Monrovia – Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, speaking at the 64th National Unification Day official program, stated that despite keeping Liberia alive for many years since its independence, past leaders failed to unite the people of Liberia.

The Vice President made this statement while delivering the Unification Day message on behalf of President Joseph Boakai at the Centennial Pavilion, where the official National Unification Day program was held.

“The generations before us did their utmost best to keep our country alive but certainly fell short of the responsibility to keep our people united,” Vice President Koung said.

According to him, the current government now bears the responsibility of uniting the people after facing numerous challenges, ranging from the struggle for national independence to the integration of indigenous Liberians into society, the establishment of multi-party democracy, and the civil war that tore the fabric of the nation.

“It is now our task to champion the cause for a united people and maintain our growing peaceful coexistence,” the Liberian Vice President added.

He continued, “Throughout these years, and despite the multitude of challenges, you, the Liberian people, have continued to demonstrate your resilience in the quest for National Unity. Today, we have come not only to celebrate the 64th Anniversary of National Unification and Integration but also to salute our people for keeping our Nation peaceful irrespective of our political, ethnic, and religious differences.”

VP Koung also emphasized that the bonds tying Liberians together as a people are much stronger than the elements seeking to divide them.

He noted that although Liberia’s history includes a long-standing divide between “Americo-Liberians” and “Indigenous Liberians,” which contributed to a fourteen-year civil war, the Unity Party government has a responsibility to change these negative narratives.

“Today, Liberia enjoys a representative democracy in which the voices of all Liberians are heard through the ballot process. It is with a sense of pride that I can report today that Liberians live in a society where exclusions and deprivation of basic individual rights based on ethnicity are a thing of the past. There are no ‘Americo-Liberians’ or ‘Indigenous Liberians’; we are one people with one common patrimony striving to achieve a shared destiny—a better Liberia for our children to inherit,” he said.

Vice President Koung also applauded all stakeholders who continue to make immense sacrifices to keep Liberia peaceful and stable, adding that Liberia is gradually emerging as a post-conflict success story.

“We continue to make significant progress in unifying our people at all levels of society. Yes, we have more work to do, but as we take stock of what we have achieved thus far, we must remain aware of the past mistakes which plunged us into our darkest times,” he said.

This year’s National Unification and Integration Day theme is “Healing the Past, Uniting the Present, and Embracing the Future through Arts and Culture.” According to VP Koung, the theme presents a clear pathway to enable Liberians to achieve National Unity.

He continued, “Across the 15 counties of Liberia, there are similarities in the culture and arts of our people which uphold a sense of a shared African identity and which could be employed to foster unity. The Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, along with our Cultural Ambassador, must be more intentional in designing and executing programs that promote our sense of shared Liberian cultural identity.”

VP Koung added, “Despite the challenges of the past, our shared Liberian cultural identity demands respect for our elders and traditions, compassion for the needy, especially strangers, and an endearing connection to Mama Liberia. We have a sacred duty to amplify these values to the next generation of Liberians to ensure that the mistakes of the past which divided our beloved Nation are never repeated.”

Nimba Co. –  The Vice Standard-bearer of the Unity Party Jeremiah Koung has frowned on the people from Liberia’s Southeastern region for overwhelmingly voting for President George Weah despite their ‘deplorable’ living conditions. 

By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

During the October 10, 2023 election, President Weah won over 75 percent of the entire vote from Maryland, River Gee, Grand Kru, Sineo, and Rivercess Counties, the region he (President Weah) hails from. 

Speaking to the press Senator Koung says the President does not deserve such huge support from his kinsmen because he (President Weah) has failed to improve the living conditions of the people of the Southeasterners. 

“If any group of people is suffering in this country it is the people in the Southeast. No road, health system is zero,” he said. 

Senator Koung added: “As struggling as Nimba is compared to them and so is the way they voted, if it is not because of tribalism then because many people there are benefiting from the government.”

In Liberia, Grand Kru County, the county President hails from has 32 cities. All of

the 32 cities have their cities Mayors. 

According to the Senator, It is not a good thing that a county like Grand Kru with the side of Saclepia, and less populated than Saclepia and has 32 city mayors.

“If there are 32 cities in Saclepia, it means there are 32 City Mayors in only Saclepia. Look, I saw somebody in Grand Kru County and the guy told me that he was the graveyard inspector,” Koung said. 

He added: “If 32 cities are in Saclepia and almost everybody there is on the government payroll then you don’t want to change your City Mayor because each of these persons working is connected to a family. So, that could be some of the reasons.” 

Koung furthers that the number of people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs is too much. He added that the UP technical team is looking into the matter and the Standard Joseph Boakai will speak to that at the appropriate time. 

“Besides Barclayville, I do not know any city in Grand Kru but there are 32 cities in Grand Kru County, 32 City Mayor are taking pay every month, and 32 graveyard inspectors are taking pay every month so you can see the numbers of people on Internal Affairs’ payroll is so huge and so that some of these could pay,” he said. 

Senator Koung added: “Our technical people are working, we are trying to lay our hands on some of them, we are trying to discover some of them and at the appropriate time His Excellency Boakai will speak to the country.”

MONROVIA – In the buildup to Liberia’s Presidential and Legislative elections, politicians and their supporters are employing different strategies to sway voters. One of such person is Martin K.N Kollie – a former student leader and now Chair on Research and Rapid Respond of the Unity Party campaign team.

Rita Jlogbe Doue, Contributor

Unity Party is the former ruling party that is seeking to unseat incumbent President George Weah in the poll scheduled for October 10, 2023.

On August 16, 2023, Martin made a Facebook post profiling Senator Jeremiah K. Koung. His post generated about 1,600 reactions, 760 comments and 128 shares.

Jeremiah Koung is one of two senators of Nimba County who is also the running mate to the presidential candidate of the Unity Party, Joseph Boakai.

Martin, while highlighting Koung’s “history” in Liberia’s health sector, claimed that the Unity Party vice standard bearer built a 116-bedroom hospital in 2012.

He wrote: “Ester and Jereline Medical Center was dedicated in 2012 and turned over to the Government of Liberia in 2012 after Jeremiah Koung successfully ran it for 2 years at his own expense”.

Martin did not reply to any of our inquiries to make clarification about the claims he made.

We also checked the website of the Ministry of Health but did not see any information on Ester and Jereline Medical Center or any other government hospital in Liberia under the service center on the ministry website.

Claim #1: Was the Hospital Built in 2012?

Verdict: Incorrect

He also claimed that the hospital was built in 2012. But Andrew Dolo the Administrator of the hospital also told our fact checker in a telephone interview that the hospital construction started in 2011 and was completed and dedicated in July 2016.

To further authenticate this, we conducted multiple Google search on the dedication of the Ester and Jereline Medical Center in Ganta Nimba County.

Our search shows that Hernia International, a UK based charity group which visited the hospital to conduct surgery, said in its mission report on its visit to the hospital Medical Center in 2017, that the facility opened in 2016.

New Dawn newspaper also published a news article on August 18, 2016 about the challenges at the facility. The article stated that the hospital, which was “constructed by Jeremaih Koung”, was dedicated by then “Vice President Joseph Boakai four days before the publication of the news article”.

We also found a January 31, 2017 news article from the Brush Chicken on services at the hospital. The article states in the ending paragraphs that construction works of the hospital ended in April 2016.

It also states that as of the time of publication of the news article the hospital has still been operated as private facility.

So, Martin’s claim that the hospital was built in 2012 is incorrect.

Claim #2: The hospital was turned over two years after construction inn 2012.

Verdict:

Martin claimed that the hospital was turnover to the Government 2012 after Jeremiah Koung ran it for two years.

But the Administrator of the hospital Mr. Andrew Dolo said the E&J Medical Center was turnover to the Government of Liberia in 2020 – four years after it was dedicated in 2016.

We also found a September 18, 2020 Sam TV news article and a video showing the turning over event of the hospital to the Government of Liberia.

In the live video recording, the then Administrator of the facility Mr. Victor W. Kpaiseh said the Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the hospital’s administration to run the facility as a government facility for the next 10 years.  The news article quoted the then Administrator as saying that the MOU is subject to renewal if the government deems it necessary.

Conclusion

Therefore, the claim by Martin KN Kollie that the E&J Medical Center was turned over to the Government in 2012 is incorrect. E&J Medical Center was turned over to the Government through an MOU in 2020 and not 2014 – two years after its dedication.

This report was written by Rita Jlogbe Doue, a Journalist from Liberia at FrontPageAfrica newspaper under the mentorship of Africa Facts network member Local Voices Liberia. Africa Facts is a network of fact-checkers across the continent supported by Africa Check, Africa’s first independent fact-checking organization.

MONROVIA – Joseph Boakai’s age as well as concerns about his health, are not only being wielded as a campaign weapon against him by the ruling party but are also being viewed as an advantage by supporters of his youthful running mate, Jeremiah Koung, who see it as a potential pathway for Koung to ascend to the Liberian presidency.

By Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Senator Jeremiah Koung, who is believed to be in his 50s, was surprisingly chosen by 78-year-old Boakai, following Boakai’s successful garnering of support from Senator Prince Johnson, an influential figure in vote-rich Nimba County.

Before Sen. Koung’s appointment as the Vice Standard Bearer of the Unity Party, Sen. Johnson voluntarily stepped down from his role as the political leader of the Movement for Democratic Reconstruction (MDR) in favor of Sen. Koung. While some political observers speculate that his decision might have been influenced by the U.S. sanctions imposed on him, others posit that it was a strategic move aimed at facilitating Sen. Koung’s candidacy as the running mate to the former Vice President.

Nimba is the second-largest vote-rich county in Liberia. The county has 307,254 registered voters. The county is known for voting on tribal lines.

Senator Prince Johnson, a staunch supporter of the CDC during the 2017 elections, played a pivotal role in securing an overwhelming majority of votes for the CDC in Nimba. He is now optimistic that with Senator Koung now being the Vice Standard Bearer of Boakai, Nimba County could be poised to make a significant stride toward obtaining the Liberian presidency.

In a recent recording of a telephone conversation obtained by FrontPageAfrica, Senator Koung is heard pleading with the Mayor of Karnplay in Gberlergeh District, Philip Flomo, to stop antagonizing the Unity Party’s ticket and rather join his team.

He says: “We’re fighting for Nimba County to take the lead and Nimba will win in the name of Jesus. Bassa is with us, Gbarpolu with us, Bomi with us, Lofa with us, Bong County with us; what is your problem and you’re on the radio on me? My brother, what have I done, you got to change.” Senator Johnson added, “We’re fighting for you. When y’all turn to this man [Weah] against our prayer for Nimba to produce Vice President – this old man is old, he took Koung to be his Vice President when he wins, isn’t it Koung that would be doing the job for him? Can he go everywhere? No!”

This is not the first time Sen. Johnson has referred to his political godson, Sen. Koung, as the potential de facto President should the Unity Party wins the October 10 elections.

During an elaborate political gathering in Nimba in July where Koung was officially unveiled to the people of Nimba as the running mate to Boakai, Sen. Johnson pronounced the Nimba County would produce the next President of Liberia through Jeremiah Koung.

“This is the pathway to the presidency,” the former war-lord-turned-politician, said, alluding to Koung’s selection as Boakai’s running mate.

During an OK FM interview in 2021, Sen. Koung asserted that he supported Joseph Boakai in the 2017 elections with the backdrop that he, Boakai, would be tired by 2023 and his brain may not function well.

Koung’s Selection Came with A Cost

Prior to Sen. Koung’s selection as running mate, there was a widely held expectation among members of the Unity Party that Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence would have been selected. Some also thought that Henry Costa was a fine option.

Boakai’s choice for running mate did not go down well with some of his long-standing political allies, such as Benoni Urey of the All Liberian Party, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, and Henry Costa, who was recently positioning himself as a potential running mate to the 78-year-old standard bearer.

Sen. Karnga-Lawrence has, however, decided to work with the Boakai’s campaign team, while the furry between Boakai, Costa, and Urey continues to widen.

After revealing his decision to the rest of his supporters in April this year, Boakai received an invitation to Urey’s residence. There, he gathered with Costa and other members from both the UP and ALP teams to revisit the announcement of Sen. Koung as the vice standard bearer. Despite the discussions and Urey’s evident disappointment, Boakai remained resolute in his choice, viewing it as his best path to victory in the election.

Sources familiar with the conversation shared with FrontPageAfrica that Urey, expressing his disappointment, posed a question to Boakai. He inquired whether Boakai was willing to engage with Senators Prince Johnson and Edwin Snowe, even if it meant “dancing with the devil.” It was suggested by some that these two senators would come as an additional burden with the selection of Koung, as they could exert their influence on him.

Much to their surprise, according to the insider, Boakai responded by saying, “If dancing with the devil is what it takes to win the elections, I am ready to do so.” Mr. Boakai was quoted as acknowledging, “Even the devil has a role to play. I may not favor Prince Johnson, but I must collaborate with him to secure victory.”

MONROVIA — Liberia’s quest to conduct credible and peaceful elections in October this year is being overshadowed by early violence and threats of insecurity partly being caused by supporters of politicians in most parts of the country.

By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com & Franklin Doloquee 

Attacks during recent political rallies in Monsterado and Nimba Counties have increased in recent times. Just last month, the ear of a partisan of the Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC) was cut- off by those suspected to be partisans of the former ruling Unity Party over charges of intruding into a crowd of partisans of the ruling party during a campaign rally in Monsterado County.

On Monday, August 21, 2023, Mr. Aloysius G. Bahn, believed to be a member of the Coalition of Democratic Change, was reportedly stabbed by two Mr. Baccus Sayeh, cousin of Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice Standard Bearer of the Unity Party in Vayenglay Town, Soe Chiefdom, Twah River Administrative District, Nimba County, over “simple political argument” and was later pronounced dead after two days spent at the G. W. Harley Hospital. 

Both rival groups linked to the ruling CDC and the opposition Unity Party have, however, rebuffed claims of instigating violence that led to the death of Bahn. 

Nimba County’s Senator, Prince Johnson, also a supporter of Unity Party, posted to Facebook page to register his outrage at Monday’s incidence when he wrote to his Facebook page, saying:  “In the town of Gbor-Wheiplay, situated in District 4, Nimba County, I experienced an attack orchestrated by the  representative of that district,  Hon Gunpue L Kargon  He is no longer the choice of the people due to his selfish representation, disobedient and disrespectful behavior towards the the people he represents.”

“I’m the one who helped him achieve his current position. Hon. Gunpue has received over 2 million dollars from the CDC government, which has failed to fulfill its promises to the Liberian people, including the payment of Nimba County’s land rental fees amounting to 9 million United States Dollars,” he added.

“This incident occurred during my campaign activities in that Nimba County region, a place I hold dear in my heart. The attacks transpired when our campaign team visited a town named Sole Vayanglay. Here, CDC supporters, led by the head of the Good Governance Commission and former representative of District #4, Hon. Garrason D. Yealu (my own son, whom I propelled into Liberian politics), engaged in a clash with supporters of Rescue 2 and Unity Party Vice Standard Bearer, Hon. Jeremiah Kpan Koung  Unfortunately, this clash resulted in the tragic death of a young man aged between 22 and 25 years upon his arrival at the hospital.”

Sen. Johnson said the situation escalated to such an extent that they were unable to find rest in Vayanglay Town that night. “This was primarily due to the aggressive behavior exhibited by the CDC supporters, who fatally injured the young man by pelting him with rocks aimed at his abdomen,” he said.

“As a devoted man of God and a senior senator representing the cherished people of Nimba County, my utmost priority is to maintain peace. My deep affection for my constituents compels me to avoid any form of conflict or violence.”

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Doldeh Movement in Nimba County and sympathizers across Liberia has strongly described the brutal stabbing Bahn as a callous act of insanity calculated and perpetrated by monstrous elements of nature who have no heart, conscience and sense of reasoning. 

In a statement issued in Monrovia and Nimba County simultaneously on August 23, 2023, the Chairperson of the Movement expressed absolute dismay and frustration at the inhumane monstrosity with which the killers of Bahn viciously ended his life. 

The statement is quoted as saying that Atty. Garrison D. Yealue and his family are terribly troubled by this unfortunate situation and have thus instructed the entire membership of the Doldeh Movement to stand in solidarity with the bereaved family, whilst the killers are being frantically pursued to answer for their crime.  

The Movement added that Atty. Yealue has promised to do all within his means and power to ensure that all those responsible for the perpetration of this gruesome act of barbarity meted out against a peaceful member of his Movement are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law. 

The Doldeh Movement has also called on the family of Mr. Bahn to remain calm and peaceful, while the issue is being looked into. The Movement notes that the exercise of calmness in a matter like this where a loving member of a family is killed out of stupidity can be a grievous situation to handle, but called on the family to remain put and stable, as the matter is being drastically pursued. 

Meanwhile, the Movement is calling on the Liberia National Police to vigorously launch a manhunt for the killers of Mr. Bahn, so that they are made to answer for their crime. “We also call on all well-meaning Nimbians to rally forces, join efforts and build grassroots surveillance, especially along the border lines between Liberia and Cote dIvoire, with the purpose of instituting citizens arrest for the suspects who are cowardly running into hiding.”

The Doldeh Movement is made to believe that the recent inciting statement made by leaders of the Unity Party, especially former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, may have prompted the actions of their followers. It is quite unfortunate that the former ruling Unity Party and its Standard Bearer who claim to be peaceful and law abiding, would now provoke their followers into stabbing peaceful citizens on accounts of mere political disagreements. 

The Movement ended that whilst the quest for political power is ongoing, the Unity Party and their followers must note that no amount of blood sharing can compensate for their election to political offices in Liberia. We therefore call on former Vice President Boakai and his followers to campaign on the merits of the issues and stop inflicting harm and destruction on the very people they claim their quest is intended to rescue. 

Liberians are worried about the current political insecurity in the country. “My family members and I will stay off from these elections if this violence persists. It is frightening now,” says Fred Reeves, a resident of Gbarnga. 

The Political Leader of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) Senator Jeremiah Koung has expressed regret over the lack of a proper documentation which sealed the political marriage between his predecessor and kinsman Senator Prince Y. Johnson and President George Manneh Weah during the run-off of the 2017 general and presidential elections.

By Obediah Johnson, obediah.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

Senator Koung was elected as the party’s Standard Bearer in December 2022 at the party second National Convention.

His kinsman Senator Johnson is the Founder and political godfather of the MDR, a party he established barely few months to the conduct of the 2017 general and presidential elections.

It can be recalled that Senator Johnson endorsed President Weah for for the Nov. 7 run-off vote between the former soccer star and ex-Vice President Joseph Boakai.

He was the former rebel leader of the notorious rebel group- Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) which captured, humiliated, tortured and killed ex-Liberian President Samuel Kanyon Doe on September 9, 1990.

Senator Johnson accumulated 8% of the votes in the first round.

But speaking when he appeared as guest on Spoon Talk on Spoon FM 107.5 over the week end, Senator Koung disclosed that following his ascendancy, he was concerned about a proper documentation which prompted the support of the MDR to President Weah by Senator Johnson during the previous general elections.

However, he noted that, Senator Johnson did not provide any documentation.

Senator Koung maintained that the MDR is no longer one of the political parties that is still supporting or aligning with the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) as a result of a pronouncement made by Senator Johnson withdrawing his support from the ruling party.

“Prior to my taking over (as political Leader of the MDR), Senator Prince Johnson, then Political Leader pulled out of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). I was interested in seeing whether there were documents signed that we joined the Coalition, but there was nothing of such.”

“What I was told by the former Political Leader is that, during the second round of the 2017 elections, I remembered that time that there was negotiation to support JNB (Joseph Nyuma Boakai) and to support President Weah. And finally, the Senator took President Weah and I took JNB.”

He disclosed that as a result of his decision taken to support Ambassador Boakai during the run-off, he was not abreast with any details of the agreement Senator Johnson reached with President Weah.

The promises

Quoting Senator Johnson, the MDR Political Leader disclosed that it was agreed between the President and his kinsmen that five Deputy, Assistant ministerial and ambassadorial positions, public corporations, and other positions would be provided the MDR following the election of President Weah.

He said the agreement was reportedly signed by Counselor Charles Gibson (current Minister of Labour) and one Cllr. Zeon Mensah.

“The details of some of the papers they put together, I was not involved because, I was on the other side.”

He maintained that though Senator Johnson claimed that he and President Weah also affixed their signatures to the agreement, he (Koung) is yet to set his eyes on the document.

‘Before I took over, Senator Johnson withdrawn from the CDC already. His support was verbal and his withdrawal was verbal.”

His assertions run contrary to claims made by the party’s embattled Vice Chair for Political and Governmental Affairs Wilfred Bangura that the MDR remains one of the constituent parties that is supporting the re-election of President Weah.

Bangura is currently serving as a Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

He told a news conference last week that the MDR remains deeply rooted within the CDC, adding that, “we are allies and my party worked very hard in 2017 to bring this government to power.”

Contrary to claims made by Senator Johnson that the MDR will not support the CDC and will field a candidate to contest the presidency, Minister Bangura disclosed that the MDR will not field a candidate in the October 2023 elections or subject itself to a Vice Presidential  ticket to any political party in the country.

A mandate to contest presidency

But Senator Koung pointed out that he was elected at the party’s last convention to run for the presidency.

He said despite the mandate from the party, the MDR is holding consultations with other political parties because, the party has established that no one person or political party can win election in Liberia presently without forming a merger or alliance with other politicians or political parties.

“We went to our convention and I was elected as the Political Leader. My party has asked me to contest. Discussions are going on and you can be assured that once those discussions are concluded, I will speak to you in affirmative.”

Senator Koung disclosed that these discussions are centered on ensuring a winnable ticket for the Liberian people in October 2023.

He denied reports that the MDR is holding discussions with the ruling party to return to the Coalition in exchange for financial reward.

He recounted the United States sanctions imposed on his kinsman Senator Johnson for being paid to play during the 2017 elections.

Senator Koung vowed not to follow similar path to avoid being sanctioned by the US government.

He, however, failed to clearly disclose whether or not he has been approached by the opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) and the Unity Party (UP) of Mr. Alexander Cummings and Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai to run as running mate to any of them.

“Nobody runs to someone and say ‘please make me your Vice President.’ If you do that to me, I will not even take you. Like I said, discussions are going on and everything is possible. What matters is Liberia and anything that we can do to get this country ok, I will be involved in it.”

Senator Koung disclosed that he has never been approached by the CDC to hold discussion or relinquish his quest or the mandate from his party to contest the presidency.

He said the MDR remains open to hold discussions with all sides, adding that, “we are not enemies and we are not fighting war here.”

Senator Koung, however, appears to be skeptical on whether or not he will contest the presidency on the ticket of the MDR.

His comments do not favor a call from his Political Leader emeritus Senator Prince Y. Johnson that the MDR will contest the presidency and form a merger with opposition political parties to unseat President Weah

Last week, he told the Voice of America last week that he has terminated an agreement he signed to support President Weah. He attributed his decision to the failure of President Weah and his government to benefit citizens of Nimba County since he ascended to the Liberian presidency.

Senator Johnson further disclosed that he is holding talks with other opposition political parties for collaboration.

 “What we expected in the past is not what we see on the ground, we had believed that being the World Best, European Best, African Best, all the best, with his election, he would have attracted investors to Liberia to create jobs and alleviate the suffering on our people through their investments, but since his election, the world has abandoned us in the sense that no investors are coming. And what we are doing in the country is just ratifying loan agreements and you cannot build the country based on loans,” Sen. Johnson said.

Sen. Johnson claimed that a delegation from the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) comprising the former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Nathaniel McGill, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dee-Maxwell Kemayah, Maritime Commissioner, Lenn Eugene Nagbe and the Minister of Finance, Samuel Tweah, paid him a visit to request him to reconsider his decision but, according to him, he turned them down.

The Nimba County Senator, however, said while his party, the Movement for Democratic Reconstruction (MDR) has opted to put a candidate in the presidential race, he also acknowledges that one political party cannot win election in Liberia.

“We are open to all parties, we’re working with the Unity Party, we’re working with ANC, we’re working with the newly certificated party, EFCC, all the parties on the ground, we’re working with them. One party cannot win elections without the other,” he said.

As for Senator Koung, he has been consistently calling for a merger or collaboration of opposition political parties to unseat President Weah.

MDR not divided

Speaking further, Senator Koung stated that despite the latest outburst from the party’s Vice Chair for Political and Governmental Affairs Wilfred Bangura, the MDR is not divided as being speculated in the public.

He observed that “when things get tough and because of jobs and other things, people will say what they can say, but the party is together and we are strong.”

He maintained that as the elections draw nearer, the party is not perturbed by defections.

“Since my election, there are lots of people that have joined the people and a lot of others are expressing interest. Some people will leave and it is normal in politics. To be a leader of a political party in Liberia is a challenging one; too many thoughts-some people coming to lie to bring different story about somebody.”

Senator Koung emphasized that he remains fully prepared to face challenges and others within the MDR ahead of the elections.

Senator Johnson and his political leader Senator Koung’s decision for the MDR to contest the presidency or support a particular political party would gamble the votes of citizens of Nimba if steps are not taken to avoid the reoccurrence of the 2017 “fiasco’ agreement.

Already, executives of the party are complaining that President Weah did not live up to his commitments which compelled Senator Johnson to support him during the run-off.

MONROVIA – Nimba County Senator Jeremiah Kpan-Koung says he and his political leader, Senator Prince Y. Johnson, are unsure about their support for President George Weah’s second term bid in the 2023 presidential and general elections.

Senator Johnson’s Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) was pivotal in securing Pres. Weah’s victory in the 2017 runoff election.

Speaking on Voice of Gompa over the weekend, Senator Koung said he and Sen. Johnson are not happy about the treatment Nimbaians are getting from the CDC-led government.

Sen. Koung: “I am not happy with the CDC Government.

 “Up to now, I am supporting President Weah but, this could change depending on the result of the negotiation on behalf of our people. Sen. Prince Y. Johnson, my political leader, is not also happy with the government, we are reviewing the MDR marriage with the Coalition, in terms of what have we benefited as a party.”

According to the Nimba Senator, he spoke the minds of most Nimbaians who feel betrayed by the CDC government, especially in the allotment of positions in the government.  He said Nimbaians are disappointed that most of the appointments in government have gone to the South easterners where the President hails from.

The Nimba County Senators believe that over the five years of Weah’s administration, his Nimbaians have been denied opportunities including appointed positions in the CDC-led Government.

Koung’s statement comes in the wake of rumors that Mr. Alexander Cummings of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) was considering picking Koung as a running mate in the pending 2023 presidential and general elections.

Senator Johnson, sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department, is known for his influence as the ‘godfather’ of the vote-rich Nimba county as leverage to impose on President George Weah appointments into government as he desires.

The Nimba County Senator has been behind a number of bad appointments and recommendations for key jobs in the Weah-led government.

This is reportedly raising concerns within leadership’s inner circle as the former warlord-turned Senator is said to be using vote-rich Nimba’s influence on 2023 elections in a bid to force allies into government despite being nailed on US Treasury Department’s Sanctions List.

It is also believed that Sen. Johnson is one of the key obstructions to the establishment of war crimes court in Liberia. He is known to be the killer of former President Samuel Doe. General Johnson at the time is seen in a video sipping on a jar of beer while the former President was being stripped naked by his men and his ears chopped of.

Feeling Entitled

Nimba County, according to the 2008 National Housing and Population Census, had a population of about 462,026. From the National Elections Commission (NEC) 2017 statistics, Nimba had a voting population of 279,601, of this number, 200,791 votes were cast in the county. 

Despite the presence of 20 Presidential candidates in that 2017 presidential race, the Unity Party was led by Vice President Joseph Boakai and Senator Weah, who headed the CDC, were inarguably the heavyweights in that election, but still Senator Johnson was overwhelmingly voted for by kinsmen and women in Nimba. 

He attained 107,430 votes of the 200,791 votes that were cast. That constituted 53.5% of the overall votes in the county. The margin between Senator Johnson and Vice President Boakai, who came out second in Nimba was a 67,466 difference. VP Boakai obtained 39,964 votes. 

Senator Johnson’s support to Pres. Weah in the second round of the election saw Pres. Weah attain an overwhelming victory in the election.

Senator Johnson is on record for expressing his regrets for rallying the vote-rich Nimba in support of President Weah. However, pundits say this has been his strategy to get the President in line with his demands.

It can be recalled that in August 2020, while expressing his regrets, Sen. Johnson walked out of the Senate’s confirmation proceedings for a new Superintendent of Nimba County. President George Weah had appointed Mr. Nelson N. Korquoi to replace outgoing Dorr Cooper. Cooper is said to be a supporter of Sen. Johnson.  

“I don’t want confusion; you all know the level of work I did in Nimba to get President Weah elected. In 2005 and 2011, the people of Nimba didn’t vote for CDC. In 2017, everything almost went to the other candidate; my support for the CDC brought the victory,” Sen. Johnson said.

Sanctioned for Corruption

In December 2021, Sen. Johnson was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for corruption under the Global Magnitsky Act, which authorizes the U.S. government to sanction those it sees as human rights offenders, freeze their assets, and ban them from entering the U.S.

Johnson was responsible for the slaying in 1990 of President Samuel Doe, who had been captured by his forces at the Freeport of Monrovia in 1990. Johnson sipped beer as he watched his men torture and mutilate Doe who begged in vain for mercy in a widely circulated video.

Now a trusted political ally of President George Weah, Johnson is accused in a U.S. embassy statement of large-scale corruption.

“As a senator, Johnson has been involved in pay-for-play funding with government ministries and organizations for personal enrichment,” a statement issued by the U.S. embassy said. “As part of the scheme, upon receiving funding from the government of Liberia, the involved government ministries and organizations launder a portion of the funding for return to the involved participants.”

The scheme involves millions of dollars, according to the embassy statement.

Johnson also receives an undeserved salary from the Liberian government as a salaried intelligence source yet he does not provide any form of intelligence reporting, alleged the U.S. statement. He is being paid in order to maintain domestic stability, according to the statement.

“Johnson has also offered the sale of votes in multiple Liberian elections in exchange for money,” it said.

Monrovia – Love him or hate him, Senator Prince Y. Johnson has a firm grip on Nimba County. Despite his horrific human rights record from the brutal civil war; and  his unconventional politics, the former warlord enjoys massive support in the vote-rich county which is why whenever he decides to weigh in on the happenings in the county’s politics, keen followers of the political sphere have no choice but to take him seriously.

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

Johnson hails from Nimba County in northern Liberia and led one of the country’s rebel groups, the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia(INPFL), after breaking away from former President Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) during the country’s first civil war between 1989 and 1997.

Numerous photographs and videos are still around depicting Johnson’s war-time atrocities. From his 1990 video showing the mutilation of the country’s former President Samuel K. Doe who bled to death to his slapping of the wife of former Defense Minister Gray D. Allison, who was later killed by Johnson’s men, Johnson remains as powerful as ever and beloved by his kinsmen and women.

It is the very reason, many presidential candidates often ignore the many atrocities committed during the civil war in courting his support for the Liberian presidency.

It is simply a no brainer.

By the numbers, Nimba is the second largest county in Liberia in terms of population. Before the civil war in 1989, there were over 313,050 people in the county according to the 1984 census. The most recent census increased to 462,026. 

In 2005, Johnson secured 81,820 votes for 33 percent of the votes en route to clinching his seat in the Senate.

Six years later, Johnson put his name on the presidential ballot and came in an impressive third, securing 139,786 votes for 11.6 percent, most of those votes coming from the vote-rich  county.

Johnson’s numbers were equally impressive in the 2017 presidential elections as he secured 127,666 votes and garnering 8.2 percent of the votes, enough for a fourth place finish.

The stats that never seem to go unnoticed is the fact that in each of the last three elections, except for 2005, whoever Johnson endorses in the second round, has gone on to win the presidency.

“When this boy [Rep. Koung] is voted as Senator, the county will benefit a lot in terms of development, see what he is doing in the district, his hand marks are everywhere”

– Senator Prince Y. Johnson

In 2005, Johnson stood behind George Weah, who lost his second-round duel to Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. But in 2011, the Senator’s support was pivotal to Sirleaf’s second round victory.

Similarly, his support of Weah in the 2017 took Weah over the top on his way to the presidency. “Judging from the result of the just ended first round or our presidential elections and analyzing the results further, the majority of the Liberian people voted for change; the message therefore was loud, clear and unavoidable,” Johnson said after throwing his weight behind the football icon.

The Senator went on to explain that his support of Weah was in keeping with the Ganta Declaration signed in September 2016, in which opposition leaders committed to ensuring an opposition victory for change in the 2017 election to unseat the ruling party.

As drumbeats begin to be heard ahead of Mid-Term Senatorial elections later this year, murmurs of multiple candidates have been in the air for weeks.

Among them is former Senator Adolphus Dolo. Dolo, like Johnson, won his seat in lopsided fashion in 2005 but lost in 2011.

He is hoping to make a comeback in the Senate later this year.

Despite being away for so long, Dolo still enjoys some support. Backed by Rep. Prince Tokpah(District No. 2). In terms of resources, Dolo, a businessman could prove a handful for his opponents.

Dolo came under fire from Senator Johnson last week. Appearing on OK FM in Monrovia via mobile phone, the senator who claimed he was placing every aspirant of the county on his political screen also referred to former senator Adolphus Saye -Tayor Dolo as failure who is ” not going anywhere”. 

Senator Johnson also suggested that Dolo did not achieve anything meaningful during his first stint as Senator to warrant a second chance.

The incumbent-Senator, Thomas Grupee, has lost some team since he won the seat in 2011 but remains a force in the county, thanks to his strong support in his main base of Boe, Quella, Buuyao and Zoe Geh.

Illness in recent months has led many to believe that Grupee may not be a strong factor in the race. Some residents of the county have been unhappy with Grupees’ representation of the county. Grupee could suffer from split votes with another likely contender, Garrison Yealue.

Doldeh Yealue from the Gbehlay Geh, Tweah River, and Zoe Geh districts is slowly amassing support and could be a spoiler for many eyeing the coveted seat.

The lack of financial support  could be a setback for Yealue despite his rising popularity in the county.

D. Dorr Cooper is another possible contender drawing attention although his support base has been dwindling of late with a number of defections from his team. Cooper also lacks a clear constituency in the county leading many to wonder whether he is in the race for the long haul or simply buying time.

Former Superintendent, Edith Gongloe Weh, is the only woman in the race for the county’s representation in the Senate. She has a strong support base among women and is a familiar face to voters having led the county has superintendent before.

Gongloe may likely run as an independent due to the uncertainty within the Coalition of Political Parties(CPP).

The four parties that make up the CPP – the All Liberia Party, Alternative National  Congress, Liberty Party and Unity Party have split up the  counties into various groups and assigned to specific  parties. The breakdown was as follows: Benoni Urey’s All Liberia Party(ALP) was given Gbarpolu County, Margibi, Grand Gedeh; Alternative National Congress(ANC) was given Nimba County, Maryland County, Cape Mount, River Gee; Liberty Party(LP) was given Montserrado County, Grand Bassa County, Rivercess County while the former ruling Unity Party was given Bong, Lofa, Sinoe, Bomi. No space was allotted from Grand Kru where Senator Peter Coleman, formerly of the ruling CDC is the incumbent. 

The ANC appears to be set on fielding Alexander  Cummings’ favorite Taa Wongbe in Nimba, which could leave Gongloe in the cold and push her into an independent run.

Gongloe’s strong showing in the 2014 Senatorial race against Prince Johnson has led many to make a strong case for her candidacy.

Rep. Jeremiah Koung (District No.1) appears to be the favorite for now, owing to the backing of Senator Johnson.

Speaking last week at the dedicatory ceremony of J. W. Pearson High School Annex Two and other development initiatives undertaken by Koung, Senator Johnson said a lawmaker is a man who places the development of Nimba at the top of his heart and would make a valuable addition to the Senate. “When this boy is voted as Senator, the county will benefit a lot in terms of development, see what he is doing in the district, his hand marks are everywhere”, Johnson declared.

Johnson went on to throw jabs at the other contenders in the race, he says have done nothing tangible for Nimbaians.

Taa Wongbe, the projected candidate likely to head the CPP ticket due to the ANC lacks the constituency base needed to put him in strong contention against a solid field of more experience and familiar foes.

Wongbe’s biggest lapse is his inability to speak the mother tongue of the county and speaks none of the county’s six dialects, including the dominant Mano and Gio.

Wongbe was dealt a major blow last week when Senator Johnson dismissed him as a serious contender and described him as an “alien” who is very strange to the county’s political environment.

Political watchers say unless political parties rally forces around one or two alternatives, a lot of votes will be split along the way and Senator Johnson’s influence could prove to be decisive in the end.