President George Weah has admonished Liberians to maintain the peace and stability of the country as they prepared for 2023 general and Presidential elections.
The Liberian executive maintain that serving as peace Ambassador years ago, his focused was much more on ensuring that nothing interrupts the peace Liberians, their Neighbors and partners have suffered to achieve.
“I am happy that I served in that capacity, because the experience from there has strengthened me to be tolerant and respectful to others when their grievances are expressed”.
Speaking at the Bicentennial edition of the Kukatornon Peace Festival on Thursday, August 18, 2022, in Congo Town, President Weah noted that it is out of these experiences that he have developed the firm believe that an open and tolerant society is an essential element of peace and stability.
He narrated that the experience Liberians got during the 14 years long and bloody civil war in the country is more than a teacher. Mr. Weah called on Liberians to forever memorize and remember the lessons of pains, deaths, separations, and displacement.
“We as Liberians shall never forget the lessons if conversion from horror destitution; from a respected nation-state to an unwanted pariah state”.
President Weah used the occasion to remind Liberians about the bloody civil war the country suffered in the wilderness of chaos and destruction for 14, terrible years.
“Now it is expected of us to demonstrate that we are a Nation of respect, dignity, and integrity”, he narrated.
According to the Liberian Leader, maintaining the eighteen (18) years of unbroken peace is a huge achievement, for which Liberians must applaud themselves. He noted that going forward, maintaining the peace is a challenge all Liberians have to take together. Mr. Weah however, urge Liberians to join in making Liberia a place of peace before any other consideration.
“We cannot have sustainable development, nor can we enjoy our pluralistic democracy, in a chaotic environment”.
President Weah at the same time pay homage to the member States of ECOWAS, the AU, the EU, the UN, the international contact Group of Liberia as well as presidents Thabo Mbeki, of South Africa, Joaquin Chissano of Mozambique, John Agyekum Kuffor of Ghana, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria for their direct and personal roles in facilitating peace in Liberia.
He also recognizes the heroic exploits of the commanders and Men of ECOMOG and UNMIL for keeping the country’s peace.
The Liberian Leader also mention former president Abdusalami Hiabubakar of Nigeria, who served as the chief facilitator of Liberia’s peace, and Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas , who left no stone unturned to deliver peace to Liberia also Nana Akufo Addo of Ghana, then as foreign Minister of Ghana, did all within his authority to lead the country to peace.
The Liberian Leader spoke Thursday August 18, 2022 at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
Meanwhile, the ECOWAS, EU, Swedish, and partners all praised Mr. Weah and Liberians for keeping the peace and promised to work with the Weah government and Liberians.
Phote credit: Executive Mansion
Reported by: Joseph N. Kerkula
Email: jnkerkula@gmail.com
Contact:+231777376825
