MONROVIA – As the crucial general and presidential elections draw near, the Vice President of Liberia has been drumming up international support towards the peaceful conduct of the process. Wherever she is invited to deliver a statement, for she has received copious international invitations as a key orator, the Liberian Second In Command never forgets to woo support for peaceful elections in 2023 so that Liberia’s democratic credentials remain enviable and stable. Speaking this week at ceremonies marking the Independence of Nigeria, VP Taylor reflected on the heroic contributions the sisterly nation made, contribution of the largest military manpower, during the brutal Liberian civil conflict. She express heartfelt tidings to the Federal Republic from the Government and People of Liberia and called for strengthened bilateral relationship. The Analyst reports.
Abuja-Nigeria- Wednesday, October 5, 2022-Liberia’s Vice President Chief Dr. Jewel Howard- Taylor has paid special tribute to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and all the gallant men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces who she noted, formed a part a peace mission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Liberia.
A dispatch quotes VP Howard-Taylor as emphasizing that without the sacrifices of this West African state the Liberian Civil crisis may not have come to an end.
She said: “This intervention by ECOMOG, with a vanguard role played by Nigeria, was the first comprehensive attempt at Regional Peace Keeping Initiatives since the Organization of African Unity (OAU) mobilized African Armed Forces to intervene in the Congo Crises between 1960 and 1965. The OAU had in the interim also established an ‘Inter-African Force’ to intervene in Chad in 1981”.
The Liberian first Female Vice President who spoke on the theme “A tribute to Nigerian Soldiers for International Peacekeeping: The Liberia story” was speaking Tuesday, in Abuja, Nigeria when she served as Guest of Honor at programs marking the Groundbreaking Ceremony of Armed Forces of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)center in Abuja.
She recounted the role of the West African State noting that beyond the Military intervention, ECOWAS, under the leadership of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, went beyond its normal focus on regional integration and peace, to facilitate many diplomatic meetings to proffer solutions to end the first part crisis from 1989 to 1996.
“That initiative was led by the then Nigerian Head of State, General Sani Abacha, under whose auspices a six-person Council of State was organized and subsequently chaired by a prominent Liberian Woman – Madam Ruth Sando Perry- under whose leadership Liberia’s first post-war elections was held in 1997. Thankfully Nigeria has continued to assist Liberia on its road to democracy and sustaining the peace for almost 20 years. We are truly grateful for this sign of Brotherliness” VP Howard-Taylor averred.
She further stressed that the history of Liberia; and its challenges of civil crisis from 1989 to 2003 cannot be written without due high recognition of the leadership role played by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pointing to mobilization and its provision of both financial resources and military personnel to ensure that peace was restored to Liberia and the region at large.
At the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Armed Forces of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)center in Abuja, VP Howard-Taylor said the initiative is not only historic but also unprecedented in this part of the World as such it demands the fullest support from everyone.
“I am therefore pleased to say that once again, Nigeria continues to lead by example! It is my prayer that this example, will sooner rather than later, become the standard for all of Africa, which will provide the basis for other established Military Hospitals across Africa to ensure that units for PTSD are established in these facilities” she told the huge Nigerian gathering in Abuja.
VP Howard-Taylor on behalf of Liberia and for the sacrifices of Nigeria then pledged to support the newly launched Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Project, to ensure that opportunities are made available to help the veterans of the Armed Forces of Nigeria cope with the trauma acquired during their service not only to Nigeria but in peacekeeping missions in our sub-region and elsewhere in the world.
Comments are closed.