Monrovia, Friday, June 26, 2020

JOINT CSO PRESS RELEASE

The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL); Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD); Naymote Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-Liberia); and Accountability Lab Liberia Strongly Condemn the Thursday, June 25, 2020 violent demonstration in the Sinkor area, especially setting up of unauthorized road blocks and burning of car tires by unscrupulous individuals allegedly associated with the Council of Patriots (COP), organizer of the June 7, 2019 protest in Monrovia.

We are appalled by this unwholesome act of violence, as such action has the propensity to undermine Liberia’s peace and instill fear in citizens and development partners as well as create a sense of insecurity. While we recognize the rights of individuals or groups to protest and or voice out their frustration (s) about any happenings in the country, they must do so civilly and legally.  We call on the Ministry of Justice and Liberian National Police to timely investigate the matter and prosecute those who masterminded and executed the Violence.

By the same token, we like to strongly condemn misjudged statement by the Mayor of the City of Monrovia, Mr. Jefferson Kojee that he will form a Citizens Action Unit (CAU) that will serve as first responder to violent demonstrations/protests in the city of Monrovia. Such statement is unwarranted, counterproductive to Liberia’s peace and undermines the roles of the Liberian National Police and other state security apparatuses in the country. We urge Mr. Kojee to desist from making such utterances as it equally tends to ferment violence and jeopardize the peace of the country.

Finally, we encourage all Liberians to jealously protect the Peace, as any violence and instability will worsen the already difficult economic condition of the Country.

Signed:

Lawrence Yealue                                                                   Anderson Miamen

Country Representative , Accountability Lab Liberia    Executive Director, CENTAL

Harold Marvin Aidoo, Sr.                                                  Eddie D. Jarwolo

Executive Director, IREDD                                               Executive Director, NAYMOTE

Press Statement for Immediate Release

Monrovia, June 23, 2020

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Fellow Liberians!

The Coalition for Transparency and Accountability in Education (COTAE) is alarmed over the spike in COVID-19 infections in the country and calls on the Government to take prompt and adequate measures to to curb the spread of the disease. With Six hundred and Fifty (650) confirmed cases and thirty-four (34) deaths, the importance of safeguarding against this deadly disease cannot be overly emphasized. Liberia cannot afford to once again endure a scourge as we did in 2014 with the Ebola Virus Disease. Our memories are still fresh in respect of how loved ones were taken away, including our frontline medical personnel and healthcare workers. More than 5,900 Liberian children lost one or both parents to Ebola. Some are with a surviving parent, others found loving homes with friends or relatives, but many have been left orphaned on the streets or are finding it tough to adapt to new lives with host families.[1] If care is not taken, we risk losing our precious ones and endangering the future of many, especially our children—a situation we cannot afford.

COTAE recognizes the Government of Liberia’s efforts in extending the State of Emergency (SOE), which ended June 21, 2020, by an additional thirty (30) days so as to “afford the government the opportunity to re-examine its COVID-19 response strategy”. We believe that this is a step in the right direction but urge government to involve civil society and other stakeholders in its response strategy moving forward. Responding to COVID-19 without regard to the Liberian context has proven ineffective so far as the public no longer seem to comply with health protocols and associated restrictions. It is, therefore, imperative that all hands are on deck to collectively fight the disease. Government has its role to play and so is civil society, media and other partners.

An inclusive response, as demanded by civil society from the onset, would have prevented the current surge we are experiencing in communities. Meaningful involvement of all partners would have removed any cloud of suspicion from response efforts and further strengthen approaches, including those related to the feeding program, case tracking, curfew etc.  Also, a broader response would have relied on the expertise, strengths, and unique capacities of each stakeholder including those versed in community entry, social mobilization, awareness creation, transparency and accountability, human rights, etc.

It is, however, not too late the correct the missteps taken earlier on.  The reality of the surge imposes upon all a duty to contribute our resources to put an end to this scourge. In sum, everyone has a role to play and a holistic approach must therefore be properly carved out. With the extension of the SOE, more needs to be done to avert human rights abuses, address accountability concerns, and adequately respond to the attending consequences of the outbreak and SOE on other sectors, especially education.

We, therefore, make the following recommendations: 

• That civil society organizations be accorded the full respect and given the space to operate. The Leaderships and essential staff of CSOs must be equally allowed to work, as they play vital roles in creating awareness, providing valuable inputs to government as well as independent monitoring and reporting on key trends and decision-making processes around the fight. 
• That the rights of citizens are fully respected and protected during the fight against COVID-19. Brutality against citizens, especially women, must never be an option. We call on Government to investigate and prosecute any security officers brutalizing citizens during this period. Equally, we call on citizens to respect security officers; refrain from brutalizing them as well full comply with safety measures announced by authorities.
• That COVID-19 resources be effectively managed and accounted for to the public. All donations and resources received must be timely communicated to the public, in addition to reports of funds already disbursed for various activities and processes. 
• That government does more to increase citizens’ confidence in its response efforts. From all indications, the current poor state of the fight against COVID-19 and limited citizens’ compliance with health protocols can be attributed to poor coordination, limited citizens’ active involvement in key processes and limited trust resulting from excesses of some key players. For example, having come in contact with key officials declared positive of the virus, the President of Liberia refused to be self-quarantined, in violation of measures announced by authorities.
• That the Ministry of Education’s plan to reopen school for 12^th graders involve a thorough monitoring component that ensures that schools are abiding by all protocols set out in the plan, including full compliance with safety measures announced by authorities

In conclusion, we wish to reiterate calls for all Liberians and residents to fully respect instructions from authorities to protect themselves and others during this period. We must all observe the social distancing rules, wear face masks, and avoid action (s) that undermine the fight against COVID-19, which cannot be won without collaborative and well-coordinated efforts of all concerned: Government, development partners, citizens, civil society and media and other groups in society.

Thank you.

Signed:

Management

2017

 A corruption-free Liberia, where people and institutions in all spheres of society act with integrity, accountability, and transparency in all their dealings.

Recent media reports and complaints about Bad Labor Practices at Bridge International Academies (BIA) have claimed the attention of the Coalition for Transparency and Accountability in Education (COTAE) and the National Teachers Association of Liberia (NTAL). BIA is a controversial for-profit company and a major actor involved with the outsourcing of public schools under the Liberia Educational Advancement Program (LEAP), formerly Partnership Schools for Liberia (PSL). They have received government funding to run 170 schools as part of LEAP.

JOINT CSO PRESS STATEMENT

Good day ladies and gentlemen of the Press, Fellow Liberians! 

Four leading institutions working on democracy, governance and accountability in Liberia, Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD), Naymote Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-Liberia), Accountability Lab Liberia and Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) have been closely monitoring national response efforts against COVID-19, including State of Emergency which was announced by President George Manneh Weah on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

Thursday, April 9, 2020

JOINT CSO PRESS STATEMENT

Good day ladies and gentlemen of the Press, Fellow Liberians! 

The Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD), Naymote Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-Liberia), Accountability Lab Liberia and Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL)welcome President George Manneh Weah’s address to the Nation on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, declaring a “State of Emergency”.