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.

Boys Town, Margibi – Indians living in Liberia have made a “huge” donation to the medical personnel and the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia assigned at the 14 Military Hospital in Margibi County.

The 14 Military Hospital is where more than 25 of the country’s over 35 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 are being kept, observed and given supportive treatments.

Honorary Indian Consul General

Before he presented the items which were in the buckets of nine trucks, the Honorary Consul General of India, Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, who is popularly known in Liberia as Jeety, told the Liberians doing all to save lives at the 14 Military Hospital that on behalf of Indians living in Liberia and as Honorary Consul General of India in Liberia, they had gone there to identify with them. 

“We are touched by the level of work done by doctors, nurses, janitors and all other health workers and the gallant men & women of the Armed Forces of Liberia.

“We are so proud of you all for risking your lives to save others’ lives is priceless. I on behalf of Indians living in Liberia, we salute you for your courage, dedication, commitment to save each and every precious life in Liberia.”

Mr. Sachdeva singled out Dr. Jerry Brown, who was one of those leaders in the fight against the 2014 Ebola outbreak. “Now he has taken charge to defeat and win over COVID-19 Coronavirus. I would like to mention here with pride and honor the selfless commitment of Dr. Jerry Brown and his passionate love for his patients. He was the Man of the Year for EBOLA and he will be Coronavirus Hero in Liberia.”

He also informed Dr. Brown that he had honored his request and brought in the specific things he had asked him for a day earlier. “During my conversation yesterday and day before with Dr. Brown, he was very passionate and worried about the safety of health workers at the hospital and requested for 10 aluminum doors (5-double doors) which without hesitation and waiting for the donation ceremony, we delivered it yesterday. Also he requested us for folding hospital beds, nurses uniforms, bed sheets, pillow, pillow covers, electric washing machine and electric dryer among others.  Dr. Brown, we are pleased to inform you that we have brought everything as part of our donation.” 

The Indian diplomat, who said Liberia is their second home, than made one of the best announcements: “To honor the health workers (50) including doctors, nurses, janitorial staff, lab assistants etc., assigned at hospital, we have brought for them two bags of rice per head and in sealed envelope separately US$100 for each health worker. For Dr. Brown, we have brought envelope of US$1000 along with two bags of rice. We are also giving 100 bags of rice to the gallant men & women of the Armed Forces of Liberia, who are serving at the hospital.”

Before he presented the envelopes and list of all the items on the trucks to Foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, Mr. Jeety told Dr. Brown that the donation was an initial gesture from their community and that he (Dr. Brown) should feel free to call on them anything should there be a need.

Foreign Minister Findley

Responding, Foreign Minister Findley expressed President George Weah’s heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the donation.

“The President is very concerned on how we win this battle against this Coronavirus. He wants to see all Liberians joining together to fight this virus,” he stated.

The Foreign Minister congratulated the personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia, who were being led by one Colonel Dada, for the level of work they had done on the facilities, which is not fully operational as a hospital.

He than passed over the envelopes and one list of items to Dr. Brown and also handed a list, too, to Col. Dada for him to be in the know of the things donated by the Indians.

“We only pray to the Almighty God that as you all endeavor to do your work that God will guide, protect and save all of you,” he stated.

Colonel Dada, AFL

Also speaking, Col. Dada of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) thanked the Foreign Minister and Mr. Jeety; adding: “We are in this fight together with the nurses and doctors. We will ensure that we assist them in any way possible to make their jobs much easier.” He promised to convey to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia the 100 bags of rice that the Indians had given.

Dr. Jerry Brown

Also speaking, Dr. Brown, who now heads the medical team at the 14 Military Hospital, thanked Mr. Jeety and the Indian Community.

“It is not about the money for which the staff has decided to come here, but it is about ensuring that we all work together to restore peace and sanity in our country. As long as Corona continues to exist in our communities, neighborhood, in our country there won’t be peace.”

Dr. Brown, who was one of those who were on the frontline battling the deadly Ebola virus disease, appealed to every Liberian to adhere to all the health protocols.

“As you have come with these gifts, we have one passionate appeal to all Liberians. Please note that the coronavirus exists. If you have been doubting it, please know that it is in Liberia. Please adhere to those safety measures: social distancing is very important, washing your hands is very important, avoid large crowd. That is the only way we can all work together to prevent corona from spreading further.” He warned that if Liberians do otherwise, there will be many deaths and a long way to go.

Thanking Pres. Weah

He also used the occasion to thank the President for his vision to construct the facility that is now being used to host those who have come down so far with the virus.

“Had he not been visionary enough, today there would have been difficult have a site to attend to corona patients,” he said.

Update on Patients

Giving updates on the 26 confirmed persons who he and others are now looking after, he thanked God that his patients have all been stable and none has had any critical complications so far that will require some sophisticated medical equipment like ventilation, oxygen, etc.

He, however, appealed for those pieces of medical equipment that are needed at the 14 Military Hospital. He stated that efforts are being made by partners to supply them with those essentials pieces of equipment.

He controversially said those who have died as a result of the virus, “are those who refused to come for care when they were sick.”       

Items Donated

Among the 45 items presented to Dr. Brown and others were 100 cartons of Nice Biscuits, 10 cartons Digestive Biscuits, 100 cartons tissue, 200 cartons soap and 50 cartons Clora bleach. The Indians also presented 50 pieces of Hospital Folding Beds, 50 pieces Elegance single mattresses, 50 pieces pillows, 50 pieces bed sheets with pillow covers, five bails of Nursing Uniforms, one piece of LG Electric washer and one piece of LG Electric Dryer among others.