President Carter, revered for his tireless advocacy for global justice, left a lasting impact on Liberia’s post-conflict legal reform.

In a statement, the LNBA lauded Carter’s significant contributions through The Carter Center’s Rule of Law Program, which championed access to justice in Liberia following years of civil unrest. 

The program, initiated to strengthen Liberia’s legal system, worked in collaboration with the LNBA, the Liberian government, and international bodies.

“President Carter’s dedication to advancing justice has transformed lives and solidified his legacy as a global legal icon,” the LNBA stated. They described him as “selfless and unflinching” in his support for Liberia’s efforts to rebuild its judiciary.

Enhancing Access to Justice

The Carter Center’s Rule of Law initiative partnered with the LNBA to provide pro bono legal services across Liberia, focusing on marginalized communities in Bong, Nimba, Lofa, and Grand Gedeh counties. 

Launched in June 2022, the partnership addressed prolonged pretrial detentions and expanded support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Through collaborative efforts, the program identified pressing legal needs, deployed lawyers to rural areas, and promoted civil education, significantly improving access to justice in underserved regions.

Preserving Carter’s Legacy

As Liberia mourns President Carter’s passing, the LNBA urged its members to honor his legacy by continuing efforts to improve the legal system. 

The association reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of all Liberians, particularly those most vulnerable, and called for a renewed focus on justice and accountability.

Meanwhile, Concerns Over Mob Violence

The LNBA also raised concerns about the rising tide of mob violence in Liberia, describing it as a serious threat to the rule of law. 

The association condemned recent incidents of mob justice, where alleged criminals were targeted and sometimes killed by angry crowds.

“Mob violence not only endangers the lives of the accused but also undermines the very foundation of our justice system,” the statement read. 

The LNBA emphasized that such actions often lead to irreversible harm, including the deaths of innocent bystanders accused without evidence.

The association urged Liberians to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to uphold the principles of due process. 

They called on the government and security forces to address the growing trend with urgency to preserve public trust in the nation’s justice system.

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With its headquarters located in Kigali, Rwanda, THE African Development Fund has approved a grant of $11.96 million to hasten the establishment of the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation. The Regional Pharmaceutical Sector Support Project in Rwanda is intended to be made easier to undertake with the help of this significant financial support and a $1.93 million commitment from the Rwandan government.

“The project should produce considerable benefits (outputs and outcomes) throughout Africa,” said Aissa Touré Sarr, head of the African Development Bank’s Rwanda country office, expressing excitement about the initiative’s potential. By addressing common diseases, expanding access to cutting-edge medications and treatments, and bolstering the continent’s general health resilience, the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation’s cutting-edge research and technical advancements should improve health care results.

According to africabriefing.com, the African Development Fund’s assistance is expected to strengthen the pharmaceutical industry’s regulatory framework throughout Africa and provide access to cutting-edge pharmaceutical innovations.

The African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation was founded in June 2022 by the African Development Bank, and in December 2023 it signed a host country agreement with the Rwandan government. Presented as an open middleman, the organization works to encourage and broker technological exchanges among global South nations and pharmaceutical companies to alleviate the barriers that African nations encounter in obtaining medical supplies and vaccine production technologies.

The foundation will give African medicines’ capacity building first priority, encouraging regional manufacturing and technological advancement. In order to improve the pharmaceutical environment on the continent, it will also foster innovation in pharmaceuticals and vaccines and enhance human and professional competence in the field.

With the support of the African Development Fund, the Foundation—which the Rwandan government has recognized as an international organization—will be able to hire professionals and specialized technological companies and purchase office supplies more easily. Administrative, human resource, financial, and contractual systems are only a few of the health and pharmaceutical services that will be supported by these resources.

Project components will also include training in good manufacturing techniques, consulting services, information sharing, and efforts to improve the quality and safety of pharmaceuticals. It will be in line with attempts to harmonize regulations across the area, such as the East African Community’s mutual recognition scheme.

The African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation will work closely with a range of partners to support pharmaceutical development in Africa, including the African Union Medicines Agency, Africa CDC, European Union, World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, Medicines Patent Pool, and charitable organizations.

Securing relationships with organizations such as the European Investment Bank and receiving significant assistance from Germany, the foundation is at the forefront of innovative cross-continental engagement between the public and private sectors.

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Regarding the reason for the split and the timeliness of the new government’s installation, Mr. Camara said nothing. The ministers of the administration were asked to surrender their official vehicles and passports.

The BBC reports that officials’ bank accounts have been placed on hold. In addition, the junta has instructed security agencies to “seal” all national borders until all government ministries have been fully established.

According to Mr. Camara, state ministries would be temporarily headed by lower-level officials until a new administration is established.

Bernard Goumou, the prime minister nominated by coup leader Mamady Doumbouya, headed the disbanded government.

Following a string of demonstrations against Alpha Condé’s contentious attempt for a third term, Col. Doumbouya led Guinea’s armed forces to topple the elected leader in September 2021.

In recent years, coups have occurred in Guinea and numerous other nations in West and Central Africa. The others are Gabon, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.

The West African regional bloc Ecowas has strongly condemned the coups, as have the United Nations and the African Union. Guinea is expected to hold elections to restore democratic rule in ten months, after the 24-month transition time set between the junta and Ecowas, according to a BBC report.

Photo credit: BBC

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Ghali’s visit was private rather than official, despite what separatist propaganda claimed. Ireland stressed that the tour was arranged by a pro-Polisario micro-association that is active in Ireland and that the Irish government was not involved in any way or accountable for this endeavor in an official statement issued by its embassy in Rabat.

The statement claims that during their visit to Ireland, no Irish government official interacted with Polisario representatives. In spite of their efforts and the assistance of certain middlemen, the separatists never held formal or informal meetings with individuals like Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin or Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.

There are rumors that the Polisario delegates were turned down by the Irish legislative body. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and the leaders of the two houses declined to meet with them. A handful of accommodating MPs agreed to meet with them in private instead of on behalf of the Parliament.

Additionally, Ireland has reiterated its unchanged stance on the Moroccan Sahara. Ireland fully supports the UN-led attempt to find a politically acceptable resolution and is against the so-called “SADR”.

In order to dispel any confusion, Ireland reiterates its support to an international framework and a long-term peace process for the Moroccan-Saharan conflict in this statement.

Photo credit: middle-east-online.com

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Morocco has officially taken over the presidency of the African Union’s (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) for a three-year term from 2022 to 2025. This transition, effective as of February 1, 2024, positions Morocco at the forefront of the AU’s critical decision-making body responsible for advancing peace, security, and stability across the continent.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is Morocco’s third time leading the Council since rejoining the African Union in January 2017.

Morocco had previously presided over the Council in September 2019 during its initial term (2018–2020) and in October 2022 as part of the ongoing triennial mandate. The Kingdom’s renewed leadership underscores the nation’s steadfast commitment to fostering peace, security, and development in Africa.

The visionary principles of King Mohammed VI guide the Moroccan approach to contributing to common African goals. These principles emphasize placing the noble causes of Africa and the vital interests of African citizens about peace, security, and development at the forefront of the pan-African agenda.

Morocco’s ascension to the presidency of the Peace and Security Council is an extension of its proactive engagement in addressing the diverse security challenges facing the continent. The nation adopts a comprehensive and multidimensional approach grounded in the Peace-Security-Development Nexus, a strategy established during the 1st AU Political Conference held in Tangier in October 2022.

The month of February, coinciding with Morocco’s presidency, will witness a ministerial meeting of the PSC on strengthening peace, security, and integration in Africa. This aligns with the larger agenda of fostering collaboration and unity on the continent.

The Moroccan monthly program also features a series of meetings of permanent representatives, focusing on crucial issues such as the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, the intersection of health security with peace and security, transitional justice, post-conflict peacebuilding, and efforts to prevent and combat the use of child soldiers. Additionally, discussions will encompass the follow-up to the Tangier Conference on the Peace, Security, and Development Nexus.

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was to be left immediately after Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso “decide in complete sovereignty on the withdrawal,” according to a joint statement released yesterday.

Per the statement, ECOWAS “has become a threat to its member states and its population, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles.”

While enforcing “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions,” the three nations said that the regional organization was failing to assist them in their battle against “terrorism and insecurity.”

In a statement, ECOWAS claimed not to have been informed of the countries’ decision to leave the organization. According to its procedure, the withdrawal process can take up to a year to finish.

“The Authority is steadfast in its pursuit of a diplomatic resolution to the political deadlock, and Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali continue to be significant members of the Community,” the statement read.

Established in 1975 with the goal of “promoting economic integration” among its members, the 15-nation ECOWAS is widely regarded as the preeminent political and regional authority in West Africa. However, in recent times, the bloc has faced challenges in undoing frequent coups in the region, where residents have expressed dissatisfaction over not being able to capitalize on the region’s abundant natural resources.

There were military takeovers in Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023. Aljazeera reports that the regional organization responded by suspending all three nations and severely sanctioning Mali and Niger.

The military chiefs of the three countries have united in the so-called “Alliance of Sahel States” with the aim of combating the emergence of dangerous armed organizations within their borders.

The three nations have severed their military links to the previous colonial power, France. Prior to the coups, France maintained a significant military presence in the Sahel, but it said that it would be leaving the three nations.

The threat that armed groups may expand southward and into the more stable coastal nations of Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast has increased in light of the French military withdrawal and the economic sanctions imposed on already vulnerable economies.

In the first half of 2023, West Africa saw over 1,800 attacks, which led to around 4,600 deaths and grave humanitarian impacts. This was only “a snippet of the horrendous impact of insecurity,” according to a top regional ECOWAS official, Aljazeera report.

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The High Court ruled in favor of Koroma on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, following his attorneys’ appeal for authorization to send the former leader abroad for medical treatment.

The magistrate announced that the former president, who has been placed under house arrest, will be allowed to travel to Nigeria for a maximum of three months before adjourning the hearing until March 6, 2024.

According to Al Jazeera, Chernor Bah, Sierra Leone’s minister of information, said, “We are happy to abide by the ruling of the court because we believe in the rule of law. Koroma is leaving for medical attention, but his case remains open. At this stage, the case is still alive. It is adjourned, and the court’s instructions to the lawyers included continuing to send updates on Koroma’s health to the state and the judiciary for the duration of his absence.

The biggest regional organization in West Africa claimed that Koroma had already accepted Nigeria’s offer of temporary admission.

Later, the government claimed that Koroma’s bodyguards were responsible for the majority of the coup attempt. They summoned the former president for questioning on December 1, 2024, and on January 3, 2024, they made treasonous accusations against him.

Photo credit: GETTY IMAGE

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He has previously denied any involvement in the attack. West African officials are reportedly trying to set up Mr. Koroma’s relocation to Nigeria in exchange for the accusations being dropped, according to the BBC.

The BBC said that although Mr. Koroma had not made any public statements, it had been observed in a letter that he had accepted the arrangement brokered by the local NGO Ecowas.

In the letter, it states that he will travel to Nigeria on Thursday, January 4, 2024, if President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone grants permission.

When the allegations were revealed in court, some of Mr. Koroma’s supporters started crying, according to the Reuters news agency.

On Tuesday, twelve other people—among them formerly Mr. Koroma’s bodyguard—were also charged in relation to the attempted coup.

Photo credit: Getty Image

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The trio secured victories in the African of the Year, African Political Leader of the Year, and African Peace and Security Leader of the Year award categories, respectively, largely based on results from the online poll, which attracted vote entries from across Africa and the globe.

African Political Leader of the Year George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia; African Peace and Security Leader of the Year Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, a former president of the United Republic of Tanzania; and African of the Year William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya.

President Weah’s selection comes as he is being hailed for his remarkable decision to concede defeat to Unity Party Joseph Boakai following a tightly contested November 14, 2023, presidential runoff election.

Africa’s most prestigious vote-based awards, the ALM Persons of the Year Awards, are given out every year to notable Africans who have improved the continent’s reputation by improving its perceived negative image. Through the two-step selection process, Africans worldwide can participate in the celebration of leaders who have contributed to the growth and development of Africa.

African Leadership Magazine publisher and chairman, Dr. Ken Giami, made the following statement during his remarks: The winner of the 2023 edition of the ALM Persons of the Year Awards made significant strides and remarkable contributions to the African renaissance in the year under review, especially in driving sustainable development, fostering economic growth, and promoting peace and political stability across the continent.

Their sacrifices, policies, and actions have bolstered regional peace and cooperation, improved healthcare and education, and laid the groundwork for substantial progress, economic growth, and human capital development across Africa, Dr. Giami added.

During the premier annual ALM Persons of the Year awards ceremony, scheduled to take place on February 22–23, 2024, at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the African Union headquarters, the winners and runners-up will be publicly bestowed with instruments of honour. Aside from the global third-party commendation awards and the multi-dimensional high-level networking session, the ceremony, which is co-hosted by the Ethiopia Custom Commission, will feature the unveiling of the special POTY edition of the African Leadership Magazine and Africa’s Leading Customs and Ports Administrators’ Yearbook 2024.

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Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has ensured the reversal of its negative vote through the appropriate channels at the UNGA and registered a new vote in favor of a ceasefire Israel-Gaza war.

The latest decision followed President Weah’s mandate to Foreign Affairs Minister Maxwell Kemayah to rescind a recent vote by the Liberian diplomat, which aligned with the United States of America supporting the continuation of the war in Gaza.

In a statement issued Tuesday in Monrovia, the Liberian Government clarified that the decision of Liberia’s diplomats to vote against the UNGA Resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas did not get the acquiescence of President George Weah, who is the chief architect of the country’s foreign policy.

The Foreign Ministry, in its statement, recalls that long before the vote, President Weah made a passionate appeal in a communication to the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, for the exercise of restraint and consideration of civilians who are the real victims of the ongoing crisis and requested a humanitarian lull in the armed hostilities to ensure the delivery of relief while allowing for a diplomatic settlement.

In a related development, Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations has broken silence over a recent vote taken against a UN resolution seeking to end the Israel-Gaza war.

In a statement released on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, the country’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Sarah Fyneah, said Liberia’s initial vote on the UN Resolution on December 12th was based on a prior directive by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which contradicted the Liberian government’s established stance.

Ambassador Fyneah disclosed that the discrepancy raises concerns about misrepresentation, prompting a need for the President to seek clarification from the Minister, who seemingly did not adhere to his instructions issued since November 4, a month before the UN vote.

The Liberian government’s representative to the UN stated that responsibility for the inaccurate directive lies with the Ministry, and it is crucial not to tarnish the reputation of Liberia’s diplomats at the UN, who, despite challenges, continue to make sacrifices for Liberia’s visibility and contribution to the UN’s mandate.

Photo credit: CNN Philippines

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