Gbarnga, Bong County: President George Manneh Weah has brokered peace amongst the political leaders of Bong County, the Executive Mansion has disclosed.
According to a press release from the Liberian Presidency, the move by President Weah is enthusiastically welcomed by citizens of the county.
There has been a long-running rancor amongst members of the Legislative Caucus and some officials of the county, spurred by political differences that has been underpinning unity, as well as stalling efforts toward peace, reconciliation and development.
The acrimony reportedly spanned many years, as far back as when President Weah was Senator of Montserrado County. On Saturday, March 31, 2018, President Weah used a ‘Welcome and Thanksgiving Program’ in his honor at the Gbarnga Administrative Building to bring the divided officials together; urging them to work together in the interest of the county and citizens.
Amid thunderous cheers by citizens, including elders, youth groups and students at the occasion, the Bong officials, comprised of Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, Senator Henry Yallah, Representatives Prince Moye, Edward Kafiah and J. Marvin Cole, held hands together on top of the President’s hand and released them together, in a show of oneness and love, symbolically committing themselves to working in unison.
The President, who recalled how the issue of disunity among officials of the county was highlighted to him during the campaign, said it was about time officials came together in the interest of the county.
“I am glad to be here, and I want to thank you, the people of Bong County, for giving me the opportunity to serve you. Before I became President, I came here to campaign, and all I heard was disunity; your leaders are against each other”; the President narrated. He, however, committed himself, as President, to ensuring “that we all come together to work in the interest of Bong County,” President Weah said.
The Liberian Leader told the gathering of Bong citizens that the alternative is always war, when people refuse to work together, as was the case of the civil war when people “paid big price because of little things”.
Before the event on Saturday, the President had earlier met with the leaders in Monrovia, to urge them to put peace and unity at the top of their agenda for the common good of the county. Also, in spite of what might have been said about him during the campaign, President Weah told Bong citizens he was their president, and encouraged them to count on him “for a prosperous and better Liberia, and also, Bong County.”
Earlier, Senator Henry Yallah, Chair of the Bong Legislative Caucus, and Representative J. Marvin Cole thanked the President for the able manner he is steering the affairs of the country, mainly the reconciliatory actions he has taken in the county.
For his part, Representative Cole referred to the quality and the tribal balance of appointments President Weah made in the county as being in the spirit of friendship and unity. The leadership confrontation in the county started during the reign of some ex-lawmakers, such as current Vice President Taylor, then Senator of Bong.