ECOWAS tells President Boakai, encourages him to unify Liberians
Monrovia: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., today held a meeting with the delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), headed by the Commission’s President, H.E. Omar Touray, at the Executive Mansion.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss crucial issues related to nation-building, reconciliation, and the future of Liberia.
H.E. Omar Touray expressed the ECOWAS Commission’s appreciation for the warm reception and formally congratulated President Boakai on his election and the peaceful transition of power. He emphasized the significance of this achievement not only for the people of Liberia but for the Sub-region as a whole.
He promised the West African Sub-region’s support for Liberia’s bid for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
Ambassador Touray highlighted the critical importance of nation-building in Liberia, emphasizing that the process of strengthening the country’s political, economic, and social systems is essential for its long-term stability and prosperity. He assured President Boakai of Liberia that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will remain a steadfast partner in these efforts. Ambassador Touray’s statement underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to providing ongoing support and resources to aid the President in unifying the nation and driving development initiatives. This partnership aims to foster peace, security, and progress, ensuring that Liberia can thrive and its citizens can enjoy a better quality of life. By reiterating ECOWAS’s dedication, Ambassador Touray conveyed a strong message of regional solidarity and collaboration, crucial for the success of nation-building endeavors in Liberia.
Ambassador Touray noted, “Nation-building is important, and we will continue to support you as President in your efforts to lead all of Liberia, with ECOWAS remaining at the service of the country.”
Responding, President Boakai expressed his gratitude for the visit and underscored its importance. He also appreciated the ECOWAS Elections Observatory missions and their support during the country’s electoral process.
The Liberian leader expressed gratitude to the Liberian people for their commitment to ensuring a peaceful and democratic transfer of power.
He emphasized the need to focus on conflict prevention, providing basic services, and strengthening the security sector to ensure regional stability.
President Boakai stated, “Liberia in the next two years will be an example for the region, a peaceful and transparent country where all citizens, including the opposition, can enjoy freedom and transparency.”
The meeting also addressed concerns and plans for the future, with President Boakai reaffirming his commitment to transparency and accountability.
He noted optimistically, “The A.R.R.E.S.T. Agenda will be achieved steadily and Liberia will continue to make strides towards reconciliation and progress for all.”
Both sides discussed various issues, including progress on the establishment of the war crimes court, potential misuse of the region for proxy wars, challenges faced by ECOWAS in engaging countries threatening to leave the Organization, and fashioning a united front for the region in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
The President concluded by expressing his optimism for a brighter future for Liberia and extended his appreciation to ECOWAS for their ongoing support.
The discussions reflected a shared commitment to working together for the betterment of Liberia and the region as a whole. President Boakai and the ECOWAS Delegation acknowledged the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation to address the diverse challenges facing the nation and the West African Sub-region.
The high-level delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) arrival in Liberia creates an intriguing parallel with former President Weah’s recent complaint to the President of the ECOWAS Commission. The timing of the visit seems to coincide with Weah’s concerns about an alleged unprovoked attack by state security forces against the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), a political party in Liberia.
Former President Weah, who currently serves as a senator in Liberia, raised the alarm about the purported attack on the CDC and called on ECOWAS to investigate the matter. The delegation’s presence in the country at this critical juncture has sparked speculation about the potential connection between their visit and Weah’s complaint.
The ECOWAS delegation is scheduled to meet with former President Weah before departing Liberia tomorrow, adding a layer of significance to their visit. The meeting is expected to address a range of issues, including the alleged attack on the CDC and broader concerns about political stability and security in Liberia.
The timing of these events has not gone unnoticed by political observers in the region, who see the convergence of Weah’s complaint and the ECOWAS delegation’s visit as a potentially pivotal moment for Liberia’s political landscape. The outcome of the meeting between the delegation and Weah could have far-reaching implications for the country’s future direction and the ongoing dialogue around democratic governance and human rights.
As the ECOWAS delegation prepares to engage with key stakeholders in Liberia, including former President Weah, all eyes are on the outcome of their discussions and any potential actions that may result from their visit. The situation remains fluid, with both domestic and international observers closely monitoring developments as they unfold.
Other members of the ECOWAS Commission who attended the meeting were Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission; Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, Special Representative of ECOWAS to Liberia; and Mr. Nathaniel Walker, Director for Political Affairs-ECOWAS office-Liberia.
On the side of the Government of Liberia were Minister Sylvester Grigsby, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs; Honorable Oswald Tweh, Minister of Justice; Honorable Samuel Kofi Woods, Security Adviser to the President; Cllr. Bushuben Keita, Legal Adviser to the President; Honorable Morley P. Kamara, Economic Adviser; Ambassador Al Hassan Conteh, Liberia’s Ambassador to Nigeria; Honorable Ibrahim Al-Bakri Nyei, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Honorable Jeddi Armah, Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Ambassador George W. Wallace, Jr., Special Advisor to the President on Foreign Affairs.
