-Pres. Boakai tells Liberians to manage their expectations, as he fails to complete his inaugural address
By G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
Liberia’s twenty-sixth president, H.E. Joseph Nyumah Boakai has called for a national unity amongst all Liberian, stating that inorder to break free stronghold, the nation must unite to confront the challenges.
“We must unite to confront the challenges and break free from this stranghold, for we are one people indivisible with a common purpose, who must come together in our diversity to build a stable and harmonious society in which every man and woman, and every boy and girl can have a chance to live a dignified life.”
The president call for unity comes in the wake of a huge political difference that exist in the nation as shown by the October 10, and November 14, 2023 General and Presidential Run-Off elections.
On Monday, January 22, 2024, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai delivered his inaugural address following the fulfillment of Article 50 of the Liberian Constitution of 1986 which states that Each Presidential term begins and ends at noon on the third working Monday in January of the year immediately following the elections.,
The president acknowledged that the presidential election was hard fought and looked to have further divided the country politically and regionally.
However, intimated that what unites Liberians is bigger than what divides Liberian.
Therefore extending a hand of cooperation and peace to his political opponents, asserting that the common bond between all politicians is “Liberia” and the need to harness its potential for the good of its people.
“This presidential election was hard fought and looked to have further divided our country politically and regionally. But what unites us is bigger than what divides us. I am therefore extending a hand of cooperation and peace to my political opponents, knowing the common bond between us is “Liberia” and the need to harness its potential for the good of its people.”
The president continued the call for unity by emphasizing the need to work together as a nation, intimating that the people of the nation must work together or fail separately.
He assured all Liberians that he will be the President for all irrespective of whether one voted for him or not. and irrespective of party affiliation, county, religion, gender, region, and social and economic status.
Further adding that there is no contest between so-called “Green Liberia” and “Blue Liberia”, “Southeastern Liberia” and “North Central Liberia”. There is only one LIBERIA that all citizen shared.
“As is said, “We must work together or fail separately.” I am, therefore, assuring all Liberians that I will be the President for all irrespective of whether you voted for me or not, your party affiliation, county, religion, gender, region, and social and economic status. BThere is no contest between so-called “Green Liberia” and “Blue Liberia”, “Southeastern Liberia” and “North Central Liberia”. There is only one Liberia! We share a common citizenship!
In continuation, president Boakai recalled that Liberia as a nation has managed to withstand a checkered history. And experienced economic growth in the 50s and 60s; endured near state collapse in challenging times, scorched by political crisis and war; but preserved her sovereignty despite balkanization and two great wars.
At the same time, he noted that Liberia gained the respect of the world by resolving its deep fissures politically.
But acknowledged that there is seemingly perennial presence of the vestiges of Liberia’s foundational challenges still stare us in the face.
He assured that Liberia can overcome the challenges face as a country when it applies collective gifts and talents to this new course that seeks and draws from the exceptionalism that Liberia is.
“I believe we can overcome the challenges we face as a country when we apply our collective gifts and talents to this new course we seek and draw from the exceptionalism that Liberia is.”
