Pres. Boakai’s Office Says Meeting “Was An Opportunity To Discuss Crucial Issues Related To Nation-Building, Reconciliation”
PHOTO: Pres. Boakai shakes hands with ECOWAS Commission’s President Omar Alieu Touray at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia (photo credit-E-Mansion_
By Our Staff Writer
The visit to Liberia of a high-powered delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 days after from President George Manneh Weah complaint against current President Joseph Nyuma Boakai alleging of attacks on CDC supporters was not as a result of that complaint, the ECOWAS Commission’s Omar Alieu Touray has clarified.
Mr. Touray said that the delegation’s visit to Liberia was planned before Weah’s the complaint was sent, yet there were reports that the complaint featured high in talks the delegation held with President Boakai.
The Executive Mansion said in a press release after the meeting that “the meeting was an opportunity to discuss crucial issues related to nation-building, reconciliation, and the future of Liberia”.
The visiting ECOWAS delegation also went over to former President Weah to hold discussions with him and top officials of his main opposition party, Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) in Monrovia on Tuesday.
The ECOWAS President’s clarification came amid some recent media reports that an ECOWAS delegation was coming to Liberia due to complaint former President Weah claiming that the Boakai government was using the national police to brutalize his CDC supporters, urging the intervention of the sub-regional grouping.
He told Journalists that his talks with President Boakai focused on ECOWAS continuing engagements with Liberia on several fronts including economic development, cooperation and consolidation of democracy.
But Mr. Touray explained that their visit to Monrovia had been scheduled prior to that as part of ECOWAS ongoing engagement with member states, something he pointed out coincided former President Weah’s complaint.
Meanwhile, in a press release said Omar Touray expressed ECOWAS Commission’s appreciation for the warm reception and formally congratulated President Boakai on his election as President and the peaceful transition of power, emphasizing the significance of this achievement for not only the people of Liberia but the Sub-region as a whole.
SEE FULL TEXT OF EXECUTIVE MANSION PRESS RELEASE BELOW:
President Boakai Meets With Visiting ECOWAS Delegation, Discuses Nation-Building and Reconciliation
August 27, 2024
Executive Mansion, Monrovia: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., today held a meeting with the delegation of the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), headed by the Commission’s President, H.E Omar Touray, at the Executive Mansion.
The meeting was an opportunity to discuss crucial issues related to nation-building, reconciliation, and the future of Liberia.
H.E Omar Touray expressed ECOWAS Commission’s appreciation for the warm reception and formally congratulated President Boakai on his election as President and the peaceful transition of power, emphasizing the significance of this achievement for not only the people of Liberia but 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 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 the importance of such a visit. He went on to also appreciate the ECOWAS Elections Observatory missions and their support during the country’s electoral process.
The Liberian Leader expressed gratitude to the Liberian people for a hard-won process and their commitment to ensure 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 oppositions, 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 that, “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 the progress on the establishment of the war crimes court, potential misuse of the region for proxy wars, the 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.
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.