Kerper Dwanyen elected President of the organization of Liberians in Minnesota.

Kerper A. Dwanyen President Elect

After weeks of mud slinging and allegations of gross human rights violations during the Liberian civil war against some of, or at least one of the candidate running for the presidency of the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota, Liberians in Minnesota elected Kerper Dwanyen as their new leader. Dwanyen who onced headed the Nimba Redemption Council, during Liberia’s civil war, was accused by some of his opponent as a rebel who was involved in atrocities against innocent civilians. But at approximately 2:15 a.m Monday, when the last ballot was counted, it was clear Dwanyen had been elected president with 793 votes. The incumbent, Martha Sinoe, came in a distant second with 436 votes, followed by Wynfred Russell (257) and Jackson George (229).
Let us hope that now the new leadership of the organization will really get to the business of working for Liberians who called Minnesota home. The first thing the new leadership should address is the constant negative news about the Liberian community in Minnesota, at almost all Liberian gatherings, there are always reports of fights and drugs, this is really sad, and if something is not done about this problem, all of us stand to have our good names ruin by these thugs.

Making the case for Liberia to host Africom.

The US government announced early in the year that the Defence Department was creating a US Africa Command headquarters to coordinate all American military and security interests throughout the continent, but a lot of African powers Including Nigeria, South Africa, and Libya have expressed reservations about a move that could signal an expansion of U.S. influence on the continent. Why is it that so many African powers are against The United states setting up its African commend on an African soil? the answer is simple, African nations, at least those run by dictators, like Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe don't want more Americans, and their democratic ideas, upsetting the status quo. and in their effort to stay in power, and continue stealing from their country's Treasury, they have come up with pitiful excuses like, any AFRICOM facilities on African territory, will be a magnet that will attract terrorist to attack their countries.
Liberia on the other hand, has announce publicly that it is willing to host Africom, coming out out of almost two decades of civil war, and with our infrastructure, and economy in shambles, there is no telling that Several hundred, or even thousand, well paid American soldiers and civilians, would work wonders for the economy. and not to mention the huge financial incentive, and the creation of thousands of jobs that would come with Africom requests for basing rights.
Another reason we Liberians should welcome Africom is because it would give pause to any future rebel group, or military commanders contemplating a coup.
There is no reason what so ever to fear Africom, i believe they will be a force for good on the continent, that's why we wholeheartedly support our President, to not only bid that Africom be base on the continent, but we also support her effort to have Liberia host Africom.

Debt Relief in sight for Liberia.

The IMF announced in a statement on november 14, that member states had made pledges totaling more than 842 million dollars in debt relief for Liberia, calling it a "critical step in moving Liberia onto a path toward comprehensive debt relief."US President George W. Bush welcomed this landmark debt reduction deal between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Liberia as a victory for his administration, his spokeswoman said Wednesday.
Liberia is recovering from 14 years of a brutal civil war that killed 270,000 people and ended in 2003 .
Since taking office as the first elected female president of Liberia following 2005 elections, Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf traveled the world pressing creditor nations to cancel the country's debts and give it a chance to rebuild from a brutal 14-year civil war that left 200,000 dead.
By clearing Liberia's debt accrued over years, the struggling country will be able to gain access to loans and other assistance from the IMF, the World Bank and the African Development Bank.

Starting over in Liberia.

After fourteen years of civil war, Liberia is now rebuilding. And Liberian refugees from all over the world are coming back home to help in the rebuilding process.At the moment many people don't have electricity and nearly three quarters of the population doesn't have access to clean drinking water. Here is a video of one Liberian entrepreneur who is trying to provide safe water and make a living at the same time.




Once the world's fifth-largest iron ore exporter and home to the world's largest rubber plantation, Liberia's economy collapsed during more than a decade of on-off conflict, now we all have to do our part to help our country.

President Sirleaf awarded the U.S Presidential medel of freedom.

President Bush has awarded Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf the 2007 Presidential Medal of Freedom.The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the united states government highest civilian award, was created by President John F Kennedy. The award is given by the President "to any person who has made meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural and other significant public or private endeavors.The nomination of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was based on personal courage, and an unwavering commitment to build a more hopeful future for her homeland.and as the first woman elected president of an African nation, president Sirleaf has striven to improve the lives of people in her own country and across her continent.'because of all her hard work, The United States honors Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her dedication to freedom, democracy, and human dignity" president Bush said. president Sirleaf was one of seven who were presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Happy birthday madame President.

The president of Liberia, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf celebrated her 69 birth anniversary today in Monrovia. President Sirleaf attended a thanksgiving service held at the First United Methodist Church in her honor. During brief remarks at the service, she said she was pleased and blessed to be called upon by God to be an instrument to serve the Liberian people. She stressed that she may not please everybody in everything she does, but added that what she does is done in the interest of the Liberian people. The president also recieved gift from wellwishers.

in another developement, The White House on Monday announced the recipients of the 2007 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest US civilian honor, and the Liberian Leader was name among this year recipients. The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established in 1963, is awarded for an honoree's "especially meritorious contribution" to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or for their accomplishments in the areas of culture or "other significant public or private endeavors.

We will remember those who stood with us, in our time of need.

It is unbelievable that some, mainly developing, and middle income countries,would resist attempt by the IMF to cancel Liberia's $4.5 billion debt, We are held up because of the action of a few countries," World Bank President Robert Zoellick told the press on Sunday.Approval to write off the $900 million Liberia owes the IMF has been resisted by Belgium and large developing countries including Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia India,and Mexico, all countries we thought were our friends.Liberia have fulfilled and continue to work hard on all the economic and political requirements to enter a global debt relief program to write off our debts yet we are still waiting for donors to make good on their promises. To those countries who stood with us in our time of need, and are doing all they can to help us erase this huge debt, this huge impediment to our country's development, we are grateful, and we are in your debt, and to those who stood against us, know that it could be you on the other side one day, and we will remember your actions against us today.