-Politicians, Civil Society groups, others invited
By Mark N. Mengonfia –mmenginfia@gmail.com
Just days after the June 7 protest against ongoing economic hardship and bad governance, Liberian President George M. Weah on Tuesday proposed a national roundtable dialogue with opposition political parties, Civil Society organizations, traditional and religious leaders.
The President’s statement came in an address to the nation from his private residence in the Monrovia suburb of Paynesville broadcast on radio.
“We will have to come together to devise and support new measures which are necessary to address the structural defects and imbalances in our economy,” the President said, acknowledging that every citizen has a vested interest in the peace and economic development of our country.
“My Government recognizes that the alternative views of all citizens are equally vital in finding a way forward,” he said, adding: “It is because of this fact that I now take the opportunity to again invite the leaders of political parties, civil society groups, elders, religious leaders, our traditional leaders, student leaders and the business community to a round-table discussion to afford them the opportunity to present their alternative views or their suggestions on the economy.”
In announcing the planned national conference, President Weah did not say whether he has officially received copy of the June 7 protesters’ petition they said would have been delivered to his office yesterday (Monday June 10, 2019). But it comes five days after the Council of Pretrial failed to present their petitions to the Liberian government last Friday, the day of the protest.
But addressing the nation on Tuesday, president Weah called on the protest organizers (Council of Patriots), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other national bodies to come to the pending meeting with their ideas that will help improve Liberia.
The Liberian leader did not give a date for the roundtable dialogue.
But in his massage, he acknowledged the wave of happenings including deteriorating economic situation in the country and the general hardships, among others.
“”Bring your ideas to the table, and I assure you that they will be given my most careful consideration,” the Standard Bearer of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) said.
President Weah was quick to say that all of those challenges can be addressed with the help of every Liberian.
President Weah in his massage praised the June 7 protesters for the peaceful way they conducted themselves during the protest.
The Liberian leader also thanked the Liberia National Police for the manor and form they managed the situation on June 7, 2019.
In another development, President Weah is expected to leave Liberia on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 to attend the inauguration of Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari and also pay a working visit to Libreville, Gabon.
A communication from the President surfaced on the agenda of the House of Representatives, but was later removed without any information.