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French High-Level Delegation Set for June 2 Liberia Visit to Advance Economic Investment, Youth Empowerment Following President Boakai’s Paris Trip, Deputy Minister Sando Announces

BY: Margret Nyumah

MONROVIA — A high-level delegation from France is scheduled to arrive in Liberia on June 2, 2026, for talks focused on economic investment and youth empowerment, Deputy Information Minister Daniel O. Sando announced Tuesday.

Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, Sando said the visit comes on the heels of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent trip to France and is aimed at consolidating gains from that diplomatic engagement.

According to the Deputy Minister, discussions will center on strengthening bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on mobilizing French investment and expanding programs for Liberian youth.

“The engagement is expected to create new opportunities that will contribute to national development and improve the livelihoods of young people across the country,” Sando told reporters.

The Ministry indicated that additional information would be released ahead of the delegation’s arrival.

Liberia Advances War and Economic Crimes Court With Renewed Mandate, 160-Day Implementation Plan; France to Send High-Level Delegation June 2 for Investment, Youth Talks, Says Deputy Minister Sando

BY: Margret Nyumah

MONROVIA — The Government of Liberia has reported significant progress toward establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court, with Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando saying the court now has an operational mandate renewed for an additional year under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

Speaking Tuesday at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing, Sando said previous administrations were unable to implement the court, but the process has gained momentum under the current government.

According to Sando, implementation will proceed on a structured timeline.

Initial steps toward justice and operational planning are expected to begin within 60 days.

The legal framework will be submitted to the Liberian Legislature within 90 days for legislative action, with full implementation by the President anticipated within 160 days.

“The court’s establishment marks a major step in the country’s pursuit of justice and accountability,” Sando told reporters.

Boakai Returns to Monrovia After Accepting Prestigious Sacramento Peace Award, Dedicates International Honor to Liberian People and Pledges Renewed Focus on Youth Empowerment, Good Governance, and Job Creation

BY: Margret Nyumah

MONROVIA — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. arrived at Roberts International Airport Thursday following his recognition at a distinguished peace award ceremony in Sacramento, California, calling the international honor a “proud moment” for Liberia on the global stage.

Speaking to journalists upon his return, President Boakai said the award belongs not to him alone but to the Liberian people, crediting their “collective efforts, cooperation, and commitment” to advancing the country in a positive direction.

“This award belongs to the Liberian people for their continuous support and contributions to national development,” Boakai told reporters at RIA.

The President used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to good governance, pledging that his government will “continue to lead the country on the right path.”

He emphasized that empowering young Liberians remains a top priority, with plans to expand access to education and create more job opportunities across the 15 counties.

Boakai’s recognition at the California event adds to Liberia’s growing international reputation as a nation committed to peace, stability, and democratic progress.

LRA names AME University Liberia’s highest tax remitting higher education institution in 2026, citing benchmark financial integrity and contribution to national development during Taxpayer Appreciation Month

BY: Margret Nyumah

MONROVIA — The African Methodist Episcopal University has been officially recognized by the Liberia Revenue Authority as the highest tax-remitting institution of higher learning in the country, marking what the LRA described as a significant national achievement for financial integrity within the education sector.

The honor was announced during the 2026 Taxpayer Appreciation Month.

According to the LRA, AME University’s designation reflects its “consistent adherence to tax obligations” and measurable contribution to Liberia’s economic growth.

The Authority said the university’s performance sets a benchmark for accountability among colleges and universities nationwide.

During the ceremony, University officials described the award as more than ceremonial recognition, stating that it reinforces AMEU’s leadership in governance and its mandate to shape responsible future leaders.

The LRA noted that tax compliance by major institutions is critical to domestic revenue mobilization, which funds public services and infrastructure.

By leading the higher education category, AMEU has positioned itself as a case study in institutional responsibility, the Authority added.

As AME University celebrates the milestone, administrators reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to maintaining high standards in both academic delivery and fiscal management.

The university said it will continue supporting national development efforts while serving as a model of transparency and impact within Liberia’s higher education landscape.

Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando Issues Blistering Rebuttal to Mulbah Morlu, Denounces ‘Profligate and Misaligned’ Critic as ‘Loquacious’ and Prone to ‘Rash Speech’

BY: Margret Nyumah

MONROVIA — Deputy Information Minister Daniel O. Sando on Wednesday warned former Coalition for Democratic Change Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu Jr., accusing him of engaging in “rash speech and writing” aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

In a social media post tagged , Sando described Morlu as a “profligate and misaligned” figure who is “loquacious and prone to rash speech and writing.”

He said Morlu had “tried to bad mouth the decent character of him,” whom he described as “masterful, consummate in his workings, proficient and exemplary.”

The two public figures have clashed repeatedly online in recent months over governance issues and the performance of the Boakai administration, in which Sando serves.

Morlu has frequently criticized government officials on social media.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY JOSEPH NYUMA BOAKAI, SR.
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
AT THE
34TH AFRICA PEACE AWARDS
CENTER FOR AFRICA PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, USA

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Theme: “BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PEACE LEADERS IN AFRICA & HER DIASPORA”

Dr. Luke Wood, President of California State University, Sacramento;
Dr. Ernest Uwazie, Director of the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution;
Members of the Board, Faculty, and Administration;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
State and Municipal Officials Present;
Leaders of the African Diaspora;
Members of the Liberian Community in Sacramento and the Larger Liberian Community Organization, ULAA;
Students;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;
My Dear Friends;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good evening,

I stand before you today with deep humility and profound gratitude as I accept this distinguished Peace Award. I thank the organizers, the selection committee, and all those whose commitment to peace has made this moment possible.

Let me also thank California State University, Sacramento, and the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution for this honor. I am privileged to follow in the footsteps of eminent African statesmen, women, and peace leaders whose legacies continue to shape our continent.

This honor is not mine alone. I receive it on behalf of the resilient people of Liberia, men, women, youth, and children who endured conflict and emerged with an unyielding commitment to peace, reconciliation, and renewal.

Distinguished Guests,

Peace is often spoken of as an ideal, something noble and aspirational. But for us in Liberia, peace is not abstract. It is lived. It is earned. It is protected every single day.

Our history reminds us of the devastating cost of conflict. Between 1989 and 2003, Liberia experienced a civil war that claimed over 250,000 lives and shattered our institutions. Families were broken. Trust was eroded.

Yet even in our darkest hours, the Liberian spirit did not yield. We chose reconciliation over revenge. We chose dialogue over division. We chose hope over despair.

Dear Friends,

The journey from conflict to peace is never easy, and it is never complete. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is the presence of justice, opportunity, and dignity for all.

I was born in a small village in Lofa County. As a young boy, I could never have imagined standing before you today. My early life was shaped by hard work, discipline, and the belief that education and service can transform destiny.

Those experiences taught me a lasting lesson. Peace begins with the individual. It begins in our homes, our communities, and in how we treat one another.

With the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2003, Liberia began its journey toward reconciliation and democratic renewal. Step by step, we rebuilt institutions and restored governance.

Today, we confront our past with honesty. We have conducted dignified reburials, issued a national apology, and are working to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court so that accountability and reconciliation move forward together. More importantly, Liberia has experienced several peaceful democratic transitions, thereby consolidating our democratic credentials.

All of this has become possible because we believe that sustainable peace must rest on fairness, inclusion, and respect for the rule of law.

Distinguished Guests,

Across the world, we continue to see instability, conflict, and emerging threats. Violent extremism, climate pressures, and inequality challenge global peace.

These realities remind us that peace must be continuously protected. No nation is too small to contribute. No voice is too quiet to not matter.

Liberia’s journey demonstrates transformation. Today, we serve on the United Nations Security Council for the 2026 to 2027 term. We will use this position to promote dialogue, strengthen diplomacy, and advocate for cooperation.

How can Africa build the next generation of Peace Leaders at home and abroad? Africa’s next generation of leaders must go beyond simply ending conflicts to aggressively preventing them.

In a world where worthy examples are scarce and with about 70 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population under the age of 30, we face a demographic reality that presents both an opportunity and a serious risk. It can also serve as a powerful engine for peace, innovation, and development, or, if neglected, can become a source of tension, fragility, and conflict.

Civil wars, global conflicts, severe global economic shocks, climate pressures, youth unemployment, and social inequality have increasingly subjected our youth to negative values, manipulations, and exploitations.

Across our continent, young people remain marginalized, facing limited access to education, employment, and opportunity. This marginalization has driven many to seek better prospects abroad, often risking their lives across the Sahara and beyond, while others fall prey to criminal networks, illicit drugs, human trafficking, and other negative influences.

This reality of doom must change! Governments and national leaders must ensure that the aspirations, energy, and potential of young people are fully integrated into governance and development processes.

To this end, please permit me to offer some thoughts:

1. Governments in Africa must undertake deliberate and bold measures that support universities and regional bodies like the African Union and ECOWAS to invest in leadership initiatives, especially fellowships and mentorships to encourage and mentor young people;

2. We must rethink our philosophy of education, integrating new ideas that connect youths to service and patriotism, and undertake formation programs that alter the historical marginalization of our youths. Our schools’ curricula and other pedagogic networks must incorporate programs on peace education. From primary schools to universities, young people must be taught courses on peace building, conflict resolution, civic responsibility, and critical thinking.

3. We must work with young people to leverage technology positively. Digital platforms must be used to mobilize, advocate and educate, promote dialogue, counter misinformation, and build cross-border solidarity.

4. Traditional youth organizations like the YMCAs, other youth and student organizations must be restructured to integrate programs on peace mentorship, establish peace movements, school peace clubs, mediation initiatives, youth parliaments, etc. This can enhance inter-generational partnership.

Our continent, Africa, is blessed with diplomats, traditional leaders, elders, women, and civil society actors who cannot retire but transfer wisdom to our young people.

We must transform our vast natural wealth into prosperity and opportunities for our youth, and adopt policies that prioritize youth inclusion and empowerment.

We must ensure that Africa’s demographic dividend translates into productivity, innovation, and shared prosperity, not into a restless and disfranchised population vulnerable to instability.
Peace leadership must ensure justice, inclusion, accountability, and dignity. Peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the presence of fairness and opportunity. If the young people of our continent do not see justice, they will not believe in peace. Strong institutions that reward ethical leadership and platforms that amplify youth voices in governance must be supported.

My Dear Friends,

Africa and her diaspora share a common destiny, one rooted in resilience, shared heritage, and collective aspiration. The vestiges of slavery, colonialism, imperialism, civil wars, and autocratic rule crippled Africa’s growth and severely diminished its human capital. Some of our citizens fled into exile, but this must not be our fate. The diaspora can now become an integral part of our reconciliation and development. Victims of today must discourage the repeat of their torture. Be different and reconcile!

Peace leaders are not only presidents and diplomats. They are teachers, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and citizens who refuse to allow hatred to define their future.

Our Continent, Africa, is enjoying a measure of political freedom, but like all other freedoms, it means we are free to choose whose slave we want to become. In choosing new masters, we must be careful and guide against the vain accumulation of wealth and power that seeks to marginalize and degrade others.

You, our youth, are the custodians of today’s and tomorrow’s peace.
Do not underestimate your power! Do not underestimate your voice! Leadership is defined by purpose!
Choose to build bridges!
Choose justice!
Choose peace in every space you occupy!

Distinguished Guests,

I am particularly pleased that this Center collaborated with the University of Liberia during the 1990s, helping to train Liberian officials and practitioners in conflict transformation during one of the most difficult periods of our national history. Those efforts contributed to Liberia’s recovery and continue to influence how we approach reconciliation today.

In Closing, I accept this Peace Award with humility, but also with renewed commitment. This is a commitment to continue working for a Liberia that is just, inclusive, and prosperous; a commitment to contribute to peace across Africa and the world and a commitment to ensure that the sacrifices of the past are never forgotten.

Let us move forward together, with faith, with purpose, and with unwavering dedication to peace. And finally, I ask that you seek peace and pursue it.

Again, I thank you. May God bless you all, and may God bless the cause of peace.

Credit: Executive Mansion -Liberia

Amid Regional Tensions, Liberia Disavows War With Guinea as VP Koung Cites Blood Ties, Mano River Unity, and Unbreakable Commitment to Peaceful Resolution

Margret Nyumah

MONROVIA — Liberia has categorically ruled out military confrontation with neighboring Guinea, with Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr. affirming that the administration will address all bilateral concerns through diplomacy, mutual respect, and regional cooperation.

“Liberia will not go to war with Guinea. We are one people, bound by shared history and regional ties,” Koung declared, moving to quell speculation amid heightened public scrutiny of Liberia’s foreign policy posture.

Speaking on national security and regional stability on state Radio ELBC Monday, the Vice President said the Boakai administration remains “fully committed to maintaining peace and stability in the subregion through dialogue and cooperation.”

He emphasized that national leaders are prioritizing “constructive engagement” with their counterparts in Conakry to resolve outstanding issues amicably.

Koung underscored Liberia’s active role within multilateral frameworks, noting continued collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States and the Mano River Union to ensure that disputes are settled via “peaceful negotiation and collective security mechanisms.”

“Liberia’s doctrine is peace,” Koung said. “Our history, our geography, and our future are interwoven with Guinea’s. Diplomacy is not our alternative. It is our policy.”

The Vice President’s remarks come as the Mano River basin navigates complex cross-border challenges, including trade, security, and migration.

Government officials say Monrovia and Conakry maintain open diplomatic channels and joint technical committees to address sensitive matters before they escalate.

Regional analysts note that both nations are founding members of the MRU and share extensive ethnic, linguistic, and familial ties along a 590-kilometer border.

ECOWAS has repeatedly cited Liberia-Guinea relations as a pillar of stability in West Africa.

Vice President Koung Warns Unregistered Businesses, Outlines Reform Agenda on ELBC

By: Margret Nyumah

Monrovia, Liberia – April 27, 2026 – Vice
President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has disclosed that the Government of Liberia, through the Liberia Business Registry, will within the next 30 days take legal action against business operators who are not properly registered.

Speaking Monday during an appearance on the ELBC Super Morning Show, the Vice President emphasized that all businesses—both Liberian-owned and foreign-owned—must obtain the required business registration and Articles of Incorporation to operate legally in the country.

He noted that the move is part of efforts to strengthen compliance and formalize the business sector.
Koung further revealed that he was mandated by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on July 26, 2025, to lead work on key commitments, particularly within the business sector.

According to him, a committee was established, and a comprehensive report was prepared and submitted to the President in December 2025, aimed at improving and regulating Liberia’s business environment.
He added that among the recommendations was the introduction of a streamlined system to facilitate quicker processing and clearance of goods, which would enable business owners to access imports in a timely manner and reduce delays.

Addressing broader economic issues, the Vice President described the motorcycle transport sector as one of the largest industries in Liberia, noting its importance in reducing unemployment and crime. He also highlighted electricity as a critical challenge to national development, stressing that stable and reliable power supply is essential for progress in sectors such as health, agriculture, and small businesses.

“Energy is power,” Koung stated, urging the government to reduce dependence on external sources and prioritize domestic energy production. He assured Liberians that the administration is working tirelessly to establish a sustainable and independent energy supply system.

The Vice President concluded by encouraging citizens to look beyond government employment and invest in local industries such as agriculture, business, and energy. He stressed that empowering these sectors will drive economic growth and improve livelihoods across the country.

He also noted that while international partners such as the World Bank play a role in development, the government remains committed to taking proactive steps to meet the needs of its citizens without over-reliance on external support.

Emerging Medical Lawyer and Student of Science Blessing Finda Vivian Ndupellar Says 2017 Scholarship Pledge by President Boakai senior political Adviser MacDella Cooper Went Unfulfilled; Urges Caution After LICOSES Graduation Speech

BY: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr.

MONROVIA — Blessing Finda Vivian Ndupellar, a medical law student who graduated as salutatorian of James Davies SDA High School in 2017, said Saturday that a scholarship pledge made that year by MacDella Cooper was never fulfilled, and urged caution to anyone receiving similar commitments.

Cooper, now a Senior Political Adviser to President Joseph Boakai, served as guest speaker at the James Davies SDA High School commencement and thanksgiving service in 2017.

According to Ndupellar, Cooper pledged before parents, administrators and guests to sponsor the university education of top graduates through completion of their undergraduate studies, at any institution of their choice.

“In the months that followed, several appointments were sought,” Ndupellar said.

“Calls were placed. My late father, along with school administrators, became involved in efforts to follow up.”

Ndupellar said she and others visited Cooper’s party headquarters multiple times.

“On those occasions, while her vehicle was parked outside, staff informed us she was not available, saying they had been instructed to relay that message,” she said.

“The experience left me deeply disappointed and raised questions, in my view, about integrity and follow-through,” Ndupellar added.

Cooper appeared Saturday as guest speaker at the LICOSES College of Education graduation ceremony, this time in her capacity as a government official and spouse of House Speaker Richard Koon.

“I have not yet heard her remarks from today’s event,” Ndupellar said.

“However, if any scholarship commitments were made, I would caution recipients not to rely on them without independent confirmation.”

Ndupellar noted that Cooper often speaks on women’s empowerment. “Reflecting on my experience, I did not see that commitment extended to us after the 2017 pledge,” she said.

“Should our paths cross again, it will not be as the teenager to whom that promise was made,” Ndupellar said. “I do not intend to support Cooper if she seeks the presidency.”

Credit: KMTV Liberia

Vice President Koung to Address Nation on ELBC Super Morning Show

By: Margret Nyumah

Monrovia, Liberia — Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung is scheduled to make a special radio appearance on Monday, April 27, 2026, on the ELBC Super Morning Show (99.9 FM).

The Vice President will join a panel of prominent media personalities, including Emmanuel Kollie, Clarance Jackson, Kelvin Demey, and Diamond Slanger, for an engaging discussion focused on key national issues.
The program, which airs from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, will be broadcast across ELBC’s network and relay platforms, including various online TV stations.

Listeners and viewers are expected to gain insights as the Vice President speaks on matters influencing Liberia’s development and future direction.
The appearance is anticipated to draw wide public interest as citizens tune in for updates and perspectives on pressing national concerns.

In wake of rumors of Former President Weah’s Father history, Today the Former President Weah Holds Reburial and Thanksgiving Ceremony for Late Father

Former President George M. Weah today held a heartfelt reburial and thanksgiving ceremony to celebrate the life and legacy of his late father, Mr. William G.T. Weah, Sir, who tragically passed away in a garage accident on October 7, 1983, in Monrovia.

The moving ceremony was held at the Jamaica Resort in Paynesville City, Montserrado County, and brought together a wide cross-section of Liberian society — including opposition leaders Hon. Musa Hassan Bility and Mr. Benoni Urey, senators, House of Representatives members, and former government officials.

Source: Real TV