
Monrovia – President George Manneh Weah is calling on all Liberians, who may have some issues with the way thing are being run in the country at the moment to sit around the table and dialogue with the government.
“Fellow citizens, let us sit and dialogue on the way forward for economic revival in Liberia. Bring your ideas to the table, and I assure you that they will be given my most careful consideration,” the President said Tuesday, June 11, when he addressed the nation.
The President’s request for dialogue comes days after inarguably the largest mass protest action against any previous regimes in the nation’s history.
The Council of Patriots’ organized June 7 protest brought tens of thousands of Liberians onto the streets and paralyzed all economic activities nationwide.
Speaking further, the President acknowledged that it was the Constitutional right of these Liberians, who are disenchanted with the way the economy is being handled by him.
“You are aware that some of our citizens exercised their constitutional right to publicly assemble with the objective to petition their government. We commend them for the peaceful and orderly manner in which they exercised that right.”
He alluded that because of this orderly manner, Liberia’s democracy has been “tried, tested and it has proven to be mature, resilient, and strong.”
“Let me also extend similar commendation to those other Liberians who chose to go about their normal business on that day – also in a peaceful and orderly manner – with both sides demonstrating tolerance and respect for the rights of the other, in keeping with the rule of law.
“My appreciation goes to the national security apparatus of the country for their professionalism in protecting lives and property and ensuring public safety, to our international partners for their continued support in assisting the Government and People of Liberia to consolidate the democratic gains that we have made over the years, to the local and international media for their coverage in keeping with their professional responsibilities.”
President Weah assured all Liberians that under his leadership, government will continue to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Liberians – irrespective of their political affiliation, tribe and religion.
He used his speech to remind Liberians that he had told them in 2018 that he inherited a broken economy and that he would have done all to fix it; adding: “While our efforts to fix the economy are sustained and ongoing, we still face challenging times.”
“Fellow citizens, it will take the collective effort of all Liberians to achieve the desired objective of reviving the economy and placing our country on a path of sustainable development and transformation. We will have to come together to devise and support new measures which are necessary to address the structural defects and imbalances in our economy.”
He again assured his fellow citizens, that every Liberian has a vested interest in the peace and economic development of their country and that his administration recognizes that the alternative views of all citizens are equally vital in finding a way forward.
“It is because of this fact that I now take the opportunity to again invite the leaders of political parties, civil society groups, elders, religious leaders, our traditional leaders, student leaders and the business community to a round-table discussion to afford them the opportunity to present their alternative views or their suggestions on the economy.”
The Liberian Leader again thanked all of his countrymen and women for their efforts in strengthening the peace and consolidating their nation’s democracy.
“Fellow citizens, as our national anthem says and I quote, ‘With our hearts united, we’ll shout the freedom, of a race benighted. Long live Liberia, happy land! A home of glorious liberty. By God’s Command!’”
Below is the full text of the President Speech
President Weah’s Address to the Nation Today June 11, 2019
My Fellow Liberians:
For the past several days, our democracy has been tried, tested, and it has proven to be mature, resilient, and strong.
You are aware that some of our citizens exercised their constitutional right to publicly assemble with the objective to petition their government. We commend them for the peaceful and orderly manner in which they exercised that right.
Let me also extend similar commendation to those other Liberians who chose to go about their normal business on that day – also in a peaceful and orderly manner – with both sides demonstrating tolerance and respect for the rights of the other, in keeping with the rule of law.
My appreciation goes to the national security apparatus of the country for their professionalism in protecting lives and property and ensuring public safety, to our international partners for their continued support in assisting the Government and People of Liberia to consolidate the democratic gains that we have made over the years, to the local and international media for their coverage in keeping with their professional responsibilities.
Fellow Liberians,
Let me assure you that, under my leadership, this government will continue to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Liberians – irrespective of their political affiliation, tribe and religion.
Last year, when I assumed the Presidency, I informed you that we had inherited a broken economy and pledged to you that I would exert every effort to fix the economy and improve the lives and livelihood of our people. While our efforts to fix the economy are sustained and ongoing, we still face challenging times.
Fellow citizens, it will take the collective effort of all Liberians to achieve the desired objective of reviving the economy and placing our country on a path of sustainable development and transformation. We will have to come together to devise and support new measures which are necessary to address the structural defects and imbalances in our economy.
Fellow citizens, we all have a vested interest in the peace and economic development of our country. My Government recognizes that the alternative views of all citizens are equally vital in finding a way forward.
Fellow Liberians:
It is because of this fact that I now take the opportunity to again invite the leaders of political parties, civil society groups, elders, religious leaders, our traditional leaders, student leaders and the business community to a round-table discussion to afford them the opportunity to present their alternative views or their suggestions on the economy.
Fellow citizens, let us sit and dialogue on the way forward for economic revival in Liberia. Bring your ideas to the table, and I assure you that they will be given my most careful consideration.
Fellow citizens, once again let me thank all Liberians for their efforts in strengthening the peace and consolidating our democracy.
Fellow citizens, as our national anthem says and I quote, “with our hearts united, we’ll shout the freedom, of a race benighted. Long live Liberia, happy land! A home of glorious liberty. By God’s Command!”
God bless Liberia and Save the State.
I THANK YOU.