As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court and national anti-corruption court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts will work.

In this interview, I speak with Aaron Weah, a Liberian academic and transitional justice expert. With nearly two decades of experience working on transitional justice in Liberia and across West Africa, including the International Center for Transitional Justice in Liberia. He also worked on the country’s 2009 Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 

He currently leads the Ducor Institute for Social and Economic Research, a Liberia-based public-policy and social-research think tank.

Recently, Weah launched a podcast series, Liberia: Remembering the Future, with British journalist Gerry Naughton. The series explores Liberia’s complex history and its continuing impact on the country today, touching on issues including Liberia’s transition from war to peace and its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

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Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As more people go online, fraud is surging —authorities say stopping it isn’t easy and everyone is at risk. Theres a new drug promising a breakthrough malaria treatment for infants but Liberians might wait years. 

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

The deportation of a former rebel commander to Liberia from the united states sparks safety fears among war crimes witnesses

As more people go online, fraud is surging —authorities say stopping it isn’t easy and everyone is at risk

Theres a new drug promising a breakthrough malaria treatment for infants but Liberians might wait years. 

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with Frontpage Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program. I’m Tetee Gebro.

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

In this interview, I speak with Michelle Reyes Milk, senior counsel in the International Justice Program at Human Rights Watch and the new point person for Liberia. We spoke on the sidelines of a justice conference in Monrovia.

Michelle has extensive experience in international criminal justice, including in her home continent of South America. She served as regional coordinator for the Americas at the Coalition for the International Criminal Court. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with experts and stakeholders about how the courts will work.

In this interview, I speak with Elise Keppler, who held a range of senior positions at Human Rights Watch, focusing on international criminal justice, and accountability for atrocity crimes, 

When she first started at Human Rights Watch Liberia’s civil war was still raging. She was the organization’s Liberia focal point for 20 years. 

She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Global Justice Center, a New York-based advocacy organization that advances accountability for serious international crimes, with a particular emphasis on gender justice. Our interview was held on the margins of a recent justice conference in Monrovia 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As planning for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with experts and stakeholders about how the courts will work.

In this interview, I speak with Binta Mansaray, Registrar of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, 

She served as Registrar during the court’s prosecution of those bearing the greatest responsibility for atrocities committed during Sierra Leone’s civil war. 13 people were indicted and nine were ultimately convicted — including Liberia’s former president, Charles Taylor.

We spoke on the margins of an international justice conference in Monrovia. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Doctors warn that the rampant misuse of medications like antibiotics is fueling the rise of deadly superbugs —that are killing thousands and leaving patients defenseless.

As Liberia marks sixteen days of activism against gender violence, a mother of six is killed by her husband. Experts say it exposes deep gaps in protection for rural women. 

And as justice advocates push to defeat a surprise bill that would block war crimes from being tried in Liberia’s proposed court, we speak with former international criminal court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on why hybrid courts matter.

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

At this year’s cop climate change summit, global powers move forward with green energy expansion despite U.S. withdrawal. But vulnerable nations like our own rage as adaptation funds fall short. A survey finds Liberians are among the world’s biggest worriers as experts link rising stress to chronic diseases, especially in women. Justice advocates lobby to kill a surprise bill that would stop war crimes from being tried in Liberia’s war crimes court. And cost and lack of awareness leave millions in Liberia with poor vision, limiting children’s education and putting lives at risk

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with Frontpage Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

In this interview, Anthony Stephens speaks with Fatou Bom Bensouda, a former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, on the sidelines of the African Investigative Journalism Conference in Johannesburg this month. A Gambian and the only woman to date to hold the role, Bensouda led the Court’s prosecutorial team from 2012-2021. 

Some notable prosecutions took place under her watch included former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo; Kenya’s former president Uhuru Kenyatta; and William Ruto, now Kenya’s sitting president, who at the time had just been elected deputy to Kenyatta. Jean-Pierre Bemba, the former vice president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was also prosecuted under her watch. 

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Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

AS LIBERIA’S DRUG CRISIS WORSENS, UNLICENSED REHABILITATION CENTERS ARE PROFITING FROM FAMILIES’ MISERY. EXPERTS WANT THEM CLOSED. 

AS A BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE ABORTION IS AGAIN DEBATED IN THE SENATE, MEDICINES THAT END PREGNANCIES ARE QUIETLY SAVING LIVES.

WITH NO INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET PRICES, RURAL FARMERS SAY MIDDLEMEN ARE EXPLOITING THEM AND PAYING TOO LITTLE FOR THEIR PRODUCE.

AND LEADING LIBERIAN JUSTICE ADVOCATES CONDEMN THE DECISION TO PRIORITIZE THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COURT OVER THE WAR CRIMES COURT.

WELCOME TO OUR PROGRAM LOOKING AT THE STATE OF LIBERIAN DEMOCRACY. 

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Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

The bills have surprised the court’s proponents because they have seemingly come out of nowhere and they have some controversial elements that contradict a bill submitted to the legislature in 2021 by Liberian Bar Association. That bill had buy-in from most of the court’s advocates and was seen to be a starting point for new bills that must go to the legislature soon to trigger the start of the court. Critics say Jallah’s bills could slow down or undermine years of advocacy to establish the courts. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

The country’s drug crisis takes center stage. Citizens march on the capitol demanding action as vigilantes destroy drug dens.

The massive cuts to us aid being felt across economy. From street sellers to medium sized businesses the loss of business is hurting. 

After years of delay a seawall meant to save thousands of homes from being swallowed by the sea in West Point is finally set to begin. 

As the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court begins an outreach campaign one expert says security needs to be taken seriously. 

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with FrontPage Africa with reporting from journalists in the new narratives program. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.

In this interview, I speak with Cecil Griffiths, head of the Liberia National Law Enforcement Association and a key adviser on national security issues. Griffiths trains Liberian security personnel and has a good understanding of the country’s security sector. 

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Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Following a chaotic rollout process, the government indefinitely suspends its compulsory national ID registration program.  

As climate change causes more and more farms to fail, rural dwellers turn to charcoal production to survive in a renewed threat to Liberia’s forests 

At the same time, the end of international funding for ecoguards, has forced many back to the forests to hunt renewing threats to biodiversity. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

It’s not news to anyone that Liberia has been one of the countries most impacted by US President Donald Trump’s cuts to aid. Hundreds of Liberian NGO jobs have been lost.

But a new online donation platform called Liberia giving Month hopes to bring donor money directly to Liberian organizations through a few clicks on a phone. 

I speak with the founder of the platform Marvin Tarawally about his ambitious goals of raising millions of dollars a year for local nonprofits. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Ambassador Toner's announcement came a day before Liberian President Joseph Boakai had a coveted meeting at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump. Toner denied his decision had anything to do with a special request that the Wall Street Journal alleged was sent to President Boakai before the White House meeting, that he take third country nationals as part of President Trump's mission to deport millions of undocumented migrants from the U.S. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.

In this interview, I speak with Leymah Gbowee, one of two Liberians who won the Nobel peace prize in 2011. Gbowee has had a huge impact on Liberia’s peace process. She’s principally remembered for leading a non-violent women movement, women of Liberia mass a ration for pace. 

The group pressured warring parties to sign a peace agreement in Accra, Ghana to eventually end the country’s civil wars nearly twenty-two years ago.

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Liberia wins a seat on the un security council. Ambassadors and President Boakai applaud the historic moment.

Nobel laureate, Leymah Gbowee urges government to seize the win to drive war time justice beginning with economic crimes. 

As US aid cuts end a more than $US100 million maternal and infant mortality program, experts and pregnant women fear the worst. 

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with Frontpage Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.

In this interview, I speak with Rwanda’s Ambassador to Liberia, Rosemary Mbabazi after a thirty first anniversary commemoration in Monrovia, of its 1994 genocide of the Tutsi people. 

Many consider Rwanda a post-conflict success story. It’s shaken off the horrors of the genocide that killed as many as one million of its citizens.  

In the years since, Rwanda has instituted a robust program of reconciliation, justice and commemoration, and a strong rule of law that has attracted investors and delivered strong economic development to its people. Many justice activists think it has a lot of lessons for our own country. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As Rwanda commemorates thirty-one years since its genocide, its ambassador says the world can learn from its path to reconciliation and justice.

And… a report says a lack of competence and inflated salary claims by the Weah administration stopped the country getting a weather hazard warning system 

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with frontpage Africa with reporting from journalists in the new narratives program. I’m Anthony Stephens.

And I’m Tetee Gebro. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Thousands of teachers pursuing degrees in education are ejected from us aid- funded scholarships. Experts say Liberia’s school children will lose out again. 

And.. as the World Bank reports that poverty in rural Liberia has risen to 4 in every 5 people, experts warn the same inequality that led to war risks playing out again. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

More than one in three deaths are now caused by so-called lifestyle diseases – preventable diseases that are primarily caused by diet, stress, a lack of exercise and sleep, and environmental pollutants. But doctors say they are silent killers because, so few Liberians know about them. 

Senior New Narratives reporter Tetee Gebro talks with Dr. Clement Peter, outgoing WHO Representative for Liberia

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As Liberia comes to terms with us aid cuts, economists warn of lost jobs and public services with more aid cuts looming. Local NGO heads worry about the ripple effects as staff are laid off, scholarships end and drugs run out. 

And…..the aid cuts situation also throws into jeopardy, Liberia’s much-heralded campaign to establish a war and economic crimes court.

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with FrontPage Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

WE SPEAK WITH THE NEW HEAD OF LIBERIA’S WAR AND ECONOMIC CRIMES COURT DR JALLAH BARBU.

VICTIMS DEMAND TOUGH PUNISHMENT AS FORMER LURD REBEL COMMANDER “K1 GOES ON TRIAL IN THE US  

GOVERNMENT CELEBRATES AS CARBON TRADING WINS APPROVAL AT THE UN COP 20 CLIMATE SUMMIT. BUT FOREST COMMUNITIES SAY THEY’RE BEING LEFT OUT.

AND…..THE RAINS SUBSIDE AFTER THE WORST RAINY SEASON FLOODING IN MEMORY. BUT EXPERTS WARN WORSE IS TO COME AND LIBERIA IS NOT READY.

WELCOME TO OUR PROGRAM LOOKING AT THE STATE OF LIBERIAN DEMOCRACY. IT’S A COLLABORATION WITH FRONTPAGE AFRICA WITH REPORTING FROM JOURNALISTS IN THE NEW NARRATIVES PROGRAM. I’M ANTHONY STEPHENS.

AND I’M EVELYN KPADEH SEAGBEH. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

In this exclusive interview, I speak with Jallah Barbu, newly appointed executive director of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Courts. Dr. Barbu will lead Liberia’s long overdue effort to hold those who upended the country and left 250,000 dead, accountable at last. Just a month into the job Dr. Barbu has already faced a host of challenges, chief among them, a lack of funds. 

But he says he is honored to have the role and understands the weight of expectation he carries for the millions of Liberians still suffering the aftermath of the war. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.

In this interview, I speak with Peterson Sonyah, head of Liberia’s largest victims and survivors’ organization, Liberia Massacre Survivors and Association. Peterson is a survivor himself having narrowly escaped his own death at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in 1990 in one of the bloodiest massacres of Liberia’s civil wars. While he escaped witnessed the murder of his father and six other members of his family by troops with the Armed Forces of Liberia. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with frontpage Africa with reporting from journalists in the new narratives program. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts’ get underway, we speak to experts on the major issues court designers will have to consider.

 Who will be tried? How much international involvement is needed? And what are the security challenges? One thing is already clear - funding will be limited. And some worry the courts are already losing momentum.

And… as mpox is declared a global health emergency, is Liberia ready? 

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with Front Page Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts’ get underway, we speak to experts on the major issues court designers will have to consider.

 Who will be tried? How much international involvement is needed? And what are the security challenges? One thing is already clear - funding will be limited. And some worry the courts are already losing momentum.

And… as mpox is declared a global health emergency, is Liberia ready? 

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with Front Page Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

New data shows nearly 370,000 Liberian children are living on the streets. Many live a hellish existence of sex work and drugs. 

Access to toilets is still a big problem for rural Liberians. Leading to sickness and death of thousands of citizens. 

The Boakai administration charges five former government officials after independent audits found they had engaged corruption. Political payback? Or is it finally the end of impunity for corrupt officials?

And Liberia’s religious leaders join a continent-wide movement to call on Africans to address the climate crisis

You’re listing to Democracy in Focus

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.

In this interview, I speak with veteran Liberian human rights lawyer Taiwan Gongloe. A long time defenders of human rights in Liberia, Gongloe headed the Bar Association and played a key role in drafting the bill that went to the Legislature to establish the courts. 

He also ran for president in last year’s election. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.

In this interview, I speak with prominent Liberian human rights advocate, Hassan Bility. The Director of Global Justice and Research Project, Bility’s role in Liberia’s transitional justice process has been immense. 

His organization has partnered with Swiss justice activists, Civitas Maxima to investigate and bring evidence to prosecutors in Europe and the US that has been used to prosecute more than a dozen individuals accused of war-related crimes in Liberia. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts’ get underway, we speak to experts on the major issues court designers will have to consider.

 Who will be tried? How much international involvement is needed? And what are the security challenges? One thing is already clear - funding will be limited. And some worry the courts are already losing momentum.

And… as mpox is declared a global health emergency, is Liberia ready? 

Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with Front Page Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.

In this interview I speak by zoom with Reed Brody, a leading international human rights lawyer who represented victims in the landmark trial and conviction of Chadian dictator Hissen Habre. 

Brody has played a key role in the quest by Gambians for a court to try perpetrators of the Jammeh regime and led United Nations teams to investigate massacres in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

 As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international transitional justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work. 

In this interview I speak by zoom with Alain Werner, a prosecutor with the Special Court for Sierra Leone and head of Civitas Maxima, which has had a key role in the cases against accused warlords in Europe and the United States over the last decade.

Werner also represented victims in the historic trial of former Chadian president, Hissène Habré, who was prosecuted in an extraordinary chamber in Senegal set up by the African Union…..

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.

In this interview I speak by zoom with Liberian transitional justice expert Tenneh Dalieh Tehoungue. She’s is undertaking a PHD in transitional justice, peacebuilding, and reconciliation at Dublin City University in Ireland. 

Tehoungue has some novel ideas for a court. One idea is for the Boakai administration to forgo international funding for the courts and ask the country’s diplomatic partners to, instead, return funds frozen from alleged Liberian criminals to support the court….

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

TWO BEE GROUP DAH WEHKIN ON  CHAYREN MATTERS IN LIBERIA DEH CALL MINISTRY OF GENDER AND UNICEF SAY, LIBERIA GEH ALMOST  370 THOUSAND CHAYREN ON DEH STREETS. DEH SAY SUMMAH DEH CHAYREN DEM DOIN HO-PO-JOE WEHK WHILE SUM CAN BE TAKIN DRUGS. 

PLENTAY PEEPOH IN DEH INTEERUH STAY GEH BEE PROBLEM WITH  TOILET HUS BAYNAY… DEH CAN STAY BE PUPUING OUTSIDE AND IT CAUSING PLENTAY SICKNESSES AND MAKING PEEPOH DIE  

THE JOSEPH BOAKAI GOHMEN NAH OPEN CASE ON FIVE BEE  PEOPLE WHO USE TO BE IN DEH GOHMEN FOR KRO-KRO-GEE – STEALIN’  PLENTAY MONEY FROM DEH COUNTRAY BEE BANK, 

AND SOME BEE…BEE GOD PEEPOH IN LIBERIA JOIN DEH FRIEND DEM FROM ALL OVER AFRICA IN  ONE BIG MEETING TO TALK ABOUT HOW DEG WEATHER NAH CORRECK AGAIN AND WHAT AFRICA MON  TO DO TO FIX THIS OLLOR PROBLEM

THE PROGRAM YOUR LISTENIN TO REH NAH WE CALL IT A DEMOCRACY IN FOCUS

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

New data shows nearly 370,000 Liberian children are living on the streets. Many live a hellish existence of sex work and drugs. 

Access to toilets is still a big problem for rural Liberians. Leading to sickness and death of thousands of citizens. 

The Boakai administration charges five former government officials after independent audits found they had engaged corruption. Political payback? Or is it finally the end of impunity for corrupt officials?

And Liberia’s religious leaders join a continent-wide movement to call on Africans to address the climate crisis

You’re listing to Democracy in Focus

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

In June President Joseph Boakai, appointed Liberian lawyer Jonathan Massaquoi as Executive Director of the newly established Office of War and Economic Crimes Courts. Ever since, a chorus of key stakeholders including leading human rights advocates, and the umbrella body of lawyers in the country - the Bar Association – has condemned the appointment and the lack of transparency around it.

Massaquoi has represented accused perpetrators from convicted warlord Charles Taylor’s rebel faction in legal cases against human rights actors and advocates say that will undermine public trust in the courts. Massaquoi has yet to recuse himself from those cases. 

Most worrying for backers of the court, diplomats from major international donor countries that would be called upon to foot the multi-million dollar cost of the court, have also told New Narratives they are concerned about the process for the appointment. 

 To learn more about advocates’ concerns I spoke with veteran Liberian human rights lawyer Taiwan Gongloe. Gongloe has long been a champion of human rights in Liberia, representing many human rights activists. He’s a former head of the Bar Association and helped draft the bills that have gone to the Legislature to establish the court. He also ran for president in last year’s election. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

 In recent years, Liberia has made big gains in tackling human trafficking, convicting several traffickers including an agent of the National Security Agency and bringing hundreds of victims home from the Middle East. 

Those wins saw the county move up on the U.S. government’s Trafficking In Persons ranking. But things took a turn for the worse in 2023 when the Weah administration slashed the budget for anti-trafficking efforts by ninety per cent. Prosecutions stalled. Victims remain stranded overseas. This year Liberia was downgraded to the tier two watchlist.

 In this special interview, I speak with two antihuman trafficking experts in the U.S. embassy - Juan Martinez and Drew Engel - to find out what that means for Liberia. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Poverty robs Liberian children of their childhood and jeopardizes their safety as they are forced to work in dangerous occupations to make a living. 

And……….climate change continues to have devastating consequences on Liberian farmers. In River cess, it is robbing their children of their education. But climate justice activists say carbon trade is not the remedy for the climate crisis. 

You’re listening to Democracy in Focus

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Our interview follows from a New Narratives survey conducted across five counties which found that 100 per cent of farmers we interviewed were struggling to make farming sustainable because of the changing climate. And nine in every ten farmers wanted to migrate. Experts say this makes them highly vulnerable to traffickers and other scammers.

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

We get citizen reactions from around the country. We ask what comes next with house speak Fonati Koffa. And we get reactions from the advocates who have spent the last twenty years campaigning for justice. 

And One long legacy of the civil wars was drug addiction. We look at one effort in bong county to help addicts break free. 

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Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

We devote this episode to bringing those issues to light.  

We visit a maternity clinic where giving birth means risking death.

Six years since the Land Rights Act was passed just 16 communities have received land title. Experts say it’s time to go back to the drawing board. 

A malaria vaccine finally rolls out across the country – promising to save the lives of thousands of children.

The trash crisis is bad in Monrovia and Paynesville but in rural areas things can be even worse. 

And finally, experts say the number of women drug users in rural areas is growing with terrible consequences for their children and families. 

You’re listing to Democracy in Focus.

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

In the second of our two-part series on climate change, a major New Narratives investigation has found Liberia’s farming emergency is fueling a migration crisis. A survey of Liberian farmers finds years of crop failure has nine in every ten wanting to leave the country.

As the number of migrants rises so do the number of traffickers and other scammers preying on them. 

We ask whether solar energy can solve our ongoing electricity crisis.

And, as the momentous news breaks that a war crimes court is coming to Liberia, we get reactions from Lofa county to the recent French court guilty verdict for Ulimo commander Kunti Kamara.

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Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

We’re talking, about climate change. From Liberia’s coast to its forests people are feeling the impact of changing weather.  In the first of two programs devoted to climate change we explore a new problem plaguing farmers: pests.

We find the Weah government’s failure to fund the massive coastal defense project has led to delays. In Nimba, we learn about smart farming practices that are helping farmers adjust. 

And.. we ask Liberia’s representative on climate change what the new global loss and damage fund will mean for the country.

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Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

 Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission said justice, reconciliation and commemoration of the country’s troubled history was key to moving forward. That has not happened. We visit a country that is dealing with is past … post-apartheid South Africa.  

Thirty years since the system of racial segregation was ended we look at reconciliation efforts in South Africa and ask what Liberia has to learn.

This week.. Democracy in Focus comes to you from Johannesburg, South Africa with reporting from New Narratives reporters Anthony Stephens, Fatu Kamara, of Okay FM/Front Page Africa, and senior NN reporters Nemenlah Cyrus Harmon of Spoon FM and Front Page Africa and Joyclyn Wea of the New Republic. 

Thanks as always to our generous donors who made this trip possible: the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, the Swedish Embassy in Liberia, the American Jewish World Service and the US embassy in Liberia.  Thanks also to the African Investigative Journalism Conference which provided fellowships to two of our reporters. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

And women’s representation in the legislature drops even further ….sparking anger and frustration among women’s rights advocates. 

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Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Liberia heads to a presidential runoff election in a rematch between incumbent president George Weah and former-vice president, Joseph Boakai.  Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Massa Washington says the election of accused warlords to the legislature, and their allies to the executive mansion, is bad for the country. 

And… Liberians elect an almost entirely new senate…we ask what new faces in the legislature mean for Liberia 

You’re listing to Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between Front Page Africa and New Narratives with reporters from the New Narratives program.

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

One of two women running for president, Sara Beslow Nyanti shares her plans to build Liberia. And we hear from two visually impaired people who have defied their condition to find means to support their survival. 

You’re listing to Democracy in Focus. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

A new law meant to curb Liberia’s high rate of unsafe abortions has outraged opponents. But the government is standing firm. 

And… 20 years since the signing of Accra peace agreement, Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee challenges Liberians to vote for justice. 

You’re listing to Democracy in Focus 

This podcast was funded by the Swedish Embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. The funders had no say in its content. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

Political parties ignore their own commitment to field women in 30 percent of seats. Liberia’s low representation by women looks set to fall further. 

Presidential candidates Alexander Cummings and Taiwan Gongloe commit to hold a war crimes court if elected, but President Weah and ex-vice president Joseph Boakai refuse to comment. 

 And a New Narratives survey finds a third of voters do not trust the newly introduced Biometric Voter Registration system ahead of October’s elections.  You’re listing to Democracy in Focus

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

We visit a maternity clinic where giving birth means risking death. Six years since the land rights act just 16 communities have received land title.  Experts say its time to go back to the drawing board. 

A malaria vaccine finally rolls out across the country – promising to save the lives of thousands of children.

The trash crisis is bad in Monrovia and Paynesville but in rural areas things can be even worse. 

And finally, experts say the number of women drug users in rural areas is growing with terrible consequences for their children and families. 

You’re listing to Democracy in Focus.

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

War crimes court campaigner Adama Dempster has returned from meetings in the us with key officials in the American government. We get the latest. We check in with victims’ advocate Hassan Billity on the latest developments in war crimes trials in the us and Europe. 

And citizens of rural Liberia struggle to get basic services at dysfunctional county service centers.

 You’re listing to democracy in focus.

Funding for this podcast came from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia. The funders had no say in the content. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

 We look at the economic turmoil threatening political instability across the region. At the same time the government back tracks on claims it’s reduced poverty. World bank data shows things are getting worse. 

The government loses its first case in the trafficking ring to Oman. 

And, with Liberia’s health care system in crisis, some wealthy Liberians are plugging the gap one patient at a time. 

 You’re listing to Democracy in Focus.

Funding for this podcast was provided by the US and Swedish embassies in Liberia. The funders had no say in the reporting. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

 A network of traffickers including Liberians and Omanis deceived the women into believing they were going for good jobs that would change their families lives. Instead they were trapped in a scam that had them working as domestic servants in hellish conditions with no way out. 

Unlike in previous trafficking scams, this time the government got tough. It engaged Omani authorities and began prosecuting traffickers. It issued an international arrest warrant for alleged mastermind Liberian Samuel Chan Chan. His brother Arthur is serving a 25-year sentence for his role in getting women past security checks at the airport where he was a national security officer. Others who helped in the scheme have been jailed and charged.

 Most unusual -  at least 250 of the women have come home in what experts say is the first time a large group of women has broken free of a trafficking trap of its kind. 

In this podcast extra, Anthony Stephens interviews Drew Engel, the anti-trafficking advisor in the US Embassy in Liberia. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

The government claims it has reduced the number of people without access to toilets. World bank data says otherwise. 

An international arrest warrant is in the works for the man who masterminded the trafficking of 350 Liberian women to Oman. His online history shows he started looking for Middle East partners to exploit Liberian women in 2018.

And we have the latest on war crimes cases in Europe and the United States. 

 You’re listing to Democracy in Focus 

Reporting in this podcast is funded by the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

After scores of children were killed by tainted imported medicines in The Gambia, what is being done to protect Liberians? 

A Liberian security agent becomes the first government official convicted of human trafficking. He’s serving 25 years in prison as authorities close in on others. But what’s happening to the women who returned home?  

And Finnish prosecutors are appealing last year’s acquittal of former Revolutionary United Front commander Gibril Massaquoi on charges he committed war crimes in Liberia. The appeal is hearing testimony in Liberia. We get the latest.  

You’re listing to Democracy in Focus

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

But the women broke free from the trap that had caught millions before them. A year on more than half are home.  The government has launched a major new push to crack down on traffickers. 

Two years since the mysterious deaths of four government auditors a legislative committee that was supposed to look into the deaths has yet to report. We ask why?

And journalists are facing an increase in threats and physical attacks. Newsrooms tell us they are self censoring out of fear. What will that mean for our democracy as Liberia goes to the polls? 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

But while there was no new agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions there was one win for poor countries like our own.

As climate change hits food production we look at efforts to secure Liberia's food sources.  

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

 And three months since the government's controversial act overhauling the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission insiders tell us the corruption watchdog is barely functioning. What does that mean for our democracy one year from elections. 

You're listening to Democracy in Focus.

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Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

THE LATEST WARLORD TO FACE JUSTICE, KUNTI KAMARA OF ULIMO, GOES ON TRIAL IN PARIS THIS MONTH. WE HEAR FROM VICTIMS OF ULIMO IN LOFA.

IN RIVER CESS OUR INVESTIGATION FINDS ONE LOGGING COMPANY HAS SHIPPED THREE MILLION DOLLARS OF TIMBER WHILE TELLING THE COMMUNITY THEY HAVE SHIPPED NOTHING AND CAN’T MEET THEIR COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)

And we hear from two internationally acclaimed investigative journalists Ruona Meyer of the Solutions Journalism Network and Idris Akinbajo of Nigerian newsroom Premium Times. 

Support for this podcast was provided by the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia. The funders had no say in the podcast's content. 

Support the show

Support for this podcast came from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. (Until September 2026, the program was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and American Jewish World Service.)