President François Hollande of France has accepted an invitation from President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to visit Liberia.
The Liberian leader extended the invitation to her counterpart after she received that country's highest award and public distinction, the Grand Croix of the Légion d'Honneur. The honor was bestowed by President Hollande during a grand ceremony at the Elysée Palace, in Paris, on Wednesday, November 7th.
President Sirleaf was honored for her support for women's rights, peace in Liberia and promoting stability, progress and development in the Mano River Union. The Légion d'Honneur, created by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, is awarded to distinguished personalities, who have served France or the ideals it upholds.
According to a dispatch from Paris, President Sirleaf thanked the French President, the Government and the fraternal people of France for the recognition, and in turn, dedicated the prestigious award, "to the resilient and steadfast people of Liberia; and to women and children and the underprivileged everywhere in Africa and elsewhere, those seeking self-esteem, dignity and a better life."
"This honor reinforces my commitment to remain steadfast in championing the cause of humanity, and advocating for social justice and the exercise of inalienable rights without precondition. My campaign is strengthened by this award, and I feel assured of the support of the French Republic, of your support, Mr. President, the support of freedom-loving people everywhere. This award serves as an inspiration in the great task that remains before us", said the Liberian leader.
She added: "This honor reinforces my commitment to remain steadfast in championing the cause of humanity, and advocating for social justice and the exercise of inalienable rights without precondition. My campaign is strengthened by this award, and I feel assured of the support of the French Republic, of your support, Mr. President, the support of freedom-loving people everywhere. This award serves as an inspiration in the great task that remains before us."
For his part, President Hollande said it was an honor to receive President Sirleaf in France, as the first woman President in Africa, which serves as an example that goes far beyond Africa.
The French leader paid tribute to the trust the Liberian people gave Madam Sirleaf by re-electing her in 2011, observing that it was for her actions for peace, reconciliation, and for women's rights that she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
"Today, it is France which is honoring you by awarding you the highest award of the French Republic because you are an outstanding person!" said President Hollande, and noted France's contribution in the Paris Club's decision to waive Liberia's external indebtedness, with France alone forgiving U$252 million debt for Liberia.
He shared the Liberian leader's commitment for more justice, more rights, and more jobs for young people, and pointed out that President Sirleaf faced a number of challenges in Liberia, including poverty, illnesses, corruption and historical conflicts, saying "You are succeeding to do in Liberia what many countries are not managing to do."
Commenting on the Malian crisis, President Hollande called upon Africa to act, saying Europe is prepared to provide support, but it was the responsibility of the Africans to decide on whether to intervene in the matter, in the light of a Security Council resolution.
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Has anyone thought about why President Obama, our traditional ally, has not met with President Sirleaf of Liberia yet? For the uninitiated, the US president told the Liberian President to fight corruption, invest in the Liberian people, and build strong institutions that will last for years to protect all Liberians and the country. However, the president, after tasting corruption and back doors dealings like many African presidents when she took office in 2006, decided to do the opposite of what the US wanted in Liberia. In fact, the president has double down on corruption where in order to be promoted to the next big cabinet position, one must at least steal a million or more from a ministry where she previously assigned that person. Secondly, anyone who criticizes her on corruption, her hing men and women will drive you out of the country. Liberia has become Sirleaf, Inc. because she has planted her children throughout the government like kadafi did in Libya. Corruption, nepotism, and back door dealings are on the rise in Liberia. Investment deals are handled by her children. The judiciary is weak and corrupt and every aspect of Liberian life is characterized by corruption. So, the UN knows the kind of country she will leave behind and called UN success story. This country will become UN nightmare because only the well connected and government officials are employed. One has to be part of the ruling party with strong connection to the president to get a good job that is not based on merit, but on political connections. My Liberia, our hope which we thought in 2005 was going to be realized through Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the 1980s has been dashed forever. We now have a different Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who criticized Tolbert and Doe on the same corruption and nepotism she's now repeating in Liberia in the 21st Century as president of the country. God, please save our country and send us a true Liberian leader who will put the country first in terms of governance, corruption, development, nepotism, and investing and empowering the Liberian people. God, I am God to bed now and I believe you will answer my prayer. Amen!!