J. Edwood Dennis
21 October 2005
Unity Party (UP) Standard-bearer and one of the two contenders in the November 8, 2005 run-off presidential election, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has begun speaking on issues regarding the safety and security of ex-combatants and their masters under her regime if elected president of Liberia.
Madam Sirleaf told reporters at a news conference at the party's campaign headquarters in Monrovia that her concerns were to provide social transformation, education and empowerment for ex-combatants and not to take them before a war crimes court as it has been widely spread in many quarters.
The UP Standard bearer noted that she was responding to rumors that her government will accept a UN war crimes tribunal for the prosecution of Liberians who committed war-related crimes during the fourteen years of civil war.
She indicated that the plight of ex-fighters will be given serious attention under a UP-led government, especially through skills training programs to empower and make them productive citizens of Liberia.
Besides, she assured the ex-combatants that their needs will be addressed on a broad prospective to enable them meet the challenges of life.
Madam Sirleaf, who will be standing in a run-off election with the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) Standard-bearer George Weah, emphasized that the entire citizenry of Liberia has experienced hardship and suffering for over 14 years, and therefore, the surfacing of Gio, Mano, Krahn, Congo, and native politics in the ongoing national politics and campaign was dangerous for the future of Liberia.
She described her relationship with George Weah as cordial, and she praised Weah for promising to cooperate with anyone should he lose in the run-off elections.
She said George Weah's comment was reconciliatory and should be commended, adding that the issue of reconciliation in Liberia was a special task demanding contribution of every citizen.
Madam Sirleaf said she remains supportive of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) because it was the best framework for healing the wounds, and promoting reconciliation but not a war crime court.
She called on every citizen to remain focused and graduate from those vices that are intended to divide the people of Liberia.
She thanked all Liberians and those candidates that contested for positions in the just ended national elections for the level of maturity exhibited on elections day.
According to the UP Standard bearer, the level of maturity Liberians displayed at the polls on October 11, 2005 showed that Liberians were fully prepared for the fostering of peace building process in Liberia.
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