Checkers CTV

Liberia and constitutional “free speech”; tolerant or intolerant.

The Little That We’ve Gathered

Liberia is constitutionally protective of free speech, yet the environment remains tense. While legal reforms have decriminalized speech offenses, recent crackdowns on opposition voices and clashes between the judiciary and critics have fueled concerns about creeping intolerance and shrinking civic space.

The Legal Framework
1. Constitutional Protections: Article 15 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia guarantees the rights to free speech, press freedom, and academic freedom.

2. Decriminalization: The landmark Kamara Abdullai Kamara (KAK) Act of Press Freedom, enacted in 2018, formally removed defamation, sedition, and libel as criminal offenses.

The Current Reality
Despite strong legal safeguards, journalists and civil society groups point to a gap between the law and everyday enforcement:

1. Government and Judicial Tensions: Recent years have seen alarming actions against vocal critics. Incidents such as the expulsion of Representative Yekeh Kolubah from the legislature over dissenting territorial comments, and the jailing of bloggers following clashes with the Supreme Court, have sparked widespread concern about retaliation.

2. Public Discourse: Civil society organizations, including the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), frequently warn that ordinary citizens, students, and independent journalists are increasingly fearful of intimidation and selective legal enforcement.

3. Institutional Security: Human rights lawyers and watchdogs argue that the Boakai administration, like previous governments, is still navigating how to handle harsh criticism, which has occasionally led to crackdowns on protests and independent commentary.
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We Ask: Would you vote Liberia to lead constitutional “free speech” emulation on the continent of Africa?

President Boakai has appointed Mr. Arthur W. B. Fumbah as Executive Vice Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate.

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We Ask: What do you think?

Somalia's Omar Artan questioned about suspected terror ties, security concerns.

ESPN UK has reported that United States official has said Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the country due to “association with suspected members of terror organisations,” ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup...More in Comments.

Meanwhile, in a related development, Omar Artan told the New York Times he was questioned for 11 hours, … and reportedly asked about Somali politics and the Al-Shabab M!l!tant Group.
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We Ask: Will there be an impact on the game if Oman doesn’t participate at this time?

Kenya and demonstrations over proposed US Ebola treatment facility - reports of shooting of protesters.

An excerpt from BBC says a “demonstrator has been shot during a protest in the Kenyan town of Nanyuki against the construction of an Ebola quarantine centre for US citizens, witnesses have told journalists.

A protest leader told the Reuters news agency that police shot dead the demonstrator. The police have not yet commented.”

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We Ask: What is it with Kenya police and the shooting of protesters - as was similarly reported during recent Gen-Z protests in this part of the modern world?

FIFA World Cup 2026 - Omar Abdulkadir Artan named Africa's Best Male Referee in 2025, is being denied entry into the US for the games. Here is an excerpt from FIFA’s statement:

“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.”
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We Ask: 1. Is Artan being denied due to his nationality or is there more to it? 2. How will his absence affect the World Cup 2026

South Africa - Evacuation, repatriation following anti-immigrant protests and vigilante violence; what have you done to ensure safety of your citizens?

The Little That We’ve Gathered

Several African nations have initiated voluntary repatriation and evacuation programs for their citizens following a wave of anti-immigrant protests and vigilante violence in South Africa.

The primary countries actively evacuating their citizens include:
1. Ghana: Chartered flights to repatriate hundreds of distressed citizens, with hundreds already arriving in Accra.

2. Nigeria: Commenced screening and processing at the High Commission in Pretoria for approved evacuation flights for hundreds of nationals requesting safe return.

3. Malawi: Launched a voluntary repatriation program via official diplomatic channels for citizens requesting assistance due to safety concerns.

4. Mozambique: Initiated targeted repatriation efforts for its nationals living in volatile areas like Johannesburg and Pretoria.
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We Ask: Like Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, and Mozambique, what logistical support have you provided your citizens stranded in South Africa?

Italy - At least 10 bodies recovered by rescue team as boat with nearly 60 on board capsized near Malta.

The Little That We’ve Gathered

Italian rescue teams recovered 10 bodies after a boat carrying migrants capsized approximately 45 nautical miles east-southeast of Malta.

The tragedy details:
1. The Incident: The vessel, which departed from Libya with about 60 people on board, overturned in the Mediterranean Sea.

2. Survivors: A fishing boat operating in the area successfully rescued 48 migrants alive.

3. Rescue Operations: Following a request from Maltese authorities, the Italian Coast Guard dispatched a patrol boat to coordinate the search and recover the deceased.
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We Aak: What measures would you recommend to African authorities to prevent or minimize more migrants from fleeing to Europe in search of greener pastures?