(MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Wednesday, January 7, 2015) President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says the visit of the Presidents of Benin and Niger has further deepened the support and feeling of solidarity that the two countries have for Liberia.
The Liberian President said though they were just visiting the country since the Ebola crisis, she was certain that they have been with Liberia in spirit. “You have been with us through messages, telephone calls, through the meetings of ECOWAS that have provided the support and encouragement. So we feel that this meeting just deepens that particular support and the feeling of solidarity which you have for us,” she said.
According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the assertion when she met with the two astute sub-regional leaders, His Excellency Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin and His Excellency Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, when they paid a one-day solidarity visit to Liberia. The meeting was held at the VIP lounge at the Roberts International Airport on Wednesday, January 7, 2015.
President Sirleaf said though she had hoped that they would have stayed overnight, but due to their own engagements she appreciated the time they spent with her and looked forward to continuing to make the success that Liberia is making in battling the Ebola virus disease to enable the country continue on its path of peace and development.
“I want to thank you for the visit and thank you for the support we have received, not just for Ebola, but you’ve been with us even before Ebola struck. You are a big partner to us. Thank you for this visit,” she said.
In separate remarks, the Beninese President Thomas Yayi Boni said foremost in the minds of the sub-regional organization, ECOWAS, and the regional organization, African Union (AU), of which the three countries are members, has been the eradication of the deadly Ebola virus disease.
He said many summits and meetings of both groupings have been organized and measures taken which included providing financial assistance, sensitization campaigns and even mobilizing support from the international community to assist the three worse affected countries.
President Yayi Boni disclosed that Benin is to shortly send a number of medical doctors to Liberia to join the efforts of other African countries and the international community to help eradicate this disease. “We want to join you in this fight because it is important. Since Liberia is a member of ECOWAS and the AU we are obligated to assist you,” President Yayi Boni indicated.
He furthered that when Liberia had anticipated a growth rate of eight percent in 2014 and dropped to zero percent it signified danger not only for Liberia but also for the sub-region. With all the human and economic losses that Liberia has suffered, he said Benin has taken the decision to join other countries support Liberia in terms of technical and financial assistance. The former President of the West African Development Bank promised his country’s support in its advocacy for the cancellation of the debts of those countries worse affected by Ebola.
President Yayi Boni also promised to continuously engage ECOWAS, AU, and the international community since Benin has joined the fight against Ebola. “Benin will always show solidarity with Liberia and support the Government of President Sirleaf to ensure that she succeeds,” he promised, adding that this message is not only conveyed to the Liberian leader but to all Liberians including politicians because the fight against Ebola is not a political issue. “If this country wants democratic and political stability and prosperity, all Liberians must join hands together,” he urged.
On the occasion of the New Year and on behalf of the Government and people of Benin, President Yayi Boni conveyed compliments of the season to the Liberian leader, the Government and people of Liberia. “I wish in the coming months we will no more talk of Ebola, but rather prosperity,” he indicated.
For his part, the President of Niger, His Excellency Mahamadou Issoufou conveyed on behalf of the Nigerien Government and people sentiments considering that Liberia has been undergoing a painful period in its history.
He said that their presence in the country should show to the whole world that it is possible to come to and be with the people of Liberia.
He said ECOWAS countries of which the Benin, Niger and Liberia are members have taken a number of measures and made contributions of which Niger has been a part; but in the future Niger is prepared to be a part of whatever assistance that is brought to Liberia including human, economic or whatever because what Liberia has undergone cannot be over-emphasized.
President Issoufou joined his colleague, President Yayi Boni to call on the international community to cancel Liberia’s debts. “We are also calling on the international community to cancel the debts of countries worse affected by Ebola. It is important to support these countries during their period of difficulty,” he said.
He also used the opportunity to call on investors to return to the country because the situation is improving now.
The Nigerien President commended the efforts of President Sirleaf for her courage and strength in tackling the disease which has now put the virus on the run.
Likewise, on the occasion of the New Year and on behalf of the Government and people of Niger, he conveyed compliments of the season to the Liberian leader, the Government and people of Liberia. “Happy New Year to the Government and people of Liberia and most especially to you,” he said, adding that within the next few months we will be talking about economic prosperity.