-As he begins official visit to Senegal
Dakar, Senegal: As he began his visit to Senegal on Thursday, Liberia’s new President George Manneh Weah has told his Senegalese counterpart President Macke Sall that “he realizes that his government will not be able to deliver on the promise of change for the betterment of Liberia and the people of Liberia, without urgent and significant assistance from friendly governments.”
An Executive Mansion dispatch from Dakar President Weah, who was given a rousing welcome when he arrived for his first official visit to Senegal on Thursday, used the occasion to inform the Senegalese President about the deplorable state of the Liberian economy and stressed that unemployment is at an unprecedented high.
“President Weah acknowledged that expectations are extremely high, and that – such as the Government of Senegal and other friendly institutions,” the dispatch said.
The 51-year-old Liberian leader came to power on a popular mandate winning over 61% in the November 7,2017 presidential runoff election, defeating the Vice President of the former ruling Unity Party (UP), Joseph Baoaki on a “change for hope” mantra.
“President Weah informed his Senegalese counterpart that youth unemployment remains one of the greatest threats to peace and long-term stability in Liberia, and appealed to the Senegalese Government to support his administration in any way that they can in an effort to jump-start the Liberian economy,” the press statement from the Liberian presidency said.
With such support, the new Liberian leader said his three-week-old government would “concentrate on the structural adjustments; and institutional and policy frameworks, that will allow his administration to achieve sustainable and stable improvements in the economy, in the medium long term.”
Weah arrived in Dakar, Senegal amid a rousing welcome by host Government and Members of ECOWAS Parliament.
He is being accompanied by First Lady Clar Marie Weah, Hon. Gbehzongar Findley Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Trokon Kpui, Minister of State Without Portfolio, and Presidential Press Secretary Sam Mannah.
The Liberian President informed President Sall that he came to Senegal on a mission of gratitude and respect. The Liberian leader thanked the Senegalese leader for the very important role he played and continues to play in Africa and ECOWAS in fostering peace, stability and the rule of law.
He also lauded his Senegalese counterpart and the Government people of Senegal for their role in mediating a peaceful transition in Gambia.
Weah assured the Senegalese President of Senegal that under his administration as President, he will prioritize and do all that is necessary; to strengthen the bilateral relations that already subsists between Liberia and Senegal.
The Liberian leader further underscored the need to encourage significant increases in investment and trade between Liberia and Senegal.
For his part, the Senegalese President, Macky Sall expressed great delights to President Weah and his delegation for the visit, and congratulated him for his ascendency to the Presidency.
He assured the Liberian Leader that his Government stands ready to support the Weah-led government’s pro-poor agenda in the areas of capacity building, education and healthcare.
The Senegalese head of state further acknowledged the longstanding relationship that exists between both countries and the need to further strengthen that relationship for the common good of their respective countries.
Senegal is the first leg of President Weah’s three-nation visit. From Senegal, he will this weekend travel to Morocco for what the Executive Mansion says is a private visit, where he will be for a few days before going to France to begin an official visit to that European country.