Topic: Liberian Politics

ICC issues Qaddafi warrant: Key prosecutions of world leaders

The International Criminal Court issued international arrest warrants today for Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, and intelligence chief Abdullah Senussi, charging them with crimes against humanity in the early weeks of Libya's uprising. It is only the second-ever international arrest warrant for a sitting head of state and the inquiry that preceded it was one of only a handful into crimes committed by world leaders. Below, a look at prosecution of current and past world leaders:

West Africa Rising: Liberia aims to tap riches, wean itself off aid by 2021

After guiding Liberia to stability after years of civil war, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf hopes to take advantage of the country's natural resources to transform it into a middle-income nation.

Bill Gates: $4 billion vaccine pledge historic

Bill Gates calls it historic first that poor nations will get same child vaccines as rich nations. Bill Gates's foundation pledges more than $1 billion toward effort.

Who gets Qaddafi's cash? African nations crushed by wars he funded want some.

Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi trained and funded men - like Charles Taylor - whose reigns of terror in Liberia and Sierra Leone led to the death of hundreds of thousands of West Africans.

Africa's 'Iron Lady' revitalizes Liberia

UPDATE: On Oct. 7, the Nobel Prize committee announced that Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was one of three women to win the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the role of women in society. In April, the Monitor profiled President Johnson-Sirleaf – who faces voters in Oct. 11 national elections – and her record of erasing her Liberia's crushing debt after years of civil war.

From Libya's Qaddafi to Sudan's Bashir: Key International Criminal Court inquiries

The International Criminal Court today announced it would investigate Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi and several members of his inner circle for crimes against humanity in Libya’s ongoing uprising. It is the second-ever ICC investigation into a sitting head of state, and one of only a handful of inquiries into crimes committed by world leaders. Below, a look at ICC cases:

Hosni Mubarak's exit plan: Where do exiled leaders go?

With Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak appearing to be headed out of office, it’s likely he has thought about where he’d head next if he’s forced out of the country as well as the presidency. Ousted world leaders have a history of slipping away to other countries and living a life of relative anonymity and leisure in exile. If President Mubarak joins the ranks of those who fled their countries to live out the rest of their days elsewhere, where will he go? Some of his predecessors’ choices could give some guidance.

Print newspapers face competition in Liberia, too – from a chalkboard

One man in Liberia, hoping to reach even those who can't afford newspapers, radios, or TVs, prints his daily 'newspaper' on a chalkboard.

The world in 2011: Trends and events to watch in every region

Monitor staff writers and correspondents in each of the world's regions share what they expect to be top headlines in 2011.

Former Nigerian rebel leader arrested in South Africa

Henry Okah, the former leader of the Nigerian rebel group that claimed responsibility for a car bomb that killed 12 people in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, on Friday, is due in South African court Monday.

At UN, elites mull Millennium Development Goals. Did the poor weigh in?

Talk of the Millennium Development Goals at the UN General Assembly this week’s brought home one very clear fact: Western thinking about development is elite-driven.

Naomi Campbell 'dirty stones' presented to Taylor war-crimes trial

The 'dirty stones' - uncut diamonds - that model Naomi Campbell indicated she may have received from Liberian strongman Charles Taylor, now on trial for war-crimes at The Hague, were handed over to authorities by a man affiliated with a charity established by former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Naomi Campbell tells war crimes tribunal she got 'dirty rocks': Were they blood diamonds?

Naomi Campbell reluctantly testified at a UN-backed war crimes tribunal today over whether former Liberian president Charles Taylor gave her one or more 'blood diamonds.'

Naomi Campbell to testify at Charles Taylor war crimes trial

Naomi Campbell will be asked whether Taylor gave her a rough, or uncut, diamond as a gift in 1997.

Hillary Clinton at UN: 'Women's progress is human progress'

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered those words at the UN Friday as she marked the 15th anniversary of her speech at the World Conference on Women in Beijing.

Kenya political crisis: Kofi Annan to the rescue – again?

A corruption scandal threatens to tear apart the fragile coalition government, prompting fear of a return to the ethnic violence that killed 1,300 and displaced hundreds of thousands after the disputed elections of December 2007.

Legacy of Rwanda's genocide: more assertive international justice

Out of 800,000 deaths emerged a new system of justice and more peacekeepers. But will either prove effective or enduring?

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about Liberia's progress in its struggle against corruption, and why low-interest mortgages could help the credit crisis.

Persistent corruption threatens Liberian stability

Despite President Johnson-Sirleaf's tough rhetoric on the international stage and the country's modest progress in global rankings, there is growing concern back home.

The House at Sugar Beach

A US journalist tells her story as one of Liberia's fallen elite.

After two months of discord, finally a handshake

In January, one of Africa's most stable democracies was violently ripping itself apart. How was it saved? In Part 4 of a four-part special report, the key players tell what happened.

In Kenya, two protagonists and the conciliators

In January, one of Africa's most stable democracies was violently ripping itself apart. How was it saved? In Part 3 of a four-part special report, the key players tell what happened.

Key players in Kenya's peace deal

Africa's elders seize a leading role

In January, one of Africa's most stable democracies was violently ripping itself apart. How was it saved? In a four-part special report, the key players tell what happened.