Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Tuesday held a Special Session of the Liberia Development Alliance (LDA) in Monrovia. The Liberia Development Alliance brings together stakeholders from the Government of Liberia, partners/donors, private and civil society.
According to an Executive Mansion release, the LDA received updates from the National Elections Commission on the pending 2017 elections; governance reform and political transition; reform in peace, security, justice and rule of law as well as updates on the 2016/2017 Draft National Budget.
Mr. Larmin Leigh, Executive Director of the National Elections Commission briefed the LDA on the time table for key electoral activities, budgeting for the process, government’s support, and commitment from partners, level of preparation and collaboration and coordination with political parties.
Mr. Leigh praised President Sirleaf for what he called allowing an unprecedented level of independence of NEC and commitment the electoral to ensuring a free, fair, credible and transparent electioneering process in 2017.
For his part, Dr. Amos C. Sawyer, Chairman of the Governance Commission provided updates on the governance reform process including the pending referendum, civil service reform, decentralization and other issues associated with peace building, reconciliation, security and conflict mitigation.
Justice Minister Cllr. Frederick Cherue also briefed the LDA on current reform efforts linked to peace building, security, justice and rule of law while Finance and Development Planning Minister and Coordinator of the LDA, Boima Kamara provided updates on the Draft National Budget.
The meeting was occasioned by a period of general discussions soliciting the views and comments of stakeholders of the Liberia Development Alliance, which was followed by presentations by the lead presenters leading to agreement and consensus on the way forward.
In another development, President Sirleaf on Tuesday received the UN Special Envoy to the Economic Community of West African States, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas in Monrovia. Dr. Chambas and President Sirleaf brainstormed on current security and political issues in the ECOWAS region and other global issues.
The Liberian leader also received a Special Envoy from Venezuela, Ambassador Miguelangel Della Vecchia who delivered a special message on behalf of the Venezuelan leader.