Liberia and Sierra Leone, two nations with troubled pasts, are facing significant challenges in their respective journeys towards progress and stability. In Liberia, the upcoming 2023 elections are crucial for addressing internal conflicts, corruption, and lack of trust in the electoral system. The country, still recovering from a devastating civil war and an Ebola epidemic, is divided and in need of reforms and good governance to sustain peace. Meanwhile, in Sierra Leone, the issue of unpaid fees in private schools has resulted in the withholding of students' exam results, causing embarrassment and hindering their chances of applying to universities. The government is calling on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to explain how these schools were allowed to have candidates without paying full examination fees. There are concerns about the consequences if the schools fail to pay and the results are not released in time for university admissions. The government is considering taking action against these schools and removing them from the education system. Both nations are grappling with challenges that require immediate attention and effective solutions. It is crucial for the leaders of Liberia and Sierra Leone to prioritize the rebuilding of their nations by addressing corruption, improving the electoral system, ensuring access to education, and promoting transparency and accountability. Only through these efforts can these countries overcome their past struggles and pave the way for a brighter future.
In a recent development, Sierra Leone has faced another setback as gunmen attacked the country's main military barracks in the capital, Freetown. President Julius Maada Bio has declared a nationwide curfew in response to the attack, raising concerns about the breakdown of order and the stability of the region. The unidentified gunmen targeted the military armory within the Wilberforce barracks, prompting President Bio to urge citizens to stay indoors while security forces work to apprehend the attackers. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the attack and emphasized its zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government. This incident highlights the fragile state of security in Sierra Leone and the need for immediate action to restore stability.
Sierra Leone's government has imposed a nationwide curfew following an attempted break-in at a military armoury in the capital, Freetown. President Julius Maada Bio has confirmed the attack and stated that security forces are working to root out the perpetrators. The curfew aims to prevent the country from sliding back into instability. This development comes after a disputed presidential election, adding to the political challenges faced by Sierra Leone. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the attack and emphasized its zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government. The incident highlights the fragile state of security in Sierra Leone and the urgent need for action to restore stability [640e554a].
Both Liberia and Sierra Leone have faced economic challenges, with high poverty rates and youth unemployment. These issues further exacerbate the existing problems and hinder the progress of rebuilding these nations. It is essential for the governments to prioritize economic development, create job opportunities, and alleviate poverty to ensure a sustainable future for their citizens.
Since November 24, 2023, Guinea has experienced restricted internet access and censorship. The country has also faced challenges with fuel shortages and rising prices due to a tragic explosion at the hydrocarbon depot in Conakry. The government has justified the internet restrictions in the name of national security, but many residents and tourists are affected. Despite these challenges, the Guinean football team, Syli National, has demonstrated their mastery and dominated Cameroon in a recent match, raising hopes for success in the African Cup of Nations. Visitors to Guinea are advised to install a VPN to stay connected and to support the national team by purchasing a Paradise jersey [f98a94cd].
Protests in Guinea have turned violent as two people were shot dead on the first day of an open-ended general strike against the military government. The strike was called by a confederation of main unions, demanding the release of a prominent media activist, lower food prices, and an end to media censorship. Schools, shops, markets, and roads were empty, and sporadic clashes broke out in some areas. The military government dissolved the transitional government a week prior without providing a reason or announcing when a new one would be installed. Protests have become rare under General Mamady Doumbouya's military government, which took power in a coup in September 2021. The military leaders have banned demonstrations, arrested opposition leaders and journalists, and cracked down on media outlets. The unions have called for the release of Sekou Jamal Pendessa, who was arrested for participating in an unauthorized protest and sentenced to six months in prison. Internet restrictions were lifted last week, and even government officials supported the strike [3a0d6f98].
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered Sierra Leone to pay $25,000 in compensation to Mohamed Morlu, a Sierra Leone citizen, for violating his fundamental human rights. Morlu sustained a gunshot wound during a students' protest in March 2017, at which officers of the Sierra Leonean police force fired shots to disperse the demonstrators. The Court ruled that the government must pay for any upcoming surgery needed to remove the bullet from Morlu's abdomen and must investigate, find, and prosecute the officers who shot him. The Respondent State claimed that the students blocked roads and obstructed traffic, and the police fired warning shots that accidentally injured Morlu, but the Court rejected this claim. The judgment was delivered by Justice Edward Amoako Asante, with Justices Gberi-Bè Ouattara and Sengu M. Koroma also on the panel. The Court found that the firing of live ammunition into the crowd of protesting students by the police was unjustified and upheld Morlu's case that he suffered torture and the Respondent failed to provide effective redress [a31e0c3a].
Former New Force spokesperson, Shalimar Abbiusi, is demanding one million dollars as compensation from Ghana for violations of her human rights. Abbiusi filed an action at the international ECOWAS Court on January 23, 2024, seeking nine reliefs for human rights violations and injustice. In December last year, she was arrested and charged by the Ghana Immigration Service for obtaining a student permit by false declaration, but the charge was later dropped and she was deported. Abbiusi's lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu, is suing the state for compensation. The applicant is seeking various declarations, including violations of her rights to liberty and security, fair hearing and administrative justice, equality before the law, and freedom of movement. She is also seeking compensatory damages of one million United States dollars. The case was filed on January 24, 2024 [00cd7542].
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has revealed that it has purchased GHC236.7m worth of liquid fuel since August 2023. The Managing Director of ECG, Mr Samuel Dubik Mahama, explained that the cost of liquid fuel has hindered its allocations to tier two beneficiaries under the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM). The Ministry of Finance, responsible for purchasing fuel, entered into an agreement with ECG to purchase and request reimbursement later. The ECG raised the issue with the Ministry of Finance, and it was agreed that ECG should collect and declare GHS1 billion per month for both Tier 1 and 2, in addition to making available GHS300 million for the purchase of liquid fuel. The ECG is complying fully with the CWM approved model going forward. The ECG also highlighted some challenges with the implementation of the CWM, including the treatment of Early Power and WAPCo in Tier 1 Payments, and the loan repayment for Bui Power Authority and Ghana National Gas Company Limited [2d3b5be9].
Cote d’Ivoire, also known as Ivory Coast, is allocating $43.8 million to enhance the Korhogo-Boundiali road in the north of the country. The project involves the upgrading and strengthening of the Korhogo-Boundiali road, which spans 98 kilometers and is 7.40 meters wide. The project is partly financed by the West African Development Bank. Korhogo is the third most populous city in Cote d’Ivoire and the largest city in the north of the country. It is the capital of the Savanes District and the Poro Region, rich in iron, gold, and diamonds [42c5ab5b].
Ivory Coast relies on livestock imports from crisis-hit Sahel countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, for the Eid celebration. More than 90 percent of the livestock consumed during Ivory Coast's Eid comes from the Sahel region. However, insecurity and sanctions in the Sahel countries have disrupted trade flows, leading to low national production in Ivory Coast. To address this issue, Ivory Coast aims to increase national production by 16 percent by 2030 through livestock projects. However, there are constraints such as urbanization, land occupation, and conflicts between farmers and herders that need to be overcome [193b2ab4].
Assimi Goïta, the transitional president of Mali, has accused France of printing counterfeit CFA franc notes to undermine Mali's economy. He called for the adoption of a new locally produced currency. Goïta cited suspicion of French interference in the economy and compared it to a tactic used against Guinea in 1960. He proposed disregarding the CFA Franc, a colonial currency, and replacing it with a local one. The president made these allegations during a speech in Sikasso on June 22 [bf9b2d84].
The challenges faced by Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast require a comprehensive approach that addresses corruption, improves the electoral system, ensures access to education, promotes transparency and accountability, restores security, fosters economic development, enhances livestock production, and safeguards national currencies. By focusing on these areas, the leaders of these nations can overcome their past struggles and build a brighter future for their people. It is a long and arduous journey, but with determination and effective solutions, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Mali can emerge as stable and prosperous nations.