By Alex Yomah
As part of his legislative programs outlined, President George Manneh Weah has bragged of his country’s foreign partnership being intact.
Delivering his 5th annual message to members of the 54th Legislature yesterday, Weah said with regards to Liberia’s foreign policy, Liberia remains positively engaged with its partners and friends at the bilateral and multilateral levels, as a responsible member of the international community, and with keen focus of our own national interest.
“in accordance with the guiding principles of our Foreign Policy Objectives, which stipulate the maintenance of national security; the preservation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country; the promotion of peace and harmony based on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states; and the promotion of unity in the international community based on the values of liberal democracy, Weah said.
Mr. President added that during the period under review, his government played significant roles in promoting Liberia’s Foreign Policy objectives and strengthening its foreign relations at the bilateral and multilateral levels, which brought productive results and affirmed “Our leadership in the comity of nations”.
Consistent with Liberia’s international obligations, Weah disclosed that Liberia fully participated in the activities of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN); either virtually or in-person.
adding, “We were honored to address the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. We also participated in the Summits of the African Union (AU); as well as the Economic Community of West African States “ECOWAS”
At the level of ECOWAS; government focus was on crisis areas in our sub-region, namely: the security and political situations in the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Guinea.
“In Mali, we continue to support the peacekeeping operations with the presence of a contingent of the Armed Forces of Liberia embedded with the United Nations Mission.
Also, we are working with our colleagues to resolve the constitutional impasse in the Republic of Mali to restore that country to constitutional democracy and order through the holding of free, fair and transparent elections in the soonest possible time”.
“We will do all within our power as a Government to remain supportive of the Transition Agenda of ECOWAS for our Sisterly Republics of Mali and Guinea; as well as those in the Sahel, to restore peace, security, stability, democracy, and constitutional order”.
“During the reporting period, we actively engaged our partners and friends, an endeavor that strengthened our friendly and cordial relations, as well as produced mutually beneficial results for us all,” Weah added.
“We participated and addressed the Generation Equality Forum convened in Paris, France in June of the reporting year. We also attended, and addressed, the 26th UN Climate Conference (COP26), which was convened in Glasgow, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, where we made a proposal for the establishment of a new African Carbon Credit Exchange,”.
“We also participated in the 4th Edition of the Paris Peace Forum in November 2021 to tackle global problems and strengthen multilateral cooperation and collective action for a peaceful world. While also in Paris, we attended the occasion marking the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and addressed the 41st Session of the High-Level segment of the General Conference,”.
“Pursuant to our strong commitment to peace, security, stability and democracy, particularly in the Mano River Basin, with special emphasis on the political situation in the Republic of Guinea, Liberia took the initiative to invite our neighboring Sister Republics – Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone – to convene the “Mano River Union Diplomatic, Peace, Security and Democracy Conference”, which was held at Farmington Hotel in Margibi County in November,” Weah concluded.