A joint council of chiefs and elders’ conference aimed at resolving cross border attacks between Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire has opened in Grand Gedeh County with traditional chiefs and elders from the respective borders towns of the two countries meeting in Zwedru to discuss ways of peaceful coexistence. Liberia and Ivory Coast enjoyed relative peace until the death of former President Laurent Gbagbo and the election of Alhassan Ouattara which sparked sporadic skirmishes, nearly spilling over into Liberia. The conference seeks to enhance cooperation between civilian and security authorities at our common border, particularly on matters relating to cross-border security. It is also expected to seek the implementation of trans-border “Palaver Hut Talk” involving Chiefs and Elders from the two countries focusing on building relationships, fostering and strengthening peace, security and reconciliation among peoples in the two countries. Our correspondent, Augustus Zeon said 54 chiefs and elders from Ivory Coast arrived on Wednesday amidst a rising welcome from citizens of Grand Gedeh County and some of the guests have left Monrovia for the event. The team arrived on board two airplanes - one touched down in the morning while the other arrived at 6:00 pm Wednesday at the William B. Coleman Airport in Zwedru. They were received upon arrival by Internal Affairs Minister Morris Dukuly, Grand Gedeh County superintendent Peter Solo and scores of his office staff amidst cultural performances. On Monday, a 19-member technical team from Ivory Coast joined their Liberian counterparts to connect the electrical appliances including communication gargets, loudspeakers in the Zwedru City Hall where the program is being held. The Ivorian delegation yesterday held discussion with their Liberian counterparts that commenced the process of building an inclusive mechanism of dialogue that will be responsive to peace, security and reconciliation needs of citizens, particularly in trans-border communities in both Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire. The occasion which began on October 16, 2013, will go through October 19, 2013. It is the Inaugural Round of the Joint Council of Chiefs and Elders Meeting which will bring together Chiefs and Elders from four border provinces in Cote d’Ivoire and four border counties of Liberia. “Liberian-Ivoirian history is rich and replete with many pleasant memories. This history teaches even today that when we collaborate and cooperate, great socio-cultural, economic and political benefits come to our two countries and peoples. As our most recent individual and collective national experiences remind us, anything that affects Cote d’Ivoire negatively or positively also impacts Liberia,” Minister Dukuly said recently said at a news conference in Monrovia. He said the MRU and ECOWAS are devoted to preserving and enhancing peace, security and stability, regional integration, socio-economic development and advancement of their peoples, as well as laying the foundation for increased bilateral cooperation and collaboration in the critical area of peace- building and establishment of the platform for dialogue between and among their citizens. Another reason for the conference he said is security and stability in Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire. But security and stability are not enhanced when two peoples, really one people, do not communicate or talk to each other, or when sections of their populations bear fears about their personal security and wellbeing. With this, our correspondent said already due to the high presence of delegates as well as participants of the conference, Zdedru now has limited sleeping capacity to hold the people. As a result, Mr. Dukuly has reportedly asked participants who do not have a sleeping place in Zwedru to take advantage of sleeping areas in nearby Tarpital, Nimba County. “As I am speaking to you, Zwedru is jammed packed. You cannot find a sleeping place. Youth groupings and cultural performances are in various street corners of Zdedru. Presidents Sirleaf who chairs the MRU and Ouattara who is President of ECOWAS, are expected to arrive in Zwedru tomorrow to make their input. With their experience in war, security, and international cooperation, their presence will heighten the spirit of the occasion.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 07:14:40 +0000
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