Metro

Liberia marks 175th Independence, 200 years of freed slaves: But is the nation really free?

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2022

Liberia, the oldest independent post-colonial African country, on Tuesday, celebrated two major anniversaries, its 175th Independence and 200 years of the arrival of freed slaves to the nation from the United States.

Despite being the oldest African nation to have tasted self rule, the West African country has not fulfilled its potentials as over 80 percent of the population are still grappling with poverty, occasioned by what many call official corruption, unemployment and dwindling economy, as a result of years of war and tribal conflicts.

However, while expressing optimism for a better future, Information Minister Lederhood Rennie, said the celebrations of the anniversaries are necessary to build national pride and honor the work of those who established the nation.

Liberia has a long history with the United States as witnessed on its flag, constitution, form of government and many laws which are modeled on those of the US, thereby still being tied to the apron strings of the US.

Even the capital, Monrovia, is named in honor of America’s fifth president, James Monroe, who was in power when the freed slaves were repatriated to the tiny African country.

According to its history, the freed slaves went on to establish an oppressive regime that ruled the indigenous population with an iron fist from the time of their arrival until 1980, when indigenous soldiers led a military coup against President William Tolbert.

Tolbert, whose family migrated from South Carolina in the 1870s, was gruesomely murdered by the rebelling soldiers led by Samuel Doe, who himself was overthrown years later and killed by another rebel leader Charles Taylor.

The conflict was to later escalate into a full blown civil war which led to the killing of several hundreds of thousands which was only quelled with the emergence of Nobel Prize-winning President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Sirleaf was succeeded by former international soccer star-turned-politician, George Weah, who has been accused of not living up to key campaign promises of waging a war on corruption and ensuring justice for victims of the country’s brutal wars.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

6 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

11 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.