Thousands of young girls annually prepare for their initiation into a women’s secret association, Sande Society, which operates mostly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. As part of their initiation, young women take a vow of secrecy after weeks of training in the forest, promising not to not tell uninitiated girls or men what happens to them, to assume new names, and to have their clitorises cut off - known as female
genital mutilation (FGM) - according to women in the secret society.

About half of Liberia’s some 16 ethnic groups, including the Bassa, Mende, Gola and Kissi, observe the rules of this historically-secret, centuries-old society.

One Mende member from Tubmanburg, Western Liberia, who asked not to be named, told IRIN removing a girl’s clitoris helps her become a “prolific child bearer.”

Another member, 42-year-old Jebbeh Sonneh, explained to IRIN, “Those who perform such [FGM] acts are typically elderly women in the community designated for the task, or traditional birth attendants.”

Secrecy shrouds outreach

Sociologist Theo Kerkulah at the University of Liberia in Monrovia says even though the practice of rural forest initiations is common in Liberia, it is not openly discussed. “It is a difficult topic to teach. Most girls who joined the society are now in the classroom and never feel happy when you talk about it in the open. They feel [it is a betrayal]. Perhaps because of the myths that are associated with it.”

Kerkulah says the girls are bound by secrecy vows and the time they spend together in the forest where they undergo trainingto enter adulthood, learning domestic skills and moral lessons.
The lecturer told IRIN many girls believe the spirit of Sande, the guardian of women, guides them into and during adulthood.

Monrovia-based medical researcher Deddeh Siah says physical pain is an additional factor binding the young girls, “In some Sandes [initiates], not only is her genitalia removed, the student is marked [cut] so that large scars remain on the skin of the initiate for life.”

She estimates about 5,000 puberty-aged adolescents join the group every year, either by force or choice.

Culture can kill

Sandes are a part of Liberia’s cultural heritage, says Jomo Weah who works at a government-run culture centre in Kendeja, on the outskirts of Monrovia. “We cannot stop it. It is our culture. We can only intervene by allowing them to go about doing it when the girls are on school break.”

Local civil society groups including Girls Movement for Education have tried to discourage parents from allowing their girls to join Sande Society.

Government health worker Mary Mah says FGM is killing hundreds of girls in Liberia every year. “Over 20 percent of the initiates die from excessive bleeding after their clitoris has been removed.”

Mah told IRIN if excessive pain and extreme bleeding do not kill the girls, FGM can scar or disfigure her for life. “Risk of serious potentially life-threatening complications [include] ongoing bleeding, infection including HIV, urine retention, stress, shock…[and] psychological trauma.”

Catherine Watson Khasu, an elected leader in Grand Cape Mount County in Western Liberia, about 140 km from Monrovia, dismisses these risks, “People have said all sorts of things against our cultural heritage, which are not true. I am a member of the Sande [Society] and I’m proud of it. There is nothing harmful about the Sande.”

She told IRIN the government and human rights organisations should respect the tradition of Liberia’s indigenous groups, “We know the [1989-2003 civil] war did a lot of damage to our country, but that does not mean we should desecrate our traditional shrines.”

IRIN 

Hundreds of residents along Monrovia’s coast have lost, or are still blocked from their homes nearly two months after storms started on 20 July 2008, according to relief workers.

The Liberian Red Cross Society estimates flooding has affected about 1,400 people.

Red Cross relief worker Pappie Toe, said efforts are still underway to assist flood victims who have been sheltering with family and friends. “We give them food as well as medicine. And another package is given to families [whose] conditions are more critical.”

John Sah, a father of six, told IRIN he is still not able to go home. “The situation is frustrating us. Our house was filled with water. We had to rush kids out immediately [after the storms in July 2008]. We are seeking refuge here until the water can be reduced. But it is a terrible situation for my family.”

The Red Cross’ director of health and disaster management, Kokpar Wohwoh, said the most damaged communities are coastal areas on the outskirts of Monrovia, including Banjor, Popo Beach, Hotel Africa and King Gray. “We are still monitoring these communities to make sure they are safe for living.”

Coastal communities still vulnerable

Government officials say these coastal communities are at higher risk for flooding and water damage because rising sea waters along the Gulf of Guinea, which are linked to climate change, have pushed the ocean dangerously close to seaside homes.

Officials with Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said another reason for this year’s intense flooding is the city’s clogged drainage system.

EPA’s deputy director, Jerome Yenkan, told IRIN new business constructions have obstructed parts of the drainage system by illegally building over it. “We have taken a decision to drastically deal with people who [obstruct] water paths [the drainage pipe system].” he said.

This year’s flooding has prompted the national government to set up its first disaster control committee in charge of preventing and responding to floods.

IRIN 

Fredrick Cherue, a member of the Upper House of Liberia’s parliament on August 27, 2008, seized the equipment of a radio journalist for allegedly recording a private discussion in the open plenary session of the House.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported that, Julius Kanubah, a reporter of Star Radio a Monrovia-based independent station was the recording bitter exchanges between two senators, when his recorder was seized.

Senator Cherue, a former President of the National Bar Association’s action provoked a swift reaction from another senator, Theodore Momo who argued that the senate chamber was not a private facility.

Senator Cherue however, returned the journalist’s recorder at the close of the session.

Media Foundation for West Africa

“As you know the UN peacekeeping mission (UNMIL) has begun the first phase of the draw down process. I wish to assure you that this draw down will proceed in a cautious and gradual manner that will not put at risk the gains that have been reached so far,” Ban said.

“The gradual withdrawal should allow the government sufficient time to assume full responsibility for the nation’s security,” he added.

UN peacekeepers have been on the ground in Liberia since September 2003. The Security Council authorised the establishment of UNMIL at the height of a civil war which had been ongoing in Liberia for 13 years.

In September 2006, the UN Secretary General recommended in a report to the Security Council that critical benchmarks on security, governance, the rule of law, economic revitalisation, and infrastructure and basic services should be met before the mission pulled out.

“The security benchmarks, including the training and deployment of the Armed Forces of Liberia and Liberian National Police, development by the government of a national security strategy and architecture, reintegration of ex-combatants and return and reintegration of refugees, are critical in determining the pace and timing of the drawdown and eventual withdrawal of the Mission,” the report outlined.

Ban said the Security Council is expected to review the implementation of those benchmarks in September 2008. The withdrawal of peacekeepers is expected to be finished by 2010, one year before Liberia is scheduled to hold its second post-war presidential elections.

Ban’s Special Representative in Liberia, Ellen Margrethe Loj, recently warned the UN Security Council that the country still faces some crucial challenges. “The hope and tranquillity we see today is tempered by a tenuous and fragile peace,” she said on 14 April, pointing to the UN police and military forces as still being key to stability.

“More progress is needed in reforming the legal and judicial systems and in extending the rule of law through out the country. More needs to be done in reintegrating populations affected by war and promoting reconciliation and national unity,” Ban said.

Efforts are ongoing for the rebuilding of Liberia’s new national army, but Liberian defence officials have told IRIN that they are “not certain” when a new 2,000-troop army being trained by the United States would be operational.

Mob violence is on the rise in some parts of the country, notably the rubber plantations and diamond mining areas, according to the UN. “Such incidents highlight the need for security sector reform in the country,” noted Loj in her 14 April report to the Security Council.

Many parts of Monrovia are no-go areas after dark. Some Liberians have expressed concerns about the planned UN pull-out.

Steve Nimely, a university lecturer, said it is “too early” for peacekeepers to scale down. “Liberia is still fragile. The police can not fight crimes and the army is not ready now to defend this country as they are still undergoing training. At least UNMIL must be the ground two years after our next elections,” he told IRIN.

The draft bills include the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, an Act to establish an Independent Broadcasting Regulatory body and an Act to transform the Liberia Broadcasting System into the Liberia Public Broadcasting Service. 

The objective of the FOI is to “grant members of the public the right of access to information in the possession of public authorities or private bodies performing public functions…” 

The Act to establish an Independent Broadcasting Regulatory body intends “to make provision for the regulation of broadcasting with a view to promoting independent, pluralistic broadcasting in the public interest.” It is to further “establish a juristic person to be known as the Independent Broadcasting Authority which shall wholly independently of State, government and party and political influences and free from other forms of bias and interference.

” The objective of “the Liberia Public Broadcasting Service shall be to provide a truly independent, nonpartisan, credible, professionally efficient and accountable public broadcasting service that will cater to the needs of the Liberian people and thereby promote a vibrant, open, stable and democratized society.

” Media professionals, civil society actors and interested individuals will assemble at the union’s headquarters to march to the Capitol Building.

 The PUL said it feels fulfilled that the laws are finally drafted with the help of its partners after three years formulation and said it is counting on the combined efforts of the public and government for the passage of the bills. 

The Press Union believes the passage of the Bills would ensure greater openness and accountability in post-war Liberia and called on the public to join the media as they petition the National Legislature to pass the bills. 

Issued by MFWA, Accra, April 17, 2008

The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression.

ACF Head of Mission in Liberia, Berengere de Penanster, says a February 2008 survey showed “extremely disturbing” results that indicated a “significant nutritional crisis” in the Liberian capital.

"What we know and can't ignore anymore is that there are thousands of children at risk in Monrovia. Any lack of food, any disease can make them fall into severe malnutrition," he told IRIN.

ACF says 17.6 percent of city children weighed by its nutritionists are suffering from acute malnutrition. These figures surpass the 15 percent World Health Organization (WHO) threshold that defines a nutritional crisis, ACF says, citing lack of health facilities, difficulties of access for the poor and deplorable states of hygiene and sanitation in many areas as contributing factors.

Rising food prices are exacerbating the situation, de Pensanster said, estimating that Liberia is likely to be hit harder than its West African neighbours by rising global prices for rice and grains. The country imports 90 percent of its rice – the national staple – and in the last year, the price of a bag of rice has almost doubled.

"We know for sure that there is a link between food insecurity and malnutrition. It is considered as one of the main reasons for malnutrition according to a survey that ACF conducted last November and December,” he said.

“A large number of the caretakers of our beneficiaries give food insecurity as a main factor for the malnutrition of their children. So ACF is definitely worried about the current increase in prices and the consequence for a country like Liberia," de Penanster said.

The organisation supports a handful of outpatient feeding centres in Monrovia but says it now needs to open more. "The main obstacle is lack of funds. The Ministry of Health is conscious about [the situation] but does not have the means to act,” de Penanster told IRN.

“If we had enough funds we could open more feeding points in order to have a better coverage of severe malnutrition and we would be able to train the Ministry of Health staff, to increase the sensitisation of the population on good feeding practices."

Aid workers say relatively little has been invested in promoting good weaning practices in post-war Liberia. There is a common belief that once mothers regain an active sex life, breast milk is no longer safe for babies to drink. Small children are often served less nutritional meals than their parents; many are raised on rice alone, while meat and fish is reserved for adults. Some parents believe the smaller the child, the fewer nutrients he or she needs.

Liberia's 14-year conflict drove thousands of people from rural areas to Monrovia. The result is chronic overloading of city resources; almost half of Liberia's estimated 3.5 million people are thought to reside in the capital. While rural areas are more at risk from chronic malnutrition due to lack of food diversity, urban dwellers are threatened by stretched medical resources and fierce competition for jobs.

"People have left refugee camps to move back to the city hoping for a better quality of life, but they now find themselves confronted by mass urban poverty," explained Gilsel Stien, ACF Liberia's lead nutritionist. The agency says it is concerned that perceptions of development improvements in Liberia could mask the persistence of life-threatening conditions like malnutrition.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned in March 2008 that donors are under-supporting humanitarian programmes as they make the transition towards development-oriented projects. OCHA appealed for emergency donations of US$128 million.