Liberia Government (Monrovia)
30 December 2008
Monrovia — A meeting has taken place in Monrovia between President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and a senior official of the new military leadership in neighboring Guinea, the 2nd Vice President General Mamadou Bah Camara.
During talks at the President's Foreign Ministry office, the Guinean military official informed President Sirleaf that the military seized power to fill the leadership vacuum created following the death of the country's leader, General Lansana Conte. He explained that the constitutional term for the Guinean parliament had expired.
An Executive Mansion release quotes General Bah as saying he was visiting Liberia to explain the rationale behind the military takeover and solicit Liberia's support for the events in his country. Guinea's second man in command maintained that the new leadership remains committed to the restoration of democratic civilian rule in his country. The General lauded President Johnson Sirleaf for granting his delegation the opportunity to present its case.
Responding President Johnson Sirleaf, who also chairs the Mano River Union sub-regional grouping, spoke of the close ties between Guinea and Liberia. Whatever happens in Guinea or any of the neighboring countries, the President said also affects Liberia. She spoke of the tremendous sacrifices made by African countries in restoring peace to Liberia and said Liberia was prepared to provide the moral support for the efforts they made towards peace in the country.
On the return of Guinea to democratic civilian rule in two years, the President said the leadership had informed her that the two-year transition period set aside by the new authorities was the maximum time frame, but noted, however, that there could be a transition before the expiration of the two years the Council has announced.
The Liberian leader reiterated that the position of the Mano River Union regarding events in neighboring Guinea would be guarded by consultations currently being held within the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
"We are all one people, we have to work together for the common good of our people," the Liberian leader later told a meeting of Liberian and Guinean officials at the Foreign Ministry.
Accompanied by a special envoy of Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, the Guinean delegation arrived in the country late Tuesday afternoon following a visit to Bamako in Mali. The 35-member delegation which comprised 6-council members of the new military authorities departed Liberia Tuesday night for neighboring Sierra Leone.
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And, civilian soupists do?
Get real, dude!
THE WEST AFRICAN ANTI-SOUPIST REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT.
As Chair of the Mano River Union and certainly as a credible and influencial leader in the region, it is okay for President Sirleaf to listen to what the Guinean military junta has to say. However, Liberia should not endorse the junta. For once, let the people of Guinea freely choose their leaders in a free and fair democratic election. History strongly warns us that coup makers NEVER KEEP THEIR PROMISE! And endorsing a coup in Guinea will some day backfire on our democratic progress.
As Chair of the Mano River Union and certainly as a credible and influencial leader in the region, it is okay for President Sirleaf to listen to what the Guinean military junta has to say. However, Liberia should not endorse the junta. For once, let the people of Guinea freely choose their leaders in a free and fair democratic election. History strongly warns us that coup makers NEVER KEEP THEIR PROMISE! And endorsing a coup in Guinea will some day backfire on our democratic progress.