Monrovia – Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says Liberia stays deeply divided, regardless of efforts by the present administration to advertise reconciliation.
By Webster Clayeh
Her feedback observe a nationwide occasion hosted by President Joseph Boakai geared toward fostering therapeutic and unity within the nation.
On Saturday, July 5, President Boakai led a high-profile occasion on the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complicated in Monrovia, described as a second of reflection, therapeutic, and a renewed dedication to lasting reconciliation.
The Liberia Reconciliation, Therapeutic, and Unity Program introduced collectively survivors of civil battle and pandemics, conventional leaders, civil society teams, diplomats, ladies and youth organizations, and authorities officers.
The federal government mentioned the aim of the gathering was to acknowledge Liberia’s painful historical past and renew the nation’s dedication to unity, peace, and justice. President Boakai emphasised that the initiative was not ceremonial, however a nationwide crucial.
“This occasion gives a platform for Liberians, from each county, each background, and each stroll of life, to come back collectively, confront our shared troublesome previous, and start to construct a future rooted in reality, justice, and compassion,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless, notable absences included opposition political leaders similar to former President George Weah, Alexander Cummings, Benoni Urey, Musa Bility, Dee-Maxwell Kemayah, and a number of other others.
Talking as a visitor on state radio ELBC throughout the Liberia Renaissance speak present hosted by former Info Minister Dr. Lawrence Konmla Bropleh, former President Sirleaf expressed skepticism in regards to the influence of the initiative.
She referenced the same reconciliation ceremony her administration held in 2006, although on a smaller scale, and mentioned the latest occasion fell in need of being inclusive.
“That tried to cowl everybody who was harm, everybody who was a part of this. Let’s contemplate {that a} good step and let’s hope that by now, there may be some follow-up to make it actual,” she mentioned.
Sirleaf continued, “To make reconciliation actual, we nonetheless have a really divided society in so some ways —whether or not it’s on political strains, whether or not it’s on ethnic strains, spiritual strains — we do have these divisions and it’ll take an additional effort on the entire leaders.” She emphasised, “We can’t have a nation that’s divided and hope to realize the targets that we’ve got set in our agenda and in our imaginative and prescient.”
Throughout the identical interview, Sirleaf was requested about President Boakai’s plans to go to former U.S. President Donald J. Trump on the White Home. She mentioned she, like many others, was unaware of the assembly’s objective.
“I don’t know what the visiting is about, there was no announcement on that. I want I knew, however don’t know,” Sirleaf said. “It’s one thing that all of us are watching, all of us are ready and let’s hope that no matter it’s, it is going to find yourself being in the good thing about Liberia and Africa—that’s what we hope for.”
