MONROVIA — The leadership of the Condo Reconciliation Group Incorporated led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President, Abraham Keita, on Thursday, March 18, 2021, paid a courtesy visit to Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson at his Capitol Building office in Monrovia.
Condo Reconciliation Group Incorporated, a United States based non-governmental organization, with an office in Monrovia, is primarily engaged in peace advocacy and reconciliation with the goal of making a meaningful contribution to peace and stability in Liberia.
In remarks, the CEO and President of Condo Mr. Keita explained that the objective of the courtesy visit was to acquaint him (Senator Johnson,) whom he described as the “Father and a major stakeholder” of Nimba County and bring him on board of the peace and reconciliation vessel of Condo to support the planned peace and reconciliation initiative in the second highest populated county in Liberia.
“Senator Johnson, Condo does not only need your blessing and support, but also your total involvement in its planned peace and reconciliation venture in Nimba County. We have come to you as our big brother to share our ideas with you in order for you to lead us to Nimba County. With your support and total involvement, we believe Condo will succeed in this mission,” the Condo boss, who commended Senator Johnson for wholeheartedly accepting Condo’s request for the visit, pointed out.
Mr. Keita further explained that his organization planned peace and reconciliation initiative in Nimba is part of series of peace and reconciliation initiatives earmarked on across the county.
He recalled that Condo in February of this year held a major consultative meeting in Zorzor City, Lofa County aimed at finding a lasting solution via traditional approach to the long standing feud between the Mandingoes and Lormas as part of its strategy to bring about total reconciliation among all residents in the county.
While describing the meeting in Lofa as successful and rewarding, he expressed the hope that the pending Nimba initative will produce similar outcome.
The US based peace and reconciliation group boss, who earlier gave a brief history of Condo regarding its establishment and some of the key roles the organization has played in America, Canada, Africa, yea Liberia, affirmed to the Nimba County veteran Senator that Condo prioritizes the traditional mechanism in resolving conflicts, adding “this is the best approach as it had and continues to produce positive results in many countries with Liberia being no exception”.
The comments by the CEO and President of Condo were buttressed by the organization’s new Executive Director(ED) Kabah M. Trawally who also thanked Senator Johnson for embracing their vision.
Like his boss, Mr. Tawally underscored the importance of genuine peace and reconciliation and expressed the hope that the planned peace and reconciliation venture in Nimba County would achieve its desired objectives, especially with the support of Senator Johnson.
While highlighting some of the challenges in the Liberian peace process by several peace advocacy groups, Mr. Tawally bragged that Condo would ensure that some of those challenges are addressed and moving forward the traditional mechanism is followed to the letter.
For his part, Senator Johnson, who is generally referred to as PYJ, wholeheartedly welcomed and thanked the leadership of Condo for the visit and assured them of his unflinching support regarding the organization’s planned peace and reconciliation initiative in Nimba County for which he advised that Condo should ensure the inclusion of other key stakeholders in the county.
However, PYJ lamented that the “bad politics” of the 80s contributed immensely to the deterioration of the harmonious inter-ethnic relationships that existed in Nimba County before the war.
He warned that in order for any peace initiative to be successful, it must be done holistically and with boldness.
“Your move is very good, this is why we embrace your initiative and will lead you to Nimba and ensure that your dreams and aspirations for genuine peace and reconciliation ae achieved,” PYJ stated.
Meanwhile, the veteran Nimba lawmaker also assured the Condo’s leadership that his office is opened to them at any time.