Monrovia — President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is challenging all Liberians to engage the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the implementation of its mandate.

The challenge comes in the wake of the numerous progress made by the TRC in recent times. The President made the remarks when she paid a working visit to the Commission at its 9th Street Sinkor Office during the week. The Liberian Leader also urged the TRC to remain engaged with the public, which is an important component in the implementation of its mandate.

Among many other things, the first female President of the Republic of Liberia said, no amount of developmental process will last in Liberia if it is not rooted in the truth and reconciliation process. "This includes the involvement of all of us as Liberian in the TRC initiative," the President stated.

Chatting further with Commissioners, President Johnson-Sirleaf said the TRC needs to go beyond the stated date of its mandate so that we will not miss the opportunity to correct the flaws of our history. The President also said, there is too much ethnic conflict, which is leading to the radicalization of views and is eventually preventing the nation's development agenda from moving ahead.

President Johnson-Sirleaf stated that the involvement of the Liberian people and the report of the TRC, which will highlight the flaws of our past history, would go a long way in setting the country on an irreversible course of peace. "There is no alternative to justice; we will accept the recommendations of the Commission," the President added.

For his part, the Chairman of the TRC, Cllr. Jerome Verdier, welcomed and thanked President Johnson-Sirleaf for her political and moral support, which he described as critical to the success of the TRC process. He also thanked Her Excellency for the budgetary support the Commission is receiving from the government. "The success of the TRC is central to the restoration of genuine and lasting peace, unity, and stability of Liberia," the Chairman added.

Responding to the President's concern of setting the country on an irreversible course of peace, the TRC Chairman said, understanding the root causes, giving voice to the innocent dead victims of the conflict, acknowledging the past, fostering healing and contrition as well as accountability for the past deeds are all central to the process of reconciliation. "All of these will vindicate the victims, restore their lost dignities, inspire hope and bring closure to a long and gloomy chapter in our nation's history," the Chairman concluded.

Chairman Verdier pledged the Commission's commitment in engaging the Liberian people throughout the entire TRC process.

During the working visit at the TRC, the first female President of the Republic of Liberia toured the offices of the TRC and personally thanked staff members of the Commission for their level of positive involvement in the implementation of the TRC mandate.

This visit marks the President's first visit to the Commission since its inception.