Liberia: Democracy in Focus

New Narratives/Front Page Africa
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Democracy in Focus is a new program from New Narratives and Front Page Africa looking at Liberia's governance and democracy. It's a collaboration with reporters from some of Liberia's leading newsrooms in the New Narratives program. Funding is provided by the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. The funders had no say in the program's content. 

  1. 6d ago

    SPECIAL Interview: Aaron Weah, historian, justice activist and host of new podcast Liberia: Remembering the Future

    Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. 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. 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.)

  2. Mar 24

    Three Die From Fumes in a Sealed Room, a Deported Warlord Leaves Victims Afraid, and a Malaria Breakthrough That Won't Come to Liberia Anytime Soon

    Three young men die while sleeping in a sealed room. Experts warn they were likely killed by fumes from fresh paint. 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.  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.)

  3. Mar 19

    Three dead from paint fumes, a deported warlord, rising fraud, and a malaria drug out of reach

    Three young men die while sleeping in a sealed room. Experts warn they were likely killed by fumes from fresh paint. 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.)

  4. Mar 18 ·  Bonus

    SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Michelle Reyes Milk, Human Rights Watch point person for Liberia

    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 experts and stakeholders about how the courts will work. 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.)

  5. Mar 10

    SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Binta Mansaray, former registrar of the Special Court for Sierra Leone

    Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives, Okay FM and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. 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.)

  6. Mar 10

    SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Elise Keppler, international human rights expert with 20 years experience in Liberia

    Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives, Okay FM and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens.  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.)

  7. Jan 13

    Superbugs, Gender Violence, and the Fight for Justice in Liberia

    Coming up in this episode.  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.)

  8. 12/09/2025

    COP30 Tensions, Liberia’s Stress Crisis, the Latest War Crimes Court Tensions, and the Fight for Clear Vision

    Coming up in this episode.  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.)

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About

Democracy in Focus is a new program from New Narratives and Front Page Africa looking at Liberia's governance and democracy. It's a collaboration with reporters from some of Liberia's leading newsrooms in the New Narratives program. Funding is provided by the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. The funders had no say in the program's content. 

Information

  • Creator
    New Narratives/Front Page Africa
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Liberia: Democracy in Focus
  • Show Website
    Liberia: Democracy in Focus