As Gov't Declares Journalist Wanted for Pornographic Photos, His Lawyer Takes Exception, Says His Client is Right

A scene of people reading yesterday's photocopied of the paper

Credit from NDN
Pronouncement by the Liberian National Police Force declaring journalist Sam Deam, Publisher of the Independent Newspaper wanted for publishing pornographic photos of Minister Willis Knuckles as created serious concern among practicing and non practicing journalists, describing his action as 'unprofessional' and endangering the journalism profession. A cross of section of journalists who spoke to the GNN today expressed total disappointment on the part of the Independent newspaper Publisher.
"Sam Deam has violated the code of ethics of this noble profession, the Liberian Government should have allow the press Union of Liberia (PUL) to handle its member instead of being declared wanted by the State," Paul Noring for Editor of the Liberian News Agency (LINA) speaking to the GNN said.
Several callers on a local radio Talk Show said they were also disappointed and worried about the future of their children who said they said saw this orgy photograph of Minister Knuckles in public.
The callers called on the Press Union of Liberia to handle the issue, "these guys need to be monitored, look what this paper has done to our children with this kind of pictures been showing to them", another caller in a disappointing mood said.
Following the publication of Minister Knuckles' orgy photos, several persons including young people were seen with photocopied of the scene. Due to the demand of this by the public, the paper was sold as high as $LD135-150.00 per copy, while a photocopy of the scene was also sold at $LD50.00.
Meanwhile, the legal representative of journalist Deam, Cllr. Serenus Cepheus told a local radio station that sees nothing wrong for his client (Deam) to be wanted by the State, "My client has done nothing wrong to be wanted by the Government," Cllr. Cepheus told the public on the radio.

For Publishing Pornographic Photos Gov't Orders Publisher Arrested

The Liberian Government has ordered the arrest of the Publisher of the Independent Newspaper, Mr. Sam O. Deam for publishing in his newspaper pornographic photos of Mr. Willis Knuckles, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs yesterday.

The government at the same time has ordered the Liberian National Police to arrest anyone in the city and its environ caught in possession of these photos.

The Commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Liberian National Police, Steven Zargo yesterday told a local radio that the paper's Publisher was wanted for violating Section 18.1 of the Penal Code of Liberia.

The code prohibits the dissemination of obscene materials without minimizing the risk of exposure to children under sixteen.

Commissioner Zargo also said the Police would meet the leadership of the Press Union of Liberia on the matter.

Following this pronouncement by the police yesterday evening, plain clothes security officers picked up Mr. Dean while on his way home last evening, and taken to an unknown location.

Speaking on the issue the President of the Press union of Liberia, Mr. George Barpen confirmed that the management of the paper has committed some ethical transgression in its journalistic performance, but said the government was too fast have ordered the arrest Mr. Dean instead of the union taken its stance to deal with the issue of ethical transgression on the part of the paper's Publisher.

Details will follow in our subsequent publication

Newspaper Faces Six Months Suspension for Publishing Pornographic Photos of Knuckles

The publication of pornographic photos in a local weekly regarding Liberia's Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Willis Knuckles' sex scandal, has created concerns among both the public and the Liberian parliament, describing the publication as a complete "trash" urging the Ministry of Information to deal with such issue.
The issue of pornographic photos came on the floor yesterday when members of the Senate Standing Committee on Information quizzed Minister of Information, Culture Affairs & Tourism designate, Dr. Lawrence Bropleh for his confirmation.
For his part, the Information Minister designate in response to the lawmaker question vowed to deal with the media institution that published these pornographic photos, adding, " we are working with the Press Union of Liberia to have The Independent Newspaper (the paper that published these photos) suspended for six months," Dr. Bropleh told the lawmakers.
Dr. Bropleh speaking in an affirmative tone, said following his confirmation by the Liberian Senate, he will do everything possible alone with the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to have the paper suspended for six month, adding, “this will serve as deterrent for others,” the learned Minister of Information designate told the Liberian lawmakers in Virginia, outside the capital during the hearing.
He said since the publication of these pornographic photos by the Independent Newspaper was made yesterday, he has received several calls from the public on the issue, “adding, “we will not allow this to happen if confirmed as Minister of Information, Culture Affairs & Tourism of this Country,” Minister Bropleh stressed.

As Guinea Crisis Intensify Liberia, Sierra Leone Plans Proactive Mediation Role to End Crisis

3 Regional Leaders(Kabbah, Conte and Sirleaf)

Confirmed sources from both the Executive Mansion in Liberia and State House in Freetown, indicate that Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Sierra Leone’s President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah both are planning a very proactive mediation role in the ongoing crisis in Guinea.

According to the GNN Freetown Correspondent, already, a Special Envoy sent by President Conte met with President Kabbah yesterday for over three hours following which the Envoy went back to Guinea with a Special Message for President Conte.
It can be recalled that there have been clarion calls for the Mano River Union Leaders to get more involved in resolving the civil crisis in Guinea. The Mano River Union is a grouping of the Three countries through which the Mano River runs, namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
The Mano River Women’s Peace Network (MARWOPNET) on January 24th this year expressed deep concern over what they considered as "the deteriorating situation in the Republic of Guinea" and which they noted has resulted in a, "reported loss of civilian lives and increasing hardship among the general populace" and which are causes of "grave anxiety across the Mano River Union and the world over" MARWOPNET has expressed fears that "the continuing explosive situation in Guinea", if not immediately addressed could spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone" thereby, "destabilizing the fragile peace and recovery processes". MARWOPNET had therefore called on Presidents Tejan Kabbah and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to intervene directly in the impasse between the antagonizing parties so as to facilitate a start of negotiations.
The Sierra Leone Labour Congress in a Release issued last week also called on the governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia to, "quickly intervene in order to stabilise the situation" whilst expressing concern that a spill over effect of the situation in Guinea would affect the Mano River countries and the West Africa sub region in general.
In an editorial published last Friday, one of Liberia's leading newspaper's the Daily Observer stated, "Currently the country of Guinea is under strict curfew and the military has powers to take any measures deemed necessary to maintain law and order. So fine, so good. But what happens when martial law is lifted and the people discover that nothing else has changed? We strongly suggest that beneath this canopy of uneasy calm, the President together with all the stakeholders- the Political parties, the Trade Unions, the youth groups, the market women should meet and begin to talk and work out a future for their country. Perhaps, it is important and opportune for the MANO River Union to come forward with such a suggestion; for while we welcome the condemnation made by the AU, what would be more helpful and welcome now is offering a solution for a way forward."
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf returned from the United States of America yesterday Sunday February 18th after a successful trip to attend a Donor Conference which saw the United States Government and the federal Republic of Germany wiping out Liberia’s $391 Million and $235 million respectively owed them. Additionally, the American Government pledged another 500 million dollars towards the development of Liberia whilst black Americans led by the first African American billionaire, Robert L. Johnson, pledged to create an advocacy group to help restore and reconstruct Liberia in the same way American Jews have always lobbied to come to the aid of Israel whenever that country is in trouble.
Johnson Sirleaf therefore returned late last evening to Liberia in triumph to a country where the streets were lined with women, students, the young and the aged who loudly cheered as the popular leader drove by along the route from the airport to her offices in the center of Monrovia.
Our sources however inform us that President Johnson Sirleaf is so concerned about the deterioration of the crisis in Guinea that occurred during her absence in the United States, that she does not intend to bask in the love and applause she is currently enjoying as the popular leader of Liberia but she instead plans to immediately fly over to Sierra Leone this week to hold talks with President Kabbah following which the two leaders will start a mutually agreed upon plan to intervene in the crisis in Guinea.
Guinea's ailing head of state, Lansana Conte, is under pressure as never before as demonstrators paralyse the country with a general strike, demanding he resign. Since its formation, Conte’s Party for Unity and Progress (PUP) has won all elections in Guinea to date including legislative and communal elections.
Political opposition to President Conte is almost non-existent due to a combination of the repressive-style of rule from this soldier-turned-democrat on the one hand, and disunity among opposition political parties on the other. A constitutional change he made through a controversial referendum held in 2003 allowing limitless presidential terms, appears to have made him "president for life".
Donors complained that corruption was eating into the fabric of Mr Conte's society. There was no independent electoral commission, and the government held a monopoly over the national media. The donors held their monies back when the regime rejected calls for reforms. The economy started sliding and to compound the situation, President Conte who had been troubled by diabetes over the years, became more seriously ill. But people around him now took liberties with the running of the state and the economy was soon in tatters. Inflation reached a record high of 250% in 2005, and workers' salaries became all but worthless in the face of rising costs of basic goods. The unions called strikes to protect workers, they said. The latest strike has now resulted in people calling for the president's departure.
The President reacted by imposing a 20 hour curfew and has ordered the military to shoot anyone in open opposition to him on the streets. Scores of people have been shot and killed. The African Union has condemned President Conte in no undertain terms.
It is hoped the planned intervention by Presidents Kabbah and Johnson Sirleaf will resolve the crisis.

Minister Knuckles Apologize for his Involvement in Sex Scandal, Blames former Speaker Snowe

The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Elllen led Government, Willis Knuckles who was caught in what the public called a "disgraceful sex scandal" has confirmed and apologized to his boss, the President of Liberia and his family for the act.

Speaking at a well attended press conference yesterday in the presence of some of his family members in an direct admission, Willis Knuckles told reporters yesterday that he is the man in the pornographic image having sex with two underage Liberian girls, one of the girls is about the age of 10.

Minister Knuckles blamed former Speaker Edwin Snowe and his wife Mardea White Snowe for putting “my private life”into the public, Minister Knuckles in a serious and sorrowful mood told the well atteended press conference in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Apologising to his boss (President Sirleaf), family and friends, said that it was his private life to have sex with under age Liberian girls and should have remained that way.

Minister Knuckles said Snowe and his family had unsuccessfully attempted to black mail him and also blamed the distribution of the photograph on an unnamed female legislator, see full text below of Minister Knuckles' press statement:

A compromising photograph has been in circulation reaching serious proportions since the resignation of former Speaker Edwin Snowe, with distribution on the internet, among journalists and even on street corners.

The purpose of this statement, therefore, is to give a clear perspective to the press and to the public as to how this situation has evolved.
First, I must express regrets to my wife of 37 years, my children, my mother, and all my other relatives, my boss, the President, my pastor and my church, my co-workers in government and all my friends, associates and others in the general public to whom this episode has come as a pointless embarrassment.
The perpetrators of this act along with a certain female legislator, have distributed copies of this photograph with the intent of embarrassing me socially and inflicting political damage to the government given my current political position.
The photograph currently circulating was first brought to my attention two weeks ago by Mrs. Mardea White Snowe, who happens to be a cousin and her husband, Edwin Snowe. This happened through a mutual family intermediary. Exactly from where or how it was obtained was not explained and I am still at a loss to understand. Mrs. Snowe indicated that she had control over this photograph.
They unsuccessfully attempted to blackmail me by offering me the photograph and if I would according to them, stop opposing Mr. Snowe and help find a way to resolve Snowe’s political difficulties.
I rejected their overtures and suddenly, since his resignation as Speaker, copies have appeared everywhere.
The public might want to know that in the 2005 elections, I vigorously opposed Mr. Snowe’s candidacy in the Montserrado County District elections. I informed Mrs. Snowe that I felt it my duty to oppose his election to the House of Representatives.Since that day, all Mr. Snowe troubles have been blamed on me.
That people are prepared to go to such an extreme as what the perpetrators have done in an attempt to destroy another person’s character is regrettable.
The accusation of two years ago of four people attempting to kill Mr. Snowe is still fresh in our memory. An NSA report later showed manufactured emails, arranged foreign trips to Ghana, etc. all part of a fraudulent make-up for which an apology was offered.
Now for whatever political or other ends the perpetrator wishes to achieve, my private life is being drawn into the short and inglorious end of someone else’s public life.
I sincerely hope that in dealing with the current difficulty that this situation has created, it should be noted I have forty years of service in the public and private sectors-one widely regarded as dedicated and efficient.
In closing, I must thank all those who have offered me moral and other support in dealing with the crisis-Her Excellency the President, and other government officials, my family, my church friends at home and abroad of all persuasions, and Liberians in general.


Willis D. Knuckles Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Republic of Liberia".

Meanwhile, Liberians who were interviewed by a team of GNN reporters throughout the city described the act by an official of government as "disgraceful" and called for his immediate dismissal.

"This guy must be arrested and detain for disgracing womanhood in our country", a female legal practitioner in an angry mood said.

"Following his admission at a press conference, Mr.Willie Knuckles must resign because his character istainted, embarrassed the office of the president, andcompromised the president's Liberian women sexualexploitation policy she promised to fight during heradministration. Knuckles can no longer be effective in the performance of his duties because of a hugecredible, confidence, trust and decency cloud," a Liberian in the US said on the internet.

Senior Liberian Gov't Official Caught in Sex Scandal Will he Resign? As Female Lawyers Threatens Action

Efforts by members of the Female Lawyers Association of Liberia to put to an end sexual harassment by older men to young girls is said to be on the rise, as individuals who suppose to help in the process are themselves involved in the act.

Various media institutions in the country have unearth a story on sex scandal involving senior official of Government, Willis Knuckles as reported by the FRONTPAGE AFRICA see below:

Liberian Government ‘Official Gone Wild’: Sex Scandal May Force Knuckles to Resign By Rodney D. Sieh, rsieh@FrontPageAfrica.com

An age-old culture of sexual impunity has found its way into the administration of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf – one that could lead to the resignation or dismissal of one of the president’s closest official and advisor, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs-designate, Willis Knuckles, FrontPageAfrica has learned.



Knuckles makes his presentation to lawmakers during his confirmation hearing for the Ministry of Public Works post. Knuckles was confirmed but later transferred to the Ministry of State
Damning new documents and images obtained by FPA shows the Minister involved in a sex encounter with (what appears to be) two young Liberian girls. FPA has chosen not to publish the photographs because of its graphic and explicit nature.

When contacted Saturday, Knuckles declined comment. However, a close family source confirmed to FPA that members of Knuckles family are aware of the photos existence and they have already been distributed to family members and close friends. FPA is still making all efforts to get a response from Knuckles.

"The family is totally disgusted and embarrassed about the whole thing," said a close relative of the Minister, who told FPA that the photos most likely were taken sometime before February last year, when Knuckles was still residing at his old residence in Congotown.

The family member in Monrovia confided to FPA Sunday, that the photos were taken in the bedroom of Knuckles old residence in Congtown, but questioned the motive of the timing of the photos release now. Asked whether he thought the photos may have been super imposed, the relative said judging from the scenes in the photograph, it looks like the bedroom of Knuckles former residence in Congotown and appears to be authentic.

The relative said Knuckles had already confided to family members and his boss, President Sirleaf that some damaging and embarrassing photos would be coming out about him soon, suggesting that the young women in the photos were trying to blackmail the minister in a bid to keep the photos from the public eye.
"There are more photos than the one being circulated, but these are the only photos that do not show the young women's faces, said the relative, who preferred anonymity for this story. The relative added that the photos were most likely taken with Knuckles consent.

President Sirleaf, who completed a week long visit to the U.S. Saturday and departed the U.S. for Great Britain is said to be aware that the photos exist but had not seen the images as of Saturday, according to an Executive Mansion source.

Last year, President Sirleaf drew attention to the rising levels of sexual exploitation of women and teenage girls in Liberia. The growing trend toward transactional sex between older, financially stable men and young women and even younger girls drew Sirleaf’s attention as she issued a warning to perpetrators in December 2006. "To those of you who are privileged or attained successes in businesses and are in our communities, and to those of you who represent the international community, I urge you not to use your wealth and power to sexually exploit children and women. It is an unacceptable behaviour, and a major challenge currently facing all of us," the president said.

Despite a peace agreement in 2003 that ended the particularly brutal 14-year civil war, during which fighters sexually assaulted girls and women and sometimes used them as "sex slaves", these types of violent abuse were still common, according to Lois Bruthus, head of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), a leading advocacy group. An estimated 85 percent of the 658 rape survivors reporting to the hospital were aged under 18, while 48 percent were aged between 5 and 12 years. "In more than 90 percent of the cases involving children, they were raped by someone they knew," Medicin Sans Frontier (MSF) said.

Rights activists point to poverty as the main reason why girls were being exploited. Activists also point to the fact that cash-strapped parents sometimes extort money from the perpetrators to privately settle the case without going through the courts system. The last survey conducted back in 1992 reported that Liberia has an unemployment rate of 85 percent and is one of the world's poorest countries, with most of the population living on less than US$1 a day, according to the World Development Index. Last year the Sirleaf administration raised to wage to $26 a month for civil servants.


Snowe Stands Accused – Again

According to the family source, family members believe that the alleged encounter was set up by Mardea White, the wife of the former speaker Edwin Melvin Snowe, who stepped down from his post after a long wrangle with members of parliament. The Knuckles family believe that Snowe and his wife were the masterminds in setting the minister up. However, sources close to the minister informed FPA that the photos were in fact old photos and are only being drummed up now by Snowe and his group to draw attention away from his resignation and pending investigation for corruption.

Efforts to reach Snowe Saturday was unsuccessful, but his chief of staff, Darius Dillon told FPA that it is unfair to draw the speaker in Knuckles alleged immoral behavior. “I think the question Mr. Knuckles should be asking is, ‘is the immoral person in the photo me?’, said Dillon.

Knuckles is yet to comment publicly on the controversy.Dillon said it was not Snowe and his wife who took Knuckles clothes off and forced him in the encounter. “Is it knuckles in the photo? that is the substance of the matter, it is not who set it up. He went and did his immoral act now he must bear the consequences,” Said Dillon.

Sex scandals have led to the downfall of numerous politicians. In 1996, Dick Morris, best known for managing former president Bill Clinton’s successful 1996 bid for re-election. Morris’ tenure on that campaign was cut short two months before the election when it was revealed that he had had an extramarital affair with a prostitute and allowed her to listen in on conversations with the President. Clinton himself was impeached by the House of Representative, but survived the Senate vote.

Photos heating up discussions, reactions

BLOG COMMENT
“I have nothing against what a man does in the privacy of his home; however the people entrusted with public office are not just any Joe Blow from the street. They are supposed to be persons of high MORAL character. "
A blogger in the Concern Liberians chatroomIn Monrovia, many Liberians are said to be finding it difficult to decipher whether the photo itself is genuine. The photos are said to be distributed in marketplaces and forwarded via email across cyberspace. But many are yet to be convinced about the authenticity of the photos. “The perception here is that many feel the photo may have been super-imposed,” says Moses Tamba, who spoke with FPA by phone from his residence in Sinkor Saturday.

In cyberspace, the photos have taken on a life of its own drawing heated discussions from Liberians far and wide.

In the popular Concerned Liberians Chat room, the reaction appears to be mixed. “The picture is hugely disappointing and a great embarrassment to the Office of the President. In a country where there is a history of women being exploited, the knowledge of such a high government official involved with women, none of whom is his wife raises some very serious questions,” notes one blogger.Another blogger writes: “I have nothing against what a man does in the privacy of his home; however the people entrusted with public office are not just any Joe Blow from the street. They are supposed to be persons of high MORAL character. There is INDEED a different standard for them. As such, they they must exhibit private and public behavior that sets them apart. If Liberia is going to change, we must aspire to this!”

The photos for some could be a sign of security breach by the senior official. “An official or high security officer can get drunk or be drugged and spill state secrets with spending time with secret agent of another country,” one blogger notes.

Snowe hints at ‘Smoking Gun’: Is this it?

In a resignation letter sent to his peers last week, Snowe hinted that a senior minister in the administration was behind the quest to remove him from power.

Snowe did not name the minister but sources close to the speaker confirm to FPA that Knuckles is the minister being accused and who Snowe believes was behind the bribery of the lawmakers who spearheaded Snowe’s downfall. The former speaker has given the official one week to reveal his identity and confess. “If he does not make public everything he knows about this alleged bribery at the House of Representatives, I will expose him. “It’s a clear warning to that person. Come out in one week, tell the Liberian people what you know about this bribery issue and resign as Minister or else…”


Knuckles is one of Sirleaf's closest advisorsFPA has been informed that Snowe may have used the photos as a bait to get Knuckles to use his influence with the president to stop the corruption probe of his tenure at the Liberian Petroleum Refinery Corporation. But Knuckles reportedly informed Snowe that the issue had already drawn the attention of the international community and it was pretty much late to stop it. “Knuckles hands were tied. He pretty much told Snowe to do what he wanted with the photos,” said a source close to the Knuckles family.

The issue of immorality has plagued Liberia for years, government officials since the days of William V.S. Tubman, William Tolbert and Samuel Kanyon Doe have been alleged to have taken advantage of young Liberian girls. Current senior officials are also said to be heavily preying on young and underage girls who are struggling to make ends meet. The inauguration of the first woman head of state was seen by many as a sign for the better and the hope that it would bring closure to an ugly act that has destroyed the lives of many of the country’s young girls.

FPA gathered late Saturday that Knuckles has been consulting with family members about his next move and has already notified the president of his intent to step down or have his nomination to the post withdrawn, but was told by the President to hold on until she returns to Monrovia Sunday. Whether Knuckles steps down or not, the images have shed light on an issue that has boggled Liberians for quite sometime and one which could draw some much needed attention to the plight of young Liberian girls and women living in dire straits.

Illicit Tapers take on Police in Firestone

Despite regular patrol by members of the Liberian National Police on the Plantation of Firestone in Margibi County, illicit tapers have again commence their devilish act by taken the lives of innocent people on the Plantation.
A group of illicit tapers at Division Thirty-One in Firestone early Friday morning shot and wounded two personnel of the Liberia National Police and the company’s Plant Protection Department.

The illicit tapers according to report fired at patrolmen Stephen Williams and James Jallah when the two men attempted to stop them from loading stolen latex.
Speaking to reporters Friday, the Commander at the RIA Police Detachment, Susanah Blackie said three persons have been arrested with a single barrel gun.

For the past months the plantation has been a battle ground between security of the company and illicit tapers who are constantly taken away the company's latex.

UNHCR's Goodwill Ambassador Visits Liberian Children

Liberian refugee children welcome UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, George Delaras to their Camp in southern Sierra Leone

FOYA, Liberia (UNHCR) – For years, he sung for refugees and gave them a voice through fundraising performances. Now, the echo is reverberating, loud and clear, as the refugees welcomed Greek singer George Dalaras on his first field trip as the UN refugee agency's newest Goodwill Ambassador.On a five-day visit to meet refugees in West Africa, Dalaras met with Sierra Leonian President Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabah and was greeted in the country's refugee camps on Tuesday by screaming banners, music and dances. At Jembe camp in southern Sierra Leone, Liberian girls burst into an exuberant welcome dance for him, their bare feet coated in dust like tan-coloured socks. Sitting under a palaver hut in nearby Tobanda camp, refugee women in their Sunday best listened attentively as he spoke, while little girls with specially braided hair darted around outside, their yellow eyes shining at the prospect of visitors.

"The world stood by and let refugees suffer," Dalaras said, acknowledging, "Whatever we can do is probably less than what you need and deserve."
Dalaras became UNHCR's Goodwill Ambassador in October 2006, but is a long-time supporter of refugee rights. Himself the son of a refugee from Asia Minor, he took part in UNHCR's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2001, recorded a special CD to raise awareness of refugee issues in 2003, and in January this year, played two sold-out concerts in Athens to raise funds for UNHCR's programs for refugee children in Africa.
"We cannot claim to be civilised if we close our eyes to what's happening in Africa. It's a moral obligation," said Dalaras' wife, Anna, who also volunteers for the UN.

The mood was festive and infectious as they paid their first visit to refugee camps since Dalaras became UNHCR's Goodwill Ambassador, joining the ranks of Barbara Hendricks, Adel Imam, Angelina Jolie, Giorgio Armani and Julien Clerc.
"I don't know why they came, but it's made everyone happy, so I'm happy too," said Baidu Fambulleh, a seven-year-old Liberian refugee at Jembe camp.
"They are alright ['great' in Liberian lingo]," said Fatou Sana, an 18-year-old woman from Lofa county in northern Liberia, balancing a baby on her hip. "They came all the way to see us. They are the people who help us."
On Wednesday and Thursday, Sana joined a return convoy of 284 Liberian refugees on an overnight journey led by Dalaras from Blama way station in south-eastern Sierra Leone, to Foya district in northern Lofa county.
"Congratulations to all of you for your courage and commitment to coming back home to help rebuild your country," said Abid Mir, UNHCR's Deputy Representative in Sierra Leone. "We know you're in safe hands, and wish you all the best."
Sierra Leone hosts an estimated 27,365 refugees, including 21,696 Liberian refugees living in eight camps across the country. Now in Liberia, the Goodwill Ambassador is expected to complete his regional visit on Friday.

By Needa Jehu-Hoyah

In Lofa county, Liberia

NOTORIOUS WOMEN RAPIST RE-ARRESTED

The most wanted notorious women rapist, Varney Gangarmah who broke jail a month ago has been re-arrested by security forces in Bomi County. Speaking to a local radio station in Monrovia, the Superintendent of Bomi, Mohamed Massaley said Varney Gangarmah was re-arrested between Sinje and Medina in Grand Cape Mount County.
Superintendent Mohamed Massaley said Gangarmah was re-arrested by women and children while trying to cross the border to Sierra Leone. Superintendent Massaley said Gangarmah initially gave a false name to those who confronted him but was soon recognized and held hostage.
Gangarmah was convicted to ten years imprisonment by the Circuit Court in Tubmanburg but broke jail along with six others. He was convicted for raping up to fifty women in Bomi County.

Guinean Community In U.S. Protest Against Pres. Conte

GUINEANS IN NEW YORK

New York City : - The Guinean Community in America held a peaceful protest in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York to voice out grievances toward the current ruling government led by President Lansana Conte. Conte, a former colonel who seized power in 1984 in a coup now in his 70’s and living in deteriorating health is one of the region’s longest-serving rulers.
Chants like "America Please Help Us” rang in the air as the members of the community marched and circled in New York’s 30-degree cold.
‘Our demands are simple, we want the so-called president to step down period and then nominate a new prime minister and give him power to run the country’ This was according to President of the community Mohammed Diallo.
‘This is neo-colonialism’, shouts a protester who would only id entify himself as Leonard. ‘This is exactly what France wants, to continue to lead Africa through leaders that are dilapidated and dead’
Guinea’s spiraling national economy, high cost of living, growing inequality and rampant corruption have put the nation on the brink of the same kind of institutional failure that plunged its regional neighbors like Liberia and Sierra Leone into civil war.
The unprecedented 18-day strike, which shut down nearly all business and activity in most towns and cities and led to violence and shootings on the streets of major provinces have won support of Guineans both at home and abroad, as well as human and civil rights organizations worldwide.
A similar protest was held in Washington D.C last Thursday during which the community called on the U.S State Department to intervene on the growing crisis.
On President Conte’s last official visit to the U.S in 1999, a similar protest was staged. ‘That was inefficient, it yielded no results and he refused to listen then’, says Diallo. Hopefully the unrest in the country in the last month will jump-start the small West African country and its 9.5 million citizens to a more positive future.

- Oyiza Adaba, International Correspondent