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

As Situation Worsening In Guinea former Liberian Rebels Accused of Trading Arms

Report coming from the West African State of Guinea speak of serious business is taken place between high ups in the Guinean Army and former rebels of the defunct LURD on the trading of arms in that country.
According to reports dozens of former Liberian fighters are seen daily moving into Guinea through the Liberian Guinean border by way of Ganta, Nimba County to either secretly put on sale their concealed arms for little cash.
Speaking to our Correspondent in Ganta, a Guinean soldier who preferred not to be named said it was too rampant at the border, “stay for thirty minutes you will see some of your people come across with bundles, under the pretext that they are going to buy goods,” the soldier in confident told the GNN.
Several others who were interviewed said the were concerned about the situation in neighboring Guinea, “when you neighbor house is on fire help to put that fire off…or else yours will shortly be affected. UN must do some about the Guinea crisis,” a Liberian petty trader, Fatu Jalloh told our reporter.
Before departing the Liberian Guinean border, a warning was being given to all Guinean border Commanders to thoroughly search people entering the country.
Quoting sources from the Guinean Capital, Abul Kamara said it was reported on the international wires that the country’s Prime Minister has warned that unnamed groups are bringing into the country arms and ammunition.
Meanwhile, Guinean Military authority warned that any civilian caught wearing military uniform must be arrested and dealt with militarily. The US has condemned the imposition of martial law and the civilian deaths. Some 100 people have died this year, with witnesses accusing the security forces of firing on protesters. Unions have called a general strike, saying the president should resign.
According to the BBC, in a strongly worded statement, the US embassy in the capital, Conakry, criticized "the suspension - even partial - of civilian rule, the use of lethal force against the civilian population, the abrogation of basic freedoms, and the roll-back of the democratic process. "The disorder that plagues Guinea reflects widespread popular discontent caused by decades of poor governance," it said.
On Thursday, the International Crisis Group think-tank said the violence in Guinea could worsen and spill over into a bloody civil war. African Union (AU) also called for an end to the "ominous situation involving the killing of citizens".

Union leaders and government officials are due to resume talks aimed at ending the crisis on Saturday. In his first public statement since being named a week ago, Prime Minister Eugene Camara said:

"We must not rise up against peaceful citizens, we must not rise up against political parties, nor trade unions. We must rise up against those who have infiltrated arms and ammunition into the country." The military is still deployed on the streets of the capital, to enforce an 18-hour-a-day curfew, while air force planes fly overhead.

Harassment

ICG warned of "a possible civil war comparable to those that have torn apart its neighbors in the past decade with uncontrollable consequences". Guinea borders Sierra Leone and Liberia, which are both emerging from a decade of conflict.

Correspondents say the violence has reduced since the introduction of martial law, but there is a great deal of uncertainty. Residents in different Conakry suburbs say that they often hear shooting. Human rights groups complain that soldiers have been given widespread powers and many civilians had been subjected to harassment by soldiers.

"Under the guise of re-establishing law and order, they're acting like common criminals, beating, robbing and brutalizing the population they're supposed to protect," said Peter Takirambudde, Africa director for Human Rights Watch.

Last month, the unions called off their 18-day strike after Mr Conte promised to hand over powers to a prime minister. But they renewed the strike action call after saying the man Mr Camara, was too close to Mr Conte. The unions want Mr Conte to step down, saying he has mismanaged the economy.

l

Special Court In Sierra Leone Gets $787,000 From EU For "Legacy Project"

The European Commission has made a donation o 6,00,000 ($787,000) to the Special Court for Sierra Leone to continue the Court’s Victims Justice and Legacy Project.
According to a dispatch from the Court Public Affairs in Freetown, the EC grant is part of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights. Since the Project was started in January 2004, the EC has given more than 1.9 million to the project.
The Victims Justice and Legacy Project aims to provide a broader understanding of justice to the victims of Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil conflict. Through various sub-projects, the Special Court seeks to leave a legacy to Sierra Leone and to international criminal justice.
The main activities of the Project are conducted through the Witness and Victim Support Programme, the Grass Roots Awareness Campaign (Outreach), the Audio Visual Programme, the Intern and Pro-bono Support Programme, the Court Interpreters Professionalising and Training Programme, and the Library and Archives Development Programme.
The Project targets all areas of the Sierra Leone public and civil society, in particular victims and witnesses, ex-combatants, national grassroots organizations and community leaders. In the coming months it will begin programmes to inform the people of Sierra Leone and Liberia about the upcoming Special Court trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor in The Hague.
The Victims Justice and Legacy Project is part of the Court’s overall legacy programme, which seeks to promote the rule of law, human rights, and international humanitarian law.

The Special Court is an independent tribunal established jointly by the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone. It is mandated to bring to justice those who bear the greatest responsibility for atrocities committed in Sierra Leone after 30 November 1996. To date, the Prosecutor has indicted eleven persons on various charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. Ten indictees are currently in the custody of the Court.

GNN HEALTH TIPS (SROKE)

STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters...S.T.R. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, STR . Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
(Coherently) (i.e. . . It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

*NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately !! and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and that she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went ab out enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm, Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

CRISIS IN GUINEA: "Two People Shot Before My Eyes"

Thirty-two-year-old Guinean worker Bah Rahim witnessed some of the worst violence during the West African country's two-week strike. He told the BBC News website about his experience on Monday and about the stoppage's impact on the capital, Conakry.
The strikers want President Lansana Conte to resignThe march was huge and I saw the military kill two people right in front of me.
It started when I went outside to join the protesters at nine o'clock.
We were in my suburb of Hamdallaye and as the soldiers began shooting everyone ran to the police station but the shooting continued. It was there at the police station that I was shocked to see two people shot dead.
But this didn't stop the crowd. We moved forward towards the 8 Novembre Bridge - the way into the centre of Conakry. It's a long way, about 10km.
At the crossing there were so many soldiers and they started shooting their guns again, and killed more than seven people.
It was not my first terrifying experience with the military. Last Thursday I saw two young boys - aged about seven or eight - throw a stone at a military vehicle as it passed by.
The soldiers responded with machine-gun fire. The children ran inside and were not hurt, but you can see five bullet holes in the wall near my compound.
'Fed up'
In total it's reported that more than 30 people have died in Monday's protests - but this number will grow.
I work for a French bank - it has agreed to pay its 300 employees during the strike. There is a real consensus
Many of the wounded at the hospitals will die because we have no water here and no electricity and the medical staff have few supplies to do their work.
This country is really down.
I'm fed up. We're all fed up because Guinea is really rich but the president (Lansana Conte) is not able to run the country. He knows it and he's ill and very old.
Imagine how many billions of dollars we're losing every day because of the strike - but he never thinks about it.
All businesses are shut. There are hardly any cars on the streets - so children are playing football on the streets in my area.
Only informal markets open for about two hours early in the morning with women selling vegetables and peaches, but after that you can't even buy water to drink.
I work as a financial analyst for a French bank - it has agreed to pay its 300 employees during the strike even though none of us are working.
There is a real consensus. All the companies will pay their staff.
'Tomorrow will be hot'
I went into the centre of the city today where there was a heavy military presence and roadblocks. Nothing was open, although I managed to get access to an internet cafe not officially doing business.

Strongman feels the heat
In pictures: Guinea clashes
A young boy who sold me a mobile phone scratch card told me that if I asked the cafe's security guard he would let me in through a back door.
When I went inside, I saw about a dozen people in the room which caters for about 300. They were mainly foreigners - French, Lebanese and Americans.
I checked the web for news - but most people tend to phone each other with the latest and plans.
Today the atmosphere has been calm: people have been resting as the demonstration was tiring and civilians walked long distances.
But there is talk of a big march on Wednesday and people are angry.
They have heard that the unionists who were briefly detained on Monday were beaten up. Tomorrow will again be really hot.
Many families are suffering because of the strike, but I think people are ready to continue the fight.
I have studied in Europe and have the option to leave Guinea if I want. But I would not be happy there. I want to stay here to fight. Tomorrow I will march.
Culled From BBC Focus on Africa

Snowe’s Resignation - an Opportunity Missed

By Nyekeh Forkpa/A Liberian Journalist in the USA
USA/4014774993

I was really disappointed to read the news of Speaker Snowe’s resignation. While I am not a fan of the Speaker, I admired his decision to test the strength of the judicial system. That the Speaker took his case to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court subsequently ruled in his favor against the “majority,” on the basis of the law, it signaled a new beginning for Liberia , and a very proud moment for me, having contributed my little effort in the struggle to secure the dawn of such a day.

As the Speaker indicated many times over, he has the capacity to put “men on the street,” but he wisely chose to travel the path of the law. I must salute the Speaker for not using the alternative because while I know that any such move would have been quelled in due time, the attending consequences on the innocent would have been unimaginable.

The former Speaker must also be commented for controlling the “assembled mob” that threatened to cause chaos. He must have been clearly intoned with their understanding to keep them quiet. Perhaps the speaker can be of help in areas of such conflict resolution/manageme nt should it arise in the future.

Having said that, I was really disappointed that the Speaker did not challenge the understanding and conscience of his colleagues, many of whom had assumed their cause was just. I wished he had joined his colleagues at the appropriate venue and forced them to pursue the legal and lawful means of removing him, by showing cause and finding him liable, assuming they were still adamant on doing so.

In the absence of such challenged, the “majority” will go on believing that their cause was not only just, but their means was as well. Such a notion is still debatable, considering the diverse opinion expressed on this listserve about the issue and the ruling of the Supreme Court. Certainly, we have been robbed of a golden opportunity – an opportunity to test the strength of the ideas and arguments of those who purport to represent us. We might never know whether these lawmakers are worth their salt.

On a more serious note, I particularly wish the bribery allegation could have been pursued by the Speaker to the logical conclusion; because such is a drawback to the efforts of everyone interested in seeing genuine democracy at work in Liberia . Even with his resignation, I hope the Speaker or President Sirleaf, whom the speaker accused, will setup a special independent body to investigate the matter and issue appropriate sanctions were necessary. An allegation of “executive long arm” should never be swept under the rug, not even by an Executive that claims innocence.

Again, I like to applaud Speaker Snowe for walking the path of the law in this matter and testing the strength and independence of our judicial system. Maybe, just maybe, his action has provided us a glimpse of things to come from a judiciary that will adhere straightly to the law and not become and extension of the executive as in times past.

As the Speaker peers into the future, with rumors of coming challenges, some much more difficult than this, I hope he will continue to “remain on the side of the law” not only when it favors him, but also when it doesn’t.

I wish the speaker good luck as he now focuses solely on representing the interest of his people and perhaps fighting mounting corruption allegations. Having demonstrated his burning desire to respect the will of his people, when he reportedly refused to go to the UCC at their urging, he now has enough time to perhaps hold regular community and town hall meetings in order strategize with the people he serve, on how to bring home the beacon to the district.

We have certainly missed an opportunity – a great one. But the replacement battle has already begun, I am told. So we are on to the next round of argument.


Nyekeh Forkpa is a Liberian Journalist in the US
401 477 4993
Cranston RI