-As Liberians observe 20 years after the civil war.
President George Weah has warned political actors against what he sees as a consistent act of beating drums of war, says it is unhealthy for Liberians to bring tension to themselves.
At a recent event commemorating the observance of 20 years of peace, the President said, “The peace, is our peace, we have to maintain”. “Let’s tune our speeches” when we talk, let’s talk about peace”.
He added, “We need to be Liberians, Liberians are peaceful people, what happened to us was a mistake, let it not happen again,” he said but further stressed, “We can’t continue to threaten someone, let’s not bring tension to ourselves.”
As disclosed by the President, attempt of beating drums of war isn’t safe for the country. “We are fighting for peace, we can’t continue to threaten someone.” Let’s not bring tension to ourselves.”
During events like the commemoration of about 20 years of peace the country and its people have enjoyed, the President said the presence of all political leaders is important, as it also contributes towards maintaining the peace.
He frowned at the absence of political leaders from the occasion, and all other occasions that are relatives to the peace, growth and development of the country.
“What change today?” He questioned, and noted that there used to be a cordial relationship between political parties, but according to him, it has changed because of the wrong turn he believes the political spectrum of the country has taken.
Meanwhile, the President guaranteed his government’s commitment to ensuring peaceful, credible and transparent elections comes October 10, 2023, and also vowed to respect the people’s decision.
“If it’s not me, I will stay be in this community,” but said if the people decide to elect him, especially on a first round victory, it is their will and decision and such should be respected.
He added, “We are peace makers and we are doing our best to have free, fair and transparent elections.”
He sees it unrealistic when opposition politicians default with their frequent message if one round victory. According to the President, it is very possible for any candidate to win in the first round of the elections, and if the voters deem it necessary to do so for them, their will must be regarded as a genuine one.
In the President’s opinion, the opposition community (especially Unity Party) lack of trust in the National Elections Commission (NEC), is an attribute of dishonesty and questioned their victory at the presidency in two separate elections and under whose administration the NEC leadership at the time was appointed.
“If you don’t trust the system, how you won two elections?” He asked, and further addd, “If we don’t trust them, than who we will trust?”
However, the President encouraged political parties ensure the presence and participation of their observers throughout the process, in the midst of other international observers. “Sent your observers to the process,” he tells them.
At the same time, President George Weah hailed Amb Juli Endee, and all other women of Liberia for their unmeasurable contribution to the peace and stability of the country.
“To our women, I want to thank you, you are powerful women, Liberian women are strong.” “Let’s maintain this time, this time is the best time.”
He further appreciated Liberians in general, and the international community for contributing to the maintenance of the peace in Liberia. The President said Liberians have a responsibility, considering that they have tasted war. “It’s our responsibility to promote peace.”
From his end, the Head of the European Union, Laurent Delahousse, said the last twenty years have seen a lot of changes, and as such, he doesn’t think Liberians want war.
According to him, Liberians are heading for a crucial process, so it is their responsibility to work for peace.
The outgoing EU Head said he’s confident that the process will go well, the peace will be kept, candidates will accept the results and the country will yield more fruits.
John Agyekun Kufuor, former President of Ghana’s representation at the occasion, expressed excitement for the honor, and for playing a significant role in the peace process of Liberia.
Amid the war, he stressed that there was a cardinal reason for peace, this; he highlighted as a major achievement during his term as Chairman of ECOWAS.
This which was manifested through the Accra Peace Accord, was described by the former President as a joint efforts by his colleagues at the time, and admonished Liberians to ensure that they grow the existing democracy and allow peace to rain.
Also in a statement delivered on behalf of the former President of Nigeria, Abdulsalami Abubakar, he termed the event as an important period to remember the country’s past.
He said the world will mean nothing, if the pending elections result to an outcome that’s similar to the civil unrest.
He passionately appealed to Liberians to remain peaceful throughout these processes, and said the regional wish that political actors will concur and Liberia will not go the wrong way.
In furtherance, he suggested the need for a bigger audience for the observance of the peace, and include those he termed as the real trouble makers.
The 20 years of uninterrupted peace KUKATORNON “We Are One” peace initiative was held in commemoration of the comprehensive peace agreement which ended the Liberia civil war on August 18, 2004, in Accra, Ghana.
This year’s edition was held by the Liberia Crusaders for Peaceunder the theme, Let’s sustain the peace”, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Liberia, on Friday August 18, 2023.
Twenty (20) years ago, on Christmas eve, December 24, 1989, Liberians and Foreign Residents listened to the most heart-breaking and disturbing news on the BBC, that Mr. Charles G. Taylor, leader of the defunct National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), reported that he and his rebel group had entered Liberia by way of Nimba County, in a Town called Butuo, situated on the Ivorian Border with Liberia to unseat Former President Samuel Kanyon Doe and his NDPL Government. This news went throughout the length and breadth of the Country with fear and terror.
However, from that day on, the rebel war fast spread in the entire Country; resulted to the assassination of Former President Samuel K. Doe by the defunct Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) at the Freeport of Monrovia, when the former President was in route to leave the Country; also, 250,000 people lost their lives; Liberians and non-Liberians, including the ECOMOG soldiers of the West African Peacekeeping force and Peacekeepers from the United Nations; amongst others.
The war, according to International Statistics cost the International Community (USS10,000,000,000) about Ten Billions United States Dollars, destroyed the properties of citizens and non- citizens, including the Liberian Economy, which is still struggling!
However, after many attempts to resolve the civil crisis, several Accords were held but to no avail.
Accordingly, on June 4, 2003, Eighteen Registered Political Parties, Civil Societies and Interest Groups under the leadership of ECOWAS, AU, UN and the International Community when to Accra, Ghana in order to find a peaceful solution to the Liberian Civil Crisis.
Therefore on August 18, 2003 in Accra, Ghana, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed by the Eighteen Registered Political Parties, the defunct warring parties, Civil Societies, Interest Groups and attested by Representatives of the International Community, amongst others.
In so doing and in observance of the 20 Anniversary Celebrations of the uninterrupted and successful Peace in Liberia, the Signatories to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) are celebrating Peace in collaboration with Kukatornon(We are One) of the Crusaders for Peace.
Furthermore, in observance of this all-important occasion, Signatories of the Accra Peace Agreement (OSAPA), a subsidiary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), appreciations to ECOWAS, AU, UN, the United States Government, the International Contact Group on Liberia (1CGL), including other International Organizations that made it possible to find a permanent solution to the Liberian Civil Crisis; which resulted to the Signing of the CPA of August 18, 2003, in Accra, Ghana.
