Monrovia – Dr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission will lead a high-power delegation to Monrovia Thursday for a two-day working visit as regional leaders continue their mediation between President George Manneh Weah and the Council of Patriots, organizers of the June 7 Save the State protest.
Rodney D. Sieh, [email protected]
Mr. Kassi Brou’s visit from May 30th – June 1st June 2019 has been carved to give the delegation a chance to dialogue and support the relevant stakeholders and douse the prevailing socio-political tension in the country and to complement the efforts of the African Union and United Nations in the ongoing mediation process, including the recent visit of Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
Stand-By Observers Likely to Monitor June 7 Protest
Mr. Kassi Brou, accompanied by Rep. Edwin Melvin Snowe, a member of Liberia’s delegation to the ECOWAS parliament, who has been involved in getting ECOWAS to bring both parties to the table; Gen Francis Behanzin Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security and the General of the ECOWAS Stand-by Force. The delegation will hold discussions with President Weah, members of the COP, the Swedish Ambassador accredited to Monrovia, and the Head of Swedish Development Corporation (SIDA).
Until his appointment as President of the Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou was Cote d’Ivoire’s Minister of Industry and Mines since October 2012. From 1991 to 1995, he served as Economic and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire. In 1996, he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, a position he held until 1999. During that period and along with his duties, he chaired the country’s Privatisation Committee.
The delegation will also hold discussions with representatives of the four collaborating opposition political Parties; members of the Council of Patriots (COP); the Diplomatic Community and International Partner; former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate; the Minister of Finance and Development Planning; Ministers of Justice and Defence; and the Inspector-General of Police and Liberia’s Women Elders Forum
FrontPageAfrica has learned that the ECOWAS team is expected to stress the rising security concerns in the West African sub-region and will likely prevail on protest organizers to limit the gathering to one day. “ECOWAS is concerned about the poor state of the economy, the looming security situation and the concerns that state security may not be equipped to handle protests lasting a few days,” a source familiar with the situation told FrontPageAfrica Wednesday.
The security concerns are a key reason, sources say, the ECOWAS President is said to have included as part of his delegation, the regional body’s stand-by force commander.
The ECOWAS delegation’s visit follows last week’s visit of Dr. Chambas.
Dialogue Key, Says Rep. Snowe
Part of the delegation’s visit, according to Rep. Snowe is to encourage dialogue. “We hope that we can find the solution to abort the protest and then go to dialogue. But if we cannot do that, we begin to have some commitments that at least it will only be for June 7-one day where they will present their petition to the Government. Then the government now will begin to review it for possible action. So, we hope that we can make progress,” the lawmaker told FrontPageAfrica.
The Bomi County lawmaker explained that the UN and ECOWAS cannot stop anyone from freely assembling. “Once you are within the confines of the law. Fortunately, the President of Liberia said he cannot stop anyone from protesting once they are in the confines of the law. So, there is no clash with the government and the International Community or ECOWAS and the UN with protest.”
Rep. Snowe acknowledged that while Liberians are feeling the pinch, the dialogue must go on. “I cannot be going around the region seeking peace and dialogue and there is a crisis in my country and I sit hands up. So, I am very happy that I am part of it and I hope that we can stick to one day. The rate was 189 and now 190. The economy is difficult. The more we have uncertainties, the more we have planned protests, people don’t know what to do, or which way to go, we are going to continuously be challenged.”
He added: “Our economy is not doing well. If we protest for one week or two days or three-day, it is the common man that will suffer. President Weah will still have what he wants to eat on his Table, I may still have what I want to eat on my table. The protest leaders may get what they want to eat on the table. But What about our drivers, security, market women and students going to school on Monday and afford to pay their way. So, the more we protest the more the market has uncertainties. I am not going to tell them what to do but I want to appeal to my brothers and sisters: let’s do a day protest. I will be in the country. But we pray that it stays one day then we all can dialogue.”
Kassi Brou a Veteran Politician
Until his appointment as President of the Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou was Cote d’Ivoire’s Minister of Industry and Mines since October 2012. From 1991 to 1995, he served as Economic and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire. In 1996, he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, a position he held until 1999. During that period and along with his duties, he chaired the country’s Privatization Committee.
Mr. Kassi Brou also spent eight years at the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). He successively held the positions of Director of International Relations and Director of Economic Studies until 2005.
He subsequently headed the Economic Studies and Currency Department, before being appointed Special Advisor and Comptroller-General from 2007 to 2008.
He was also the World Bank Resident Representative for Chad from 2010 to 2012.
The new ECOWAS Principal holds a PhD in Economics, an MBA in Finance from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, and a Master’s degree from the National University of Cote d’Ivoire.
He began his professional career at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1982, first as Senior Economist and then worked in Senegal, from 1990 to 1991, as IMF Resident Representative.
Jean-Claude Kassi Brou authored one article: “Adjustment Program in Senegal” (IMF Survey, 1988) and a book, “Privatisation in Cote d’Ivoire: Challenges and Practices” (Paris, L’Harmattan, 2008). He is fluent in French and English, and understands Portuguese and Spanish and is married with two children.