Author Archives: Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

The January 25 revolution in Egypt and the hypocricy of Western political leaders

Posted on 11 February 2011 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

After the Jasmine revolution in Tunisia, Pharao country Egypt fell last night. President Hosni Mubarak resigned – most likely because the army refused to fire at the demonstrators occupying Tahrir Square for 18 days in a row. After Tunisia’s Ben … Continue reading →

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Turmoil in Tunisia

Posted on 17 January 2011 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Freedom! Democracy! Events in Tunisia show that not only Presidents rule in Africa (see my January 4 post) but also people in the streets have a chance to decide on the future of their countries. I was touched by the … Continue reading →

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2011 Election Year

Posted on 4 January 2011 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

I may provoke you but I am convinced that in all African countries Presidents rule and not Parliaments. This year presidential elections will be held in Liberia and in 17 (!) other African countries, that means in one out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections in Africa, Liberia | Leave a comment

Liberia and the Ivory Coast Crisis

Posted on 8 December 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

For more than 30 years Ivory Coast was a beacon of prosperity and peace in West Africa (1960 – 1993). The economic miracle that took place in the worlds’ number 1 producer of cocoa attracted millions of migrant workers from … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections in Africa, Ivory Coast, Liberia | Leave a comment

Presidential elections in Nigeria and Liberia: the stakes and the contenders

Posted on 21 November 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

The October 1 Abuja bombings and the catch of heavy weapons, artillary rockets and mortars, and ammunition in Lagos in the same month may be related to an international gang of drug traffickers or to Nigerian militants of MEND, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections in Africa, Elections in Liberia, Liberia, Nigeria | Leave a comment

Presidential elections in Nigeria and Liberia: The issues at stake

Posted on 14 November 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Abuja officially became the capital city of Nigeria in 1991, replacing Lagos. It is located in the centre of the country in the Federal Capital Territory. Built in the 1980s and 1990s, it is a planned city, comparable to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections in Africa, Elections in Liberia, Liberia, Nigeria | Leave a comment

The 2011 presidential elections in Nigeria and Liberia

Posted on 5 November 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

As of October 2010, it is foreseen that next year in one out of every three African countries presidential elections will be held, in 18 countries to be precise. In 9 more African countries parliamentary and/or local elections will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections in Africa, Elections in Liberia, Liberia, Nigeria | Leave a comment

Democracy or Impunity? The Long Walk To Democracy In Africa (updated)

Posted on 13 October 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

The following post is repeating my September 28 post which was incomplete due to technical difficulties. I have now included the links missing in my previous post.   Last week – in mid-September – it was announced in Monrovia that … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War(s) Liberia, Elections in Africa, Elections in Liberia, Impunity in Africa, Liberia, Samuel Kanyon Doe | Leave a comment

Democracy or Impunity? The Long Walk To Democracy In Africa.

Posted on 28 September 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Last week it was announced in Monrovia that the infamous former Liberian warlord Prince Johnson is to run for President. Nineteen years ago Prince Yormie Johnson captured then President Samuel Doe, ordered his men to torture, mutilate and execute him, … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War(s) Liberia, Elections in Africa, Elections in Liberia, Impunity in Africa, Liberia, Samuel Kanyon Doe | Leave a comment

163rd Independence Anniversary Invites To Reflect And Celebrate

Posted on 24 July 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

On July 26, Liberia and Liberians worldwide celebrate the 163rd anniversary of the independence of Africa’s oldest republic. On this occasion, two questions come to my mind. First, what explains that Liberia has managed to exist for over 160 years? … Continue reading →

Posted in 'July 26', Liberia, Liberian History | Leave a comment