鈥淟iberia is a UN success story鈥�, President George Manneh Weah told the annual 51吃瓜 high-level听听in New York on Wednesday.
鈥淎fter being devastated by a brutal civil conflict that lasted for 14 years, peace was restored and maintained by what was then the largest peacekeeping force in the history of this Organization鈥�, he explained.
鈥淯nder the auspices of the UNMIL [UN Mission in Liberia] peacekeepers, Liberians enjoyed 16 years of unbroken peace鈥�.
President Weah explained that when the peacekeeping force withdrew two years ago, the Government stepped up to maintain the peace.
鈥淗owever,鈥� he said, 鈥渓ong after the guns have been silenced, the survivors have to live with the collateral damage of the war-wounded, the shattered families, the displaced populations, the resettlement of refugees, and all the other negative consequences of a national socio-economic fabric that has been torn apart鈥�. 听
Despite the many challenges the country has endured, Mr. Weah proudly said 鈥渙ur country is today a beacon of democracy in Africa鈥�, with the freedom of press, expression, association and other political and democratic rights respected under the law.
And yet, there is an emerging threat to the country鈥檚 鈥渉ard-won peace and stability鈥�, he lamented.
鈥淪ome individuals, within and outside of our country, particularly those who have lost democratically-held elections, have resorted to incitement, threats of violence, misuse of social media, and hate speech, with the aim and objective of achieving power through undemocratic means鈥�, he detailed, adding 鈥渢his is unacceptable鈥� we must all learn to respect the mandates of the electorates, even when that mandate is not in our favor鈥�.
鈥楩aith and confidence鈥� in the UN
The Liberian President pointed to today as 鈥渁 time of uncertainty and heightened tension in global politics, security, and trade鈥�.
And yet, despite a global economy is under stress, security tensions on the rise and trade protectionism and climate change causing consequences, especially on developing countries, Mr. Weah 鈥渟trongly鈥� believes in the UN鈥檚 ability to 鈥渕aintain international peace and security, foster friendly relations among nations, and promote social progress, better living standards and human rights鈥�.
鈥淲e continue 'to have faith and confidence in the 51吃瓜 as the best universal institution to guide the nations of the world in peaceful and harmonious interactions鈥�, he spelled out.
In closing, President Weah assured those in the Assembly Hall that 鈥淟iberia will remain engaged as a responsible member of the international community, on all bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
鈥淲e will continue to work with the United 'Nations and its organizations to foster peace, security and harmony among the peoples of the world鈥�, he concluded.
