian elections.

Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has addressed the nation commending Liberians for their patience and peaceful demeanor.

The Liberian leader said “As we go through this time of uncertainty in our electoral process, awaiting the country’s historical Presidential transition, I commend you for your patience, and your peaceful demeanor.”

President Sirleaf spoke Tuesday, November 7, 2017 in a nationwide address at her Foreign Ministry Office in Monrovia.

She said Liberia’s laws and democratic institutions are strong; they will withstand this challenge, and they will stand the test of time.  

President Sirleaf underscored: “We can strengthen them by demonstrating maturity, and not abuse our positions or misuse the platforms that have been made available to the Country through news media and new technology.”

She urged Liberians to continue to respect each other, the rule of law, human kindness and decency. 

“Allegations, hate speech, inciting language has been defining what should be a proud moment in our history,” she pointed out.

She said she was glad that all political parties have agreed consistently and publicly to adhere to the provisions provided under our laws; noting these provisions include the right to challenge, through an established and orderly process, the voting and electoral arrangements that have been put in place.

President Sirleaf said democracy is only as strong as its weakest link and at these moments, our democracy is under assault; our country’s reputation is under assault while our economy is under stress.

“We politicians must do better; our people went the distance; we achieved 73 percent voters’ turnout demonstrating confidence in our electoral process and the future of our country,” President Sirleaf intimated.

She said historians will look back at this time and judge us by how we conduct ourselves at this critical moment in time.

She concluded as saying we cannot fail them; “We cannot damage our future and prayed that God saves and protect our State.”

Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is still going strong. As the first woman to lead an African nation celebrates her 79th birthday Sunday, October 29, memories of her early days as a young revolutionary icon, a polarizing and often times annoying critic of leaders before her, she continues to loom large, even as she limps toward the last leg of her presidency.

Report by Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Love her or hate her, Sirleaf is defying a mother load of expectations in her final year.

Just when everyone expected her to be a lame-duck, she’s actually not.

Criticized for not handling the transition of her likely successor properly, the events of the ongoing Presidential elections play where she appears to be outsmarting the political game dominated by men, is drawing admiration from even her harshest critics and observers.

“An Undeniable Fact: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a maestro”, reads a post by Boakai M. Fofana Sr., host of the Capitol Breakfast morning show on 89.7 FM.

The post came on the same day that Prince Johnson declared his support to the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change and in the heat of critical elections when accusations have been flying around over Sirleaf’s perceived lack of support of her vice President, Joseph Boakai.

In April 2010, she penned the best-seller, “This Child Will Be Great”, a moving memoir which tells the story of her rise to power, including her early childhood; her experiences with abuse, imprisonment, and exile; and her fight for democracy and social justice.

She reveals her determination to succeed in multiple worlds, from her studies in the United States to her work as an international bank executive, to campaigning in some of Liberia’s most desperate and war-torn villages and neighborhoods.

Seven years later, she was the subject of the New York Times best-seller Madame President by the Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and bestselling author Helene Cooper.

The book tells the powerful story of her role in the Liberian women’s movement and how she broke a barrier few thought possible.

Following the 1985 Presidential elections, Silreaf was among a number of opposition political leaders jailed by Samuel Doe who had promised to guide the Africa’s oldest republic to freely elected civilian rule.

Sirleaf’s case drew particular concern from the US.

At the time she was high-profile and controversial. A Western-educated former minister of finance with experience both at the World Bank and on the executive staff in Africa of Citibank.

She had served the earlier government of William Tolbert and Doe’s government after the coup of 1980 as a technocrat–not as a political appointee, according to close associates.

She returned to Liberia to form the Liberia Action Party, and seek a senatorial post, but found herself under arrest in the post stockade under charges of sedition for making statements “detrimental to the peace and stability of Liberia.”

Ironically, at 79, Sirleaf is on the verge of overseeing a major democratic transition.

This year’s election marks the first time in 73 years that a democratically-elected President will peacefully hand over power to a successor chosen by Liberian voters.

Bearing any unforeseen glitches or legal wrangle, the end result could mark a defining moment for Liberia and possibly enhance Sirleaf’s legacy.

Despite her domestic woes, Sirleaf enjoys massive international support and respect.

Corruption remains a major problem with Liberia ranking 90 out of 176 countries in the 2016 corruption perception index by Transparency International.

Nevertheless, as she prepares her exit, Sirleaf says she has an opportunity to open the doors for more African women to hold high level political positions.

“Challenging because I represent the aspirations and expectations of Liberian African women, maybe women all over the world therefore the pressure is on me to make sure that I succeed,” she told Reuters recently.

Riva Levinson, who has has been the administration’s lobbyist in Washington for the past twelve years, has no doubt about Sirleaf’s place in the history books.

“When historians look back on the legacy of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, “she says, “They’ll come to appreciate that being the first democratically-elected woman to lead an Africa nation barely scratches the surface of her impact.”

Levinson adds: “They will realize that her election, in November, 2005, was an inflection point for a Continent, from war to peace, and from autocracy to democracy. And that in stabilizing Liberia, she heralded in the rebirth of a sub-region.

Then they will take a look at the tens and thousands of young girls in Africa who have decided to enter politics because of her inspiration.

But in the end, when they add it all up, they will acknowledge that her greatest achievement was presiding over Liberia’s post-conflict democracy, where institutions had no record of functioning, and turning over power constitutionally and democratically from one leader to another.”

Monrovia – A FrontPageAfrica investigation has found that contrary to widespread reports, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has been directly involved in sourcing funding for the Presidential bid of her vice President Joseph Boakai.

Report by Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

A FrontPageAfrica investigation has found that contrary to widespread reports, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has been directly involved in sourcing funding from Morocco, Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast and a host of other countries for the Presidential bid of her vice President Joseph Boakai 

The finding appears to contradict growing perceptions within the Boakai campaign that President Sirleaf has not been supportive of the Presidential bid of the man who has been by her side in the past twelve years.

Executive Mansion sources are being tight-lipped about the investigation and Presidential Press Secretary Jerolinmek Piah when contacted Thursday, could not confirm or deny when inquiries were made regarding reports that the President directly engineered aid to Boakai from several of her international connections including Morocco, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Ghana and a host of others.

The findings come amid a recent admission from Rep. Edwin Melvin Snowe, who was recently appointed as Campaign Chair of the party’s November 7 run-off activities.

Speaking Thursday on a local radio talk show, the UP campaign official acknowledged that the extra campaign process has posed serious burdens on the party and pleaded for the incumbent first partisan, Sirleaf to intervene.

While aides from both Sirleaf and Boakai campaigns continue to lay the blame on a long-running feud between the pair over the perceived lack of financial support, FrontPageAfrica has learned that some of those on the vice President’s campaign team betrayed his trust and misused thousands of dollars intended to pay poll watchers and campaign workers.

This, according to sources, was a contributing factor to the party’s standard bearer’s dismal showing in the Southeastern counties of Sinoe, Grand Kru and Maryland counties as well as counties in the Western belt, Cape Mount, Bomi and Gbarpolu.

“We still do not know what some people did with the money they were given,” a source close to the vice President’s campaign said Thursday, speaking strictly on condition of anonymity.

The issue is also being complicated by what one source described as repeated snubbing from the vice President’s camp of the President who, according to sources have been making several overtures including the offering of sit-down meetings with a small team from the VP’s camp, to now avail.

The controversy was compounded this week when Mr. Robert Kpadeh, Secretary General of the Movement for the Support of Boakai, posted a rather critical version of a speech on his personal Facebook page, while the vice President was still delivering another version.

In the version posted by Mr. Kpadeh, the vice President slammed President Sirleaf for not supporting his campaign.

Said Mr. Boakai: “Fellow Liberians, contrary to the assumption and expectations since the start of the formal campaign process for the 2017 Presidential and representative, neither my campaign nor the Standard Bearer Emeritus – all attempts by me or individual operating upon my instructions to extend a hand of cooperation to the Standard Bearer Emeritus have yielded little or no success. Instead, the Standard Bearer Emeritus is on record for making statements to the international media that, wittingly or unwittingly, have the net effect of detracting from our quest for the presidency.

A source close to VP Boakai told FrontPageAfrica that the vice President had rejected the comments put in by speechwriters but Mr. Kpadeh went ahead and posted anyway.

The version, according to sources in both camps reignited the feud between the President and her vice President.

Speechwriters also included in the version which was omitted suggestions that the President was supporting the VP’s opponent in the run-off, the Coalition for Democratic Change.

The version reads: “What is even more concerning is not the fact that the Standard Bearer Emeritus is not the fact that the Standard Bearer Emeritus is not supporting us, but we have received disconcerting and credible information  from multiple sources even within the opposition political parties that the Standard Bearer Emeritus and individuals close to her and operating under her instructions are in fact giving multiple forms of support to our main opponent in the Presidential race, the coalition for democratic change.

It is strange and ironic that some of the very individuals whose performances while in government left a bad impression on the minds of the Liberian people would jump ship to the opposition CDC and be urging CDC operatives to hammer the Unity Party for ‘failing the people’

On Wednesday however, Senator George Weah, the Standard Bearer of the CDC dismissed suggestions the he is being supported by Sirleaf.

“I would like to strongly debunk the lies being perpetrated by enemies of progress that I’m receiving support from Madam Sirleaf. If the Unity Party is not able to cultivate a relationship with its outgoing standard bearer, they should not scapegoat the CDC.”

“You have your problems, deal with it. I want the Liberian people to think very hard about this, don’t give power to people who are disunited and very distrustful of each other; those that are bent on creating division and acrimony among our people.”

With so much animosity between both camps, some of the vice President’s critics appear unsure why he has allowed so many people in his circle to get away with so much, to the detriment of his campaign.

It is a dilemma Snowe appear to acknowledge this week when he lamented that it is regretful that too many attacks are being thrown of VP Boakai for mistakes made by many defectors now ringing praises on opposition political leaders. “I feel sorry for Ambassador Boakai. He is like Jesus Christ right now, he’s being prosecuted right now for sins he did not commit.”

Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ends her one-year tenure as Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on a high note of successes and landmark achievements.

She was elected ECOWAS Chairperson on June 4, 2016, at the 49th Ordinary Session of the Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Dakar, Senegal.

She replaced Senegalese President Macky Sall, who was preceded by Ghana’s Former President John Mahama in 2015.

Upon assuming the chairmanship, she immediately prioritized peace consolidation, strengthening of the regional security architecture, concluding negotiations and legal actions, and financial stability, all within the context of ECOWAS Vision 2020.

Consequently, the Liberian President accomplished the following milestones during the last 12 months working in concert with the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and in collaboration with Community institutions and development partners.

Consolidating Regional Peace and Security Architecture: With the support of partners and other multilateral organizations, including the African Union and the United Nations, President Sirleaf’s tenure has fared well in regional peace and security.

To this end, terrorism has been seriously tackled, intelligence capacity is being strengthened, transhumance activities being managed, and democratic consolidation and coordination have been enhanced over the past one year.

The successful mediation of the political crisis in The Gambia, including successful resolution of the outcome of the presidential election that upheld the rightful winning party, followed by the departure of Former President Yahya Jammeh, and the holding of parliament elections, received the commendation of the international community.

The peaceful transitions of power in Cape Verde and Ghana, and ongoing mediation efforts in the Republics of Guinea Bissau and Mali are tangible feats in ECOWAS’ commitment to democracy, peace and security under President Sirleaf.

ECOWAS’ conflict mechanisms are being applied on the ground actions to tackle violent extremism in Northern Mali and Burkina Faso, Northeastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. 

Recent successful dialogues between the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari Boko Haram led to the release of 88 kidnapped Chibok Girls further improving regional security.

President Sirleaf‘s proactive diplomacy contributed to the elimination of recent tensions in Cote d’Ivoire caused by mutinous soldiers. 

She and her colleagues remain committed to resolving transnational organized crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

Conclusion of negotiations and legal actions that enhance trade and regional integration: ECOWAS’regional integration plans remains on course.

This is a result, largely, of the Community’s collective resolve to fully implement the Protocol on Free Movement of People and Goods, particularly the Common External Tariff (CET), the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), and the Economic Partnership Agreement.

Outstanding, unsigned Protocols and Conventions are now significantly reduced.  For example, Liberia made history by ratifying all remaining ECOWAS instruments under the watch of President Sirleaf.

Transformation of ECOWAS Vision 2020: The gradual march towards attaining ECOWAS Vision 2020 of transitioning from an ECOWAS of States to an ECOWAS of People remains within reach. 

ECOWAS and its partners are accelerating work on The Lagos-Dakar highway, joint border posts, and regional projects on energy, including the regional power pool. These projects and others will accelerate cross border trade. 

Air Transport Master Plan is being implemented in line with the Yamoussoukro Declaration and Decision. Already, air connectivity that provides cost effective movement of citizens are improving with new fleets and hubs of Air Cote d’Ivoire and Med View Airline.

New models in agribusiness are being validated to improve production and extension and the attraction of young people in agriculture to minimize youth unemployment.

Institutional Reform: As one of main priorities of her tenure as Chair, President Sirleaf‘s desire to finalize the ongoing review of the restructuring of the Community institutions was implemented when she paid working visits to ECOWAS Institutions early last December. 

While in Abuja, the ECOWAS Chair met with the President, the Vice President and staff of the Commission, the President and Judges of the Community Court of Justice, and the Speaker and Bureau of the ECOWAS Parliament at their respective headquarters. 

The visits provided her an opportunity to better understand the internal workings of the Commission and other principal community institutions.  This led to the implementation of many timely reform matters, including the fast tracking of the work of the Maxwell Stamp consultants in restructuring Community institutions.

Improved Financial Stability:  Careful negotiation by the Chair and the ECOWAS Commission has led to a steady increase in the payment of the Community Levy by Member States.  

Enhancement of powers of ECOWAS Parliament: The ECOWAS Parliament, during President Sirleaf’s one year-tenure, finally received the endorsement of the Authority of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of Powers of the Parliament that includes the regional Parliament to review the Community budget.

Full involvement with ECOWAS Parliament’s Delocalized meeting: Four decentralized meetings of the ECOWAS Parliament were held in April intended to bring the Community’s Parliament closer to the over 300 million people of the region. 

President Sirleaf inaugurated the first session in Liberia. The Liberia meeting and subsequent delocalized meetings in Mali and Cape Verde were designed to address urgent matters affecting democracy, health and youth in the ECOWAS region. 

Nat Bayjay, Minister Counselor, Liberian Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria
Nbayjay2010@gmail.com

Monrovia – When President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was pressed in a 2016 FrontPageAfrica interview whether she would be willing to step down a year before the completion of her presidency to give her vice president Joseph Boakai a chance at proving himself in the role, she did not hesitate in delivering a somewhat fiery response: “Not a chance”.

President Sirleaf explained that she would be willing to support her Vice President in all his endeavors; according to what he wants, how he sets his program to become President.

“I will give him the fullest support but he will get it the same way I got it. Anybody who gets it will get it the same way I got it.”

“They will go and they will campaign for it and they will fight for it, they will set their target and they will get it and besides it is very important for Liberia’s political maturity for us to have a peaceful transition for the first time in three decades, it is very important for us and I will not deny the country that, by not staying on.”

Only five Vice Presidents — James Skivring Smith, Alfred Francis Russell, William D. Coleman, William R. Tolbert, and Moses Blah – in Liberia’s history have ascended to the presidency, either due to the President’s death, resignation, or removal from office.

Sirleaf’s road to the Presidency took 40 years in the making that included several battles with the establishments of late President William R. Tolbert, Samuel K. Doe and Charles G. Taylor.

New York Times Journalist and author Helene Cooper explores some of those battles in her upcoming book, Madame President, which hit the bookshelves, March 7.

As far back as the 1970s, Sirleaf’s resistance and fighting spirit was evident since her first public speech, at her Alma Mater, The College of West Africa in November 1972 where she used a commencement address to hit home on kleptocracy in the Tolbert government.

Under Doe, she refused to take up a Senate seat she had won because she believed the elections were rigged.

She was imprisoned twice and narrowly avoided execution.

Following the 1985 elections she openly criticized the military government which led to her arrest and a 10-year prison sentence.

She was later released after a short time and allowed to leave the country.

Although she has admitted and acknowledged as a misjudgment, her efforts in raisingUS $10,000 to support Charles Taylor’s rebel movement which launched a military incursion to oust Doe in December 1989, she later became critical of the Taylor.

Years later she would lose to Taylor in the elections of 1997, winning a mere 9.5 per cent of the vote as Taylor swept his way to a landslide 75 per cent victory.

Nearly a decade later, she would finally win the presidency that had eluded her political life, becoming the first woman head of state in Liberia and the continent of Africa.

Her forty-year political battle had garnered her a fighting persona that evolved over time, a nickname previously bestowed on late British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady.

President Johnson-Sirleaf was suddenly in good company.

The Iron Lady persona had come at an opportune time for Thatcher in 1976 when she delivered a fiery foreign policy speech in which she slammed the Soviet Union, earning her the nickname Iron Lady.

The name has since become a metaphor for strong-willed female politicians.

Today, many remain perplexed about Sirleaf’s position over her perceived lack of support for her vice president.

Although she has repeatedly said Boakai, who has been a loyal and trusted number two for the past eleven years is her preferred choice, the vice president and his supporters are feeling otherwise.

“I know what she’s not doing for the Unity Party, but the people probably know what she’s doing for other parties.”

“We’re asking her – the Unity Party is her party, it’s the party that would bear her legacy and she ought to be supporting it,” Boakai told FrontPageAfrica in an interview this week.

Boakai’s assertions come just days after Harrison Karnweah, a prominent son of Nimba and head of the Forestry Development Authority, who was high on his list of choice for Vice President in the upcoming Presidential elections, crossed over to the opposition Liberty Party.

The defection has dealt Boakai a major blow and generated a lot of dissent within the ruling Unity Party where partisans are becoming increasingly nervous about their chances in the upcoming presidential elections.

The Bassa-Nimba factor appears to be causing some jitters within the UP and other political parties with reports emerging that Charles Walker Brumskine is leaning toward Karnwea as his veep.

Boakai’s nervousness is evident over his expressed fears about the impact of Karnwea’s potential teaming up with Charles Walker Brumskine, the political leader of the LP.

“I am not the one saying that President Sirleaf fully supports Brumskine. The people are reading the signs and they’re saying that.

“Whether she’s supporting Brumskine wholly and solely I don’t know. The people who are reading the signs are saying ‘This is what we see.’

They have spoken to it publicly, she has heard it.”

Boakai is also causing jitters among his supporters after losing two legislative by-elections in his hometown, Lofa County which is supposed to be his stronghold.

Although he did not officially endorse a candidate in the 2015 District #2 by-elections won by Julie Wiah who ran as an independent, critics frowned on Boakai for failing to use the elections to show his strength.

Augustine Boakai Lansana, the Unity Party candidate in that election lost.

Two years later, by-elections aimed at replacing the late Eugene Fallah Kparkar in District #1 appears to have also been lost by the ruling party, dealing yet another blow to Boakai.

Francis Sakila Nyumahn Sr. of the Union of Liberia Democrats appears to be on his way to edging the nine candidates vying for the seat with William Saah Kettor, the ruling UP candidate set to lose. Even the opposition Liberty Party which held the seat via the late Fallah Kparkar is unlikely to maintain the vacancy.

More importantly, the response from the President’s office suggest Boakai’s concerns may be more than the political advantage the opposition Liberty Party may be garnering.

The President’s office, in a statement Wednesday hinted that Boakai’s aides may be worried that she is not providing financial support to his bid.

“President Sirleaf is clear that it is not only money but clear and well defined strategies that will lead to victory for the Vice President and the Unity Party.

Therefore, the focus of some partisans on money cannot be the magic wand for getting votes.

She urges all with interest in the party to remain focused on the political goals ahead of the party and the Vice President.”

Strains between Presidents and Vice Presidents are rare in Africa but seldom in Africa’s oldest republic.

In next door Sierra Leone, a political crisis in 2015 erupted when President Ernest Bai Koroma fired his Vice President Sam-Sumana without parliamentary approval.

Sumana was disbarred from the ruling All People’s Congress(APC) amid accusations that he was fomenting “chaos” and trying to form a new party.

President Koroma, citing a constitutional requirement that anyone running for Vice President be a member of a political party, expelled Sumana from the governing ALP.

The party statement made several accusations against Sumana including that he was instigating unrest.

In Liberia, the most notable involved President Tubman and the late Clarence Simpson Sr.

Simpson was a major political force in the mid-1900s. Prior to becoming Secretary of State, he had served as Post Master General and Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1931–1934.

His influence made him one of six candidates in line to replace President Edwin Barclay whose term ended in January 1944.

Although he eventually lost to William V.S. Tubman, Tubman selected him to serve as vice president from 1944–1952.

Tubman, a non-Monrovia or Rock boy as was called those days from Maryland County was seen as  humble and controllable.

Barclay would later become surprise that Tubman became a hard-headed man who used his influence to have the constitution changed from two terms to a non-term limit or as long as the Liberian people needed you to serve them as their President.

Barclay and other Monrovia boys including the late David Coleman formed what was known as the independent True Whig Party to oppose Tubman in 1955.

Tubman marginalized Barclay and his Monrovia boys including David Coleman who was killed along with his young son John Coleman who has just return from the United States as a young Engineer.

The strains between Tubman and Simpson heightened. 

Tubman fearing that Simpson was a bit ambitious reportedly orchestrated a high-profile political lynching of Simpson, linking the respected statesman to the killing of the famous Madame Korlu.

Although Simpson denied the charges, it ruined his political ambition. Some older Liberians believed that the Madame Korlu case was designed by Tubman and his security team. Simpson was also accused of being behind a solidarity youth movement holding Tubman’s feet to the fire.

Tubman’s biggest fear was that Simpson had his eyes on the presidency. Members of the True Whig Party met in caucus and supported by President Edwin Barclay selected William V. S. Tubman. As a compromised, Clarence Simpson became the Vice Standard Bearer to William V. S. Tubman.

W.V.S. Tubman knew that his first Vice President, Simpson was very ambitious, selected a new replacement, Ben Freeman from Careysburg, Montserrado County who died before he was inaugurated or took the oath of office.  

Tubman selected Tolbert, who many Liberian felt was not ambitious. Some Liberians believed at that time Tubman did not want Simpson around and sent him out of the country as Ambassador to the Court of St. James-London, England; Ambassador to the United States, Washington, D.C.

Throughout Liberia’s history, Presidents have been known to tip less-ambitious personalities as running mates or successors.

This was clearly evident in 1977 when late President William R. Tolbert who succeeded Tubman tipped the low-key Bennie Warner as his Vice President, shocking a nation that became puzzled by the choice of a bishop of the United Methodist Church who was politically unknown.

The choice also marked the first time that Liberia had two religious leaders as heads of the state.

The choice at the time was seen as a strong attempt by Tolbert to appease the indigenous community. Bishop Warner’s father was Charlie Zeonbartaye, a Bassa and his mother, Eli Nboramba, from Namibia.

The choice made Warner only the second indigenous Vice President following Henry Too Wesley (1924-28) who was born from Grebo parents in Maryland County.

Wesley was a lawyer who served as a member of the Senate prior to being elected to the office of vice-president and was second of three Vice Presidents of President Charles D.B. King. To this day, historians are perplexed as to Why President King drop Too Wesley for Allen N. Yancy in 1928.

Warner’s father was a seaman who went to Namibia on a vessel like most Liberians who worked on vessels that took them to some African countries, Europe and America. His father adopted the Warner name from the late Beck Warner, daughter of president Daniel B. Warner.

Boakai, who has been a trusted and loyal lieutenant to Sirleaf in the past eleven years finds himself in a rather complicated dilemma, forced to go public over what his supporters say are valid concerns that Sirleaf is not one hundred percent behind his candidacy.

In an earlier interview in 2015, Sirleaf envisioned both she and Boakai sailing into the sunset when her term expires in 2017.

“Joe Boakai and I have stuck together. We stuck together for the first term, we’re sticking together again for the second term.

“We hope that God will give us the second term and he and I will retire together.”

“We will both leave public office and turn it over to the young people and go and rest ourselves. He will be with me right to the end.”

It is clear now that Boakai who has already been ordained by the ruling party as its standard bearer has his own ambitions for the presidency but having stood on the sidelines over the past years with humility, he appears to have reached his breaking point; but at what cost?

Political observers say, despite her domestic woes, Sirleaf still commands a great of influence in the West African sub-region which could prove pivotal to whoever emerges in the driver’s seat of her succession line.

But most importantly, Boakai, like the nearly two dozen candidates eyeing the presidency, is struggling financially to jumpstart their campaigns into gear. Sirleaf’s perceived lukewarm approach is being viewed by the VP camp on financial terms.

Insiders from both camps acknowledge the strains which have been building up for quite some time now are becoming visible by the day.

Pres. Sirleaf aides have quietly confided to FrontPageAfrica that the VP may be misguided by some of his supporters into not taking suggestions from the presidency.

In contrast, VP aides are also quietly saying that presidential aides are trying to shove impossible propositions at Boakai’s doorsteps.

On the sidelines are political observers and pundits weighing the pros and cons of Sirleaf’s demand that Boakai fight for the presidency as she did.

Comparisons are also being tied to Zambia, where the late President Federick Chiluba anointed his former vice president, Levy Mwanawasa, as his successor. Chiluba was caught in his tracks when his anointed vice president’s administration prosecuted him.

Given the history of President Barclay and Tubman and President Chiluba of Zambia and his anointed vice president, UP insiders appear wary about a similar play in a post-Sirleaf presidency.

Some closed aides and friends of President Sirleaf are said to be concerned that this could happen to President Sirleaf because of some of the anti-Sirleaf groups or men that are supporting VP Boakai. They believe these men could influence VP Boakai to carry on which-hunt.

In an election year bordering the abnormalities of stratospheric proportions, concessions are in short supply as virtually all of the political parties appear to harbor the belief that they can win the presidency on their own.

But like 2005, the 2017 field is still a wide open one entrenched with a lot of intricacies and complications as strains previously shunned as rumors and hear-says have finally come to the public glare and on the verge of a breaking point, amid an emerging state of political uncertainty.

Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., Ed. D.

Monrovia – Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has taken a swipe back at her vice President Joseph Boakai’s recent assertions that she has been showing a lukewarm approach toward his candidacy for the Liberian presidency, expressing surprise at a FrontPageAfrica’s publication of a recent interview with Vice President Joseph Boakai.

lennart Dodoo, lennart.dodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

In a statement Wednesday, the President’s office explained that Sirleaf and Vice President Boakai on Friday, February 24, 2017 met for nearly two hours at the Executive Mansion prior to her departure for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Together they reviewed the status of the Unity Party (UP) and appropriate actions needed to be taken to bring back the unity of the party and the momentum required for political victory.

The statement noted: “President Sirleaf is clear that it is not only money but clear and well defined strategies that will lead to victory for the Vice President and the Unity Party. Therefore, the focus of some partisans on money cannot be the magic wand for getting votes. She urges all with interest in the party to remain focused on the political goals ahead of the party and the Vice President.President Sirleaf is clear that it is not only money but clear and well defined strategies that will lead to victory for the Vice President and the Unity Party.”

The President, in recent time, has come under several reproaches for not doing much to support and prepare the party ahead of the October presidential and legislative elections.

Many partisans of the Unity Party also accused her of pumping more money into opposition Liberty Party and its standard bearer, Cllr. Charles W. Brumskine.

This accusation stems from the unprecedented fleet of vehicles being acquired by the Liberty Party and the cross carpeting of staunch members and supporters of the Unity Party to the Liberty Party, including the high profile resignation of Harrison Karnwea.

President Sirleaf is yet to harken to calls from party members to dismiss him as Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority.

She was also accused by some members of the party in Nimba County of refusing to attend a meeting called by them and failing to state who she would be supporting during the elections.

Amidst the criticisms and accusation, the Press Secretary to the President, through a statement wrote: “The President is on record about her choice of candidate in the 2017 elections and that has not changed. When the time for politic comes, she will do what is required of a campaign and politics.”

But FrontPageAfrica observed during an exclusive interview with Vice President Boakai on Monday, February 27 that he is of the opinion that his boss, who he holds over three decades of relationship with and has served as her Vice President for the past 11 years, has not been able to build confidence in him as her successor.  

Writings on the Wall

Boakai is uncertain who President Sirleaf supports but said it could be that she is keeping her trump card of support to herself as she hasn’t rendered the party any support.

 “I know what she’s not doing for the Unity Party, but the people probably know what she’s doing for other parties. We’re asking her – the Unity Party is her party, it’s the party that would bear her legacy and she ought to be supporting it,” he said.

Beating around the bush in relation who the President might be supporting, Boakai told FrontPageAfrica to listen to what Liberians are saying.

 “I am not the one saying that President Sirleaf fully supports Brumskine. The people are reading the signs and they’re saying that.

We live in a society where everybody supposedly is informed about everything that is happening. So the way we go about things, the people are informed and they interpret your movement, your action, your body language and they say, ‘We see certain things happening.’”

“Whether she’s supporting Brumskine wholly and solely I don’t know. The people who are reading the signs are saying ‘This is what we see.’ They have spoken to it publicly, she has heard it.

Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Thursday held a closed door meeting with members of the legislature in the joint chambers of the Capitol Building.

Report by Henry Karmo – henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

The meeting, according to the President in her opening remarks, was to abreast lawmakers about the status of the country’s economy. 

“We are pleased with this opportunity to share with you where we stand as we strive to move ahead to achieve our agenda for transformation,” Sirlaf said.

 “Been here today we hope to give a little bit of more information as you proceed to your constituencies to be able to share with them what happening in the country as its regards the economy.”

She commended members of the legislature for what she called the continuous cooperation between the legislature and the executive, and thanked the lawmakers for accepting a request from the Executive to share with it the status of the Agenda for Transformation and government’s reminding development priorities.

For his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives committed the Legislature to working delicately in implementing its constitutional responsibilities of Lawmaking, oversight and representation.

Speaker Emmanuel Nuquay spoke briefly when he welcomed the Liberian President to a presidential Cabinet and legislature Retreat in the Joint Chamber of the Liberian legislature.

The Vice President, Speaker, President Pro-Tempore, Members of the Legislature and Cabinet Ministers attended the two hours long discussion.

Members of the Cabinet also gave updates on the national economy, security, Agriculture and Infra-structure.

Other areas were Education, Health, Gender and Labor .The Presentations were followed by general discussion amongst the participants.

The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Boimah Kamara made presentation during the meeting. He said there is a global slowdown in economic activities and warned that the country needs to add value to its products, “Because Ebola impact slowdown sale of rubbers and iron ore”.

Sources attending the meeting said the finance minister told the gathering: “All sectors in our country have declined; we need to shift to agriculture for more job creation. We need to shift to the private sector and protect infant industries. We need manufacturing industries.

“There is a declined in the number of vessels coming into Liberia.”

Continued Kamara: “The economy slowdown has caused declined in taxes collected on international trade for the first quarters; we could not generate like 20-25 million. So multiply it by 4 quarters is like 80 million lost Liberia Agriculture transformation agenda is the new plan of the executive. Roads and energies are necessary and need more legislative support.”                       

According to a FrontPage Africa source, another presentation by Central Bank Governor Milton Weeks stressed the need to focus on the monitoring policy to manage infliction rate and exchange rate.

According to Weeks, there is lower foreign exchange and he warned that by 2017 infliction rate could drop placing more pressure on the exchange rate.                       

Our source also confided in us that Justice Minister, Fredrick Cherue called for UNMIL withdrawal because according to him, the Government of Liberia is prepared to handle security but not 100%.

Cllr. Cherue named areas for protection as movement of cash, border security, prison security, security for election issues, and crisis management like in Mittal Steal infamous riot incident in Yekepa, Nimba County.                       

Though Cherue claimed Liberia is prepared to take on her own security, he said the number of security forces has a challenged of salaries, operational funds, while stating that GoL is focusing on quality not quantity.