UNICCO Digest

A Publication of the UNITED CITIZENS' COUNCIL.
Published by the UNICCO PublicInformation Bureau.

Mungiki sect leader is shot dead

April 28, 2008- BBC Africa News

The chairman of the Kenya National Youth Alliance - the political wing of the outlawed Mungiki sect - has been shot dead in his car.
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ADB, USAID To Aid Small Businesses

April 23, 2008- FrontpageAfrica.com

Monrovia - USAID and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) signed an agreement that will mobilize up to $125 million in private financing for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
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Conflict of Interest or Business in Liberia? Govt on Board Not Issue, Says NIC Boss

April 21, 2008- FrontpageAfrica.com

Monrovia - It was later discovered that the Government of Liberia (GOL) is on the board and has a share of 26.4% in the only cement manufacturing company in the country, CEMENCO.
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Yellow Fever Outbreak in Nimba Confirmed

April 21, 2008- The Inquirer - Monrovia

Monrovia - The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has declared an outbreak of yellow fever after a case was confirmed from Nimba County on March 28, 2008.
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Turbulent Era Ends for Conteh at University of Liberia; Who Fills the Void?

April 15, 2008- FrontpageAfrica.com

Monrovia - An Executive Mansion release stated that Conteh has been named Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, a position usually meant to pave the way for an appointment as an Ambassadorship -in-waiting.
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Opposition

Liberia: The emerging repeat of the ugly past in the new Army

Posted April 15, 2008 - LIMANY - (NEW YORK, USA)

The news of Soldiers expressing dissatisfaction over poor housing facilities at the various Military Barracks around the country and the delay by authorities of the Ministry of National Defense to adequately meet up with their just allowances needs serious attention and consideration.

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ELLEN Outlines Measures To Address Problem

April 15, 2008 - The Analyst - (Monrovia)

Amid growing alarm over the cost of food throughout the world, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf says the solution to the alarming world wide increase in the prices of basic commodities, especially rice, lie in the ability of Liberians to return to the soil and grow more food.

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Liberia: Dr. Slawon Wants Universities Closed

March 16, 2008 - The NEWS - (Monrovia)

The Director General of the National Commission on Higher Education at the Ministry of Education, Dr Michael P. Slawon said instead of March 20, 2008 as previously proposed, universities should be closed.

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Cameroon head blames opposition

February 28, 2008 - BBC Africa

President Paul Biya has blamed the opposition for violence which has left at least seven dead in Cameroon.

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Ellen to Secure Commitment on Three Projects While Visiting China; VIP Trainee Sent Home

October 24, 2006 - FrontpageAfrica.com

Monrovia - Liberia’s President, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says during her upcoming visit to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), she will engaging the Chinese Government’s commitment on three specific projects.
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Opposition Parties: Benefits and Challenges in Building Sustainable Democracy

By Emmanuel Dolo, Ph. D.

October 21, 2006 - The Perspective

How do opposition political parties benefit transitional societies such as Liberia in achieving democracy? There are many answers to this question, each with its own implications for how governance takes shape in specific social, political, and economic contexts.
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UN retains Liberian diamonds ban

October 21, 2006 - BBC

The United Nations Security Council has voted to retain a ban on Liberian diamond exports, used in the past to finance the country's civil war.
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Nigerian leaders 'stole' $380bn

October 20, 2006 - BBC
More than $380bn has either been stolen or wasted by Nigerian governments since independence in 1960, the chief corruption fighter has said.

MITTAL STEEL UNDER FIRE BY NIMBA CITIZENS

October 20, 2006 - The Bush Chickencom

Mittal Steel, the world largest steel company, having taken over the assets of LAMCO in Yekepa, Nimba, Liberia has already fallen at odds with the residents of the area resulting in a position statement by leading citizens of Nimba calling on government to scrap the contract.
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5th Human Rights Report on Liberia: Corrupt Judicial System Undermining Rule of Law

October 18, 2006 - FrontpageAfrica.com

Monrovia - The Human Rights and Protection Section of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) today launched its fifth quarterly report on the human rights situation in the country with special focus on the challenges facing Liberia’s judicial system and the impact on the promotion and protection of human rights in Liberia.
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Lost in Translation: As West Support Fades, Liberia Turning East

Posted October 18, 2006 - FrontpageAfrica.com


On July 28, 2006, a senior United States official downplayed reports that China was a threat to U.S. economic interests in Africa. More recently, the Chinese Government has taken a lead role in the reconstruction and development of post-war Liberia, leaving many to wonder whether Liberia’s traditional stepfather, the United States has taken a backseat to China.
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Are The Likes Of Taylor's Allies To Own The Liberian Electricity Corporation, National Port Authority, Etc?

By J. Yanqui Zaza

October 18, 2006 - The Perspective

Would the likes of Charles Taylor's allies become the new owners of utility companies such as the Liberian Electricity Corporations now that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has promised to sell government-owned entities? (The Analyst, October 5, 2006).
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Ellen Advocates Sound Mineral Policy

October 18, 2006 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

President Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has called on Liberians to utilize the mineral sector as it plays an important role in the growth of the Liberian economy that is in shambles as a result of the 15 years fratricidal war.
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Ellen Wants Mittal Steel to Invest But..

Posted October 12, 2006 - The NEWS (Monrovia)

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has informed the nation that her government was still studying the US$900 million concession agreement signed by the erstwhile National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), and the MITTAL Steel Holding Liberia for the management of iron ore reserves at the Mount Nimba Range in Nimba.
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How Should Poverty Be Alleviated to Propel Growth?

Posted October 12, 2006 - FrontpageAfrica.com

Poverty is the single most obnoxious impediment to growth in Liberia with its momentous drag on national development. Without its alleviation, Liberia risks continual failure in expanding its economy or transforming its urban and rural sectors.
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TRC Begins Reconciliation With Testimonies Of Victims
But Will That Heal Liberia?

Posted October 12, 2006 - The Analyst (Monrovia)

It is often said that truth hurts, but that it also heals especially when it is done with unbending sincerity. It was against this backdrop that stakeholders in the Liberian crises agreed in 2003 to establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) as opposed to war crimes tribunal
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Sirleaf Admits 'A Number of Sticky Points' in Mittal Steel Deal

Posted October 4, 2006 - BBC

Monrovia - The Liberian President, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says consistent with her campaign promise that all agreements and contracts executed with the erstwhile National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) will be re-negotiated the agreement with Mittal Steel is being re-negotiated.
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Health fears for Guinea's leader

Posted October 4, 2006 - BBC

Guinea President Lansana Conte has failed to make his usual independence day speech, increasing concern that his health is continuing to deteriorate.
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Mittal Deal Shows Liberian Leaders Still in the Dark (A Letter)

By Dr. Lawrence Zumo

October 4, 2006 - FrontpageAfrica.com

No matter, what personal or secret external pressures our leaders come under during these situations, we thought national interest would come first. Perhaps, that historical legacy is of no interest to them nor their children's children.
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Liberia: Mittal Steel's $900 Million Deal Inequitable, Says New Global Witness Report

October 3, 2006 - Global Witness (LONDON)

$900 million mining deal between the world's largest steel company, Mittal Steel, and the Government of Liberia is heavily weighted against the interests of that war-torn and impoverished West African country and it should be substantially re-negotiated...
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Iron ore deal 'bad for Liberia'

October 3, 2006 - BBC

The world's largest steel company, Mittal, has been accused of setting up a state within a state in one of Africa's poorest countries, Liberia. .
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