ECOWAS is determined to galvanise its resources for developmemnt-Kufuor

From: Patrick A. Firempong, GNA Special Correspondent, Monrovia.

Monrovia, Oct.14, GNA- ECOWAS Chairman President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday said the organization was determined to galvanise the energies and the resources in the Sub-Region for development rather than dissipate them on civil strife and conflicts.

He said conflicts and civil strife had seriously undermined the efforts of ECOWAS to ensure long-term stability, prosperity and peace, adding, " we cannot win the war on hunger and poverty until we win the war against conflicts".

President Kufuor was speaking at the inauguration of the 76-Member National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) and the swearing-in of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) under the chairmanship of Mr Charles Gyude Bryant, and his Vice-Chairman Mr Wesley Momoh Johnson in Monrovia.

The ceremony was the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the factions in Accra on August 18, this year. The NTGL will manage the transitional process of the war-ruined country for two years to pave the way for general election in October 2005.

The elected government would assume power on January 6, 2006. The Agreement provides for a general framework for the peace process including the composition of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary.

ECOWAS set October 14, for the inauguration of the transitional government to take over from the incumbent Head of State, President Moses Zeh Blah.

Mr Blah took over from former President Charles Taylor, who stepped down due to international pressure and went into exile in Nigeria. Fourteen years of conflict had killed an estimated number of 250,000 people and driven more than 500,000 others into exile.

President Kufuor said ECOWAS was committed to respond to all the development and integration challenges facing the Sub-Region and called on the development partners to continue to share the burden with the people.

He said all the goodwill and support from the international community would come to naught, if the letter and spirit of the Accra Accord were not respected by all.

" I therefore, urge the adoption of conciliatory overtures and the principles of good governance, the rule of law and fundamental human rights. I entreat also Liberians of all political persuasions to be tolerant and endeavour to help the new government reconcile Liberia", he added.

The ECOWAS Chairman said the new government would require institutional loyalty from the military, other public and security services and civil society organizations, adding, " without this loyalty and commitment no government can function effectively".

He said the success of the government and the peace process as a whole would largely rest on the shoulders of Liberians because the international community could only complement what Liberians themselves could do.

Mr Bryant in his maiden address said Liberia was now moving in concert to reverse the destruction of the country, reconcile the people and embark on a new beginning to lay the foundation for socio-economic development.

He said the nation had become a failed state in decay and they were in a rescue mission to bring it back from the brink of despair and ensure domestic peace and promote common good for the people. Mr Bryant pledged to copiously and meticulously implement the Accra Accord, adding, " I will hold sacred the oaths taken today to uphold and defend the Comprehensive Peace Aggreement ".