AFRICA/LIBERIA - “This is a positive moment for all Liberians” says a missionary after installation of the new President

Tuesday, 17 January 2006

AFGHANISTAN

2024-02-07
Manipur, torn by conflict, tries to reconnect the threads of dialogue

2023-12-04
The Franciscan Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Jinan celebrates the 60th anniversary of Sacrosanctum Concilium, to continue walking on the paths opened by the Second Vatican Council

2023-10-16
Prayer for the reconciliation of the peoples of Israel and Palestine

2022-02-24
Integrating refugees into society: the commitment of the Pro Bambini Association of Kabul

2021-12-18
The Barnabites, with their hearts in Kabul: "Pray for Afghanistan"

2021-12-17
Serious food crisis: 23 million people in need

Monrovia (Agenzia Fides)- “This is a positive moment for all Liberians and for the future of the country” said Italian missionary Fr Mauro Armanino, a member of the Society for African Missions, in the Liberian capital Monrovia where yesterday 16 January (see Fides 13 January 2006) the new president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was installed.
“Happy crowds gathered to watch the open air ceremony in front of Parliament building” said the missionary who spoke to some of the people present. One young man referring to the national anthem said: “Now once again Liberia can be the sweet land of freedom”.
“Many women present wore dresses on which the president’s face had been printed with the slogan: “we are proud to be women” said Fr. Armanino.
In her installation speech President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf urged opposition leaders to join the government in rebuilding the country and she appointed the first members of her administration. After taking the solemn oath, Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf promised the thousands gathered in Parliament Square “I will attend to your needs and concerns for the development of the country”. “My government holds out a hand of friendship and solidarity to the leaders of every political party”, she told her defeated adversary former football champion George Weah not present at the swearing in ceremony.
“The President’s speech looked more at the future than at the past although she did recall the victims of the civil war” said Fr. Armanino. Among the ministers appointed, for Finance Antoinette Sayeh, former head of the World Bank programme for Benin and for Defence, Brownie Samukai, former chief of police.
“I know some of the country’s new leaders appointed by the President to be young, capable and intelligent” the missionary said.
President Johnson-Sirleaf also mentioned Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis, the Catholic archbishop of Monrovia (who has been ill for some time), calling him “the nation’s conscience”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/1/2006 righe 33 parole 367)