Recently in Liberia Category

The "Rape of Africa" vs "Yes Africa Can"

By Leonard Doyle on April 27, 2010 1:58 PM

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Gold and guns ... David LaChapelle's The Rape of Africa. 
Photograph courtesy of the artist and Fred Torres Collaborations (The Observer)

"The economic landscape of Africa has changed dramatically since the mid-1990s, as stagnation has given way to dynamism in a broad swath of African countries."
Thats the introduction to a Civil Society policy forum at the World Bank today which is encouragingly entitled "Yes Africa Can: Success Stories From a Dynamic Continent". 
Its undoubtedly true that the African economy is on the march. From Mozambique's impressive growth rate (averaging 8% p.a. for more than a decade) to Mali's success in exporting mangoes and from M-PESA's mobile phone-based cash transfers to Rwanda's gorilla-based tourism, Africa is seeing a dramatic transformation. 
 This favorable trend is spurred by, among other things, stronger leadership, better governance, an improving business climate, innovation, market-based solutions, a more involved citizenry, and an increasing reliance on home-grown solutions. But there's a darker side of the story thats being eclipsed in all the excitement of the new "Scramble for Africa."

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Liberia's troubling culture of human sacrifice

By Quid Nunc on April 4, 2010 2:15 AM

Canibalistic killings have reportedly returned with a vengeance to Liberia's southeastern Maryland County region spreading fear in a community still traumatized by the country's vicious civil war

About 18 people have been arrested in the provincial city of Harper, including a top government official in the region according to government sources quoted in Liberia's New Democrat Online.

Justice Minister Christiana Tah, who recently visited the region, told the Liberian media that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was concerned about rising tension in the region and the apparent failure of the authorities to investigate disappearances. 

It appears that the first complains of ritualistic killings followed an investigation by a traditional healer or 'witchdoctor' from Guinea who investigate the disappearances at the request of local people. Liberia's Maryland County has a dark history of human sacrifice and recent unexplained disappearances have caused growing tensions in the country.

The Liberian New Domocrat: "Witches" Confess To Witchdoctor

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Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf warns against voodoo justice as Ambassador at Large is arrested for ritual killing of child, mother

By Quid Nunc on March 29, 2010 11:10 AM

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By A. Abbas Dulleh, The New Democrat Online

Several people, including a top government official, have been arrested in Liberia after a 7-month old pregnant woman was killed, the child extracted from her, with the blood poured in bottles for ritualistic purposes.

One of those arrested is Tatu Clark, head of the local airline, Elisian. He denies that formal charges have been brought against them. A prominent official, Fulton Yancy, was reportedly found with the bottles of blood and the intestines of the dead child in his house. Mr. Yancy's family has a history of ritualistic killings spanning decades.

President Sirleaf was closely involved in the arrests and investigation and has warned locals against "sassywood" or trial by ordeal, a form of voodoo justice. A  voodoo priest reportedly persuaded 300 'witches' to confess to ritualistic crimes and passions are running high in the town of Harper. 

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A kinder, gentler sort of peacekeeper

By Quid Nunc on March 10, 2010 7:10 AM
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By Doreen Carvajal MONROVIA-- When darkness comes to Congo Town, women in crisp uniforms take the streets, patrolling with Kalashnikov rifles and long, black hair tucked into baby-blue caps. The brisk sergeant in command, Monia Gusain, matter of factly calls them "my men." But the stern Indian women facing her are actually wives and mothers who wage peace for a living on the rutted dirt roads of Liberia. The women -- part of a special female United Nations police unit from India -- lead dual lives: stamping out street crime by night and standing guard under the steamy equatorial sun outside the Monrovia headquarters of the Liberian president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. When they retreat, home is a military barracks where they tell bedtime stories to their toddlers via video conference calls.
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General, killer, rapist...bible thumper, welcome to Liberia

By Jem Casey on January 28, 2010 7:00 PM

Shane Smith of VBStv travels across remote areas of Liberia begins with Joshua, one-time rapist and murderer of thousands. The former rebel general introduces Shane to his church and denounces Liberia's fair-weather friends afraid of slums and swamp water. His sermon ends with an open admission of the blood on his hands. In the end, we wonder about the future of Liberia, Generals Butt Naked, Rambo, and bin Laden, and what will become of the child soldiers after the UN leaves. Will it once again dissolve into open warfare? Or can a message of good redeem a country that's been plagued with violence and poverty since its inception?
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