UN, ECOWAS security assessment proposed!

By Lincoln G. Peters

Madam Olubanke King-Akerele, a former Liberian Foreign Minister, has proposed that ECOWAS and UN assess Liberia for what she believes is a security threat facing the nation and the Sub-region.

Monrovia, Liberia, 14 March 2024: Former Liberian Foreign Minister Amb. Olubanke King-Akerele has proposed that President Joseph Nyumah Boakai should request an external security assessment of Liberia due to security threats at home and in the region.

She wants the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast (UNM) to undertake Liberia’s security assessment and evaluation. 

Amb. King-Akerele proposed the security assessment while speaking at the 95th birthday anniversary celebration of the late Madam Mary Brownell on Tuesday, 12 March 2024, in Central Monrovia.

“Given the security threat in the sub-region and that which is also facing our nation and neighbor and the imperative surrounding Liberia, we strongly believe and urge the new administration of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to seriously consider and make a request to the UN Mission in Ivory Coast, and the ECOWAS to come and undertake a security assessment and evaluation [of] Liberia,” King-Akerele urged. 

According to her, there is simply too much hate speech, violence, and hatred all over the country, something she described as provocative and uncalled for. 

She believes that these factors have the propensity of taking the country down the road it doesn’t want to go. 

“All parties, especially the opposition, must be mindful of this. We urge them to bear in mind the respect and recognition that the world and Africa is giving former President George M. Weah for how he acknowledged the victory of President Boakai,” she pointed out. 

She also urged former President Weah to not lose the respect being awarded to him and Liberia. 

She said former President Weah’s Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is promoting hate messages and engaging in provocation.

“We urge him to speak. I went to Uganda and Rwanda three times to the United Nations, so I know what I’m talking about. We can’t afford hate speeches and messages that [are] provocative to destroy our country again,” she concluded. 

On Tuesday, dozens of citizens, especially the Congo descendants or Americo-Liberians, gathered at the residence of the late Madam Mary Brownell in celebration of her 95th birthday anniversary. 

The gathering brought together prominent past and present statesmen and women, including Dr. Togba Nah Tipoteh, Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, Dr. H. Boimah Fahnbulleh, Aunty Mitta Fahnbulleh, and Dr. Emmanuel Urey-Yarkpawolo, among others.

They gathered to reflect on Madam Brownell’s role in promoting and sustaining peace, democracy, and security.

Over twelve individuals were awarded the Judge Emma Shannon Walser Medal of Good Governance, the Rule of Law, and Patriotism for their valuable services to humanity, society, and country.