Monrovia — Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti has described the third successive transition from one president to another as a steady growth of Liberia’s democracy.
This, she added, highlighted the fierce determination of the Liberians to stay the course of democracy.
Speaking on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., at the 37th Ordinary Summit of Heads of state and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Minister Nyanti said Liberia is well on course as a post-war success story in making tremendous progress towards exerting and repositioning itself as the cradle of democracy and political transparency in Africa.
According to a dispatch from Addis Ababa, the speech extended heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, the Government, and the people of the Federal Democratic The Republic of Ethiopia, for the warm hospitality and kind courtesies, accorded the delegation, and for the dedication of Ethiopia to upholding the ideology and keeping the flame of Pan-Africanism alive.
Minister Nyanti continued President Boakai’s statement by saying that Liberia remains committed to the agenda of the AU. “Let me assure you that Liberia will continue to play a meaningful role in the affairs of the activities of the AU,” she noted.
According to her, working together with the African Union family,
Liberia commits to protecting the planet, fostering peace, preventing conflicts, promoting trade and commerce, as well as boosting partnerships.
The speech continued with a focus on Liberia’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Agenda 2063, which are reflected in the African Union’s Continental Education Strategy.
The 37th Assembly of Heads of States focused on education and the impact on Africa’s transformation.
The President’s remarks delivered by Minister Nyanti further indicated Liberia’s commitment to education as reflected in the Government’s development agenda called ARREST, which emphasizes AGRICULTURE, ROADS, RULE OF LAW, EDUCATION, SANITATION, and TOURISM.
The Foreign Minister used the occasion to express heartfelt appreciation to the African Union, on behalf of President Boakai, for the many contributions he has made to peace and stability, and to advancing democracy in Liberia.
“We look forward to the continued engagements of the African Union with Liberia in the coming years as we strengthen the gains we have made together and set new goals that engender the socio-economic transformation of our dear continent and the dignity of our people,” Minister Nyanti maintained.
Foreign Minister Nyanti, who also gave a brief history of the Union, mentioned that as a founding member and
host to the 1959 meeting in Sanniquellie Nimba County, between the Presidents of Liberia, Guinea and Ghana, which led to the founding of the OAU (now the AU) in 1963, informed the gathering that Liberia has directly reaped the benefits
of this Union.
Minister Nyanti said President Boakai had committed himself to the Liberian people to be their Champion who will lead the charge to elevate their country to nobler heights.
Concluding, the President’s speech, Liberia’s Chief Diplomat said: “In my name as Foreign Minister, standing on this platform on behalf of my President and in his name, allow me to inform you that Liberia was a contributing midwife to birthing many democracies in Africa, Liberia was a supporter and pioneer in establishing many organizations and institutions, this is the same Liberia is back.”
She said Liberia is back and looks forward to playing its part in Africa’s transformation.
During the Summit, the commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye honored and recognized Liberia for upholding the tenets of democracy.
Mauritania’s President, Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, assumed the chairmanship of the African Union
(AU) on Saturday during the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of the Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ghazouani succeeded President Azali Assoumani of the
Comoros, who led the continental blocsince February 2023.
In his inaugural address, President Ghazouani emphasized Africa’s need for socio-economic independence, unity, and prosperity acknowledging the significant responsibilities of his new role.
For his party, Outgoing chairman Assoumani reflected on his achievements by focusing on Africa’s stability, development, and enhanced participation in global affairs, as well as the ongoing reform of the AU.
The Summit, which took place on February 17 and 18 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was held under the theme
“Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive. Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa.”
The two-day Summit reviewed reports on AU reforms, the current peace and security architecture of the African Unit, Second Ten Year implementation of the AU Agenda 2063, among others.
