- A former Liberian civil warlord, Prince Johnson, who led a breakaway faction of the rebel National Patriotic Front of Liberia [Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia], has set conditions for his appearance before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), insisting that he would do so provided "those who instigated the 1980 coup d'etat and killed President William" appear.
Johnson, a current Senator of Nimba County, asked why "I should appear before the commission when no one has accused me yet of anything."
He also said he would testify if he is accused by a victim, but not the commission members, describing them as instigating problem in the country.
"If I fail to appear before the TRC whenever my name is called, then I will be putting my future and character at stake, but if my name is called, then I will have to appear to defend my character," Johnson said while reacting to the commission's statement that he will be subpoenaed to appear before it.
The commission wants him to explain to Liberians how President Samuel Doe was killed. Johnson could not understand why the healing commission has indicted him for the death of Doe after all he had reconciled with the Doe family.
He doubted why the TRC has failed to invite many people who came before him and killed President Tolbert.
"Why is it that the TRC is not inviting those people to explain their role in the death of President Tolbert and the execution of the 13 government officials who were all civilians?" he asked, saying the commission should start with Tolbert if it is interesting in knowing the circumstance surrounding the death of a sitting president.
TRC was establish to heal the wounds caused by Liberia's 14-year civil war.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.