Monrovia - A Liberian lawmaker, Representative Solomon George (CDC-District #7, Montserrado County), has described as dog the  move by U.S. former President Barrack Obama to legitimize gay and lesbianism.

Monrovia – Jonathan Paye Layleh is now seeking more clarity from President George Manneh Weah after the Liberian leader accused him of using his reportage to undermine efforts to reconcile Liberians and released a statement that further “indicts” him.

Monrovia – Barely a week before the expiration of the Deferred Enforced Departure or Temporary Protective Status, which has given Liberians in the United States of America a safe haven for some 27 years, an internal memo obtained by FrontPageAfrica suggests that despite strong diplomatic and legislative push in the U.S. Congress, behind the scenes efforts are underway to prepare Liberians to return home.

Monrovia - With the fate of thousands of Liberians hinging on the approval or expiration of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) on March 31, 2018, thousands of Liberians in Minnesota will host a DED Solidarity Rally on Monday, March 26, 2018, at Minnesota State Capitol in hopes of winning a last-minute miracle from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Monrovia - With the fate of thousands of Liberians hinging on the approval or expiration of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) on March 31, 2018, thousands of Liberians in Minnesota will host a DED Solidarity Rally on Monday March 26, 2018, at Minnesota State Capitol in hopes of winning a last-minute miracle from U.S. President Donald Trump. DED is a temporary legal status renewed repeatedly over the last several years. IF YOU GO: The Liberian Community Solidarity Rally Will Be held at the Minnesota’s State Capitol | 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd | Saint Paul, MN 55155/ Time: Event: | Monday March 26, 2018 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mr. Abdullah Kiatamba, Executive Director of the African Immigrant Services (AIS) told FrontPageAfrica Saturday that Monday’s rally is organized to support and stand in solidarity with our community and thousands of Liberians whose DED status is now seriously being threatened as the deadline looms closer. “The rally is also a climax of series of activities and actions over the last several weeks. Last week, leaders of community groups and advocates traveled to the US Congress, to make a compelling case for DED, highlight the stories of DED recipients, and assess both the social and economic implications of the non-renewal of DED.” According to organizers, the Solidarity Rally will include testimonies from those directly impacted by DED, community leaders, partners and friends, organizing groups, etc. The event is a collaborative efforts of Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM), the African Immigrant Services (AIS), the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), the Liberian Ministers Association (LMA), among several others. Since 1991, Liberia has been continuously designated for either TPS or DED, due to unsafe country conditions preventing Liberians from safely returning. In 2007, President Bush directed that DED be granted to Liberian TPS holders, allowing them to remain in the United States for 18 months. Since then, DED for Liberia has been extended by all subsequent administrations - Democrat and Republican alike. Most recently, in 2016, the Obama administration extended DED for Liberia for an additional 18 months through March 31, 2018. Addressing the controversial memo suggesting that President Trump will not renew the DED for Liberians, Mr. Kiatamba said, unlike TPS, only the President of the United States has the power to approve the DED. “We have seen approval taking place in the eleventh hour, so we have every reason to treat this dystopian memo with a grain of salt.” According to the memo from the Office of the Consul General of the Republic of Liberia and the Liberian Business Association in the US, a request has already been made to the Liberian Embassy in Washington, DC for the Ambassador to visit Minnesota, the state with the largest concentration of Liberians in the U.S to show the Liberian government’s support, and talk to members of the community. The memo encouraged the Liberian embassy to create a toll-free 1-800 number to have Liberians on DED call in and leave a name and number. “The idea is to create a count of Liberians on DED in the United States. The Foreign Mission should put a plan in place to deal with the activities of ICE across the missions (New York, Atlanta, and Minnesota).” Kiatamba acknowledged that he is aware of the memo which he said was shared with the Liberian ambassador to the United States when a delegation of advocates, including the Union of Liberians in America paid a call. The ambassador reportedly said that she received it from the Liberian consulate in Minnesota, according to Kiatamba. “At that meeting, few of us made it clear that the author of the memo sounded like a merchant of despair, selling hopefulness and fear for an unknown reason.” Kiatamba’s hope hinges partly on the fate of South Sudan which won a late renewal at the eleventh hour last year. That decision came as the US ended temporary protected status for citizens of Sudan as of 2018 while extending it for citizens of South Sudan through mid-2019, the Department of Homeland Security. Temporary protected status allows nationals of certain countries, often facing armed conflict or major natural disasters, who are already in the United States to temporarily remain and work there. Both Sudan and South Sudan’s designations were due to expire on Nov. 2. Instead, Sudanese nationals were allowed to stay legally for another year, but then must leave. DHS urged them in a statement to use their remaining time to “prepare for and arrange their departure from the United States” or apply for other visa types allowing them to stay. South Sudan was the world’s youngest country when it became independent from neighboring Sudan in 2011 following decades of conflict. But the new nation dissolved into civil war less than two years later, after President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, fired his deputy, Riek Machar, a Nuer. Since then tens of thousands have died, and 3.5 million of the country’s 12 million citizens have fled their homes, creating Africa’s largest refugee crisis since Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Syria and Yemen are the other countries whose nationals can qualify for temporary protected status in the United States. Kiatamba says it is important for Liberians to not lose hope even with the eleventh hour approaching. “Should US senators, congressmen, and faith leaders across the US abandon a worthy cause, all because few low-level Liberian diplomatic officials are driven by an unknown agenda to discourage hundreds of advocates, organizers and allies across the United States, who are giving their best to make a powerful case for the extension of DED?” Kiatamba argued: “So many felt the same way about the TPS for South Sudan until President Trump approved of it almost in the eleventh hour. Civil rights leaders, including Dr. King, would have abandoned his cause because “some US official” told him that freedom for black was not possible. ULAA has called the statement of the consulate discouraging and disappointing, adding “that statement doesn’t represent the best of diplomatic leadership on this matter”. Meanwhile some 120 faith-based organizations and 509 faith leaders sent a letter to President Trump today, urging him to extend Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for nearly 4,000 Liberians for a minimum of 18 months. The current designation is due to expire March 31st. If not extended, thousands of Liberians would lose their work authorization and be vulnerable for deportation the following day. The consequences would be devastating, potentially tearing families apart and forcing parents to leave behind their children.The faith-based groups wrote: “Our call stems from our shared values rooted in our sacred texts to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger, the sojourner among us. As Leviticus 19:33-34 reminds us: “Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.” The group added: “Liberia remains unable to welcome the safe return of nearly 4,000 Liberians as recovery from the public health and infrastructure crises has been slow. We must respond by upholding our promises to the Liberian people and by allowing our Liberian brothers and sisters to remain here in the United States. As faith leaders and members of faith-based organizations across the country, we urge you to join us in standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our Liberian neighbors, and to extend DED.” DED allows certain Liberians to legally live and work in the United States. It was first granted to Liberians by President George W. Bush in 2007. Since then, every administration has extended DED in 12-, 18-, and 24-month intervals. The country continues to struggle to recover from civil war and political unrest, and faces ongoing food insecurity and public health crises like the recent Ebola and malaria outbreaks.

Monrovia - Mr. Jonathan Paye Layleh, the Liberia correspondent for the British Broadcasting Corporation is seeking clarity for Liberian President George Manneh Weah amid allegations from the President during a media stakeout with the visiting United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Amina J. Mohammed and other foreign dignitaries, in which the President accused him of being against him with his reportage.

Monrovia – The headquarters of Orange Liberia was a scene of excitement and jubilation on this 22nd of March as thirteen winners walked away with a various prize valued at thousands of United States Dollars.   Close to 100 winners have already walked away with prizes since the beginning of the “This is my time” or “Da ma tan” campaign on February 14.

Monrovia – Barely a week before the expiration of the Deferred Enforced Departure or Temporary Protective Status, which has given Liberians in the United States of America a safe haven for some 27 years, an internal memo obtained by FrontPageAfrica suggests that despite strong diplomatic and legislative push in the US Congress, behind the scenes efforts are underway to prepare Liberians to return home. Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com According to the memo from Mr. Jackson George, at the Office of the Consul General of the Republic of Liberia and the Liberian Business Association in the US, a request has already been made to the Liberian Embassy in Washington, DC for the Ambassador to visit Minnesota, the state with the largest concentration of Liberians in the U.S to show the Liberian government’s support, and talk to members of the community. The Embassy is also being encouraged to create a toll-free 1-800 number to have Liberians on DED call in and leave a name and number. “The idea is to create a count of Liberians on DED in the United States. The Foreign Mission should put a plan in place to deal with the activities of ICE across the missions (New York, Atlanta, and Minnesota).” The Consul General also requested that the Foreign Ministry writes a position statement to inform Liberian nationals that the government understands the complexity of the situation and that Liberians returning home will be received with open arms. “The plan should include the expediting of passports for Liberians who are on DED, many of whom do not have passports or travel documents but are eager to return home quietly.” The Liberian Embassy in Washington is also being encouraged to find a sensitive means of informing Liberians that DED will not be renewed, which is based on high level meetings held with officials of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “Liberians who are DED holders should avoid running afoul of the law and restrict travels outside their home states”, the memo notes. The memo continued: “Liberians with children, retirement accounts, mortgages, bank accounts and properties need to begin to establish Power of Attorneys to ensure that they are protected. The government of Liberia should begin to identify positions to place Liberians on DED and likely to return home with the skills and qualifications to ensure that undue hardship is not felt.” Minnesotans began welcoming Liberian refugees fleeing civil war in their country nearly three decades ago. They arrived under a protected temporary status. Few dreamed that war would ravage their country for nearly 15 years, followed by a prolonged rebuilding period and an Ebola epidemic in 2014. In all those years, their immigration protections were renewed regularly by Democratic and Republican presidents alike. In a late push Saturday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, in a strongly-worded editorial headlined: “Liberians Have Earned a Right to Stay in the US”, described President Trump’s lack of response to numerous pleadings for renewal as cruel. “President Donald Trump has given no indication that he intends to follow the pattern set by Presidents George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Barack Obama by granting another extension or, as much of Minnesota’s congressional delegation has sought, a path to citizenship. That is not only regrettable, it is cruel.” The newspaper’s editorial made the case that extending the legal status of Liberians, is not only a matter of compassion, but practicality. “Who benefits when thriving businesses are shuttered, needed jobs left empty and American-born children possibly left without their parents? These refugees have earned a right to stay by virtue of living, working and contributing to this country for decades, all under the legal auspices of the U.S. government.” The Liberian government has so far not yet made any comment on the matter as to what plans it has in place to prepare for Liberians on the verge of returning home. Reports from many cities across the US suggest many Liberians are living in panic and fear as the clock ticks toward the March 31, 2018 deadline.   A Liberian diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity Saturday said: “The deportation of thousands of Liberians will likely cause a strain on the economy.  The government is not prepared. Mr. Trump needs to understand that this is a new government. Our people need to keep calling their senators and representatives, don’t let up and be really aggressive like we did in the past. This is no joke and Trump needs to understand that Liberia and U.S relationship is different from all others. We have to bring in the devastation the Ebola caused and Liberia is just recovering. We need some cushion.”

Monrovia – President George Weah has assured Liberians of his administration’s continued support to press freedom. The Liberian leader spoke on Friday, March 23, 2018 when he served as keynote Radio Station held at the Pan African Plaza in Monrovia.

Monrovia - I thank our partners, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Peacebuilding Office, Search for Common Ground, the Liberia Peace Ambassador, the Independent Commission on Human Rights and Naymote for their continued commitment and efforts, and for bringing us together today.

Monrovia – President George Manneh Weah has assured Liberians of his administration’s continued support to press freedom. The Liberian leader spoke on Friday, March 23, 2018 when he served as keynote Radio Station held at the Pan African Plaza in Monrovia.

Monrovia - I thank our partners, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Peacebuilding Office, Search for Common Ground, the Liberia Peace Ambassador, the Independent Commission on Human Rights and Naymote for their continued commitment and efforts, and for bringing us together today.

Monrovia – President George Manneh Weah has said that the political, culture and economic division still remains a hindrance to total reconciliation and peace in Liberia.

Monrovia – President George Manneh Weah has received in audience Ambassador Olof Skoog, Swedish Permanent Representative to the UN and Chairman of the UN Peacebuilding Commission in Liberia and delegation at his Foreign Affairs’ office on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

Monrovia – Liberia has actively participated in the conference, which drafted the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Kigali, Rwanda.

Monrovia – The longstanding trial involving a Liberian businessman, Amos P.K. Brosius of the Ducor Petroleum Incorporated (DPI) and the Monrovia Oil Trading Company (MOTC) owned by a Belgium businessman, Charles Carron and others at the Commercial Court of Liberia seems to be endless as the case continue to drags on.

Monrovia - In accordance with Rule 39.1 of the Rules and Procedures of the House of Representatives, Representative Fonati Koffa (CDC-Grand Kru County) has written his colleagues notifying them of “Discharge Petition” on the Liberia Empowerment and Economic Act of 2018.

Monrovia - A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday, 20 March, concluded a two-week visit to Liberia, recommending to the Liberian government measures to fix the country’s troubling economy.

Monrovia – Liberia’s Solicitor General-designate, Cllr. Daku Mulbah, has pledged support for a law that calls for judges to conduct pre-sentence hearing for guilty convicts.

Monrovia – President George Manneh Weah has instructed Finance Minister Samuel Tweah to make available more than US$200,000 as payment of stipend for students attending the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine at the University of Liberia.

Monrovia - K3 Telecommunications Monday, March 20, announced the start of a new internship program. Selected interns will be trained to acquire new skills in technical, commercial and financial fields. The intensive internship training program is for two months renewable depending on the success of program.

Monrovia - Ministry of Health official in Liberia and journalist, Mr. Momolu V. O. Sirleaf, who is commonly known in the media circle as ‘VO,’ has been accused and charged for “committing the crime of Statutory Rape in violation of the statute.”

Monrovia - Members of the House of Representatives have failed to come to term in dealing with scores of audit reports submitted by the General Auditing Commission to the Legislature through its Public Accounts Committee.

Monrovia – President George Manneh Weah has expressed confidence that the relations between Liberia and the Russian Federation will gain a new and elevated thrust, thereby creating the platform for an enhanced cooperation in the areas of trade and investment for the mutual benefit of the two countries. 

Monrovia – The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has been ordered to shoot anyone caught attempting to steal navigation equipment within the aerodrome or on the airside at Roberts International Airport. 

Monrovia – The Plenary of the House of Representatives has charged the House’s Standing Committees on Lands, Mines and Energy, Health, Investment and Judiciary to fully investigate the operations of Arcelor Mittal Liberia following reports of reneging on some provisions of the concession agreement signed over a decade ago.

Monrovia – The Ministry of Justice through its Child Justice Sector says, it is keen on ensuring that anti-child trafficking measures are effective in Liberia.

New York – The First Lady of Liberia, Clar Marie Weah says it is time to progress from advocacy for gender equality in Africa to participation and concrete actions.

Monrovia – The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Liberia, in conjunction with the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) University has for the first time in Liberia launched the Co-Branded Visa Pre-Paid Identification card for students on campus.

Monrovia – The Bureau of Vital Statistics, a Ministry of Health department responsible to print birth and death certificates, has disclosed that under the watchful eyes of ‘caretaker’ Mary T.  Broh, it issued out at least 31,000 birth certificates in nine months.

Monrovia – Reliable pieces of information reaching this paper say the Senate has denied several assistant ministers nominated by President George Manneh Weah.

Monrovia – The National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairman, Cllr. Jerome George Korkoya, has described as laughable and troubling statement by the Finance Minister, Mr. Samuel Tweah.

Monrovia – President George Weah’s biggest support base in the 2017 election that brought him power were slum communities and pehn-pehn riders – people from these groups are considered to be living way below the poverty line.

Monrovia – America students visiting the main campus of the University of Liberia on Capitol Hill for the first time were delighted to see the monument of former President Williams V. S. Tubman, the longest-serving President of the Republic of Liberia.

New York – Was she or wasn’t’ she granted a visa to the United States of America? That’s the question many Liberians are pondering over the current whereabouts of Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor.