By Aria Deemie, Climate Change Reporter with New Narratives Summary: The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference kicked off this week, in Belém, Brazil, marking what experts say could be one of the most decisive moments for global climate action. World leaders, activists, and negotiators are gathering to chart a path toward limiting global warming….
Liberia
Cost and Lack of Awareness Leave Millions With Poor Vision Limiting Children’s Education and Endangering Lives
Millions of Liberians are living with untreated vision problems due to the high cost of eye care and a lack of awareness about eye health, leaving many people unable to access glasses or proper treatment. The situation is affecting children in school who struggle to see the blackboard and keep up with lessons, while also…
Five Women Indicted in Trafficking Case Involving Their Own and Relatives’ Children
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: A grand jury in Monrovia has indicted five women for allegedly trafficking their own children and those of their relatives to Mali and Burkina Faso. The fourteen children—seven boys and seven girls, ranging in age from eleven months to eight years—have not been identified publicly…
Justice Advocates Reject Surprise Bills for War Crimes Court, Say Measures Aim to Shield Suspects
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: · Justice advocates say surprise bills from Senator Joseph Jallah and Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence could shield accused perpetrators and undermine years of advocacy for a war and economic crimes court. · The bills would send appeals from the War Crimes Court to Liberia’s…
Rights Advocates Split on Liberian Government’s Decision To Take Salvadoran Immigrant Who Has Become Symbol of Trump’s Aggressive Deportation Agenda
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New NarrativesSummary: Civil society leaders said the Boakai government’s decision to “voluntarily” acceptSalvadoran immigrant Kilmar Armando Abrego García—a symbol of Trump’s hardlinedeportation agenda – violated the man’s human rights and were made under threat ofretaliation Liberia’s acceptance of Garcia came after other African countries refused to take him…
Liberia Launches Soils4Liberia Project to Build National Soil Database and Boost Climate-Smart Agriculture
Summary: Among the many issues plaguing Liberia’s farmers, the health of the soil has long been at the top of the list. For decades, farmers have worked with little information about the nutrients, fertility, or moisture in their land, leading to low yields and widespread soil degradation. With as many as seven in every ten…
Experts Warn Lack of Price Information Keeps Farmers Trapped in Cycles of Exploitation by Predatory “Middlemen”
Liberian experts warn that many farmers remain trapped in poverty because they lack reliable information about market prices, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by middlemen who buy crops at unfairly low rates and make big profits. Without access to timely pricing updates, farmers often have no choice but to accept whatever is offered, even when…
Campaign to Abolish The Death Penalty Gains New Life As Human Rights Advocates Warn it Could Undermine Support for War Crimes Court
Liberia’s renewed campaign to abolish the death penalty is gaining momentum as the government pledges to submit a revised bill to Parliament while human rights advocates and international partners warn that keeping capital punishment on the books could undermine support for the proposed War and Economic Crimes Court and Liberia’s broader justice reforms. Advocates argue…
Experts Warn Lack of Price Information Keeps Farmers Trapped in Cycles of Exploitation by Predatory “Middlemen”
Summary: By King Brown with New Narratives TAYE TOWN, Grand Bassa County — The weeds have returned, thick and stubborn. But so has Patience Kpan. After a disastrous harvest in 2024, the 37-year-old mother of five is back on her knees weeding grass from her young rice plants. Her youngest child, a barefoot toddler, tugs…
Campaign to Abolish The Death Penalty Gains New Life As Human Rights Advocates Warn it Could Undermine Support for War Crimes Court
Summary: By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives The Liberian government has responded to a renewed push by civil society pledging to submit a revised bill to the Legislature that would end the practice in the country. The five-month, $US84,000 initiative — funded by the British Embassy in Liberia — marks the second…
As Senate Considers Bill to Legalize Abortion, Experts Say Growing Access to Abortion Pills Is Saving Lives
By Joyclyn Wea, senior reporter with New Narratives D. was 18 and had just entered the 12th grade in 2017 when she discovered she was pregnant. Like all teenage students, ambitious for a successful future – in her case as a banker – she feared having a baby would end her dreams. She also feared…
As Senate Considers Bill to Legalize Abortion, Experts Say Growing Access to Abortion Pills Is Saving Lives
As the Liberian Senate considers a bill to legalize abortion, health experts say that growing access to safe abortion pills is already saving lives by reducing unsafe procedures that put women and girls at risk. Supporters of the bill argue that clear, legal access to reproductive health care is critical for protecting women’s health and…
Martina Johnson, Warlord Charles Taylor Ally, Likely to Face Trial in Belgium
Former NPFL commander Martina Johnson, a longtime ally of former Liberian leader Charles Taylor, is likely to face trial in Belgium over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Liberia’s first civil war. After a decade-long investigation, Belgian prosecutors say they have gathered enough evidence to move the case forward, raising fresh hopes…
War Crimes Court Office Receives Part of Promised Government Funding as Office Head Prepares for Important Meeting with Ecowas President
Liberia’s Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court has received part of the government funding that had been promised for its operations, a move welcomed by advocates as the office’s director prepares for a key meeting with the President of ECOWAS. The partial funding represents an important step toward advancing Liberia’s long-planned transitional justice…
Liberian Start Up Launches the First Platform for Donations Direct to Liberian Nonprofits
A Liberian tech start-up has launched the country’s first platform designed to allow donors to give directly to Liberian nonprofit organizations. The initiative is expected to make fundraising easier for local groups by improving access to online giving, strengthening transparency, and helping community-led organizations reach more supporters and resources. Anthony Stephens reports in this social…
Liberia Overwhelmingly Wins UN Security Council Seat as Diplomats Say It Shows Country’s “Growing Regional Influence”
Liberia has overwhelmingly secured a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, a milestone that diplomats say reflects the country’s growing influence and leadership in regional and global affairs. The win highlights Liberia’s strengthened diplomatic presence and opens new opportunities for the nation to contribute to international peace, security, and cooperation at the highest…
Liberia Pauses for National Day of Prayer to Honor Dead and Living Victims of the Country’s Civil Wars
Liberians observed a National Day of Prayer to honor both the dead and living victims of the country’s civil wars, bringing together communities in reflection, remembrance, and hope for healing. The event highlighted the ongoing journey toward reconciliation as families and leaders paid tribute to those lost and acknowledged the resilience of survivors. Anthony Stephens…
President Boakai Pledges To Build a National War Memorial and Declares Day of Prayer, Drawing Cautious Praise
Liberia’s President Boakai has pledged to commission a national war memorial for the victims of the civil wars and declared a National Day of Prayer as part of efforts to promote healing and unity, drawing both praise and cautious reactions from citizens and experts. Anthony Stephens reports in this social media Video. To read more…
A Range of Security Challenges Will Face War Crimes Courts But Experts Say Accused Perpetrators Are Not Among Them
Liberian experts say that while Liberia’s proposed war crimes courts will face significant security challenges in protecting staff, witnesses, and facilities, there is little risk that accused perpetrators themselves will ignite violence or destabilize peace as the country pursues justice and accountability. Anthony Stephens reports in this social media Video. To read more about this…
War Crimes Court Office Launches Outreach Campaign Even as Promised Government Funding Fails to Arrive
Liberia’s Office for the War and Economic Crimes Court has launched a nationwide outreach campaign to educate citizens about the proposed war crimes and anti-corruption courts, even as the government funding promised to support the effort has yet to arrive. Anthony Stephens reports in this social media Video. To read more about this story click…
New Report Recommends Holistic Approach to Drug Crisis; Calls for Joint Taskforce Against Drug Trafficking In The Mano River Area
A new report urges a holistic strategy to address the rising drug crisis in the Mano River region, calling for the creation of a joint taskforce to strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking across Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Nemenlah Cyrus Harmon reports in this social media Video. To read more about this story click this…