Monrovia – The Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, visited Monrovia from 24 to 25 May amidst political tension ensuing from the planned 7 June protest.
The objective of the mission was to support the Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia, Ambassador Babatunde Ajisomo, the Head of the African Union Liaison Office to Liberia, Ambassador Ibrahim Kamara and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Mr. Yacoub El Hillo in their efforts to facilitate dialogue between the government and organizers of the protest to ensure that it is a peaceful one.
Immediately on arrival, Mr Chambas met with H.E. President George Manneh Weah. During the two days mission, Mr. Chambas was received jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Bhofal Chambers and the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Senate, Mr Albert Chie. Mr Chambas also met several stakeholders including the leadership of the four opposition collaborating political parties namely; the Alternative National Congress, the All Liberian Party, the Liberty Party and the Unity Party; the Council of Patriots, the Forum of Liberia Women Elders, former President Madam Ellen Johnson–Sirleaf and members of the diplomatic corps. Mr Chambas met again with H.E. President Weah before his departure.
The Special Representative commended efforts by all sides to ease the tension. While acknowledging the constitutional right of freedom of assembly and expression as enshrined in Article 17 of the Constitution, he urged all stakeholders to be mindful of the fragility of the on-going democratic process and the security environment across West Africa and the Sahel and strive to keep the protest within limits and bounds. He further urged stakeholders to refrain from inflammatory speeches and entreated H.E. President Weah to continue to strive and spare no efforts to pull the country together.
He called on all “Liberians to use the opportunities for dialogue to sit down and discuss issues and agree common approaches on how they will all pull hands together, hang heads and work together to build a stable, peaceful and prosperous country”. Finally, he reiterated the support of ECOWAS, AU and the UN to Liberia and its people and pledged to continue to work with all towards consolidation of democracy and peace building