Category Archives: Liberia

“Did you know that….?” – My favorite facts and trivia on Liberia

Posted on 15 September 2008 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

I love facts. My favorite slogan is “Facts first, opinions later.” I also love factoids and trivia. Many are known ‘facts’, some may surprise. The entire list is a weird collection. Some ‘facts’ are fun-facts or useless knowledge, some ‘facts’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Liberia, Liberian History | Comments Off

Some thoughts on the 2008/2009 Budget

Posted on 25 August 2008 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

On August 5, 2008 the Liberian Legislature agreed on a National Budget of US $ 298 million for the Fiscal Year 2008/2009. This was nearly ten percent higher than the US $ 277 million Draft Budget submitted by the Director … Continue reading →

Posted in Liberia, Liberian Economy | Comments Off

About Liberian Olympians and the Amputee All Stars

Posted on 12 August 2008 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Three Liberians represent Africa’s oldest republic in Beijing. They are decathlete Jangy Addy, who carried the Lone Star flag during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics on August 8, 2008, and the two runners Siraj Williams (men’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Liberia, Ordinary Liberians | Comments Off

The definition of a Failed State

Posted on 19 July 2008 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

During the past week – while enjoying holidays in the quiet and attractive north-western part of Denmark, Jutland – I read the newspapers brought to our Liberia-get-together (see my July 6 posting). I found it both pleasant and frustrating to … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War(s) Liberia, Liberia, Liberian History | Comments Off

Who knows Herman Cohen?

Posted on 17 June 2008 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Who knows Herman Cohen? I came across his name when I read the report of his testimony before Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) which recently convened in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. Herman Cohen was a former Assistant Secretary of … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War(s) Liberia, Coups in Africa, Liberia, Liberian History | Comments Off

Population – Part I: The 2008 Population and Housing Census

Posted on 4 June 2008 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

I am on vacation right now and enjoy making daily trips in the surroundings. The diversity of the Netherlands is astonishing and refreshing. It is a small country, one hundred miles from east to west, and at most two hundred … Continue reading →

Posted in Liberia, Liberian Demography | Comments Off

An end to impunity in Africa?

Posted on 26 May 2008 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Charles Taylor is not the only former African head of state who is accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes and is being prosecuted. Today it was announced that Ethiopia’s Supreme Court has sentenced former Ethiopian ruler Mengistu – … Continue reading →

Posted in African Politics, Charles Taylor, Impunity in Africa, Liberia | Comments Off

Taylor ’s machine of death and the people behind him

Posted on 16 May 2008 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

I have been reading for the past six hours the proceedings of Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp’s examination of Charles Taylor’s former Vice-President, Moses Blah, and related websites. Moses Blah became President of Liberia after Taylor’s resignation following international pressure in … Continue reading →

Posted in Charles Taylor, Civil War(s) Liberia, Liberia | Comments Off

The Special Court for Sierra Leone and Charles Taylor

Posted on 2 May 2008 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Charles Taylor had about US$ 5 billion in private US bank accounts during his presidency! At least, that is what his chief prosecutor, Stephen Rapp, announced today. I was flabbergasted when I heard the news. I could not believe my … Continue reading →

Posted in Charles Taylor, Civil War(s) Liberia, Liberia, Sierra Leone | Comments Off

World Malaria Day

Posted on 30 April 2008 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

Today is World Malaria Day. I think it has been a good idea to draw people’s attention to this awful disease. Malaria is one of the deadliest diseases in the world. It kills each year between one and three million … Continue reading →