“Darn,” he said, turning the paper in his hand, “this is something.”

The evening weather had sneaked in on the sleepy city of Monrovia, and he felt a sense of wonder about it. He could not understand the workings of nature.   

“What’s that something?’   

The voice had come from Jane Wilson, twenty two years, and it had startled him a bit.   

“See,” he turned to her, and pointed his right hand with the document, “it is a nice poem about something and I think you should read it.”  

Jane’s eyes brightened up, grasping it from his him. Sam watched her from the corner of his eye, and wondered how she might respond to the poem. The poem, written by a young Liberian poet and writer had been making rounds on the internet and many reading it had expressed their inner opposition to it.  

From the corner of his eye, Sam waited for her reaction, having known her for being open-minded and a nice follower of Christ. Silence pervaded around them as she ran her eyes through the poem, and once in a while she would stretch her eyes in a moment of surprise.

     The Poem:

 Jesus Died in Liberia
By Nvasekie N. Konneh  
Who says Jesus was crucified
in Palestine 2000 years ago? No, Jesus was not crucified
over there in Palestine.
He was crucified on April 12, 1980 in Liberia.
He was a good man,
who meant well for his people and nation.
He was a Renaissance man
who envisioned a new day for his people.
He was between two raging fires
which he found so hard to extinguish
and was consumed by both
in such a ferocious manner.
One side demanded: Change Now! Change Now! Change Now!
The other side reacted: No Change! No Change! No Change!
and they couldn’t find the middle ground
that was necessary to save the day.
Who tells you that Jesus died 2000 years ago?
No, Jesus did not die over there,
he died on April 12, 1980
in Liberia.
He died for the sins of his ancestors
who sold each other into slavery
He died for the sins of his grandfathers and fathers
who discriminated against their own kind.
Don’t believe the hype
Jesus did not die in Palestine 2000 years ago
he died on April 12, 1980 for the sins of his people
in the nation yet to recover from self-inflicted wounds.


  

Then in a brief moment, she glanced up, folding the paper and her hands across her chest said, “He did not mean anything serious with this, did he?”
  

“I thought so but others don’t.”
  

She laughed, “I think it may have something to do with the kind of person he is, a good writer is an artist.”
   “Exactly,” Sam said, “after all, I cannot find it a horrible experience for a writer to express his feelings about what he thinks he must.”
   It was then that she raised her eyes and looked at the name of the author.
  “Could it be that,” she said, “many have reacted to this poem because of his origin?”
  By now they had walked almost ten minutes, and a whooping sound of a tree echoed from a distance. Monrovia had woken up to a breezing morning, for December was a period of strong but painful winds.
   “Actuality,” Sam said, “the author creates an exaggeration, and it’s a wonder many have not considered the artistry nature of his poem, rather describing it as insensitive, an attempt to hurt those who believe in Jesus.”
    “I can identify with that,” she said, “for in these days after the war, it appears that there are people who have made themselves authority on what one should write.”
    “I cannot imagine any anger from those who have been crying out against his poem,” Sam said, “but assuming that they know Christ…” A sound interrupted him, and Sam found himself holding on to the young woman, as they walked sideways away from a huge truck of UN officers.

2
   Sam knew the anger of those who had allowed religious intolerance to consume them. Such people had lost all traces of the essential quality of tolerance. There were stories, one in particular, where a fatwa, a religious edit was pronounced on the head of an author for writing what was described as blasphemous against a religion, and the author had to live in hiding for many years.
    There was another story he had been aware of when a filmmaker was butchered to death for what was described as his insults to a particular religion. But all those were on the extreme, where individuals constituted themselves as judges for the divine.
     But in the current case, the author made an exaggeration comparison on bygone events in Liberia, and many of his Christian countrymen felt offended.
     What many of those who did not think there was anything to be angered about said the real issue was not considered, and that was not fair to the writer. It was apparent that like the examples above, those angered by the poem constituted themselves as judges for the Lord Jesus Christ, when the Lord did not need any human organization to do that.
   And that was the understanding that became the focus of attention a day after Sam had engaged Ms. Wilson in a friendly discussion on the matter.
 

     On the third day, Sam encountered Ms. Wilson at a friend’s party, and the author’s poem was the talk at the gathering, as both enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, at the Gardnersville residence where the party was held.
    “Did you read it?” said Martie Brown, twenty four, holding a piece of paper in his hands, “it was like waow, how he could do that?”
     ‘Were you offended?” Sam asked, “he did not really mean it?”
     “He did not mean what?”
     “You know,” Sam said, “as the poem said, it is not true that Jesus died in Liberia.”
    “I know that.”
    “So then,” Sam said, “why are you not happy about the poem?”
    “Isn’t the writer a Muslim?”
    “Yeah, so?”
    “Why he did not write about his prophet, Mohammed?”
     “Is that why you are not happy about it?”
    “Yeah.”
    “How are you not happy?”
   “Because the writer doesn’t believe in Jesus the way we do.”
   “Okay,” Sam said, “so then what?”
   “I think,” Brown said, “he had some agenda.”
    “Do you know it?”
    “Well,” she said, “I think he wants people to believe that …Oh, I don’t know.”
    Sam regarded her for a while and said, “So because he is a Muslim therefore what he wrote made you unhappy?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why?”
Brown did not provide the answer, and after sometime said, “I think the whole thing is just stupid, why am I getting vex, that question I have not been able to answer it.”
     Sam said, “I think all those who are unhappy about Konneh’s poem are behaving like those Muslim fanatics that we are aware of.”
     She said, “Hmmm!!!”
    Sam said, “For a fact, Christians are supposed to tolerate others, and even pray for those who hate them, the Bible says that, right?”
    “I know,” she said, “but…”
    “But what?”
    “The Bible is hard to understand.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yeah,” she said, “because someone wrote something and mentioned Jesus’ name and here some of us pretending we are righteous enough to condemn him.”
    “The point is clear,” Sam said, “why should Christians do, in such a situation?”
     She said, “I think we should not be like those who insult or threaten other’s life because something is said or written about Jesus.”
     Sam said, “That’s nice of you.”
     “If you know Jesus,” she said, “you will love all people and never be angry with someone who might have said something against Him.”
     Sam said, “But the poem deals with issues in and about Liberia.”
    She turned to look at him, turning the paper in her hand around.
    “Look here,” she said, “I like this part.”
     Sam said, “What part?”
     She pointed her finger, and said: “Here.”

From Konneh’s Poem

One side demanded: Change Now! Change Now! Change Now!
The other side reacted: No Change! No Change! No Change!
and they couldn’t find the middle ground
that was necessary to save the day.
Who tells you that Jesus died 2000 years ago?
No, Jesus did not die over there,
he died on April 12, 1980
in Liberia.

      She said, “This is about the time the politicians were preparing to turn things in liberia upside down.”
    “Yeah,” he said, “what about the using of Jesus…”
   “Oh,” she interrupted him, “that’s the part I like.”
  “Okay,” Sam said, “what you think of the writer of the poem?”
   “I think,” she said, “he is a genius and he deserves support and not any form of condemnation.”
    “That is,” Sam said, “if you know Jesus…”
    “Yeah,” she said, “it is good to know the real Jesus, and not on superficial basis, as those claiming to defend him are doing.”
    “Your judgment is hard,” Sam said, “don’t you think so?
   “No,” she said, “because I know the real Jesus, who said we must love because He loves us.”
      
     The party was about to begin, and there were people moving about. There was also an announcement from a young woman, whose brother was celebrating his return from the United States. Music came to life and drinks were being served.
     Sam admired Ms. Brown’s understanding of the poems, and believed that if many of those who had shown their unwillingness to accept the author’s explanation could just imagine themselves as real Christians, they could be more tolerant on the views of a writer, whose interest was bring a situation to light.
     “Can we dance?”
     “Yes,” Sam said, holding on to Ms. Brown’s hand, as they moved away to join the crowd.

Comments (25)

	1. 18-12-2009 14:36
	Renaissance Movement This is the beginning of the renaissanc movement in Liberian literature. However, it will take time for Liberians to reccognize this movement and accept and understand the values, concepts, and the dynamism of literature.     In order to understand literature, in general, we must be first acknowledge its historical progression-from pre-modernism to modernism, post-modernism, and the objectives-naturalism, realism, sexuality, naturalism, alienation, politics (protests in all forms), marginality, romanticism, and the list goes on.     Recognizing one of these elements in a literary piece is one of the difficult tasks that confronts today’s scholars-from all walks of life.     Unfortunately, misconception and or inability to identify meanings in literary works on premise of either non-English major or lack of discipline in literature and deliberate and scornful reproach upon works and their authors were and have not been accepted and supported because this subject is a perquisite to acquiring the abilities of reasoning and solving complex problems on one hand, and open-mindedness and positive mental attitude towards it, on the other hand.     Science and technology are off-springs of literature and greatly benefit from it. Democracy, religion, and religious tolerance, and overall peaceful co-existence are the results of literature.     Let’s also accept the fact that the under-the-surface meanings in a work or what the author is trying to convey is a difficult task.     But freeing our minds of judgments before hand and prejudices toward the authors either because of their social, political, demographic, and religious backgrounds, are the beginning of our strengths and wisdom to unraveling the implicitly satiric or allegoric syntaxes in their works.     I personally understand Konneh’s “Jesus Died in Liberia” as a symbolic work- in which his characters and events are representing other things and symbolically expressing a deeper, often spiritual, moral, or political meaning.     Unfortunately, its perceived satirical nature is the result of the author’s social, political, demographic, and religious backgrounds.     This is not healthy in the community of scholars and in the literary sphere. Most importantly, all works regardless of genre,  nationality, tribe, and religion must be treated with respect and dignity along side or Concomitantly with literay criticisms.

Toteh, Thomas Kai

	2. 19-12-2009 15:28
	Right on Target Hi Thomas, youare right on target that this is the beginning of the Liberian literary renaissance. All of the discussion and dialogue about our country have for long been dominated by politic and religion and it's about time we begin to chanell some of the dialogue through creative literary works such as poetry, short stories, essays, dramas and even spoken words. Most of our people don't understand creative arts but through our efforts, they will come to understand and appreciate it. We have to make literature relevant to our Liberian expereince. Thanks very much for your contribution to the dialogue.

Nvasekie Konneh

	3. 20-12-2009 08:18
	Right on Target Mr. Konneh don't give me that garbage about (creative art), you know exactly what you're up to when ever the government is deciding to give or to removed any mandigoe from a position you fellows will come up with something like this on Liberianforum, Therefore tell those baby birds these kind of babe-babe talk not me.     do you know really the late president Tolbert? I sat in his church and listen to him preach and attended many state banquets at his home in Bensonville, my son mother side have intermarriage relationship with the late president Tolbert therefore don't give me that garbage... get a life. you guys are like a conquest in Liberia, just the other time the former president of L.U was hustling a job to become Liberia ambassador in Nigeria we saw an article came up "are Mandingoes not Liberians? when Alihagi Kromah was running to for senate we saw another article came up again about tribalism is destroying Liberia...let Liberians vote for Kromah he is the right person. when Mr. Kromah lose his massage was "I lose the war but not the battle" always you keep showing hate for us just a small group in Liberia many of those are immigrants (95%), you have manage to reach that far in that country yet you complaining eventually you'll blow off as I have said we all will be sorry...because some of us will not sit around and let our people suffer pain...many of us have generation over generation in that country...we're not like for example, Mr. Thomas Barnard driver late Sakou Bility children inflict pain on us...this is just one man who came to Liberia and had children. one man-one man.    Therefore just count your blessing and thank God.    some one was talking about tupac...Well if any one shot me make sure you get me good because if you miss...I 'll come back with all I have period.

Gargar

	4. 20-12-2009 09:00
	Right on Target Secondly, I was one of the teens who were interview by journalist Gabriel Nimely from the station called eternal love winning Africa (ELWA) back in the seventies I praise Tolbert on the air, plus, I was the same teen who recommended the corrupt practice the minister of Labor youth and sports Minister Peel which might have lead to his removel.     Thirdly, you begin to called Israel at that time of Jesus as Palestine. My friend I have six senses.

Gargar

	5. 20-12-2009 09:51
	Right on Target I've been speaking out about Liberia since I was a teen...even if I am giving money to hurt Liberia I refuse GUS the Dutchman I refuse to help him migrate to Liberia, nice meeting you... I fear no evil.

Gargar Brown

	6. 20-12-2009 12:30
	Right on Target Gargar, you may continue with your hate messages, but it will not shake us a bit. The love of liberty met us in Liberia. We were born there, we grew up there, we were educated there, we contributed immensely toward the development of that country, and WE ARE THERE TO STAY. This is not about Nvasekie Konneh. You I just an anti-Mandingo agent. You better get a life. Remember, we are getting stronger every day; I mean physically, mentally, financially, and educationally http://forum

Mr. Sackor

	7. 20-12-2009 13:01
	Literature is like music Nvaseki,    It speaks all the languages. That's literature. It is above tribe nad religion. make no mistakes.       Keep on writing in any styles as you wish. If you are a Muslim and want to project Muslim ideology or project Christian ills is your democratic and God’s giving rights . I have been reading and studying American literature where every ethnic group, including, underdog-African Americans; use literature to record their past victimization by the society of which they are an integral part.     The Anthology of American literature is intended to expose students to the realities of America’s past; where it came from and how it became what is today.     Indians tell their stories, African Americans tell their stories, native Americans tell their stories, women tell their stories, immigrants, who later on arrived to seek green or greener pastures tell their stories.     Socialists, capitalists, Muslims, Christians, and other religions, sects, doctrines, and philosophies all tell their stories in different styles and genres.     The various stories then met at the interception and branched into different destinations and arrived with at commonm purpose. And that purpose is   Christians accept Muslims’testimonies and vice-versa; Socialists accept capitalists’ testimonies and vice-versa; Native Americans accept African -Americans testimonies and vice-versa; and etc.     So what happens, vibrance and viability became the hallmark of tolerance to which billions of people around the globe not only admire but want to be a part.     We shall not and let no one and no one will succeed in supressing this noble subject that is a major part of our national healing and reconciliation.    Long Live Liberia And Africa!!  Allahu-Akbar-God is Great.

Toteh, Thomas Kai

	8. 20-12-2009 15:30
	Jesus save us from Al-quada Because of Taylor's role in assisting the rebels of Sierra Leone, the State Department of Bill Clinton urged the United Nations to place economic sanctions on Liberia. The government of Charles Taylor denied any further involvement with the rebels in Sierra Leone, but to no avail. As a result of the pressure brought on by the United States through the United Nations, Liberia was squeezed unbearably and the people suffered.    With Taylor weakened, a group of rebels who were principally Muslim, began a civil war using neighboring Guinea as a staging area. The United States gave $3 million to help the army of Guinea, and I have on good authority that at least two containers of arms were sent by the United States to the port of Monrovia in Liberia to be used by the rebels against Taylor.    Guinea is a Muslim country ruled by a capricious and ruthless dictator. If the Taylor government falls, the Muslim rebels are hoping to overrun Liberia, which is a predominantly Christian nation. If they do so, it is feared that a vicious civil war will result leaving the nation bleeding and in chaos  -----------------------------  Comment;;;;;;;;;;    This is where Jesus save Liberia I wondering why the Ellen Lead government have to declare national holiday for fasting in the nation?....

Setup

	9. 20-12-2009 15:35
	Jesus save us from Al-quada I agree with Mr. sakor, mandingoes are increasing its population sooner or later they'll become the majority group in Liberia, as a mandingoes just enter Liberia you can obtain automatic citizenship through your brothers in the mosque.

Setup

	10. 20-12-2009 18:11
	reply to post#08 That comment was made by one of America leading Evangelist Pat Robertson who saw that signed of the aftermath of Charles Taylor absent by the rebel I thought it will be over when Charles Taylor leave Liberia... it was one evening I was on the golf court happy Charles Taylor was finally leaving I heard a voice do you think it is over when Charles Taylor leave Liberia? there will be more bloodshed worse than this I was so frighten...I called one of the former Liberia government official and said do you believed in Jesus? he said yes I do I was told that the bloodshed is not over yet even in the absent of Taylor but this what the Lord want me to do it will help...it has been over three weeks I have been ignoring this called he reply to me do it immediately, I said I need some one to help me with this can you help me put in some word? he said OK...he did immediately things started moving three days later I told him the lord said Taylor will leave everything will be restored in Liberia but one thing I was told also your dead mother is awaiting you back home and you will go back home...he said I can wait to returned home...one day it was announcement Taylor will leave I called him and told him Taylor will leave he reply me I cannot believed that until I see him on the plane I was in the Congo he was in the U.S we held the phone from his end and my end until Taylor got on the plane...I was told by the lord Ellen will be the prefect person for that position she will return confidence to Liberia all of that came to pass... The person who he and I made the effort returned home to Liberia just after Taylor left two years later he died on April 24, 2007 and was buried right by his dear Mother who was awaiting him... May his soul rest in peace.... whay Ellen is waiting for to declare holiday day of fasting?.    There is power in the blood of the lamb......Many thanks to my dear wife who help me with this task....I will continue loving you from Jesus Christ...Nothing you'll do wrong will not be forgiven through Jesus Christ......    There is power in the blood of the Lamb.... Merry Christmas....to Jesus....

Gargar Brown

	11. 20-12-2009 18:17
	Jesus save us from Al-quada There is power in the blood of the lamb   -----------------------------    Would you be free from the burden of sin?   There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;   Would you o’er evil a victory win?   There’s wonderful power in the blood.     Refrain     There is power, power, wonder working power   In the blood of the Lamb;   There is power, power, wonder working power   In the precious blood of the Lamb.     Would you be free from your passion and pride?   There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;   Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide;   There’s wonderful power in the blood.     Refrain     Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?   There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;   Sin stains are lost in its life giving flow.   There’s wonderful power in the blood.     Refrain     Would you do service for Jesus your King?   There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;   Would you live daily His praises to sing?   There’s wonderful power in the blood

Gargar Brown

	12. 20-12-2009 18:31
	Jesus save us from Al-quada Mr. Thomas Toteh was right this is democracy everyone should have the right to air there view...it is two ways street Mr. Konneh have the right I too have the right without been called hater. I cannot be label meanwhile some else enjoying his right without been label.    Think about it....

Gargar

	13. 20-12-2009 20:38
	Jesus save us from Al-quada let God help Liberia rebel like Thomas Toteh who have human blood on his hands calling himself journalist too.

camara

	14. 20-12-2009 21:51
	Rebel? let God help Liberia rebel like Camara who have human blood on his hands accusing others of being rebels.

Rebel

	15. 20-12-2009 22:15
	Coward camara If we want to single out rebels who have blood on their hands then we would have no Liberia, you coward.    You know what I mean unless you are dumb as your comments suggest.    I am Thomas Kai Toteh. What is your name?    If you are a real man identify yourself and prove how I am a  rebel and you are not.     If you don't identify yourself then you are a coward. You are afraid of me, fool.    I am Thomas Kai Toteh. Who are you?     You are the rebel because you are acting under disguise.    I am open because I identify myself and have nothing to hide.  I repeat, you are a coward.    You will remain camara forever, you dumb. I know that you are now embarrassed and will come with another fake name. I repeat, you are a coward and I am glad my detractors are not strong enough to face me. Thank you God, for making powerful before my enemies.

Toteh, Thomas Kai

	16. 20-12-2009 23:27
	An Invitation to debate Mr./Miss./Mrs. camara.  I am inviting to you to a debate on the topic: reconciliation and transformation in post war Liberia.    You have the option to write an essay or let’s do it in the comment section. Come on, camara. Let’s face it as academicians instead of hiding behind fake names and throwing words around calling others names only because of their stance.     However, you need to properly identify yourself in this debate so that our audience can identify and know who their debauchees are and what they stand for.     I am waiting in good faith. Please be a gentleman and open up in good faith as well.

Toteh, Thomas Kai

	17. 21-12-2009 20:58
	Jesus is Lord Hey...Gargar I will email Gbassage to straighten all of your posting... Merry Christmas brother gargar as you've said let your readers struggle to get the facts. Gbassage with journalist writing provide no proper info.     brother gargar don't be nerve to post.

Ravens

	18. 22-12-2009 14:20
	Good Work Great; O.J. this work made me to think about one of Plato's works where in he was giving a record on Socrates and one of his friends called Crito. in this discussion we saw how Socrate used reasoning to convinced his friend Criton of the necessity not to escape his death... and i pray that this your work will serves as moral to the nation at large....    And to the person calling himself Camara, i think you comments were counter productive, and i even belief that it is one of those Anti mandigoes hidding behind names, you are really a coward...

Saliho Donzo

	19. 22-12-2009 19:50
	camara? He is an anti-unity-Mandinigo element of subnormal intelligence; masquerading as camara (small letter c) Mandnigo or Muslim name-to make me change my stance.     He posed as camara to make me think that he is a mandigo man.   You stupid camara, you are far behind the new world we are building for Liberia.     You can not stop it. Please sit on the periphery and watch while we rebuild the country you and others have spoiled by means of divisiveness.     Please shut up. I respect Liberians who can identify themselves on this forum. camara, dj, sj, sr, pc, and etc. can say anything about anything and about anybody because they are masked.     Please unmask yourself so that Liberians can take you seriously.     Victory to Liberia and Afria!!    Long live Liberia and Africa!!    Down with our enemies like camaras!!    camaras minus Liberia and Africa equals Liberia and Africa!!!

Toteh, Thomas Kai

	20. 22-12-2009 20:24
	camara? Mali's population consists of diverse Sub-Saharan ethnic groups, sharing similar historic, cultural, and religious traditions. Exceptions are the Tuaregs and Maurs, desert nomads, related to the North African Berbers. The Tuaregs traditionally have opposed the central government. Starting in June 1990, armed attacks in the north by Tuaregs seeking greater autonomy led to clashes with the military. In April 1992, the government and most opposing factions signed a pact to end the fighting and restore stability in the north. Its major aims are to allow greater autonomy to the north and increase government resource allocation to what has been a traditionally impoverished region. The peace agreement was celebrated in 1996 in Timbuktu during an official and highly publicized ceremony called Flamme de la Paix--peace flame.    Historically, good inter-ethnic relations throughout the rest of the country were facilitated by easy mobility on the Niger River and across the country's vast savannahs. Each ethnic group was traditionally tied to a specific occupation, all working within close proximity. The Bambara, Malinke, and Dogon are farmers; the Fulani, Maur, and Tuareg are herders; the Soninkés or Saracolés are traders; while the Bozo are fishers. In recent years, this linkage has shifted as ethnic groups seek diverse, nontraditional sources of income.    Although each ethnic group speaks a separate language, nearly 80% of Malians communicate in Bambara (Mandingoe), the common language of the marketplace. Malians enjoy a relative harmony rare in African states.    The most productive agricultural area lies along the banks of the Niger River between Bamako and Mopti and extends south to the borders of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. Average rainfall varies in this region from 50 centimeters per year (20 in.) around Mopti to 140 centimeters (55 in.) in the south near Sikasso. This area is most important for the production of cotton, rice, millet, corn, vegetables, tobacco, and tree crops.      A Major political party in Mali  -----------------------------  the Union for Republic and Democracy (URD), which won 36. The former majority party at the National Assembly...(in Liberia a main mandingoe rebel group is called (LURD) when they gain power in Liberia it was going to carry that...LURD.      French military penetration of the Soudan (the French name for the area) began around 1880. Ten years later, the French made a concerted effort to occupy the interior. The timing and resident military governors determined methods of their advances. A French civilian governor of Soudan was appointed in 1893, but resistance to French control did not end until 1898, when the Malinké(Mandingoe) warrior "Samory Touré" was defeated after 7 years of war. The French attempted to rule indirectly, but in many areas they disregarded traditional authorities and governed through appointed chiefs. As the colony of French Soudan, Mali was administered with other French colonial territories as the Federation of French West Africa....     Later the Mandingoe warrior "Samory Touré" moved to Guinea to settle with many of its people...where they defeated the people of that land. Merry Christmas..

damage goods

	21. 23-12-2009 01:10
	camara? The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 by a military coup - led by the current president Amadou TOURE - enabling Mali's emergence as one of the strongest democracies on the continent. President Alpha KONARE won Mali's first democratic presidential election in 1992 and was reelected in 1997. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, KONARE stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE, who was subsequently elected to a second term in 2007. The elections were widely judged to be free and fair  -----------------------------        Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequal distribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export, along with gold. The government has continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 have pushed up economic growth to a 5% average in 1996-2008. Worker remittances and external trade routes for the landlocked country have been jeopardized by continued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire.

damage goods

	22. 23-12-2009 17:16
	camara? The Tuaregs have been fighting to gain their own autonomy from The Bambara, Malinke, Dogon those are composed of the Mandingoe group and speak it Mali. and never want to leave power but hold on to it.

James

	23. 23-12-2009 19:05
	reply to post#6 Mr. called Sakor, according to the history the late Samori toure who lead the Mandingo speaking people to Guinea was still in Mali when Liberia got her independent.... How on earth Mr. Sackor said they Mandingo were in Liberia before her independence?...."French military penetration of the Soudan (the French name for the area) began around 1880. Ten years later, the French made a concerted effort to occupy the interior. The timing and resident military governors determined methods of their advances. A French civilian governor of Soudan was appointed in 1893, but resistance to French control did not end until 1898, when the Malinké(Mandingoe) warrior "Samory Touré" was defeated after 7 years of war" years after he moved to Guinea.

Gargar Brown

	24. 24-12-2009 11:06
	Psalm:115, 4-8 4 But their idols are silver and gold,  made by the hands of men.    5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,  eyes, but they cannot see;    6 they have ears, but cannot hear,  noses, but they cannot smell;    7 they have hands, but cannot feel,  feet, but they cannot walk;  nor can they utter a sound with their throats.    8 Those who make them will be like them,  and so will all who trust in them

Gargar

	25. 25-12-2009 11:57
	Psalm:115, 4-8 Thanks Jesus Christ for giving us back our land, by protecting us from take over...your mercy endure forever.

peasant

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