An Eye on Society

22 Years Later: My Emotional Journey to Fendall

2012-02-14T03:36:00.003-08:00

By James Kokulo Fasuekoi

Guest Writer

By culture, Lorma young men are not supposed to cry at their fathers’ or mothers’ funeral for doing so implies defeat and feminism. For men who have already graduated from the bush school, the word “defeat” or “feminism” is totally abominable. They would therefore rather prefer death than take such titles. Men who stand the test are enviously hailed by the locals as being brave and strong.

It has now become apparent to this writer that it was this kind of psychological ideology used by the Lormas, and perhaps, other Liberian tribes to recruit potential warriors to protect their boders, towns and villages against enemy invasion. Though such culture may be fading, it however still exists even today.

As a ninth-grade student in 1981, I had been warned by an uncle not to shed tears during my father’s funeral procession in Liberia’s northern Lofa County. I obeyed, and continuously fought back tears throughout the rituals in spite all attempts by my four grieving aunts (my father’s sisters) to provoke me into crying. Upon receiving my mother’s death news September 11, 2001, I managed the same way to hold back tears. I remained strong and didn’t cry till weeks later when her passing really hit me hard and that’s when I let it out!

But on Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, that wasn’t the case as I drove up to the Fendall University Campus outside Monrovia following nearly 22 years when my family and I sought refuge there at the height of Liberia’s civil war in 1990. Tears rolled down my chest as I parked my car in the main square of the Science College Building where friends and I passed the day munching on whatever bush nuts we had. The campus was jammed park with an estimate 250,000 displaced and foreign residents.

On my arrival, I became emotionally distraught as a result of flashbacks from my 1990 war experience. It was like a re-play of that war. I thought of numerous things that could snatch people and their loved ones at the time such as hunger, diseases like cholera, dysentery and diarrhea and above all, the guns that everyone feared most.

Then I lifted my head and the teachers’ quarters came within full view. This is where the rebels had kept all foreigners hostage particularly those from ECOWAS countries like Nigeria, Ghana and Guinea who initially contributed troops that made up ECOMOG to help stop the widespread carnage staged by NPFL rebels and the government forces. Each passing night, NPFL rebels raided the teachers’ quarters and took away scores of hostages and killed them. Rebels also carried out similar raids in the main campus complex including the auditorium of the Science building where I lived with my relatives.

The unpleasant odor emanating from footwear and cloths worn by the rebels suggested some had not have a bath for weeks or even months. They often entered the various dormitories around 3: AM to 4: AM, pointing torchlight in our faces while we were deep asleep in order to search for people belonging to certain tribes targeted by the NPFL hierarchy. They would kick us with their boots and shout with that deep Gio-Manor accented English: “Let all the man get up.” In obedience to order, all the men would quickly wake up, some still dosing in and out of sleep as others sat in sad mood with their hands folded across their chests apparently worried about what might happen to them. The rebel commander and his men would then go around with flashlights searching between chairs and pointing out men and women who should follow them to a checkpoint notoriously called “God bless me gate” located off campus on the main Monrovia-Kanata Highway.

Certain people were targeted prior to each raid. Rebel informers lived among us and pretended to be displaced people. Their work involved collecting data on individual displaced who appeared to act suspicious such as avoiding others or crowds. Informers would describe the target’s complexion and clothing since in fact most people wore the same cloths for weeks or months due to such hopeless life. Rebels sometimes hovered over us throughout the night like an eagle ready to snatch its prey. Many of those taken away were never seen again.

Even daylight wasn’t a guarantee for anyone’s safety. One moment, you would be with a friend or a relative, or say a passerby you had seen and within hours, that person would be gone. It was a very scary situation that left many people thinking about where to go, although nowhere under the NPLF was safe. The place was like a huge prison camp surrounded by rebel checkpoints. One had to pass a roadblock more than twice each day to shower or attend to nature. That is, if he/she didn’t feel comfortable showering at a small creek called “Adam and Eve” south of the campus where about 20 to 30 adults men and women would gather during evening hours and shower side by side.

Because of this dangerous atmosphere, the best safety measure for young men like us was to move about in group; that way someone would be in the position to carry news in case something happens. One rainy morning in August 1990, an upset stomach suddenly led me to an unpleasant sight across the main road headed to Bensonville, home of former Pres. William R. Tolbert. I saw a young female half buried in a shallow grave with part of her legs and fingers exposed. It’s a scene that has never gone away from my memory.

With this much of an experience, I didn’t know where to begin filming after the sobbing ended. I managed to set up my camera on tripod in a self-snapping mode right at the entrance of the auditorium where I once lived. As I filmed from one point to another, curious students often interrupted the exercise to inquire about my visit. Each time, I stopped and explained how my family and I had slept on those concrete slabs after escaping the capital.

“We sought refuge here thinking this campus was safe when in fact it turned out to be one of the worst places in Liberia at that time” I explained. “But I thank God that people can once more come here to school.”

The students froze as they sympathetically listened to my war story. What actually appeared to me afterwards from the exchanges with the students there is that there is something in particular that every Liberian directly or indirectly affected by the war can easily relate to and that is the pain taken into every Liberian household by the war.

My family’s journey to Fendall began one morning early August 1990. We had been uprooted from our home located in Gardnerville, near Liberia’s Oil Refinery by the Charles Taylor led war that had eventually consumed the entire country in six months with no real frontlines. One day, the battle front could be as far as Broad Street while the next day, it could be right in the center of your neighborhood. And in spite of my uncle’s procrastination, we eventually had to vacate our residence near the Chicken Soup Factory in Gardnerville.

The source of power for Mr. Taylor’s rebel army largely came from Nimba County, most of whom were Gois and Manors who had been revengefully targeted by Doe’s death squad after a failed 1985 coup led by former Armed forces of Liberia (AFL) Commanding General Thomas Quiwonkpa, also from Nimba. Now years later, disgruntled Nimba citizens swallowed the ranks of Taylor’s rebel army and were coming back to settle score not only with Krahn rivals, but any Liberian for that matter perceived to have link to krahns and their supporters.

The brutality carried out against civilians by the national army from the onset of the war caused it to loss its popularity and support among the masses. And after carrying out several small civilian massacres in and around the capital leading to the July 1990 Monrovia Lutheran Church genocide, the AFL found itself in total shamble and desperation fighting for survival.

A small AFL unit that provided protection for the Liberia Oil Refinery Company got trapped between Taylor’s NPFL and the INPFL of Gen. Prince Johnson, now a Senator for Nimba. After running out of food and ammunition, members of this unit would emerge from their hideout in the vicinity and strike their rival NPFL forces thus jeopardizing our safety. In one incident, after they have repelled the AFL men, NPFL fighters hunted and killed a Krahn neighbor, Mr. Collins Pyne. Mr. Pyne once owned a motel business in the area. He had sent his entire family to Freetown before the war hit Monrovia. His broad day execution that August 4th morning in 1990 served as a deciding moment for my uncle as to whether we could risk staying or leave our yard.
Barely less than an hour into our journey, it became cleared to all of us that fighters of Mr. Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) masquerading as “freedom fighters” were indeed worst off than the National Army dominated by the Krahns. Unable to return to Monrovia having entered NPFL’s territories which had fast extended beyond Johnsonville we continued to zoom in towards Fandell University Campus.

By the time the morning sun rose, we were already in the Congo settlement of Johnsonville to a spot where NPFL rebels had just set up a new guard post otherwise called checkpoint. We didn’t see any fighter on arrival there but as we inquired information from residents concerning the general security atmosphere along the route to the Fendall Campus, two persons, an adult armed with a single barrel gun, and a teenage boy probably 12 year-old brandishing a kitchen knife, suddenly appeared from nowhere. They were part of thousands of Liberians who have come to “Liberate” their people from tyranny.

Without much talking, the adult rebel dressed in rags and tattered sneakers ordered his teen rebel soldier to search our belongings. As the boy pulled the cloths from the bottom of my uncle’s suitcase, what looked like a used tiny bullet shot was discovered.

“Who get gun here?” A deep silence fell as everyone stood dumbfounded.
“Who the soljor among yor…? He asked with a profound Gio undertone as he stepped back and cocked his weapon.

“Okaaay, let me be honest and tell you….,” said my kneeling uncle as he tried to maintain his balance, slowly raising his right hand as if he was about to take an oath. “Tell me otherwise, I will kill all of yor,” the young man who must have he been in his late 20s shouted back with some degree of seriousness.

Knowing the history of the rebels, no one was taking any chances. The rebels were known not to spare the life of even the lowest ranking government civil servant such as an office clerk or janitor. The likelihood therefore of any possibility to have us set free was very thin. As the drama unfolded amidst this gradual but chaotic atmosphere, this feeling that “something must be done quickly” suddenly fell upon me. Behold the same idea was already stirring up Brother Jensen. Jensen and I stole glances as we moved closer to the adult rebel holding a single-barrel gun. If anything, Jensen and I would knock him off balance, seize his weapon and free our family. But it seemed the NPFL fighter detected our mood. The rebel quickly took few steps back, pointed his weapon towards Jensen and ordered me to stand next to Jensen.

My uncle who had been speechless finally mustered courage and strength to talk. He would admit that the tiny bullet found belonged to a gun he kept years back for the sole purpose of protecting his family against armed robbers. After that, he would attempt to beg for mercy but would the rebels easily buy that idea?

The next thing, the rebels confiscated our belongings including a half bag of rice and half tin of palm oil. The adult fighter threw away our cloths and told residents to take the oil and the food because they were useless the fact that he was going to kill all of us.

At this juncture, Keima, who happened to be the fiancé of Karwolorwu, once a brother-in-law to us, voiced out that she and her husband were not a part of the “Mulbah” family and therefore the rebels should spare her and the boyfriends’ lives. The adult rebel reasoned with her request and ordered the rest of us, except Keima and Karwolorwu, to form a single line and head to the riverside, a rebel designated killing site in the area. We were about 17 altogether and it was because of persistent pleas from residents in the area that the rebels set us free.
By the time we reached the middle of our journey, hundreds of civilians fleeing disturbances from nearby towns and villages had joined the mass exodus. In towns along the Johnsonville-Fendall route, hundreds of bystanders stood by the road with their hands folded as they watched the flow of the human traffic. In this state of chaos, some spectators helped provided travelers with cleaned drinking water and reassuring that all will be well.

At NPFL roadblocks along the way, rebels vigorously screened thousands of people for perceived enemies for possible execution. Rebels also tossed every bit of our belongings and took away whatever they wanted from us, displaced including personal treasured photos from friends. One asked me if I won’t mine giving him a picture I took with former Liberia’s football star, George Weah. Before I could answer, he had removed the picture from my album. Many of them were fans of Mr. Weah and had only heard of him but never met or seeing his photo. Giving out my memorable photo was a way to create a sort of distraction so the rebel could stop harassing brother, Jensen in that one rebel commander had begun quizzing him regarding a picture he Jensen took wearing a watchman security uniforms. They murdered people for even the least important thing such as mere letter in transit to a family member that mentioned information about the rebels harassment of civilians.

We saw countless of dead bodies, mostly civilians. People living in towns along the route came by in search for relatives and friends, or perhaps just to watch the mass exodus. They told us stories about some of the war victims we saw beside the road. Majority of those killed were people reported to have link to tribes targeted, mainly Krahn, Mandingo and Sarpo. Other victims, we were told, were people who worked as civil servant in the crumbling government. Yet still, the good looking feature of some people served as a determining factor in their death. I saw the bloated bodies of two obese men whose hands and legs had stiffened due to the tropical weather.

As we approached the Fendall Campus, we were order to form a single line. At the head of the line which was longer than half a mile, rebels had set up a post near the college where new arrivals were being interrogated. A mulatto probably in her 30s was credited as the gifted one who spoke all of the local languages that were used to track down members of hunted tribes although her Lorma and Kpelle sounded awkward. She immediately began her questioning once an individual has identified himself and the tribe to which he belongs.

My uncle’s children, most of them girls, were all born in Monrovia and had never stepped out of the capital till the war came. Other than English, none could speak his/her mother’s tongue except to say hello! Besides, we were also traveling with nieces and nephews of my uncle’s wife. But the good news was that this group of children was born upcountry and could speak Kpelle fluently. We were somewhere in the middle of the line with hundreds ahead of us. This gave us a better chance to be able to teach my uncle’s kids a few lessons in Lorma before our turn.

It went like this: “What’s your name?” “What tribe are you?” And after giving the answers to those two, the individual was then requested to say where in Liberia he comes from. The presence of heavily armed rebel guerrillas made the exercise quite intimidating. Rag-tag fighters moved up and down the line and ordering people they didn’t feel pleased with to step aside or follow them for questioning. I saw people identified as Bassa, Kpelle, Gola, Lorma, Vai, Grebo, Kru, Congo, Manor, Gio, Belleh, Gbandi and Kissi. But I didn’t openly hear voices of Mandingo, Sarpo nor Krahn people. I wondered what was happening to my country.

The Campus was no less than a human catastrophe with suffering visible everywhere. The suffering made Mr. Charles Taylor to visit the campus twice in August and promised that international relief was coming for all displaced persons which didn’t happen. The sight of skeleton-like hunger-stricken adults and children feeding on groundnuts and palm kernels became common.

What compounded the entire situation was that the NPFL rebels for their personal reasons kept this huge population at Fendall and refused to allow people to move up country. With the exception of people of Nimba origins, one had to obtain a “G-2 Pass” (which could take up to days to be processed) to travel from Fendall to Carysburg which is just a few kilometers away; not to mention about faraway places like Lofa and Maryland.

Few days to the arrival of the West African Peacekeeping Force, a product of ECOWAS with a mandate to halt the bloodbath and restore sanity to Liberia, NPFL rebels coerced the entire population at Fendall to stage a massive demonstration against the coming of the ECOMOG troops. We were informed that the fighters who had their vehicles decorated with human skulls and skeletons would shoot on sight anyone who refuses to go out and participate in the planned anti-ECOMOG march. In addition, NPFL fighters forced us to show an expression of joy as we sang and paraded before a group of foreign journalists brought in by the NPFL. There, the reporters struggled to get their best photo shots of our frailed-looking faces.

Now coming back to this campus after many years of living in exile in the US inadvertently brought fresh war memories to mind. As I retrospect, I certainly have this feeling that I too could have probably died there just like those I saw if not for God’s blessings. Overwhelmed by those strong memories, I couldn’t help but had to let my tears out as a way of relieving my soul.

Consequently, if there is anything worth remembering about a civil war victim-survival such as me, it should be how the brutal war altered our lives and also our resolve to recuperate from unending nightmare. For me, I have found that writing and sharing my personal experiences as a war-survival and former war correspondent serve as a therapy or a copping method, and not an attempt to re-hatch another war as those guilty of war crimes might want us to think.

Note: The names Keima and Karwolorwu are not the real names of the individuals so named in this article. Fictitious names have been used in place of their names to protect their identities.

James Kokulo Fasuekoi is a journalist and author of Rape, Loot & Murder-Liberian Civil War: A Journalist’s Photo Diary and Sierra Leone’s Nightmare: A Peek Inside Kamajors’ Land, both published in the US in 2009. A former AP stringer, Mr. Fasuekoi is founder and director of MF Media Consultancy Inc.

22 Years Later: My Emotional Journey to Fendall

2012-02-14T03:36:00.001-08:00

LIBERIA: GAYS & LESBIANS' RIGHTS

2012-02-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

© James Kokulo Fasuekoi-MF Media Consultancy Inc.

Pix #1: kids walk Tuesday Feb.7, through the charred remains of the home of Liberia's emerging Gay Rights activist, Archie PoPo's mother, Agatha. Miss Agatha's home got burnt recently through mysterious circumstances in a slump neighborhood located on 18th Street in Sinkor, Monrovia near the Atlantic Ocean.
The home along with seven others belonging to neighbors was gutted by fire around 10:30 PM.

Miss Agatha's son, Archie who has been lately vocal about the protection of Gays and Lesbians rights in the country claims the incident was a reprisal attack on his mother's home all because of his belief. However, residents interviewed today said the arson was accidental and not carry out by a mob youth as claim by Archie. Youth leader for the community, Arthur kandakai said he and other youth members yesterday prevented Archie and a news crew from filming because, according to Mr. Kandakai, "Archie is using lies as a way to solicit money illegally from people and groups." A recent statement by current UN secretary General Ban Ki-Moon urging African leaders and their governments to respect the rights of Gays and Lesbians has sparked off intense debate in Liberia, a country where culture and traditions are heavily regarded with 15 out of 16 ethnic group in the country deeply attached to their cultures.

./Photos:James Kokulo Fasuekoi-MF Media Consultancy Inc.

LTA’S Introduction of the International Gateway Measuring System

2012-02-07T07:40:00.000-08:00

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IGM about?

When it is introduced the data generated by International Gateways Measuring Solution will allow the LTA to measure the quality of service, volume of international incoming traffic flow, audit revenues generated by International Incoming calls and detect fraudulent use of sim boxes, among other purposes.

Is it true that raising termination rates will cause the international incoming traffic to decrease, resulting in a loss of revenue both for the local operators and the State?

Several African countries have adopted the same policy on the termination rates of international incoming calls as Liberia. Among them: Guinea, the Central African Republic, Congo and Ghana. In these countries, the international incoming traffic have remained stable and even experienced substantial increases. In Ghana, the highest total monthly volume of traffic was recorded in August 2011; more than a year after the price-setting policy was adopted.

Indeed, if this policy had a negative impact on the international incoming traffic, an increasing downward trend would have been observed in the four countries mentioned above. Yet, the figures show the opposite.

Thus, the policy on the termination rates has no negative impact on the volumes of traffic. In other words, it does not affect how often people living abroad call Liberia, nor does it affect the number of minutes they dedicate to each communication.

In the African countries where this termination rate policy is in place, some operators may acknowledge that the international traffic has not decreased, but they say that the actual volume of traffic does not catch up with the increase in their customer-base and their network extensions. They complain they are not getting the much higher traffic they could expect because of the adverse impact of the high termination rate.”

This statement disregards three important facts that do not have anything to do with the price-setting policy on the termination of international calls.

Firstly, if the price-setting policy on the termination of international calls really affected the growth of international traffic on the networks of operators in the countries in question, one would notice a significant difference between the international traffic volumes of countries that still have not adopted the policy and the international traffic volumes of the countries that have. Yet, no statistically significant difference has been recorded in that respect.

Secondly, there is always a traffic distribution factor. In a community where the number of subscribers to mobile services is limited, the number of calls received on each line will inevitably be higher than in a community where the number of subscribers is higher. A person who used a relative or friend’s telephone to make and receive calls now uses his or her own, thus causing the number of calls made and received on the other telephone to decrease accordingly. Operators must therefore take this distribution factor into account when making traffic projections based on an increase in their customer-base.

In the whole of Africa, including in Liberia, a downward trend in the Average Revenue per User (ARPU) has been observed for a few years. This trend is due to several factors, specifically the fierce competition on prices, which has led to a substantial decrease in tariffs. The traffic distribution factor also played a role in this situation.

Thirdly, the impact of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): traditional operators across the world have seen their share of the telephone traffic decrease to the advantage of VoIP providers. The impact of VoIP is admittedly less important in Africa due to lower Internet penetration, but is more and more present as a result of the rapid development of mobile Internet, which makes it possible to access VoIP via Smartphones.

From 2005 to 2010, Skype-to-Skype communications grew much more than traditional telephone traffic, which also grew, but at a lower growth rate.

With the fiber optic development and the broader access to the Internet in Liberia in the near future, VoIP is expected to have an increasing impact on the growth in international traffic for the local traditional operators. So the IGM should not be misleadingly used as the reason for reduction in inbound traffic.

The operators and the GSMA say they have studies showing that the surcharge on international incoming calls has very negative impact on the revenues of the sector and impedes its development. (This assertion seems to be the conclusion of the Deloitte & Touche study commissioned in 2011.)

The studies on the potential impact of the surcharge of termination rates on the telecom sector in Africa are scarce and mostly based, not on an independent analysis of the operators’ traffic data, but rather on interviews with the same operators. For example, the Deloitte & Touche 2011 study commissioned by the GSM Association was actually based on comments and views expressed by African operators, as explained in the preamble of the study. Deloitte & Touche also stated in the same study that they do not guarantee the reliability of the statistics on which they based the study.

Actually, there is a lack of reliable statistics on international traffic data. The collection of these reliable statistics is precisely one of the many benefits of a system such as the International Gateway Measuring system being implemented by the LTA.

Some service providers are claiming that “Liberians living abroad will pay much more to call their families in Liberia.”

Supporting such a claim shows that one underestimates the importance of the law of supply and demand and the impact of competition on the international long-distance calls market. These two factors will have a crucial influence on whether or not a foreign operator will decide to pass on the termination rate increase to the retail rates of its prepaid cards or subscriptions. A foreign company has no interest in passing on this increase, as its customers would very likely be poached (or taken over) by one of its many competitors that might accept a slight decrease in the profit margin they make on the destination.

It is important that the following two things be understood: firstly, despite the increase of the termination rate in Liberia, companies based in Europe and in the Unites States will keep on making large profit margins on the Liberian destination. Secondly, fierce competition and the law of supply and demand mean that consumers living abroad will always benefit from competitive rates to call Liberia, particularly in very competitive markets such as North America and Europe. They will always have the option to not pay more than they currently do, or even to pay less.

In any case, we live in an interconnected world. This means that there are a multitude of possible routes to reach a destination and that the cheaper routes are always preferred by inbound callers.

Soon, when the IGM comes on stream in Liberia, people from the Diaspora who use heavily discounted pre-paid calling cards may see some positive difference after the implementation of the anti-fraud system, as a result of the International Gateways Monitoring System.

In general, analyses show that the implementation of the termination rates policy does not in itself significantly increase the costs of expatriate calls placed through legal channels. In other words, the rates for calls legally placed overseas remain stable. At the same time, because the system provides effective means to prevent international calling fraud, an increasing number of calls that were routed through grey market channels will henceforth be routed legally but will cost a bit more than overseas calls that are masked as local traffic by fraudulent operators.

Diaspora callers who are looking for the best possible rates may be unaware of this illicit practice and are often fooled into buying heavily discounted prepaid calling cards that provide extremely poor call quality and are ultimately not worth their reduced cost.

To be sure, the IGM system being put in place by the LTA will fight fraud, increase revenue not only for the State but also for the very Liberian service operators (some of whom are wrongly frowning on its use), and significantly improve the quality of service for the generality of Liberians who receive calls from their relatives living abroad.

It is further claimed that “Raising termination rates contravenes international telecom regulations and agreements that stipulate that interconnection rates must be cost-oriented.”

This is simply not true. Firstly, the surcharge on the termination rate is not something that is set by the operators themselves, as part of their settlement with their foreign counterparts. It is a government policy.

Secondly, ITU’s (International Telecommunications Union’s) Recommendation D.156 on network externalities clearly states that termination rates can include an increment imposed by governments and regulatory authorities to be used as a funding mechanism for universal service and development—which will enable affordable access to telecommunications services to the general population.

What about the view by some that “Foreign countries will respond to the new termination rates by applying reciprocity.”

It is the right of any sovereign country to adopt its own pricing policies with respect to international incoming calls. In Africa, termination rates are much higher than in North America, for example. Liberia is following a regional trend. Pricing policies in Africa reflect different national contexts and market conditions, such as the huge differences in teledensity (measurement of how many telephones are available), per capita income, international telecommunications trade balance, etc.

For all these reasons, although the ITU recommends that termination rates be cost-oriented, it does acknowledge that these interconnection rates are a big issue for developing countries, particularly in Africa. The ITU states that the universal access, in developing countries, requires an asymmetric approach. To quote a document published by the ITU’s Secretariat in October 1998: “the subsidies made from high teledensity economies to low teledensity ones should be unilateral, and should not carry the expectation of reciprocal treatment”.

How and why did the LTA choose Global Voices Group (GVG) for the IGM solution in Liberia?”

The LTA issued a world-wide request for proposal that was answered by 14 companies, including GVG. Of these 14 companies, 5 made a formal presentation. The LTA was looking for a provider with proven experience in the implementation of International Gateways Measuring Systems and with the technical and financial capacity to provide its solution according to a Build-Operate-Transfer Model.

GVG met all of these criteria, and is currently providing the very same solution to several other countries in Africa.

Alarms about confidentiality and privacy; for example, some claim that “The IGMS is a spy machine. It will be used to do tapping”.

The IGMS cannot be used to do tapping. Monitoring or tapping conversations is not the purpose of the solution; in fact, it does not even have the technical capacity to spy on anyone’s communications. The content of any phone calls remains totally inaccessible through the IGMS. The system only captures the signaling data, i.e.: data such as quality of service (QoS) indicators, volumes of calls, percentage of successful connections, etc. In addition to all these, the LTA Act of 2007 prohibits any such act by anyone without applying due process.

Published by the Public and Consumer Affairs Department of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, Monrovia, Liberia

FACE TO FACE WITH YATTA ZOE

2012-01-24T05:22:00.000-08:00

…Wants Behsao turn into Kendeja

By: James Kokulo Fasuekoi/MF Media Consultancy, mfmediaconsultanc@yahoo.com

When Liberia’s legendry folk singer Yatta Zoe made a blunt remark recently out of sheer frustration that “Liberians don’t respect artists,” she knew exactly what she was talking about for the evidence lies in Tom’s village, near the Maher River on the Bomi Highway where she now lives.

By all accounts, Yatta Zoe, a woman whose name became a household affair in Liberia during the 60s and 70s, is right.

At a very tender age, Yatta Zoe became a famous folksinger and by the late 70s at the peak of her musical career, she had tour Africa, Europe and America where she rubbed elbow with world’s renowned singers like Nigeria’s Afrobeat star the late Fela Kuti and South Africa’s Miriam Makeba.

Now for such a famous woman as Yatta Zoe who has traveled the world over, dinned with kings and queens to now reside in a single room hand-dubbed hut with no electricity, with outside toilet and bathroom in a remote village, speaks a lot about Liberians.

But this is exactly the reality about the life of this woman now 71. Affectionately known by fellow villagers as “Ma Yatta,” misfortune to some extent brought her this untimely fate which came as a result of multiple surgical operations she had following the civil war, a situation which forced her to auction her home in order to defray huge hospital charges.

Even so, Ma Yatta seems happy living in a village in Western Liberia among her Gola people who often looked out for her while at the same time providing her affection like one’s own family would do. And indeed they are.

Unlike soccer, most Liberians generally don’t take cultural heritage seriously. Many thus have adopted a lackadaisical approach towards Liberian artists and the arts itself; and the same treatment of artists remains unchanged even after the individual artist leaves the stage.

In years past, elaborate cultural festivities graced the Christmas and New Year’s seasons and much of them took place either at the Kendeja National Cultural Center, Behsao or the historic Providence Island in the heart of the capital where entire families spent countless hours enjoying cultural extravaganzas which included fine arts exhibits.

More so, with an inaugural celebration just around the corner, the momentum of it all would by now be resonating via the rhythms of Sasa, djembe and based-drums across the city in preparation for the pending occasion.

But this is not the case here. Not even a single cultural performance was held in the capital by any group or individual during this gone Christmas and New Year’s Season or those that preceded it since Ellen Johnson came to power. Interesting as they may appear, neither the current Cultural Minister Jackie Karphat nor Liberia’s Cultural Ambassador Julie Endee Tarpeh can recall when last a national cultural festival took place in Liberia.

As far as the pending inaugural celebration is concerned, this writer has learned that none of the country’s dramatic or cultural ballet dance groups has been contacted to provide entertainment for local and foreign guests expected at the January 16th program.

“It could be that they [government] have asked Julie Endee Crusaders to perform as usual,” said Mr. Victor Taylor who along with Kekura M. Kamara heads the Balawala-UMIL peace-reconciliation sensitization program.

What is even more pathetic about the country is the lack of a national cultural agenda since the closure of the National Cultural Bureau in early 1986 although, Liberia ironically, the country still maintains a cultural minister and a cultural ambassador whose private troupe known as “Liberia Peace Crusaders” is said to now play the role of the former Liberia National Cultural Troupe (LNCT).

And worse still, is the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf government's apparent consistency to crush the cultural life of the country by any means possible such as the president’s 2008 awarding of the national cultural shrine of Kendeja to U.S. Billionaire, Robert Johnson in the name of INVESTMENT to build a four-stars hotel resort with a promise to build a new center for members of the LNCT.

This faulty and hasty presidential deal has a life span of 50 years and will accordingly, put U.S. $800.000 annually in the coffers of a highly corrupt and unaccountable government. And as for the hotel construction, Liberia’s President Johnson Sirleaf’s longtime college schoolmate Robert Johnson has already completed the facility which is now running smoothly under the same unique name: KENDEJA which pulled crowds to the vicinity.

Last year, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf while visiting her home region do her voting registration, ridiculed traditional zoes engaged in rituals in connection with a long standing land dispute. She was sternly criticized and observers think it’s unlikely that she will mention anything in her coming inaugural address about Liberian culture she appears to despise.

The president’s action sent negative signals to cultural lovers everywhere and thus prompted former TV presenter Director for Balawala International Production, Mr. Kekura Kamara, a former Unity Party sympathizer to seek a legislative seat under the Congress of Democratic Change during the just ended elections.

“The current government continues to downplay our culture and that’s why I personally joined in the race so we can advocate for good policies that will build the country’s cultural image,” said Mr. Kamara. Unfortunately, Kamara who fought for Monrovia’s District #5 legislative seat did not win. Nevertheless, he insists, this isn’t the end of his vision for arts.

The more Ma Yatta Zoe reflects these developments, the more she mourns Liberia’s folk writer Bai T. Moore plus two of the country’s former outstanding leaders in the persons of Pres. William V.S. Tubman and Dr. William R. Tolbert, all of whom she praised for their exceptional love for Liberian cultural artists, the same love for the arts that led young Yatta Zoe, relatively known, to dwell in the presence of kings and queens, among them, John Bokasa of the former Central African Republic at whose crowning ceremony she told me, she performed.

But despite the odds, Ma Yatta still manages to go on with life day by day. Until Tim Nevin, an American professor and Historian working on his PhD dissertation discovered her near the River Maher in Tom’s village, Bomi County few years ago, not many knew the legendry folksinger’s whereabouts after the war. It’s in the same ancestral village where Tim met with her years ago that she still lives.

Because of Ma Yatta’s glorious past, whenever a journalist or press crew stops by the village, her compatriots know who the news crew is there to see. It’s Ma Yatta Zoe, a woman who has given so much to her country with little or no pay.

What fascinated us most during two visits to meet this musical legend was the care and dignified manner she’s being treated by the local villagers. Though she lives alone in her little hut, her fellow villagers know where she is and what she’s doing at any given moment whether in her garden or at her farm. Across from the main highway, a child or adult would gladly take your hands and lead you to Ma Yatta’s residence located in the far left end of the village with about a dozen huts.

During our last trip to see her recently, the village residents greeted us as they usually do whenever a guest of Yatta arrives in their village. Soon they surrounded us and began to sing Yatta’s old favorite debuts such as: “Send all the pocket pickers down to Belleh Yellah” and “Young girls stop drinking Lysol.”

After this impromptu festivity, Ma Yatta got set to lead our news crew to the country’s second oldest and largest cultural village named, Behsao (meaning in Gola, “I’ve gotten it”) located in the Gola settlement in Western Liberia.
The visit was the result of my insistence during our first visit in November that the singer takes my fiancée Musue N. Haddad to Behsao so we could see this iconic cultural village as well as its relics since none of us had been there before.
The trip was exhilarating as a visit to Arizona’s Grand Canyons and we discussed a lot about the Liberia’s 16 original tribes; the loss of Kendeja for a hotel resort and what that meant; the need to honor certain Liberians alive or dead which included herself, for devoting much of their lives towards building and promoting Liberian culture heritage at home and abroad.

Among her suggested honorees to be, the name “Oldlady” Gbessey Zinnah, a founding member of the former Liberian National Cultural Troupe and probably the oldest known cultural performer in the country kept popping up. “Ma Gbessey” as she was popularly known, died a year ago in Monrovia while cultural officials at the Ministry of Information were still undecided over whether or not she merited a state honor. But thanks to the Liberian National Cultural Union for its farsightedness to honor Ma Gbessey few months before her passing.

“As for me…I want my flowers while I am still alive,” Ma Yatta chuckled as I we drove pass her ancestral village of Gbanah Bondi which is very close to the home town of Pres. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

As the journey progressed, it become evident that with all the odds before Ma Yatta Zoe at the moment, the most honorable thing she would love to see happen in her life time is to have the current government petitioned to transform Behsao into a vibrant national cultural center in place of Kendeja since Kendeja is no more.

Elder Morris Beysolow, the oldest surviving resident of the cultural village and probably in his early 90s, agrees as he slowly takes us on a guided tour of the village and a few sacred sites, among them, the grave of King N’Jola, a named once given to a group of female traditional war dancers as “The Daughters of King N’Jola” who backed Liberia’s folksinger Fatu Gayflor.

Behsao is beautifully situated in the highland dotted with palm trees and swamps. Though a William Tolbert guest compound plus an open-air theater used to stage festivals are no more, an unfinished concrete museum in the form of palaver hut being erected by the Interior Ministry pitifully stands in the center of the village. In front of it is the grave of the great warrior, King N’Jola.

At the center of village life here is the breaking of the seasonal Polor and Sande Bush schools which are just situated behind the high forests overlooking the village.

Passionate about cultural arts and entertainment, Yatta Zoe feels this village is an ideal spot for tourism and she urges the Liberian Government to turn it into the country’s national cultural center where residents could erect and exhibit symbolic homes and artifacts belonging to each original ethnic group of the country as they did at old Kendeja.

Liberia's Arts and Crafts Celebration

2012-01-09T03:28:00.000-08:00

Annual Event at the U.S. Embassy

Recently, the Embassy of the United States of America held its Second Annual Arts & Crafts Exhibition, featuring Liberian arts and crafts. The Embassy’s annual Arts & Craft Exhibition celebrates Liberian artists and showcases the best of Liberian Arts and Crafts.

The event also provided an opportunity for members of the Diplomatic Corps and of the NGO community, the public at large, Embassy employees, and friends of the Embassy to purchase arts and crafts, including paintings, quilts, and other art works directly from the artists who produce them. The occasion further provided an outstanding opportunity for participants to come out and enjoy a festive day highlighted by cultural activities, and ethnic food.

The event was a reflection of the United States Embassy’s support for the work of Liberia’s artists, as can be seen hanging on Embassy building, including homes artworks by Liberian artists..

The U.S. Embassy’s Annual Arts & Craft Celebration takes place at the compound of the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section at Mamba Point in Monrovia. The Celebration brings together artists, and supporters of artists from all walks of life.

Annual Event at the U.S. Embassy
U.S. Ambassador, Ms. Linda Greenfield (right) was also at the Annual event
Arts and crafts at the celebration came from a wide range of artists. Samples of Paintings displayed at the Event

Hand bags made from calabash and other local products Liberian Artists showcase their talents and entertain

Barracuda – A New World in Liberia

2012-01-02T05:49:00.001-08:00

By: Musue Haddad & James Fasuekoi

For a long time Westernized Liberians returning home have had to worry about where they would take their kids to enjoy outdoor activity that are apparently a part of their kids leisure lives in America and Europe.

But it appears that Liberians returning home can begin to feel at ease when it comes to places of leisure and entertainment for the whole family. In the same way, visitors can also feel at home in Liberia. Barracuda Marine Leisure club on the Roberts Field Highway has a lot to offer kids, including Water parks, Boat rides, swings, slides, plus more. That was evident during the Christmas and New Year’s celebration.

Even though Barracuda doesn’t have the water splash in Atlanta, Georgia’s rocky mountain, or Pennsylvania Doney Park fast speed ride, or Florida’s rocket, but Barracuda brings to parents and kids a whole new sense of satisfaction that is growing weekly. A visit to Barracuda over the last few weeks shows a gradually change –a new addition weekly that is attraction more customers, and an indication that soon, Liberia will have a part of America and Europe.

In addition to the play activities, Barracuda also has a lot more to offer including the fast food that is a part of the menu most families including burgers, French fries, hot dog, cookies, etc. However, the meal at Barracuda is not only appealing, but much tastier. Unlike other fast food places outside Liberia where the meals are processed, pre-prepared in large amount and stored, at Barracuda, the products are not only grown locally, but each meal is freshly prepared.
Water Park enjoyed by all Kids Slides and rides for kids Morgan Celebrates her birthday at Barracuda At Barracuda, kids do have fun Yummy Great time for the family While kids play, parents have time to interact and take it "cool"

LTA Regrets Cellcom's Action

2011-12-22T02:13:00.001-08:00

Liberia Telecommunications Authority
Monrovia, Liberia

PRESS RELEASE

Monrovia, Liberia -- Thursday December 20, 2011: The Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) is expressing regrets that the GSM service provider Cellcom, has refused to submit to Interconnect (ICC) data requested by the LTA for the investigations of the interconnectivity dispute which has been ongoing between Cellcom and the Lonestar communications company.

The LTA notes that despite the LTA’s order on November 30, 2011 requesting Cellcom to provide key Call Data Record (CDR) and supporting information requested by the ICC, Cellcom has deliberately refused to pay heed and adhere to the deadline of Thursday December 1, 2011 for compliance with the order.

Since September this year the LTA’s attention has been drawn to, and has appropriately been dealing with an ongoing interconnectivity fees dispute between Lonestar and Cellcom in which Lonestar is alleging that Cellcom owes it certain amounts in interconnection payments; a claim Cellcom is disputing.

Given the gravity of the situation, especially its ongoing adverse impact on telephone subscribers of both GSM companies, the LTA has since brought in an external auditor – Interconnect – (ICC) for the purpose of verifying the interconnectivity fees claims being made by both Cellcom and Lonestar.

While the LTA has been endeavoring to achieve a speedy resolution of the dispute, the LTA regrets to note that Cellcom has bluntly refused to provide upon request of the ICC, data necessary for the ongoing investigation into the interconnectivity fees claims.

The LTA Board wishes to have sector stakeholders informed that despite this uncooperative stance by Cellcom, the LTA is determined to bring to a timely closure the interconnectivity dispute between Lonestar and Cellcom, thereby providing relief to affected subscribers.

Indeed, the LTA remains mindful of its statutory responsibility to ensure that no service provider operating in Liberia is allowed to violate the terms and conditions stated in its license and, by extension, the Telecom Act. Among other things, the Act mandates the LTA to ensure that the right of consumers to freely interconnect and communicate at any time throughout the country is not compromised.

Chapter VIII, Section 34 (2) of the LTA Act of 2007 also states that the following actions or practices shall be deemed to be in violation of the Telecom Law:

(a) obstructing or delaying negotiations, or failing to make reasonable efforts to resolve outstanding disputes;

(b) refusing to provide information about a service provider’s own telecommunications services or telecommunications network or other facilities that are necessary for the interconnection arrangements.

Section 11, 1) t and u, also states that the LTA has the capacity and responsibility to:

• require information to be provided that the LTA needs in order to exercise its powers or perform its functions under this Act, including network or service development plans, financial, technical and statistical information, accounting records and any other information that the LTA reasonably requires;
• on the initiative of the LTA or upon request by another person, investigate complaints against licensees or other service providers, and conduct such other investigations as the LTA deems necessary to ensure compliance with this Act, a regulation, rule or order, and issue an order in respect of anything prohibited, required or permitted to be done under this Act, a regulation, rule or order

Meanwhile, the LTA is actively considering other cases relating to potential breaches of licensing terms and conditions by service providers concerned and will make the outcome known to the public at the appropriate time.

--30 ---

LTA’s Ongoing Issue with Cellcom

2011-12-22T00:37:00.000-08:00

In 2009, the LTA issued the Interconnection Regulation setting forth the basic guidelines for cell phone companies to interconnect with a view to increasing access to communications across networks for the benefit of subscribers. Interconnection in the realm of telecommunication is the physical linking of the network of one telecommunications carrier to another carrier’s network for the sole purpose of transmitting voice and data. Usually, the terms and conditions of such arrangements are concluded in an agreement between the interested parties to prevent dominance and monopolistic tendencies by bigger carriers.

Ms. Angelique Weeks, Chairperson, LTA Board of Commissioners

Unfortunately though, the month of August witnessed a lot of communication exchanges between the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and the LoneStar Communication Corporation on one hand and the Cellcom GSM service provider and the LTA on the other hand. The exchanges actually centered around an interconnection dispute between the two GSM service providers – Lonestar and Cellcom.

The dispute dates back to early August this year when a complaint from Cellcom was filed with the Liberia Telecommunications Authority alleging that the Lonestar GSM Company had blocked all the interconnection devices and equipment which enabled Cellcom subscribers to get connected with Lonestar subscribers and vice versa.

LTA as regulator of the telecommunications sector quickly intervened in the dispute when the situation between the two GSM entities was brought to its attention with the view of ensuring that subscribers using the network of the two disputing GSM operators remain connected and not victimized, and secondly to bring the escalating situation between the two entities to an amicable resolution.

“Unacceptable Practice”
As a result the Liberia Telecommunications Authority warned both Lonestar and Cellcom to desist from making it difficult for subscribers to easily connect and remain connected with other subscribers and that it will not tolerate what it considered as an “unacceptable practice” designed to frustrate hundreds of thousands of consumers using the facilities of the GSM networks in the country.

Speaking on the issue in early September, the Commissioner in charge of Consumer and Public Affairs, Lamini A. Waritay, disclosed that the LTA had been receiving numerous complaints from GSM subscribers throughout the country about difficulties they are encountering in seamlessly communicating with each other while using their mobile phones.

He noted that most of the interconnection complaints were coming from Cellcom and Lonestar subscribers, with Cellcom subscribers complaining that they often find it extremely difficult to connect with Lonestar network, and vice versa.
Commissioner Waritay disclosed that the LTA was aware of an ongoing interconnectivity fees dispute between Lonestar and Cellcom in which Lonestar is alleging that Cellcom owes it certain amounts in interconnection payments, a claim Cellcom is disputing with Cellcom claiming that it is the Lonestar that owes it.

Commissioner Waritay further disclosed that the dispute has been so serious that the LTA, in consultation with the two GSM companies, resolved to bring in external auditors for the purpose of verifying the interconnectivity fees claims being made by both Cellcom and Lonestar.

While the LTA was taking steps to resolve the impasse between the two GSM service providers it reminded all network operators, especially Lonestar and Cellcom, of the LTA’s statutory responsibility of ensuring that all subscribers have unimpeded access to all licensed telecommunications networks and that subscribers get value for their money by enabling them not only to connect easily and stay connected on the various GSM networks, but also to enjoy a reasonable level of quality of service.

The telecommunications regulatory body stressed that it will take swift and appropriate measures against any GSM company that violates the terms and conditions stated in its license and, by extension, the Telecom Act that mandates the LTA to ensure that the rights of consumers to freely interconnect and communicate at any time throughout the country are not compromised.

Pursuant to the Authority granted to the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) by the Liberia Telecommunications Act of 2007, the Board of Commissioners of the LTA issued and published, on the 19th of August 2011, an LTA order -0004-08-19-11 stating among other things that in consultation with the Lonestar Communications Company and Cellcom Communications, it has appointed an independent Consultant for the purpose of auditing the interconnection records of both Lonestar and Cellcom.

The LTA further noted with serious concern in the Order the practice adopted by the Lonestar and Cellcom companies to flood it (LTA) with a mirage of complaints and counter-complaints rather than cooperating with the Independent Consultant on a constructive level to bring the interconnection matter to closure within a reasonable timeframe. The LTA Order consequently issued a stop order to both Lonestar and Cellcom to immediately cease and desist from sending any further complaints and counter-complaints and any other communication touching on the interconnection dispute between the parties directly to the LTA. In the Order, LTA also directed that any such communication related to and connected with the ongoing interconnection dispute between the Parties be forwarded to the Independent Consultant for appropriate redress.

Concluding, LTA Order -0004-08-19-11, pursuant to its statutory obligations and powers, ordered both Lonestar and Cellcom to sign an interconnection agreement between them and submit a signed copy to the LTA within a period of one calendar week effective as of the date of publication of this Order in the National Gazette. An amount of US$50,000.00 (Fifty thousand United States Dollars) payable to the LTA was stated in the Order as penalty for non-compliance.

Cellcom’s Refusal
On August 22, 2011 a letter from the LTA General Counsel G. Wiefueh A. Sayeh informed the Chief Executive Officer of Cellcom, Mr. Avishai Marziano, of the challenge raised by Lonestar to the bond filed by the Insurance Company of Africa (ICA) in favor of Cellcom. In this regard, the LTA mandated Cellcom to file a replacement bond to which Cellcom complied. The Lonestar again objected to the new bond tendered on behalf of Cellcom by the ICA within the three days allowed by the LTA, stating the following reasons for the objection:

1. That the period of the dispute stated in the Cellcom bond was misquoted—that said period should reflect June 2009 to March 2011;
2. That said bond also stipulates that in the event of the failure of Cellcom to make payment of the amount(s) as determined by the independent auditor, it is the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) that is to serve notice of Cellcom’s refusal to make payment. Lonestar’s position is that it is Lonestar that will serve ICA with notice of Cellcom’s failure to make payment in order for ICA to make immediate payment without delay;
3. That ICA provides a copy of its most recent audited financial statements together with its bank statement for the period July 1, 2011 to August 15, 2011.

The LTA concurs with Lonestar on Count One regarding the start date of the dispute and requested that Cellcom informs ICA to make the necessary corrections.

The LTA however disagrees with Count Two, stating that since LTA is serving as the administrative agency to whom the issue was brought before for resolution, it will be the LTA that will inform ICA of Cellcom’s failure to comply with LTA’s order to make payment to Lonestar based on the findings of the independent auditor, and order ICA to make payment to Lonestar in keeping with the bond posted by ICA for and behalf of Cellcom.

Regarding Count Three, the LTA agrees with Lonestar that ICA provides its most recent audited financial statements as part of due diligence to be conducted by Lonestar—given that ICA, as guarantor for Cellcom in the event it is determined that Cellcom is liable to Lonestar and Cellcom fails to make full payment to Lonestar. To ensure that ICA has the financial capacity to fully redeem the bond, LTA says it is consistent with law and practice that ICA makes available most recent audited financial documents requested by the Lonestar Counsel.

The LTA General Counsel letter concluded by stating that LTA expects Cellcom to ensure that the issues raised by Lonestar’s Counsel will be resolved and that the documents along with the corrected bond requested by the said Counsel, will be made available no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday August 26, 2011.

Subsequently on November 30, 2011 the LTA sent a letter to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cellcom Telecommunications Inc. stating its regrets over Cellcom’s non-cooperation with the audit being carried out by Interconnect (ICC) relative to the Cellcom and Lonestar interconnection fees dispute. The Chairperson of LTA Madam Angelique Weeks expressed on behalf of the Board of Commissioners of the LTA its profound regrets that the anticipated cooperation and support from Cellcom has been less forthcoming than from Lonestar.

In her letter she pointed out that “Although Cellcom has relevant staff to enable ICC to gain an in-depth understanding of Cellcom’s systems and processes for preparing the interconnection billing data and bills, Cellcom has refused to issue both the Call Data Record (CDR) and supporting information that ICC has requested including the following:

• CDRs for 26/05/11 and 31/10/11
• To-Be process/systems data
• 2 years interconnect records
• Monthly call totals incoming and outgoing – may be just for 2009 since 2008 lost
• Emails showing interconnect bill generation process flow
• Screenshots of To-Be- raw/processed CDRs & interconnect billing module & report
• Analysis Mason Network Report (COO advises this is actually a marketing study)
• Tariff history & current details
• Timeline of Core Network changes
• Timeline of Billing System changes
• 2009/2010 audited accounts
• Organization Chart

Based on information provided by ICC, the LTA’s understanding is that Cellcom has refused to provide the outstanding data and information requested by ICC until LTA addresses certain issues regarding the scope of work. Consequently, the unavailability to ICC of such critical CDR information is preventing ICC from progressing or completing the key tasks associated with the audit scope of work that had been sent to Cellcom for review and to which Cellcom had agreed.

Punitive Measures
The LTA chairperson’s letter further stated that while the auditors may have been able to progress with other tasks based on the information that has been gathered from interviews and records provided over the last several weeks, ICC cannot finalize its assessment and findings until Cellcom provides the supporting information that has been requested.

In apparent reference to Cellcom’s refusal to provide the outstanding data and information requested by ICC until LTA addresses certain issues regarding the scope of work, LTA Board of Commissioners Chairperson Weeks reminded Cellcom in her letter of the LTA’s position on the issue as previously stated by Commissioner Henry W. Benson during the ICC/Cellcom introductory meeting on Thursday, October 27, 2011.

According to madam Weeks, that position was, and remains that the issues raised by Cellcom will be addressed at the conclusion of the ICC final report. The Chairperson’s letter further assured Cellcom that if its concern is not addressed, the LTA would obtain the requisite expertise to implement said task. To further allay Cellcom’s concerns, the LTA informed Cellcom that the LTA believes that the billing issue relating to the LTA’s 2008 Order (relative to the range of interconnection rates authorized to be charged), can be easily resolved once Interconnect completes its audit and report regarding the accuracy of billing records of Cellcom and Lonestar.

The chair stated that thereafter, LTA can conduct a regulatory review, make findings and reach conclusions relative thereto. The letter concluded by stating that in view of the foregoing, Cellcom is expected to provide the information requested by ICC in order to complete its assignment. It went to state further that since Cellcom have heretofore had ample time to submit the required information, the deadline for submission of requested documents was being set at 12 noon on Thursday, December 1, 2011. The letter then urged Cellcom to take the matter seriously and comply without further delay, and that failure to do so will leave the LTA with no alternative but to take appropriate punitive measures against Cellcom for non-compliance with LTA’s order...

To date, Cellcom has failed to heed LTA’s order and advice.

Random Thoughts: Why People Cheat in Relationship

2011-12-21T07:56:00.001-08:00

Dearest Mama,

It’s almost Christmas time, and believe me, Christmas items are flying everywhere: Christmas trees, ornaments, candles, posters, among others. Chickens and goats are also competing for space in vehicles, as they are being transported from one place to the next. Sit on the road for few minutes, and you will see a sheep, or goat or some four legged animal mounted erect on the top of a vehicle here. Sometimes these animals look like a military commander standing upright, ready to receive salutes.

While waiting for vehicle to go home yesterday’s evening, I was fortunate to be in the company of two persons. These two persons discussed a range of issues from development, to street peddlers, the global economic challenge, and then the discussion turned to relationships. As I listened to the two persons illustrate “how unfaithful” a spouse was in a relationship, I wanted to interrupt, but decided to hold my peace. Holding my peace was a way to allow the discussion flow without interruption so that I could understand the arguments raised by the two, and also to practice my listening skills. I did just that!

While it is true it took a lot of guts to remain silent, it also helped me to recognize that though infidelity and cheating is disgusting in my view, maybe, just maybe, some infidelity and cheating could be a result of problems in a relationship. Now before the "Zoedaes" (Lorma for female traditional Zoes) start throwing their hands in the air, let me state that I agree that some people are naturally promiscuous, and will engage in infidelity even if things are going smoothly in a relationship.

Aside being the natural disposition of a partner, it is well evident that cheating or infidelity could be an indication that there's a breakdown in communication, a partner feels lonely, there's lack of passion, there are lingering issues of trust. Other factors that could influence cheating or infidelity could include one partner finding someone who treats them better or who appreciates them more than their current spouse.

In relationships, few people intentionally plan on committing infidelity, especially not the first time it happens. In most relationships, when people make promises to be faithful, most people are serious and have every intention of keeping their word. Unfortunately, when situation arises in relationship, the situations have the tendency to influence our behavior, which then degenerates and lead us down paths we had no intention of traveling.

Psychologists tell us that there are three separate emotional systems involved in cheating and infidelity. The three emotional systems are sexual desire, romantic love, and attachment. And often these distinct emotional systems pull people in different directions. In short, most infidelity occurs, not because it is planned, but because people find themselves in situations where their emotions overwhelm them.

The article, “How Do People Make the Decision To Cheat,” outlines several situations that influence human emotions and bring out the worst behavior. Some of the emotions, according to How Do People Make the Decision To Cheat,” are: being close or interdependent on someone other than one’s spouse for emotional support, being around someone who is sexually interested, spending a lot of time one-on-one with someone else, not feeling close or connected to one’s spouse (e.g., feeling lonely, being upset or angry with a spouse, etc.), situations that create the sense of opportunity - the feeling that one will not get caught (e.g., meeting someone in private, out of town trips, etc.), situations involving alcohol or drugs, among others.

“When placed in these types of situations, one's emotions often prompt people to act in ways which are contrary to what is right. On occasion, poor decisions get made. Unfortunately, for many people, it is very difficult to always be in control of one's emotions when placed in these types of situations,” the article stressed.

Overall, infidelity, like many other human behaviors, is sometimes difficult to control if there are problems in a relationship. Being faithful to a spouse is more complicated than simply making promises to do so. Being faithful to a spouse often requires avoiding situations which bring out the worst in our behavior, and also ensuring that spouses work together in building their relationship.

Consequently, if there are unresolved issues in relationship, it is important to patiently discussed the issues, find ways to resolve the problems, maintain a strong communication, among other factors that will keep the relationship strong.

Merry Christmas, and I look forward to seeing Oldman Beggar this Christmas.

always,
musue

U.S. Based Liberian Author meets “Gen. Butt Naked”

2011-12-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

From A Special Correspondent in Monrovia, Liberia
Two Liberian authors, one, a career photo-journalist now based in the United States, Mr. James Kokulo Fasuekoi, and the other, a former notorious rebel commander, Joshua Milton Blahyi, nicknamed “Gen. Butt Naked,” by sheer accident recently bumped into each other at a local restaurant where the two exchanged their recent published books on Liberia’s civil war.

Amid excitement, each author autographed his book and presented same to his colleague as a Japanese aid worker, Mr. Hideaki Nakajima who had earlier arranged a meeting with photo-journalist Fasuekoi at the Bash Restaurant looked on. Mr. James Kokulo Fasuekoi who is also a cultural artist spotted Mr. Blahyi as he Blahyi walked out of the yard.

Mr. James Kokulo Fasuekoi is the author of “Rape, Loot & Murder, LIBERIA CIVIL WAR: A Journalist’s Photo Diary, a pictorial documentary on Liberia’s civil war. He is currently visiting Liberia for the first time in twelve years since he left the country under former Pres. Taylor. His visit centers on filming life in general in post-war Liberia following which he plans to also visit neighboring Sierra Leone where he Fasuekoi did extensive coverage of the war in order to examine that country’s recovery from war.

Mr. Joshua Milton Blahyi who is widely known in Liberia and beyond is the author of "The Joshua Milton Blahyi Story," a biography of Blahyi's life.

Since arrival in the country few weeks ago, author James Fasuekoi has been expressing wishes about meeting the former “Gen. Butt Naked” whose wedding he Fasuekoi last filmed before leaving the country in 1999.

“You are Joshua Blahyi?” Mr. Fasuekoi shouted as he rushed to hug the former ULIMO-J commander.

“Yes! I am Joshua Blahyi.”

The recent encounter between the two men is the first in nearly 14 years since the 1996 streets battle led by Mr. Alhaji Kromah’s ULIMO-K and Taylor’s NPFL under the banner “Government Forces” to capture former “Gen. Butt Naked” and his boss, former ULIMO-J leader Roosevelt Johnson, ended.

There was so much to talk about and at first, the two authors did not really know where to begin their conversation and it took them a moment before they settled and began discussing about the war, particularly the dreaded April 6, 1996 streets battle during which Mr. Blahyi and his fighting men roamed around the capital in complete nudity thereby earning his nickname “Gen. Butt Naked”

An inquiry from Journalist Fasuekoi about the present condition of late Gen. Roosevelt Johnson’s seaside resident where Mr. Blahyi and his men had camped awaiting attacks from “Government Forces,” sparked off an interesting conversation between Mr. Blahyi and Mr. Fasuekoi as the Japanese aid worker, Mr. Hideaki Nakajima listened carefully to various accounts of that fateful day.

As Blahyi turned the pages of “Rape, Loot & Murder, LIBERIAN CIVIL WAR: A Journalist’s Photo Diary and saw a nude photo of himself shot by journalist Fasuekoi hours before Liberian “Government Forces” launched attacks on Johnson’s 19th Street Sinkor home, his face turned grim.

In the picture, Blahyi is completely naked, lying on his side exhibiting an evil eye while drinking a large beer. He is wearing an old military black boots that protects him from sharp elements as he ran amok like usual.

“None of my boys saw you taking this picture, right?” he asked. “It was good that they didn’t see you…otherwise, it won’t have been good for you,” Mr. Blahyi remarked in a serious mood.

Mr. Joshua Blahyi told a committee of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation team few years ago that he as a commander for the erstwhile ULIMO-J rebel faction murdered close to 20,000 of his countrymen during the course of the war claims many see as highly exaggerated.

Blahyi confessed during his appearance before the TRC that he led a voodoo cult with base located in Mount Putu where he said he often drew his power to carry out demonic acts such as witchcraft before and during the civil war. Mr. Blahyi has asked for forgiveness from his war victims and some have reconciled with him.

Meet Acarius Moses Gray

2011-11-25T08:01:00.000-08:00

© Musue N. Haddad

The Congress for Democratic Change, (CDC) is one of the political parties that participated in the national elections in Liberia. Winston Tubman is Standard bearer of the CDC, and George Oppong Weah is the Vice Standard bearer of the party. Another vocal person, who’s also executive of the party, is Acarius Gray.

Acarius Gray, a household name among Liberians is heard whenever there are major events undertaken by the party, including making statements, energizing partisans for Protest Marches.

Acarius Gray won his electoral seat as Representative for Districts # 8 Montserrado County, during the recent electoral process.

Meet Acarius Moses Gray, a member of the House of Representative for the next six years!In his position as Hon. Acarius Moses Gray, Acarius will be among others who will be debating policies, and making critical national decisions about our country and its people.

Acarius Moses Gray

Acarius Moses Gray in the middle, flanked by Varfley Dorley on the left, and another staunch supporter of the CDC on right.

CDC partisans on the streets of Monrivia during it's recent Protest March.

Journalism to Commissioner-lism – A Day in Foley Siryon's Life

2011-11-14T06:24:00.001-08:00

© Musue N. Haddad

Foley Siryon spent many years working as a photo-journalist for various media institution in Liberia, including the Sun Times magazine, The Footprints and Daily Observer newspapers, and then the Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism where, he covered the Executive Mansion. But today, Siryon is no longer with the media. He is Commissioner of the Administrative District of Dewein, Bomi County. Dewein district is one of the four administrative clans (Klay, Senjah, and Sueh-Messa clans) in Bomi County. Dewein district consists of two chiefdoms, six clans and 212 towns. During the presidential runoff elections in Liberia, along with Photo-Journalist, James Fasuekoi, I toured various polling sites in Montserrado and Bomi Counties, and called Commissioner Siryon (231 06511682) about our visit he was welcoming.

In Bomi county, one of the districts visited was Dewein, where the former media photographer Foley Siryon, now Commissioner Siryon lives. Commissioner Siryon's administration hs been undertaking series of projects, including an elementary school, a Multilateral High School, that would include vocational training program, and a police station, that would include a Women and Children Unit.

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ACE Submarine Cable Arrives in Liberia

2011-11-04T08:17:00.001-07:00

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The landing of the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable in Liberia yesterday marks Liberia's entrance into the Digital age. ACE the new submarine cable serves more than twenty-five countries in Africa and Western Europe by linking France to South Africa. The ACE cable will offer the West African coastal region true broadband connectivity to telecommunications networks in Europe, America and Asia.
The ACE submarine cable system is stretched from France to South Africa connecting most countries along the West coast of Africa. The ACE Submarine Cable is Liberia's first Optical Fiber cable system.

The submarine carrying the cable landed behind Liberia’s main Military Barracks in Monrovia.

The Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable was initiated by France Télécom-Orange and administered by a consortium of 17 operators in various countries.
The cable is will be operational in 2012. The ACE cable will provide access to the global broadband network for the first time for Gambia, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, and Sierra Leone, making possible the launch of new services.

The cable was welcomed by the Cable Consortium of Liberia, including wireless providers, and members of Liberia’s Telecommunication Agency, and onlookers who gathered at the beach hours before the landing ceremony.
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Pulling the cable onshore

The landing

Ms. Angelique Weeks, Chairperson, Liberia Telecommunications Authority at the landing of the cable

The ship carrying the submarine cable

Staff of Liberia Telecommunication Authority, led by Chairperson Weeks

Onlookers gather to witness the landing of the cable

LTA's Director of Public Affairs, Anthony Selmah keeping up with updates, is flanked by Chris Harrris-Williams.

Angelique Weeks, Chairperson, Liberia Telecommunications Authority and CCL Board Member Ciata Victor preparing to make statements

The cable is connected

Before the cable was connected.

LTA Chairperson Angelique Weeks, CCL Board Member Ciator Victor, Lonestar Member, Nathaniel Kevin, Cellcom Member, William Saamoi Jr. and other memebers of CCL and Libtelco.

E.Blamo Robinson was present.

Walter Dean and Lonestar's Nathaniel Kevin -

Trotting Around: People, Places, Cultures in Pictures

2011-10-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

Click on pictures to see larger image: Photos by Musue Haddad
Trust and Love

In the thick of the clouds

This cup of regular coffee sold for $1.19 in the United States is sold in an European city for an equivalent of $6.00. A bottle of small mineral water sold for $1.00 in the United States, is sold in that European state for an equivalent of U.S$7.00 after converting the U.S dollar to the Euro

Memories

Aerial view of Allen, Pennsylvania

Mr. Dominguez, Ms. Blackwell, and Mr. White

Dancing to the African Beat. Now that is what we call acculturation - Western dance to African Beat

Just waiting, and waiting

In the same place, but in their own worlds. That's North America

Is that 'David and Goliath'-

Is the monkey staring

Give him way please. He's racing to the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C

Garrison gets attention at the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Sis. Darling Poses

Patiently awaiting her next flight

Mr. Patrick, the businessman

Children must be children.

On Business or Fun

Fasue looks on as Garrison steals the show

The order of the day: shopping

Nature and Culture

'Slaves for sale" reads the sign. If we look around us keenly, we will notice that slaves are still on the platform for sale.

No doubt - in the midst of 'family and friends.'

Hooray

Warmth and familiarity reigns

Alike

Gio Devil in America

Whose legs?

(Left to Right) Mr. Zubah, former Diplomat and James Fasuekoi, Photo-Journalist

A thriving community in North America

Let the camera roll, and the tourists flow

That's not an ECOMOG vehicle. It's an old Military Vehicle on display in a Pennsylvania Town.

Girls just having fun

Is that an European Manufacturing site that produces weapons? Just asking.

Even guys can shake their 'tumba'

Seriously inspecting planes

Lights gone "larry"

Shortcut to manufacturing: Tell me what color shoes you want.

using the traditional means to fish

UNMIL on patrol

Thomas S Allentown

A Partial View of Monrovia In Pictures

2011-10-17T04:11:00.005-07:00

Photo-Journalist James Fssuekoi poses with Malawala Balawal Star, Karmon Soko.

CDC Partisans at CDC's Head Office in Monrovia
Fresh Coconuts
Police Vehicle Caught in Traffic
Work on New Ministry of Health Building located in Congo Town Continues
Market Women Waiting to carry Loads
New National Social Security and Welfare Cooperation Building under construction in Paynesville Business Center
Partial View of Paynesville Redlight Market Kids enjoy free play
Kofi Woods, Minister of Public Works, and Cyrus Badio, Press Secretary to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
The Famous and guarded "White Flower" during President Charles Taylor's Administration, now a regular building in Monrovia On the day of Elections
Mrs. Medina Wesseh casts her vote.
Representatives of Political Parties at a pooling site in Monrovia
Pool Staff
Ms. Darling helps Ma Edith to reach a pooling site. MaEdith, apparently one of the oldest voters turned 92 in October, and within a few days casted her first vote.
An addition to Monrovia's transportation system
Lewis Browne
Newspaper Sellers navigate traffic
Newspaper sellers
Mr. Jallah K.K. Kamara, Former Director of the National Bureau of Culture and Tourism in Liberia
Ms. Yamah Darsee, a Registered Nurse and Business Woman in Monrovia James Fasuekoi meets his aunt. The aunt becomes a camera woman during the family reunion

For the Sake of Love and Liberia, In Private Sector Weah to Inspire Youth

2011-10-10T09:01:00.001-07:00

Dearest Mama,

I say, my mouth is really full; not with food or water, but filled with utter surprise because of the political scenery, and “desperado” promises by partisans and candidates. Besides, I think some people have actually forgotten their strengths, weakness and limits, when it comes to the meaningful contributions they can make to society. You will notice that I added the word ‘MEANINGFUL” to qualify “Contributions,” because some contributions are not only personal, but also egotistical and obtained in a selfish manner. Darn! Am I stepping on toes here? I can hear some people fuming and foaming. Ah, jay!

Mama, are there people who are fuming and feeling like I am stepping on their toes? If so, please ask them to bear with me as I take them through some of the meditative exercise that I find quite helpful. I’ll give those techniques to share with my uptight friends free of charge with the agreement that they read or listen attentively to the content of this letter. Do we agree? Ok, here it goes: Breathe in through your nose. Then exhale through your mouth, pushing out as much air as you can slowly and without strain. Continue to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Let them do this at least three times. Okay, that right, I can see some faces becoming calm, and the fists are a bit more relaxed now than earlier. Yes, I see chest going up and down, and shoulders relaxing. That’s good. Now, we can continue to read this letter.

Now Mama, as I went through the profiles of the 16 presidential candidates, I was astounded by the strengths of each candidates. All of the candidates have the potential to contribute meaningfully to our country and the world. But do they all need to be Chiefs to make great contributions? Can all 16 candidates become chief at the same time? And if Yakonno loses the presidency, does it mean Yakonno also loses the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our great Village, Liberia? Deep down in my heart, and in the minds of Yakonno, Nappong, and the rest of the candidates, they are fully aware that only one person can become chief, and by focusing on their strengths, they can find their individual strengths, and the channel through which they can contribute immensely to the growth and development of our Village. On the other hand, if Yakonno, Blaza, Nappong, Korsia and the others keep focusing on their weaknesses, they will simply become weak; blurred by their desires, and they will fail to see the great and wonderful strengths, skills and opportunities they have to help empower themselves and our Village, and the posts they can shine in making enormous contributions.

We heard today of the Nobel Prize Winners. We know Madam Sirleaf is the president, and she shared the award because of her work. But activist Leymah Gbowee, and Yemeni women's rights and democracy activist Tawakkul Karman are not Presidents, but their contributions have been recognized not only in their respective countries, but internationally. That is what happens when we delve in areas where we can make positive differences using our strengths, and not areas where the spotlight is on our weaknesses. Some times when we are humble, and appreciate our strengths and recognize our weakness, we flow. Isn’t that the truth?

In life, we all as individuals have the opportunity to make positive differences; we are all gifted and talented, but we must learn to appreciate and tap into our own talents and skills, rather than spent sleepless nights chasing the platforms of others. We can decide to identify our strengths, and align our strengths with our skills, and then find the platform to make that positive difference; otherwise we will continue to “chase the wind.” This is not magic Mama, and you know that. Mama, you always told me that from the day we are born, we possess talents and abilities. We are good at many things even if we do not realize it or take the time to bring those strengths out. To become happy, we must know what we are good at, and how we can use what we are good at to benefit others. Last week, a friend told me he was good at basketball, setting up websites, and helping other people make career decisions. I can only imagine Jeremy pushing to become a medical doctor or dentist. He will either struggle along the way, frustrating himself forever, or face some forms of lawsuit for malpractices in the medical field.

Now let’s focus on our village. Picture this youth, his name is George. He is now grown, but as a little boy, and a lad, George had his way with the ball. The guy touches a ball and it turns to gold. He not only has the magic touch, but he became an international icon because of that round object that many of us just kick along the way: ball. What does this tell you? It tells me that soccer is George’s gift, and whenever he pursues soccer, God smiles because God dedicated soccer to George, and God will always guide him when he focuses on soccer. Imagine if George decided to get into engineering or to become a pilot. Man! Someone please let me know whenever George is schedule to pilot a plane because if I am scheduled to get on that plane, I will cancel my travel on his flight. Or imagine if George insists on becoming a surgeon.

I had a professor who taught me economics in one of my graduate classes. This professor, an Indian always hammered that we cannot be everything. “There are people cut out for specific fields, and in those fields, there are people who are set to do specific things. In the medical fields, there are surgeons, and dentists. If the surgeon insists on carrying out the work of the dentist, you can imagine the disaster.” Whenever my professor got into this lecture, images would form in my mind of a person holding a tool forcing a tooth out of someone’s mouth. The images wouldn’t end. The brutal images would include the screaming sounds of the patient, while the so-called dentist struggles to pull out the tooth with probably the wrong tool. Ouch! Should the surgeon insist on becoming a Dentist? Should the Dentist wear a surgeon’s outfit and get in the operating room and begin cutting open the stomach of someone? Now, that is what we call misplaced talent.

I wonder why people become misplaced or displaced when it comes to utilizing their skills and talents to inspire others, make positive difference, or to contribute meaningfully to society? Is it because they are shortsighted, or flattered by others who want to exploit them? Someone tell me something here! I truly wonder why we sometimes waste precious times chasing the dreams of others, or trying to live up to the expectation of others, while squandering our own lives and dreams? Mama, maybe PaKoiye and MaKaisou can tell us something here.

Mama, as I look at the scene in our Village, I am beginning to honesty see where Weah’s skills can be utilized significantly in inspiring the youth, empowering them, and also where his face will lit again like the eras he reigned as the Soccer King. Have you ever seen Weah on the soccer field? I did. Whenever the guy got close to a ball; just closed to the ball, he shone, and his entire face lit with splendor and stardom. If his close associates can be honest with the King of Soccer, they will tell George that his brilliance, his success, triumph and admiration are in inspiring Youth, by encouraging them to focus on education and empowerment, rather than spending his resources on becoming chief, while at the same time bruising his reputation and character.

Mama, think about this, George Weah grew up in a slump, but by finding and appreciating his talents and gifts, he rose from the slump to become a King. Truthfully, because he embraced the skills God gave him, he rose easily to stardom. Later, George recognized the importance of education; he mustered the courage to go back to school; he set aside his fame and successes and sat down in the classroom to complete his studies. George completed his studies and got his credentials. The truth is he can use his story to inspire the youth in many ways, including raising money through UNICEF, and other international organizations to empower youth including helping them to focus on education. Imagine what history will tell us about George if he taps into such platforms to demonstrate his love for our Village, and the future of the youth. I can only imagine the fame George will win if he focuses more on inspiring the youth, rather than dwell on pushing himself or allowing himself to be pushed in an area where his strengths will be lost, mislaid or omitted. Someone shout to that!

Mama, as for me, I don’t want to be Chief. In fact, no one dare try fooling me. If whoever is trying to fool me think that they can go around fooling other people because they like drama, I will state categorically that such persons are not only ignoramus, but also cantankerous, and they are not only bent on misdirecting the likes of George, but also envious of George’s popularity, and would prefer to see George and his likes fail miserably and become unpopular. The truth is George is more valuable to the Youth, and he must make wise decisions in using his skills to meaningfully help to empower the youth. In doing so, George must realize the platforms that will boost his skills, rather than posts that will weakened his strengths. If George and others insist on listening to sycophants and flatterers who are bent on creating chaos, these flatters will be the same ones making mockery of George and other candidates they have fooled and even bullied into going into areas where they [George and others] will stagnate their skills, strengths, and stain their reputation.

Though time is far spent on this political drama, I hope that in the next few hours, George will use his strengths to speak peace; I expect to hear George say to the people what he really has on his chest: he wants to focus on being an messenger of Youth Education and Empowerment; I wait to hear George talk about soccer for the promotion of schooling; I wait to hear George speak of bringing together Youth from various political parties for promoting the importance of education. I wait, and I know this wait is over.

Mama, I am happy that Weah has realized that his strength lies in inspiring the youth to focus on education; and he will focus on identifying areas where he can raise money to help the youth of our village focus on education, vocational skills, and other areas of empowerment. We have one Village, it doesn’t matter what part of the world we find ourselves, and our Village is our home. We must therefore love our Village, cherish it, and help in the infrastructure development of our Village and the Social advancement of our people. Let us resist those who want to do otherwise.
I wait to hear from everyone.

Always,
musue

Random Thoughts: What Do You Think About CDC’s Comments on Free Speech and Civil Liberties…?

2011-10-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

Have we Forgotten Journalist Charles Gbeyon, Politician Jackson Doe, Albert Porte and Others?

Dearest Mama,

I am still walking the streets of Monrovia. I passed Congo Town, and almost didn’t see the famous “White Flower,” because it is no longer the “sacred” ground, and the walls are scarred. There are algae on the walls, and the front gate was slightly opened with people sitting idly in front of the building. In fact, I saw people carrying charcoal bags on their head in front of former President Charles Taylor’s personal resident, White Flower. Then, I saw the almost completed Ministry of Health building. This time, the face of the new Ministry of Health building is beginning to appear as construction workers were busy doing their tricks on the building.

As I eagerly absorbed Liberia, I also engaged in random survey of news articles and interviews with citizenry. While still in the United States, I had skimmed through Liberian newspapers online that highlighted Cllr. Winston Tubman’s comments on free speech and civil liberties, this time, my interest on the topic was spurred by Weah’s threat to shut down FrontpageAfricaonlone if he [Weah] is elected Vice President. When I read that published letter by the Editor of FrontPageAfricaonline (FPA), my first reaction was a sluggish grin. After all the bloodshed for Press Freedom and Free Speech, how can anyone dare think of taking Liberia, and Liberians to a Tubman era where freedom of Press and Free Speech was shunned, and actually seen as a “taboo.” Kie!

However, before I completed reading FPA Editor’s letter about Weah’s threat, my mind zoomed to CDC’s Presidential Candidate, Winston Tubman’s comments last week that if elected, his government would restrain and de-prioritize Press Freedom and Civil liberties. Whew! Now that is some comment coming from a former United Nations staff. Mama, though I had read excerpts of Tubman’s comments on Liberian list serve, I assumed it was just one of those sensational materials. But when I arrived in Monrovia, I started adding 1 + 1; I saw that I kept getting 2 as my sum. I tried again adding, but the figure wouldn’t change. Later, after reading Weah’s threat, and then continuing my survey, and reading additional materials, I couldn’t help but delve further. It was then I summoned the courage to cast my net far and wide. Guess what! I came across an article in an outside media. The news report in a Washington, DC based Media organization stated: “The The CDC flag-bearer told a group of Liberian and Canada-based "Journalists for Human Rights" last week that Liberians, especially CDC supporters, were aware that they would have to forgo their rights to free speech and association as sacrifice for national recovery.” The report quoted Tubman, adding, “What the people who are dancing for us in the streets need are good roads, hospitals, not press freedom. After that, we will think about press freedom. What we will do for them, foremost, is to make the country more livable, give them more hope, give them more comfort, more opportunities, more health care and better roads. One of the things I said at the welcoming gathering just now is that we were spending the whole day on the roads just to get here. So one of the first things we will focus on is to make it easier to visit the various parts of the country. And when they have those kinds of real improvements in their lives definitely," Tubman continued, "we will focus on press freedom. We will focus on giving allowances for civil liberty."

Mama, did you comprehend the above paragraph that contained Winston Tubman’s statement and vision for Free Speech and Civil Liberties? Wow! Though Winston Tubman is said to have “explained” what he meant during last week’s Presidential debate, how does his explanation justify, rationalize and defend such utterances: "What the people who are dancing for us in the streets need are good roads, hospitals, not press freedom. After that, we will think about press freedom. One of the things I said at the welcoming gathering just now is that we were spending the whole day on the roads just to get here. So one of the first things we will focus on is to make it easier to visit the various parts of the country. And when they have those kinds of real improvements in their lives definitely, we will focus on press freedom. We will focus on giving allowances for civil liberty."

Mama, what scares me about Tubman’s and Weah’s threat against Free Speech and civil liberties is that the warnings to muzzle such undeniable right come from two high profile persons from the same camp. Is it possible that both Weah and Tubman mean no harm and their statements maybe, just maybe what we sometimes categorized as ‘slip of the tongue.” If so, how can both men: CDC standard bearer and Vice Standard Bearer; they are not twins, and do not come from the same professional background make the same mistake, or their tongues slipped in the same direction?

Mama, besides the “tongue slipping” excuse, should free speech, press freedom and civil liberties be de-prioritized in any democratic society? And why should Tubman even utter such comments, or dream of such ideology in Liberia, a country that have shed blood to reach a stage where press freedom, freedom of expression and civil liberties are thriving?

Mama, contrary to what we saw in the past, Winston Tubman has proven otherwise. He is probably telling the Liberian people his true intentions, so that when he is voted in, he may refer people to his utterances: Press Freedom and Civil Liberties will not be a priority, or as he corrected himself during the Presidential debate, in his “first 100 days,” freedom of the press, free speech and civil liberties will not be a priority.

Mama, I would like to ask Winston Tubman a few questions: Does he think Free Press, which is an embodiment of Free speech, and Civil Liberties are rights that he owns, and he [Winston Tubman] must decide when any of us can enjoy those rights? Wait now, does the Counsellor, Winston Tubman think we are still in those archaic era where he can bully people into submission or just go about makes utterances; playing on people’s rights and freedom whenever he pleases? Geez! This one reminds me about the saying, “The baby is not yet born, but the eyes are opened wide.”

Now, as I look back, I think about Charles Taylor. Taylor lured people; he waited, whether patiently, or impatiently, but Taylor waited to be born before opening his eyes truly wide. Taylor was born many times: to get territorial control; to win over supporters; etc, but he waited to be born during each of those periods before opening his eyes. But that is not the case with Tubman. Someone will ask why I am not scrutinizing George Weah’s statements. To that, I will say my reason is obvious. Winston Tubman is a Counsellor at law; Tubman worked within the UN system, and he is well informed that all and or any denials of Free Speech Undercut a Democratic Society. On the other hand, George Weah is known as a successful international soccer player, and I hope that one day he will begin realizing that his contribution to Liberia and the world lies in inspiring the youth. Sadly enough, many are those who are taking Weah for a ride – for their own selfish interest.

Mama, Liberians have suffered beyond description. Think about Liberia’s longest serving president, William V. S. Tubman who served for 27 years. Think about that era where press freedom and free expression, and civil liberties were at the discretion of President William V.S Tubman. Imagine how many persons died trying to advocate press freedom and freedom of speech? Is Cllr Winston Tubman, who is cousin of the late William V. S Tubman trying to recreate his late uncle’s archaic era? Now let’s reflect on William Tolbert’s era, Samuel Does regime, among others saw a struggle for free expression and civil liberties to prevail. Are Liberians prepared to allow Winston Tubman to begin withholding any amount of press freedom, civil liberties, or the right to free expression? I don’t think so.

Let’s take another critical, but brief look at Winston Tubman’s flimsy justification, reason and explanation that after providing “good roads, hospitals” “And when they {Liberians}have those kinds of real improvements in their lives definitely, we{if elected Winston Tubman and his CDC} will focus on press freedom. We {Winston Tubman and his CDC} will focus on giving allowances for civil liberty." Winston Tubman’s reason[s] for withholding press freedom and civil liberties are not only absurd, but also preposterous? If there is no free speech, how can the will of the people be known? Winton Tubman already knows that the will of the people cannot be known without free speech. So then, what is his true motive? It is well established that in a democracy, people are encouraged to voice their thoughts and opinions, and encouraged to participate in the decision-making process. There may be times that their thoughts and opinions disagree with the majority of other people, but does that make them less entitled to it? No. Tubman is also aware that citizen participation is essential not only for democracy to flourish, but also a strategy for enhancing good governance, empowerment and sustainable development programs. So how will he without the people’s right to free expression; that is denying the people’s empowerment and participation, and yet provide their needs? How will he determine what the people need?

On civil liberties, let’s look at what it is and whether Tubman has the right to even consider de-prioritizing those rights. Civil liberties are indisputable rights and freedoms and includes the right to life, and that is the right to live, freedom from torture, freedom from slavery and forced labor, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to privacy, freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, and the right to marry and have a family. Now, Liberians have not forgotten the importance of these rights: all Liberians want to live a simple dignified life. Liberians don’t want to starve to death, or see themselves or family members ‘tabay” and taken away from their homes without the right to speak out. Do I go on? I guess not. We got the picture!

Now, let Winston Tubman tell me that he is ignorant of the importance of every Liberian rights to civil liberties. Tubman is aware that without freedom of speech, civil rights never would have been addressed, including the rights to vote, women’s rights, slavery and the list goes on. Most importantly, if people cannot say what’s on their mind [freedom of speech and press freedom], there would be no ability to get rid of politicians that were not living up to the promises they made to the people. And that would not be a true democracy. Is Tubman thinking democracy, or is he thinking autocracy, monocracy?

Mama, I must leave you now to scout the streets again. I wait to hear from those reading this letter with you. I hope that our Villagers will not allow our Village to backslide into those dark eras.

Always,
musue

P.S: Ask the elders to think and explain why Tubman in his socalled corrected statement about not prioritizing Freedom of the press, Freedom of speech and civil liberties in the first 100 days. What plans does he have for the first 100 days? Will the first 100 days set for people to “grab what they can for free” as payment?

Random Thoughts: What I see in Monrovia, plus Ellen and Snowe

2011-10-04T10:14:00.000-07:00

Dearest Mama,

Last week, I was saying, “Monrovia, here I come.” Today, the song is, “Monrovia, here I am!” Are you surprise Mama? I am rather surprised that just as I was landing, you were leaving for the remote part of the village.

Well, while I was looking for you on the streets of Monrovia, I saw many things: some regular sights, most unclear, imprecise sights that are faint to my mind and understanding; others questionable, and a few unusual. During this election season, should I talk about the parking ticket system, where drivers pay certain amount to park on the streets of Monrovia? Should I write about how I rode a vehicle that passed in front of the Executive Mansion without coming face to face with [a] member(s) of a military or paramilitary force? Do I talk about the pedestrians who congregate on the streets of Monrovia every morning to wrestle for public transportation? Or I can talk about the elections season because of the intensity and vibrancy of the election campaigns?

Did I just say the campaign is intriguing? Oooh yes Mama, it is! Get this right; I have not attended any of the active rallies, or directly witnessed political campaigns. But I can safely claim that I have seen probably more than what attendees have seen. There are eye-catching billboards on the streets, and I saw some from the moment my flight began landing at the Roberts International Airport; and also taken a glimpse of large billboards plus small campaigning at the airport, when partisans welcomed part delegation from the U.S.A. There are also super large billboards on the highways. Campaign materials are also carried by partisans on the highway between the airport and Monrovia. I wish we could stand for few moments in front of some of the humongous billboards and placards on the streets of Monrovia. Some of the slogans are filled with platform materials, others are ‘tight,” while there are the ones that will loosen the belly.

Have you seen the slogan ones that reads, “Monkeys still working, so baboon wait small?” When I saw that slogan, I had to turn my head twice to make sure I was reading right. I began reflecting on the reverse: “Monkey work, baboon chop.” Ah, hay. Who came out with the slogan: “Monkey still working, so baboon wait small?” So after monkey fini working, will baboon come to eat? Someone tell me Ooo.

Oh, but Mama, let me quickly admit that I haven’t visited many streets, but the few I have plied are filled with series of billboards, and campaign materials on poles, buildings, homes, and worn by people. But wait, that’s not the juice. Gimme few moments to lay out what you never thought would have happened in this life time. At least I never thought it would in my lifetime.

Mama, the political climate here is really interesting. The political campaign has seen a shift in political pledges, and given birth to new political jargons and attitudes that political scientist may well begin breaking down, and exploring. Who knows, the next worldwide political ideology and practices may be drawn from this tiny village. Did you ever think that Former dies hard supporters of other political parties including, Snowe, Browne and others would be supporting the presidential second term bid of EJS? When I saw Snowe on television last night, wearing an UP campaign T-shirt that had engraved on it: Vote UP, I almost fell from the sofa. I asked my host, General in a stammering tone “Is that Snowe?” Her response was in the affirmative, I still could not believe my eyes; I pulled out my reading glasses, but it only hampered my sight since the glasses is only for reading, and not intended to enhance my sight for watching TV. I shifted my head from left to right, and then up and down, trying to get what I thought would be a better view of the TV screen. Or did I move my head in the four directions because I wanted my doubt to reign supreme at that moment? If that was my motive, then I was wrong because my own doubts were being dominated by the truth of what is actually occurring during this intense political season.

I then walked past General and drove my head in the face of the TV screen. But still, I came face to face with Snowe as he spoke incessantly; campaigning for EJS’ reelection. Ah, hay! Who would have ever imagined this twist of event, I asked myself as I glided across the living room to the sofa. My body was exhausted from the day’s activities. My mind was tired from the intense exercise it had engaged in during the last few days, but my curiosity was just warming up.

As I stood there, glued to the screen, I wondered whether I have observed a political rally, or was my presence at political rallies only for assignments? That unspoken question was actually a rhetorical one. I turned my attention to the screen and saw Deebah with a wide smile on his face as he stood closed to the president. The beam on his face continued to widen as he clapped. In a few moments V. Sherman took the screen, and then there was Kofi, Samuakai, Nguafan, and the list went on and on. I was like “wow.”

Then musician Friday took the stage with his dancers. The swinging of hips and legs went on and on, while I reflected on the days when Snowe and Browne and others stood with fist in the chest as they defended their cause. What happened? When did they change their cause? Or did they change their cause, or their vision of life just changed? My head began to ache, and I realized that only Snowe and Co can answer my series of questions.

When I sat on the sofa, my friend and host might have observed that I was surprised at the turn of events. She said, “You have not seen anything?” I turned to her and asked, “You mean there’s something more than Snowe on this campaign trail.” She said “of course.” But before I could say ‘jack,’ General said, “Do you know that Jean Richardson, S. Morlu and Darrius Diloon are also supporting EJS second term bid. I said, “you kidding.” Her response; a giggle. I tried to allow the night to flow with a close up picture of Snowe lingering on the screen. The design on his T-Shirt, “Vote UP” kept nagging at me. I wish I had my camera at that very moment to snap the historic picture. But my camera was in another room, and I didn’t want to miss a scene on the screen. Prehaps, just perhaps I may get the chance to see Snowe in the next few days. When I do, I will take a snap of Snowe all the “guys” in their campaign outfit to show you Mama.

Right now, I must take a stroll down the street before the “pan- pan” (Motor bike riders) take over the streets.

Always
musue

PEACECORPS 50th Anniversary: Liberia Peacecorps Program in Pictures

2011-10-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Mary Pat Kramer and Sarah Morrison

Liberian “Freedom Fighters” Suffered Momentary Schizophrenia Disorder -Nippy

2011-09-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

By: Musue Haddad, Washington, D.C

'Rebels claiming to be “Freedom Fighters” of the Liberian civil war might have suffered a spur of the moment Schizophrenia disorder that drove them to engage in senseless atrocious behavior and heinous irrational destruction against their own people,' Mr. Christopher Nippy, First Secretary for Political & Consular Affairs at the Liberian Embassy said yesterday.

Mr. Nippy made the statement while receiving a copy of the book, Rape, Loot & Murder: LIBERIAN CIVIL WAR: A Journalist’s Photo Diary, at his office in Washington, D.C. As he flipped through the pages of the graphic pictorial book, authored by James Fasuekoi, Mr. Nippy asked in a rhetorical question, “If the so-called freedom fighters didn’t suffer momentary Schizophrenia disorder, how can a group of people calling themselves “freedom fighters,” engage in extreme and widespread destruction, and then later the same people want to acquire political power?”

More details to follow...

More details to follow...

Liberian Journalist Enters Agreement; Republishes with Authorhouse

2011-09-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

ALLENTOWN, PA: September 20, 2011: A powerful photo documentary book on Liberia’s civil war titled: Rape, Loot & Murder: LIBERIAN CIVIL WAR: A Journalist’s Photo Diary, first published in the United States two years ago by Liberian Journalist James Kokulo Fasuekoi has been republished by Authorhouse. Authorhouse, one of the World’s leading publishing companies is based in the United States of America.

According to a press release, Journalist James Kokulo Fasuekoi’s 124 page book was previously published in hardcover by Inkubook Inc, a subsidiary of Authorhouse and sold at a much higher price. In spite the initial high cost of the book before its republication, the book received praised and is widely accepted in the U.S. and third world countries, including Liberia where people survived on less than a dollar per day.

Rape, Loot & Murder: LIBERIAN CIVIL WAR: A Journalist’s Photo Diary showcases over 700 colored-black/white pictures focused on the Liberian civil war, including human rights violations – deliberate and targeted killings of people including women and children, destruction of infrastructures, fighters from various rebel factions engaged in rape, loot and murder, among others photographs that are accompanied by text that summarized the implication of the Liberian Civil War on that society, the West African region and the global community.

Now published in paperback, the book also highlights the agonies of war, particularly African warfare, mostly featuring warlords and drugged child-soldiers as young as 7 year-old bearing arms. Major massacres carried out by certain warring factions as well as humanitarian efforts to combat hunger, malnutrition and diseases are also featured in the book. Described by Arizona's West Valley View as "often hard-to-look-at photographs," the book serves as a valuable source for those investigating human rights abuses carried out by warring factions during more than a decade civil war in Liberia, and the spillover effects of the Liberian civil war in the West African region. The book is also seen by many as a resource for studying the social and transitional dynamics of civil war, including emotions, dialogues and treaties, identity, social networks, post-conflict peace building and gender issues, not only limited to the Liberian Civil war, but conflicts around the world.

The latest move by author James Fasuekoi to republish with Authorhouse is aimed at reducing the cost of the book; that is to make it affordable for all interested in learning about the Liberian Civil war. Under the present terms, Authorhouse is expected to embark on a mass production of the book and thereby reduce its original price from $58.95 to $36.68 per copy. Authorhouse will also carry out sales, distribution and marketing, which includes making the book available in major book stores worldwide including Barnes and Nobles, and boost the book’s sales and marketing on Amazon.com which it has already done.

Headquartered in Indiana, USA, Authorhouse “is the leading provider of self-publishing and book marketing services for authors around the globe” and has released more than 60,000 titles since its inception 1997.

Meanwhile, Author James Kokulo Fasuekoi wishes to direct all potential customers, patrons, friends and family members wishing to buy copy of the book to visit www.amazon.com. Mr. Fasuekoi is also expected to visit schools, media houses plus a number of private and government institutions in the United States to introduce his book, among them, the U.S. State Department and Liberian Embassy in Washington D.C.; Amnesty International, the Committee To Protect Journalists and the United Nations headquarters located in new York.

Signed: ---------------------------------------------------
James Kokulo Fasuekoi

THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC: A Millennium Tribute to Tecumsey Roberts

2011-09-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

This tribute to the late musician, Tecumsey Roberts was written by Robert Sesay, and first published in a Monrovia based magazine in 2000. With permission from author Sesay, this captivating tribute to the late Tecumsey Roberts, and the Liberian Arts and Cultural society is scanned and republished.
In order to enlarge the material, click on each scanned page.

Earth Quake in DC: Where Were You?

2011-08-23T15:58:00.000-07:00

I was in the basement of a high rise office building near Connecticut and K Streets, NW when I felt the swaying and tremors caused by the earth quake. I looked around and perhaps may have mentally captured what was occurring around me. Then, I may have frozen in my spot when everyone started running. I heard rounds of screams, and continued to look around. Then I heard more screams. It was at that moment I gathered my belonging and headed for the escalator that was already shut down. I used the escalator as stairways to reach the upper ground level of the building.

Outside the building, I scanned the many high rise buildings that have provided shades to pedestrians along this street. Now people dreaded the thoughts of enjoying the comfort the buildings provided, and were fleeing the vicinity. There was a large crowd outside the building, and more and more people kept running from one part of the streets to the next. People were trying to avoid the high rise buildings, which is impossible unless you were completely outside of that part of K and Connecticut Streets.

To look at the throng of people on the street was like watching a high current wave on the ocean. All I could think about was my reaching my son. I tried calling his school, but my phone services were down. I tried calling friends, and colleagues, but I realized my phone, like most others were not receiving or sending out calls. Then my thoughts ran to the beginning of the war, and how families became separated just by the mere fact of being slightly away from one another for a brief moment. The thought of being disconnected from my friends and love ones was unbearable. I tried even harder, hitting harder the key pad on my phone to reach Wanda White, Angie, Baba, Mrs. Blackwell, James Fasuekoi, Thomas Toteh, my sister Munah, among others, but without success. I even tried sending a text to Sarah Morrison’s USA cell, even thought she is out of the country, but the text wouldn’t go through. My hope was that she would get my text upon arrival in the USA. I looked around me, aside a few persons who had highly advanced phones and handheld gadgets, many of us appeared frustrated by our inability to connect with families or friends.

Then I heard shouts that there would be another quake, my mind went into a dazed. I couldn’t bear the thoughts of being further separated from the ones I love. I sincerely felt that the situation I was in at that moment was a replay of the senseless war that engulfed my country for over a decade; or my years in exile when I was forcibly separated from my family, my friends and loved ones because of my journalistic practices in highlighting human rights abuses carried out by the Charles Taylor’s regime against citizenry of my country, and my work in promoting human dignity. I knew I didn’t want to be separated from my son. I hope he was also not frightened by the tremors, or the frantic manners others were responding to the situation.

I quickly dived in the first public transportation that came my way. As we rode on the bus, I was stunned by the throng of people on the streets of Washington, DC. The human occupation on the streets of District of Columbia reminded me of many places that are almost always crowded, including Waterside market in Monrovia, especially during the holiday seasons, and the Night markets in Taiwan that is a popular tourist destination. Many people visiting the People’s Republic of Taiwan visit the Night Markets to have a taste of Taiwanese food, for entertainment and to do lots of shopping. However, unlike Waterside, and Taiwan’s night market where I was in a somewhat joyous mood, our presence on the streets of DC today was primarily because of the 5.9 earthquake that struck, covering 83 miles southwest of the city. The quake forced the evacuation of government buildings, including the White House, Pentagon and Capitol, and shaking homes and structures up and down the East Coast, and was felt from Atlanta to New England, and as far west as Ohio and Michigan, according to reports.

Offices were abandoned, customers and staff fled businesses, most schools evacuated buildings, and parents were anxious to pick up children from schools.
As I looked out, I saw on the faces of people, white, black, yellow, the physically fit, the handicapped, the employed, and unemployed, the homed, and homeless, and people from various religions, including the ones wearing veils, and or hijab, those wearing robes, yarmulke or kippah; we all carried a face of apprehension.

Already, Washington, DC is a beacon for visitors. During the summer, people from all over the world flock DC. At the moment, officials in the district are preparing for the dedication of the Martin Luther King’s memorial scheduled for August 28th on the National Mall. The dedication of the memorial is scheduled to take place on the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom when King delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. The effort to build the memorial took more than 25 years. In addition to residents, DC is also a host to tourists, and civil rights leaders and advocates, who are interested in witnessing the event.

While I stared at the faces of the crowd, I heard someone near say, “Look, this is probably what Martin Luther King wanted – everyone to come together.” Another voice said, “Maybe this is a sign since his memorial will be dedicated in a few days.” I turned away and realized that police had set up a barricade ahead. The bus I rode came to a standstill. Fire fighters and ambulances tore the streets- up and down, left and right. And the bus I sat on remained in that spot for more than two hours. Riders were screaming, and then I started experiencing a piercing headache. And a sharp pain ran through my back. The noise level on the bus continued to escalate. More and more passengers got on the bus, and many more got off. Later, I got off the bus, and started walking, aware that I could not cover the distance to my son’s school before the end of the day. I decided that, well it is better to do something, than sit idly. As I walked among the throngs of people on the street, I scanned the streets for a faster means of transportation, but taxis were completely off the streets. I was tempted to wave down one of the many police cars that went up and down the streets. After all, my reaching my son was an emergency. I couldn’t call anyone for help because my phones were down.

I kept walking, and calculating the distance I had covered. So far, it appeared I had covered a distance that was equivalent to walking from Broad Street to Freeport in Monrovia. Will I reach my son early enough? I started feeling alone, and the reality of being alone was not as piercing as the thought.

Later, I spotted a taxi cab far ahead. I stopped, and watched the taxi as it came closer and closer, waiting for the right moment to signal the driver to make a U turn. But just as I opened my mouth, two men nearby shouted for the taxi. I turned around and looked at them. “Damn, they just cut me off, I thought.” But deep down, I knew it was theirs. As soon as the taxi swerved around, the guys, apparently foreigners from Europe, asked the driver if I could also hop in. The driver agreed, and I gave my destination to the driver, and asked how my fare would be calculated. The driver, an African still shaken by the quake he witnessed near the Dulles International airport, said he would accept whatever I give him. I thank God and then once more thanked the guys.

The driver talked incessantly about what he saw, and his experienced, while the two guys made small contributions. I was quiet, and apparently still shaken by the thought of just what would have happened to me in that high rise basement. Then I heard what sounded like beeping sound coming from the car. We all sat up, looking around. I turned to the driver and asked, “Just what is that sound.” He turned to me and said, “It is you. You are not wearing your seat belt.” And for the first time in many hours a small smile lit my face. The two guys in the back heave a big sigh of relief. I then realized that probably, just probably the impact of the senseless war in Liberia, and the pains of being away from friends and loved ones during my life in exile would remain a part of my life forever.

The Evil that We Do: Married Woman Goes Berserk in America

2011-08-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

Dearest Mama,

Quite a while ehn! And who says I don’t miss you! I do Mama. Words are inadequate to describe how much I miss you, and the Village. I sit here sometimes, and replay events and the faces of people and places in my mind. I also engrave in my mind all the things I want to tell you – the good, the bad and the ugly. As you read this letter to the folks, I imagine many of our people, including Garmai are anxious to jump ahead of me. We also have Tormla in his usual restless manner fumbling at his beard in anticipation of what my letter may contain.

Of course I could write about a lot of things, including the beating of Morlu Tambason of Dowodowo Town in Lofa County, the Libyan and Syrian crisis, or Prosecutor to drop former IMF director Dominique Strauss-Kahn attempted rape case. I could also decide to play on whether Liberia's Future In Her own Hands, or provoke discussions on whether Obama will be reelected. Ah, for those interested in celebrity discussion, we could also look at U.S Celebrity, Kim Kardashian’s wedding, or decide to predict Lady Gaga’s dress and performance at 2011 MTV Video Music Awards at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre. Eh, eh, I could go on and on about issues to discuss, but today I want to engage in what many will call “gayla.” The gayla is actually about a situation I doubted would really take place in this part of the world. The issue involved my childhood friend, Ceaineh whose parents lived across the road from our home in the Village. You remembered Ceaineh? We used to join “Kuu” (Lorma for joining forces to complete individual members work – we do mine and do hers) to carry out our household chores, including fetching water, doing the laundry, cleaning the yard, etc.

Well, Mama, we reconnected here and our memories of home and our childhood is our strength, especially in this part of the world where most relationships (friendship, husband and wife relationships, courting/dating, and sad to say family relationships) are based on financial or political gains, and not love or affection. I know you will be surprised by this revelation, but it is a hard fact to swallow, especially if one party has affectionate feeling, and the other party feels otherwise. Well, who’s to blame? The people involved in the relationships, or the society. Well, that is another talk.

Ceaineh has been going steady with a wonderful guy also from our village. From all accounts, the relationship is based on affection, and has seen a warm glow in both of them. In addition to the warmth both share, it’s apparent they complement each other. However recently, Ceaineh had an experience that may have left a scar on her relationship. Before delving into Ceaineh’s experience, which speaks of trials and temptations we face as we make the twists and turns in life, we know that sometimes disappointment comes knocking on our doors. Many of us from the village will call that disappoint that comes knocking on our door a “thief” that steals the beautiful rising of the sun “a repulsively ugly trrrouble.” Think about it, ugly is ugly, and to have an ugly that is repulsive (unpleasant, unattractive, nasty, horrible) is more than a third degree form of ugly.

Now, I was sitting minding my business when Ceaineh buzzed me to explain how her fiancé’s girl friend, (former, or not) stormed their home with the hope of whipping her (Ceaineh) like a lil child. Now Ceaineh’s fiancé female friend, Mrs. Fliz azimuth Konko, according to Ceaineh sneaked to their home in the dark, when Ceaineh’s fiancé was at work. As lawyers will describe Mrs. Konko behavior, she “willfully, deliberately, intentionally, knowingly” climbed the dozens of stairways that are arranged in a Z-form to Ceaineh’s fiancé’s the apartment to physically attack and cause injury. Upon reaching the apartment door, Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko, who had left her husband and her two children at home for this devious mission, tapped on the door. Unfortunately, the apartment door doesn’t have a keyhole or a chain. So when Ceaineh asked who it was, rather than call her own name, Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko speaking in a low hoarse voice criminally identified herself as the apartment’s landlady.

Familiar with the landlady, when Ceaineh slightly opened the door, she was shocked to see that it was not the landlady at the door. Ceaineh recognized that the person at the door was actually the picture her fiancé had shown her of his former girl friend. But before Ceaineh could shut the door close, the monstrous Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko pushed her way through, and quickly hit Ceaineh on the head. Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko was now determined to grab Ceaineh by the head. Ceaineh quickly ducked her head below Fliz Azimuth Konko arm, and almost remove her head because of Mrs. Fliz Konko strong body odor. However, given the prevailing situation, Ceaineh knew she must take advantage of every available opportunity; with that in mind, she mentally transported her sense of smell to a flower garden, and grabbed some of the expanded and puff out flesh on Fliz Azimuth Konko’s side, while Fliz Azimuth struggled to grab her (Ceaineh’s) head and neck. Ceaineh then used her hands and legs to forcefully push the amorphous Fliz Azimuth Konko from the apartment, as the two engaged in what can be described a world wrestling match, but this time without spectator.

As the two wriggled, Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko’s focus was apparently to grab Ceaineh’s head. The struggle went on for a few minutes, but appeared to have lasted for several hours, without a referee to ensure that rules for boxing matches were respected. As the pushing and hitting continued, the tables and shoes rack tumbled over. The desktop computer also fell from the computer desk. Ceaineh’s was determined to push the fanatical and possessed Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko towards the door, and out of the apartment. In spite the realization that her mission was failing, the obsessed and possessed Fliz Azimuth Konko kept fighting on, pulling on Ceaineh head, and trying to wrap her hands around Ceaineh’s neck. At last, Ceaineh succeeded in pushing Mrs. Fliz Konko outside the door. Outside the apartment door, Mrs. Konko kept fighting to subdue Ceaineh. Ceaineh pushed Mrs. Fliz Konko in the direction of the stairs. Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko slid down, but she quickly grabbed the bars of the stairs, as she struggled to keep her balance. And that was when Ceaineh saw that a few spectators down the stairs. One of them quickly held Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko from falling. For a split second, Ceaineh looked at the trio, and wondered whether Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko came with a gang to attack her, as is normally done in our Village.

Ceaineh said she went back into the apartment, shut the door, and shook involuntarily from anger, hurt and betrayal. She stood there reflecting on all the disappointments that come knocking on our doors, especially during moments when we least expect such disappointment. In between sobs, Ceaineh said she felt enraged by the temptation brought on by Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko, and the fact that though she, Fliz is married, she can leave her home, and to assault another person at anytime, and for whatever reason. Ceaineh wondered, isn’t providing false identification, as Mrs. Konko did in knowing identifying herself as the landlady a fraud? I know that in criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual.

With such thoughts flowing though her mind, Ceaineh said, she wondered about Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko’s state of mind: Who in their right mind would want to casually disregard the law in America? How can a married woman, and a woman who claims to be a mother of two makes such rash and cruel decisions - trespass, assault, engage in fraudulent activities. As these thought ran through her mind, Ceaineh said she became even frightened that had Mrs. Fliz Konko succeeded in overpowering her, one can never imagine what would have happened. And with that, Ceaineh said she became enraged, and her body shook, as her mind filled with unspeakable evil she would unleash on Mrs. Fliz Konko. After a few moments of reflection, Ceaineh said she became sober and disappointed at herself for allow such intensity of anger and negative thoughts to flow through her veins. Such thoughts of hostility, Ceaineh believed is an invitation to evil, and speaks volume of how, if we as human beings are not careful, we can become corrupted by evil, and the forces of evil that accompany disappointments. “That feeling of hatred and evil was scary,” Ceaineh said. “Had Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko still being in my presence, I would have done unspeakable evil to her,” Ceaineh added.

As I listened to Ceaineh’s story, I wondered whether it is similar evil that took over our brothers and sisters who meted out cruel treatment against their brothers and sisters during the senseless war in our village. Was the married, Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko possessed and obsessed, and that is why she made such rash decision to trespass, provide false information, and physically assault Ceaineh? Is it possible that the level of irrational decision demonstrated by Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko, is similar to what prompted the violence in our Village, and push us to covetously and viciously desire more than what we can have? Considering the level of insatiability demonstrated by Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko, is that the same level that drives us to violently fulfill our self-indulgency by engaging in sadism, and immorality?

As Ceaineh analyzed her experience, a passerby who could not resist the juicy story quickly interrupted, “You sure that man nan sleeping with thy woman? If thy man har stopped sleeping wit thy woman long time wha will may they woman to now jum on you? Ehn.” As madam nosy spoke, she continuously stuck her fingers in Ceaineh’s face, as if to emphasize that her questions were not actually questions, but the final verdict of the whole scenario.

Mama, I left Ceaineh and the nosy woman, and sat under a shade to reflect on Ceaineh’s story; comparing and analyzing the incident with other life’s events. I know that sometimes we cannot read an event for its meaning the way we can read an X-ray for diagnosis, but perhaps it might be necessary to look hard enough at ourselves whenever we are faced with challenging situation. As I began drafting this letter to you, I began to explore some of the key issues Ceaineh’s unfortunate experience with the cantankerous Fliz Azimuth Konko brought to mind. Here are a few thoughts:

• Did Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko felt jilted by Ceaineh’s fiancé ? If so, why? Did Ceaineh’s fiancé promise her and did not keep his promise? Or, is Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko one of those persons whose controlling, or one of those clinical psychologist described as love obsessed? Now if that is a case of psychological Obsessed love, or someone who has or additionally has what psychologist also call Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy, wherein the attention-seeker will deliberately engage in acts as a means of gaining attention, that is also an issue of concern.

• If Ceaineh’s fiancé had ended his relationship with the belligerent Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko, what then prompted Mrs. Konko to leave her marital home (husband, children) to attack Ceaineh?

• Why did Ceaineh’s fiancé continued to communicate with Mrs. Fliz Konko, even if his communication to Mrs. Konko they didn’t contain personal or romantic tones?

• According to Ceaineh's fiancé, Fliz Azimuth Konko said she (Fliz Azimuth Konko) was not engaged in intimacy with her (Fliz Azimuth Konko’s) husband? While Mrs. Fliz Azimuth claimed Ceaineh's fiancé was the one intruding in her marital home, and has been dependent on her (Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko) for assistance. How can Ceaineh's fiance justify that a woman who's married, and lives in the same home with her husband actually not sexually active with her husband, even if not regularly? Was the contracted marriage an agreement between both Husband and wife? If not, how can there be an absence of sex? Moreover, why would Ceaineh's fiance outrightly believe Fliz Azimuth that she (Fliz Azimuth) and her husband are not engage in sexual affairs?

• What's about the harassing phone calls from Mrs. Konko to Ceaineh, where she (Mrs. Konko) dicusses here rendevous with Ceaineh's fiance'. Mrs. Konko also communicated with all of Ceaineh's fiance' friends, and colleagues, in an attempt to spread misinformation.

• How's about Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko’s husband? How did Ceaineh's fiancé snuck around, and or duck to avoid confrontation with Mrs. Fliz Azimuth's husband.

Mama, as I watched Ceaineh smiled as she watered her pots of vegetables, I also scanned the faces of passersby, and knew that behind the many smiling confident faces we see every day, there’s an unsatisfied yearning for a sense of not feeling at home. We may sometimes have a feeling of not feeling at home, but as we look keenly at our lives, we will recognize that we all have been given a gift designed to bring us home – to positive friendship, and affectionate and loving relationships.

Mama, I learned another thing from you, but many find the idea awkward. You always said that strange as it may sound, sometimes some events - wonderful event, or a disappointment in our life can help us feel at home, and or value the relationships we have, or the gifts we possessed. I believe that we don’t always have to expect everything to be beautiful and rosy, or to take us to a home. Sometimes, a tidal wave can take us to a home, even if a previous “home” was seen as a trap. Ah, many may wonder how a home can be a trap. Let’s not fool ourselves. There’s a fine line between a home and a trap - sometimes the lines are vague, and sometimes the lines are bold and glaring that they nag at us consistently.

Life has taught us that a great relationship can easily feel like the home for a heart, while a barely tolerable relationship where convenience and inertia force us to try to overlook the dozens of ways we don’t connect, interconnect, engage or mesh with our partner. That is so common; even in our Village we saw how some partners sought refuge in bottles, while others felt suffocated in the presence of their partners, but remained: a marriage of convenience. Such relationships are traps because they don’t push us into action; they strain our creativity, and don’t bring out our flow, and most importantly, we don’t feel at home.

Mama, as you always told us; something I’ve experienced; it is not always easy to find a home in this big wide world. We all have one time or another have an experience where we’re in a relationship, and the person certainly presents themselves as ready to be at your side; whether that is a reality or not, in another issue. However, he or she is definitely nice, or appears friendly, and on the surface, you should be together, but for some reasons, it doesn’t feel right. That’s because you are not just at home with this person.

Like such “un-home” relationships, our life is filled with traps like the not quite good enough job; the career you choose because it is secure and you are afraid that the career you want is too risky; the friends you associate with because you feel they are the only ones you’ve known. Lots of times these traps are of our own making. We don’t know ourselves, and we limit ourselves until when that event catapults us onto an unexpected path that helps us feel more at home in this world. Until that day when that relationship makes our heart at home in this world, or an event opens our eyes, we glue ourselves into where we are and therefore we need to continue to use the glue to stay in that place precisely because the fit is dreadfully poor. And sometimes, even if dynamite breaks the glue, there are still some who will refused to be yanked into a new place where in spite the everyday challenges, they can say, their life feel right, or they feel at home, or at easy even when they are faced with financial constraints, or other challenges. Believe me, I know it Mama, if anyone doesn’t feel at home, they may be good at hiding it from everyone else, but they know full well that they cannot hide it from themselves- you cannot hide the nagging in your heart from yourself.

Mama, as you said, and we all know that the most important thing in life is love. When we feel love we are at our happiest and when we beam love at a difficulty, it eases that difficulty. Armed with this knowledge, Ceaineh knows that whatever our present situation, we should learn to give love a chance! Of course, we know that love isn’t always sweetness and light – so sometimes when love is in pride of place a fight breaks out! The need for balance, the war between right and wrong, the fight for justice, these are all about love. However, if Ceaineh and her fiancé feel at home in their relationship, I hope they will work to ensure that love and trust become the foundation of their relationship. If they do not feel at home, then it is evidently time to make the ultimate decision.

Well, as I continue to mull over Ceaineh’s situation, I am aware that in these circumstances, Ceaineh is wise enough to err on the side of caution. As we have all experienced, most situations in life are not black or white but shades of grey, and while we should never compromise our integrity we should not condemn a person when we have not walked a mile in his or her shoes. Therefore I will not condemn Ceaineh for whatever decisions she makes, or convict Ceaineh’s fiancé for the incident. It is a fact that such a situation leaves a dot in a relationship. Even though the wrestler, Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko and others have been subtly sending out messages to continue to inflame the situation, and ruin the relationship between Ceaineh and her fiancé, as well as engage in spreading misinformation to Ceaineh’s fiancé personal friends and professional colleagues, it is important to note that we cannot accept anything or anyone at face value and information cannot be trusted – at least until they have been checked and rechecked.

I do hope that if everything happens for a reason, Ceaineh and her fiancé will learn to make sense of the seemingly incontrovertible fact that probably Mrs. Fliz Azimuth Konko’s senseless act has some hidden lessons. I know that everything we do and what we think and feel create consequences. The soul learns from our actions and thoughts, and progresses, or fails to learn, and it can be held back like a student who doesn’t perform well in school.

Greetings to everyone, and hope we are all learning from whatever situations- large and small, subtle or incredibly obvious, that we experience today. I hope that our Village and all of us have learned from the senseless war that engulfed our Village.

Always,
musue