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

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 | Comments Off on The 2011 presidential elections in Nigeria and Liberia

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 | Comments Off on Democracy or Impunity? The Long Walk To Democracy In Africa (updated)

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 | Comments Off on Democracy or Impunity? The Long Walk To Democracy In Africa.

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 | Comments Off on 163rd Independence Anniversary Invites To Reflect And Celebrate

Is debt relief the solution?

Posted on 10 July 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

When in 1926 Firestone gained control over Liberia’s public finance through a new – and according to some unnecessary – US $ 5 million loan which replaced all existing foreign loans of Liberia, there was a public outcry. Some people … Continue reading →

Posted in Liberia, Liberian Economy | Comments Off on Is debt relief the solution?

THINK Liberia – Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness, a new web site

Posted on 27 June 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Earlier this month a new web site and related blog was added to the many sites and blogs devoted to Liberia and Liberians. On June 7, http://www.thinkliberia.com/ was launched. THINK Liberia or ‘Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness’ is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Liberia, Ordinary Liberians | Comments Off on THINK Liberia – Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness, a new web site

TPS and money transfer

Posted on 31 May 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

The meeting between the President of perhaps the most powerful nation in the world and the President of maybe one of the weakest states on earth was historic. On May 27, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was received by President Barrack … Continue reading →

Posted in Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia, Ordinary Liberians | Comments Off on TPS and money transfer

Gus Kouwenhoven on trial again – Dutch Supreme Court orders

Posted on 20 April 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Two years ago – on March 10, 2008 – I commented on the acquittal of Gus Kouwenhoven, also known as Guus van Kouwenhoven, a Dutch timber trader and business partner of Charles Taylor, accused of illegal arms trade for his … Continue reading →

Posted in Charles Taylor, Civil War(s) Liberia, Gus Kouwenhoven, Guus Kouwenhoven, Liberia, Liberian History | Comments Off on Gus Kouwenhoven on trial again – Dutch Supreme Court orders

April 12, 1980 – 2010

Posted on 11 April 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

I can’t help but think of April 12, 1980 when the anniversary of Samuel Doe’s bloody coup d’état approaches. I happened to be in Monrovia on that historic day, en route to Burkina Faso, then still called Upper Volta, where … Continue reading →

Posted in 'April 12', Charles Taylor, Civil War(s) Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Famous Liberians, Liberia, Liberian Economy, Liberian History, Samuel Kanyon Doe | Comments Off on April 12, 1980 – 2010

Ritualistic Murders, Voodoo and the Rule of Law

Posted on 4 April 2010 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Eleven days ago, March 24, I wrote about ritual killings in Lofa County, Liberia, as well as in a number of other countries and the involvement of high ranking people, politicians and rich businessmen. Two days later a high profile … Continue reading →

Posted in Liberia, Ritual Killings | Comments Off on Ritualistic Murders, Voodoo and the Rule of Law