Category Archives: Liberia

Ballot or bullet propelled changes in Africa in 2011?

Posted on 1 March 2011 by Dr. Fred P.M. van der Kraaij

In January, Tunisia’s President Ben Ali fell and in February Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak. Will in March the Libyan people oust its leader, Muammar Muhammed al-Gaddafi aka Colonel Gaddafi? Where will Gaddafi go to? To his friend Robert Mugabe in … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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