Next Tuesday is U.N. Peacekeeping Day

On Tuesday, 29 May the fifth annual International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers will be observed worldwide to honour all peacekeepers, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace.

In Liberia, UNMIL will observe Day, beginning at 10 a.m., with a wreath-laying ceremony at UNMIL Headquarters, Pan African Plaza in Monrovia in remembrance of all fallen peacekeepers worldwide.

The ceremony will bring together the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Alan Doss and the United Nations family, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and senior officials of the Liberian Government, members of the Diplomatic Corps, UN family members, other partners and all peacekeepers.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony, journalists will be taken to various communities in Monrovia and its suburbs to cover UNMIL peacekeepers providing humanitarian assistance – such as free medical services by military medical personnel - to Liberians. Similar activities will be taking place in other parts of the country

Armed Men Visits Liberian Police Chief

Men dressed in black described as armed robbers last Friday night attacked the Barnersville compound of Police Inspector General Beatrice Munah Sieh, and an officer of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Col. Edward Wreh, according to neighbors. Both homes are opposite each other.

Five police officers providing security at the compound are reportedly undergoing investigation, sources say.

Police Public Affairs Chief, Mr. Alvin Jask, when contacted, said he was verifying the news and would get back to this paper. Up to press, there was no word from the police.

The armed men, one who neighbors said carried a new AK-47, struck before the police chief arrived home. Neighbors said the police chief does not reside in the house but on Front Street, her actual residence. There is, however, a team of policemen stationed there.

One of the Police officers who was on duty the night the robbers struck said, the robbers put him at gun point and ordered him back in the Police chief’s compound.

“They were more than seven,” he said, adding, “I saw two AK-47 rifles with them.”
The officer, Randall Gaye, said the incident occurred after the heavy down pour of rain last Friday night. “The generator was off,” he said.

Officer Randall: “We were five on duty but three of our colleagues had gone on patrol. So, we were two that remained on guard. So I told my other colleague to be on the alight, asking that he go and check around the house. I came out by way of the small gate, and when I got out I saw a group of people.

They flashed the light on me. And asked me to go back in the fence. And I also asked them because I wanted to know who they were, and I said why is it that when you people come on patrol you like to flash light in your fellow officers’ eye. Then I saw arm pointing to me, they had two AK-47,” he said.

“I then took three steps back and entered the fence and ran to wake up the Director’s children informing them that we have been attacked by armed robbers. So we dialed 355, as I was in, they were bouncing on my friend, the next noise I heard after that was here (pointing to the Col Wreh’s house).

“I was in the room when I heard the noise outside, so I opened my door thinking that the police had arrested someone,” Col. Wreh explained.

“I wanted to see for myself. Right away a man with cutlass came to me and the rest numbering about six came in our house. They entered the children’s room and lifted up the arm against my daughter, who shouted loudest. Since then she has not recover from the trauma,” Col. Wreh added.

“I just took her from hospital,” an elderly woman, the girl’s mother said displaying few drugs.
The attack comes days after the Police Inspector General declared her force would ensure criminals have no hiding places, particularly as the rainy season approaches, a time of increase in criminal activities. Police thereafter announced the arrest of two men they said are the bosses of the feared Isakaba gangs roaming the city at night with machetes and guns.

Police sources and residents this week said the Barnersville community, where the police chief has her compound, has been under sustained armed attack for a week, leaving police helpless to launch a counter-offensive due to logistical and other inadequacies.

Role of UN Volunteers absolutely crucial, says UN Envoy

The role played by the UN Volunteers (UNVs) was “absolutely crucial” to the successes accomplished by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), said Mr. Alan Doss, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), at an event held in Monrovia recently to honour more than 250 UN Volunteers from 69 countries serving in the war-torn nation.

He added that their help was still needed in reconstruction, human rights, and to support national capacity building.

“UNMIL is moving into a new phase next year, but that does not mean it is leaving,” he said, and urged the Volunteers to continue their invaluable contributions to the country. “We still need to help this country recover from those many dreadful years of war, conflict, violence and abuse. We are all here for the same purpose – to help Liberia get back on its feet.”

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to the six longest serving UN Volunteers in UNMIL, Marcel Lwamba Afanya (Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Robert Abass Bangura (Sierra Leone), Joyce Curtis-Hooke (Sierra Leone), Daniel Mensah-Brande (Ghana), Mafulu Mudingombi (DRC) and Seblewongel Worku Tammirie (Ethiopia).
The UNV Programme Manager, Mr. Olufemi Olugbemi, said the six Volunteers who received the recognition award had taken volunteerism to a new level.

“The UN Volunteer is no longer an unknown or strange entity; volunteers have proven to be the added advantage to peacekeeping operations by enduring tests of perseverance, patience and technical competence,” he noted.

The six awardees with SRSG Doss (centre) and UNV Programme Manager Olugbemi (left)
The awardees are currently serving the mission in the Civil Affairs, Public Information, Transport, Communication, and Information and Technology sections, and have been serving UNMIL since 2003. Since the inception of UNMIL, over 672 UNVs representing more than 70 nationalities have worked in the mission.

The event was also attended by the Director of Administration, Mr. Stephen Lieberman, among other UNMIL staff members.

Source: UNMIL Information Section

Liberian President, German Chancellor Hold Talks In Berlin

Pres. Sirleaf(L), German Chancellor(R)

(Berlin, Germany, May 22, 2007): President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Tuesday held talks with senior German government officials including Chancellor Angela Merkel, at the Bundeskanzleramt, the official seat of goverment in Berlin. The discussions, according to an Executive Mansion dispatch, centered around Liberia-German cooperation and other regional and sub-regional issues, ahead of the pending G-8 meeting in Heiligendamm, Germany in June. Dr. Merkel reiterated her government’s decision to cancel the bilateral debt Liberia owes her country.

On Liberia’s multi-lateral debt, the Germany Chancellor said a solution must be found within the G-8 process to the address the

“The issue will be placed on the agenda, She assured the President, “We will ensure that you get a little room to breathe, ” the first female Chancellor of Germany noted, assuring President Johnson Sirleaf that Germany will exert its influence to ensure that the debt problem is addressed. Chancellor Merkel welcomed the Africa Partnership Forum now taking place in Berlin, describing it as a unique opportunity for fostering partnership between Africa and Germany.

Responding, the Liberian leader congratulated Chancellor Merkel on her election as Chancellor of Germany and as Chairman of the G-8 conference in June.

The debt burden, the President pointed out, continues to be a major impediment to the country’s development initiatives. The President lauded the German government for announcing the cancellation of Liberia’s bilateral debt.

She informed the German leader of measures now in place to put the country back on track, through among other actions, the implementation of sound fiscal policies and the tapping of the traditional sectors of growth, including iron ore, rubber, forestry and mining.

The creation of jobs for the citizenry particularly for the youth, the President acknowledged, remains a major challenge. “We must put our people back to work; It is important for Liberia to succeed,” she emphasized.

Meanwhile, Germany has announced additional funding to support development initiatives in Liberia. At a meeting Monday with President Johnson Sirleaf, the State Minister, Gernot Erler, announced that his country was making available 11.5 million euros (14.95 – million US dollars) to support reconstruction in Liberia.

At the same time, a delegation of German businessmen has announced plans to visit Liberia in October. The Group, under the auspices of the German-African Business Association, made the disclosure Tuesday, during a session to, among other issues, discuss business potentials in Liberia. The President who spoke at the session, described the business potential in Liberia as good, and urged the Germany business community to take advantage of the numerous investment opportunities Liberia now offers.

The President later on Tuesday held talks with the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. A meeting with the Minister for Development Cooperation of Denmark, Ms. Ulla Tornaes, is slated for Wednesday, prior to a keynote address the President will deliver at the 8th edition of the Africa Partnership Forum.

Planning Minister, Dr. Toga McIntosh, Liberia’s ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Sedia Massaquoi Bangura, is accompanying President Johnson-Sirleaf to the discussions.

The President arrived in Berlin on Tuesday, following a weeklong visit to the United States.
She returns home on Friday this week.

Source: Cyrus Wleh BadioPresidential Press Secretary

"Panoramic View about the Mineral Titles of Liberia" By Emmanuel O. Sherman, Chief geologist, Liberian Geological Survey

MR. SHERMAN AND WORKMATE

The mineral industry of Liberia is summarize by the below diagram which if permitted, I will refer to as the “Mineral Industry Cycle” of Liberia. However, over the past months the sector has been undergoing severe microscopic review so as to ensure transparency and accountability. While this review is ongoing, I thought it relevant to summarise the country’s mineral sector into one big circle. As we all know, the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (MLME) is the regulatory body of the sector. This entire sector is categorized into the Alluvial mining sector and the Mineral Exploration & Development sector


Figure 1: Unofficial Mineral Industry Cycle of Liberia (By: E.O.Sherman 2006)

In Figure1, the mineral exploration & development sector (MEDS) which is the Department of Mineral Exploration & Research, insures the efficient identification and development of mineral resources by monitoring the activities of license holders in this sector and by the provision of needed and available information to help potential investors. Activities within this sector are dominated by foreign exploration and mining companies involved in the acquisition of up-to-date geospatial data and information. While information about potential geological and mineral-rich targets are being generated by MEDS, the alluvial mining sector (AMS) which is headed by the Department of Mines, monitors and controls the extraction and trade of alluvial diamonds and gold produced by artisans and companies. Revenues generated from the industry are usually paid to the mineral resources revenue (MRR) body and are intended to be used by the GOL for sustainable economic development.

To ensure transparency and proper accountability in the sector, a body comprising of major stakeholders who are also key policy makers are empowered to review and formulate policies that may be implemented by MLME.

The Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) has now become the latest focus point in the mineral cycle that needs to be updated. This commission has its own legal act on which it exists. However, harmonization of the PPCC Act and the existing Mineral and Mining Law of 2000 could serve as a One-Stop-Regulating document of the country’s mineral industry.

1.0 Existing Policy, Legal and Regulatory Issues
The country has a New Minerals and Mining law of 2000 that is being administered by the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (MLME). One of the key points in this law is the Mineral property rights/Mining Title. Mineral property rights to explore or mine in Liberia are obtained through the acquisition of alluvial mining licenses (either Class C or Class B) and a mineral concession.

Mineral Titles summary

There are basically two broad categories of mineral titles/rights under the Minerals and Mining Law of the Republic of Liberia: They are:
Exploration Right; and
Mining Right.

2.0 Mineral Property Right

Mineral license types usually issued to eligible candidates wanting to invest in the country’s mineral sector are summarized below:

License type
Key terms and provisions
duration
Reconnaissance
§ To conduct rapid geologic assessment of targeted area;
§ Targeted area must not be encumbered under a valid Mineral Right by another person
§ Renewable once for another six months;
§ Permit area is restricted 2,000 square kilometres;
§ Detail sampling(i.e. drilling, trenching and pitting) are prohibited
§ The Holder may apply and be granted a Mineral Exploration License by the Minister upon completion of the reconnaissance phase.

6 months
Exploration
§ That the area is not encumbered under a valid Mineral Right by another person;
§ Issuance for an initial period of 3 (three) years and may be extended for a single two-year period, in which event the Holder shall be obliged to surrender 50 (fifty) percent of the Exploration Area to Government;
§ That at the end of the initial 3- year period, the Holder may select the entire Exploration Area or any part thereof as a Proposed Production Area;

§ That the area granted shall be contiguous and limited to 1,000 square kilometers;
§ That Holder shall have exclusive right to conduct mineral exploration within the Exploration Area granted and may conduct pilot mining as permitted in the Proposed Exploration Program; and
§ That the Holder shall incur costs in surface rentals as negotiated between the Holder and Government;
§ That the Holder shall submit to the Minister a proposed exploration program within 90 (ninety) days as of the Effective Date of the Agreement; and
§ At the end of the Exploration Program, the Holder may apply for a Class A Mining License.


3 years
+2 years possible
extension
Class A Mining License


The Operator must have successfully completed an Exploration Program that clearly defines exploitable mineral targets;
That the Operator must have successfully completed a feasibility report outlining the efficient and economic conduct of the proposed mining operations;
That the Minister shall have approved the feasibility report which shall have been prepared in keeping with the Law and the application of acceptable international standards;
That the Operator must have conducted an Environmental Impact Study which among other things shall spell out the adverse environmental effects that could result from the mining operations and prescribe mitigating and curative means of restoring the environment;
That the Operator must demonstrate that it has the technical competence, experience, and financial resources to carry out such mining operations in keeping with the requirements specified under the Class A Mining License; and
That the Class A Mining License shall be issued for a period of 25 (twenty-five) years with extensions for consecutive additional terms not to exceed 25 (twenty-five) years each, once proven reserves still exist.

25 years
+
Possible 25 years
extension
CLASS B Mining License
§ That the initial term of a Class B Mining License shall be for 5 (five) years with renewal for periods not exceeding 5 (five) years each;
§ That the Holder can engage in industrial mining;
§ That 15 (fifteen) Holders of Class B Mining Licenses may collectively mine through a cooperative scheme; and
§ That the Holder of a Class B Mining License shall submit a production plan to the Ministry for approval prior to commencement of mining.


5 year
CLASS C Mining License

§ That the Holder of a Class C Mining License shall have exclusive right to mine in the Production Area;
§ That the tenure of a Class C Mining License shall be for a period of 1 (one) year renewable for further terms of one year each provided the Holder remains in compliance with the Mining Law and Regulations;
§ That the size of the Production Area covering a Class C Mining License shall not exceed 25 (twenty-five) acres;
§ That a Class C Mining License shall be restricted to a Small-Scale Operation;

1 year

"Liberia is Moving Foward" - President Sirleaf

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has expressed hopes that the UN peace keeping force will remain in her country until local security forces can be properly trained and professionalized.

President Sirleaf (left) and US Senator Hillary Clinton

Her comments were contained in a documentary, by Swedish journalist Malou von Sivers, aired on Swedish channel TV4 Thursday night.

But the president added that security will be actually achieved if the government can respond properly to the needs of the people.

Providing social services and jobs are two vital areas, she added.

Mrs. Sirleaf, the first female to ever be elected to the highest office in an African country, hinted positively that Liberia is moving forward “out of the shadow of the past.”

She said the country has formed a truth and reconciliation commission to aid the process of healing after more than a decade of civil conflict.

“This process of truth does not lead to punishment. It is about reconciliation and forgiveness,” she noted.

Liberia was put into a situation where many of its young people were subjected to untold cruelty; where many were forced to commit atrocities, the president said and added that it is now time to get the country moving again.

We have the opportunity to get the country back on course, correct the mistakes of the past and give the young people a better future, she added.

The film: Rita and Rufus- Liberian child soldiers, chronicled the experiences of the two former soldiers who were torn apart from the families at tender ages to fight for one of the country’s warring factions.

It also highlighted programs that the Red Cross is running to help them, and more than a hundred others, regain sanity.

Liberians to celebration Independence Day in Belgium

The European Federation of Liberian Associations (EFLA) is preparing a grand July 26 Independence Day celebration and a mini conference on the 27^th and 28^th of July in Brussels, Belgium.

For the past years, Liberian organizations across European states have been celebrating the Independence Day all by themselves, a release issued by the federation’s president Elvis G. Morris pointed out.

EFLA President Elvis G. Morris

“2007 is the year of unity and solidarity and in this light; EFLA is setting aside these two days for all Liberians and friends of Liberia around Europe to join hands in celebrating our 160^th Independence.

“This occasion will also prepare the Liberian European diaspora for its first ever international conference which will take place in September 2007 in Paris, France.

“The theme of the conference is “War- Torn West Africa: Emerging from Humanitarian Assistance to Political and Economical Reconstruction” in collaboration with the University of Bretagny, France.

“The aim of the international conference is: to provide practical recommendations to the international community on effective reconstruction processes for West African countries emerging from civil conflict.

“The activities over the two days aim to celebrate diversity and promote understanding between Liberians living in the Diaspora will include literary and theatre performances, sports events, music and food. Major attractions of this program will include a mini-Liberian conference and a ball.

“The European Federation of Liberian Association is a legally registered Belgian based federation comprising the network of Liberian Associations in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Luxemburg, Switzerland, the United Kingdom as well as the Kingdom of Belgium.

“The European federation of Liberian Associations has not only been one of the most dynamic group of Liberians in the Diaspora, but has also been a hub for providing diplomatic and civil support, resource information, social activities for Liberians home and abroad.

Mr. Morris called on all Liberian associations, organizations and friends of Liberia to be present.

“We hope this information will meet your timely intervention as members of the European Federation of Liberian Associations appreciate your support and would like to thank you in advance. Complete information regarding these events will be sent out in due course. Don’t hesitate to send you comments, suggestion and contribution for the kind of activities you may like to happen as part of the programs,” the release concluded.

For "Conflict of Interest" World Bank Presiedent Caught in the Web, Resigns

Mr. Wolfowitz was engulfed in a controversy after revelations that he gave his girlfriend, Shaha Riza, a pay raise. She later left the organization to take up employment with the US State Department.

Mr. Wolfowitz Ms. Riza

After his appointment in 2005, Mr. Wolfowitz, a former US deputy defence secretary, informed the bank about a potential conflict of interest due to his relationship with Ms. Riza, a communication advisor at the bank.

He proposed that she be moved to the state department with a pay and position increase in line with her prospects at the bank.

Announcing the decision recently, Mr. Wolfowitz said he was sorry for a painful and personal dilemma.

It became impossible for him to stay at his position after the bank’s governors questioned his ability to lead.

The world Bank in Washington DC

But his supporters said the melee was an excuse used by his detractors to get rid of him.

They said his fight against corruption and stance that aid to poor countries should hinge on good governance hit the wrong nerves.

US President George Bush, who had earlier maintained that Wolfowitz would keep his post, accepted the resignation with reluctance. The US will later appoint a replacement.

However, some are opting for the next president to be chosen on merit not nationality. Traditionally, the US, as the bank’s biggest contributor, appoints the president.

Emmanuel Zodia Chelleh Takes Wife in Sweden- See Pictures

Not too long ago, US-based Liberian Emmanuel Zodia Chelleh returned home to tie the knots with his beautiful bride. We bring you some photos from that wonderful ceremony in Monrovia, Liberia.

Bishop Innis in Sweden for Conference

The Rev. Dr. John Innis, Bishop of the United Methodist Church of Liberia is one of several guests attending the annual conference of the Methodist Church in Sweden.

Bishop Innis

The conference is being held in Norrkoping. It began on May 16 is expected to end on Sunday, the 20th.

Bishop Innis will perform some important functions during the conference which has at its theme: The Spring of Living Water.