Shaping change in a time of disruption
Before 1800, nearly everyone on the planet was poor. Royalty and large landowners were a small minority, and wealth was tied to land – those who controlled land, controlled much of the world’s wealth. Nearly everyone else lived in poverty. This was what society looked like for virtually the entire recorded history of humanity: Jim […]
Liberian government accused of violating constitution
The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) says President George Weah and his Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC) led government’s failure to provide adequate funding for the holding of the recently suspended senatorial by-elections in Montserrado and Bong Counties’ violates the Liberian Constitution and it undermines the country’s fledgling democracy. Liberia’s National Election […]
Another victory for democracy in West Africa
Sierra Leone is the latest example of democracy taking root in West Africa, according to Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) head of research Victor Adetula, who calls recent elections in the region a success story. Sierra Leone has a new president. Opposition candidate Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People’s Party won a narrow victory […]
ECOWAS seeks gender equality in peace processes
The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), a Swedish agency for peace, security and development have, taken further steps to ensure gender equality in the region as well as increase the involvement of women in peace and security processes as stipulated by the United Nations […]
Liberian legislators visit UK
A seven-member delegation from Liberia’s House of Representatives will begin a week-long engagement with the British Parliament, key education and policy institutions beginning Monday, May 7. The Liberian legislative delegation will hold discussions with their counterparts at the British Parliament in Westminster. Members of the delegation include Johnson Gwaikolo, Muna E. Pelham Youngblood […]
Sweden hosts international peace forum this week
‘The Politics of Peace’ will be the theme when the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) host the fifth annual Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development on 7–9 May. The forum will gather a number of international experts for discussion and debate on how global cooperation on conflict prevention […]
Congo and OPEC: A marriage of mutual need
The Republic of the Congo has suffered dearly during the oil collapse; and Congolese President Denis Nguesso has pledged that the country would no longer be sitting on the side lines — suffering the effects of global decision-making in the oil industry without a voice. In an official communiqué announcing the bid for OPEC membership, […]
Norway to ban child marriage
The Norwegian Government recently proposed to introduce an absolute minimum marriage age of 18 years. “We want to send a clear message, nationally as well as internationally, that we do not accept people under the age of 18 years getting married in Norway,” says Minister of Children and Equality, Linda Hofstad Helleland. The marriage age […]
Gambia’s road to democratic reform
Since the inauguration of Adama Barrow after 22 years of authoritarian rule, Gambia’s democratic reforms have benefited from political will, national ownership, and international backing. However, the country’s dark legacy continues to pose risks to the process. Little-known candidate Adama Barrow was sworn in as Gambia’s president in January 2017 after winning the presidential election […]
George Weah writes: Don’t forget about Liberia
I grew up in the Gibraltar area of Clara Town, a slum in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. Sport was my passport out of poverty. A combination of luck and hard work enabled me to make my improbable journey from the dusty football fields of Clara Town to glamorous stadiums in Europe. I played professional […]
