President Sirleaf Meets ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff

Monrovia, Liberia - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has assured ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff that Liberia’s territory will not be used to destabilize the sub-region. She says she believes that true security is achieved by responding to the needs of the people. She also thanked ECOWAS for agreeing to host the sub-region’s Chiefs of Defense Staff meeting in Liberia, describing it as a signal that Liberia has been accepted by other countries in the sub-region.

The President spoke today at the Foreign Ministry when Chiefs of Defense Staff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) paid a courtesy call on her. The delegation was accompanied by Defense Minister Brownie Samukai. The ECOWAS military chiefs are currently in Liberia to attend the ECOWAS Conference for sub-regional Chiefs of Defense Staff.

Speaking on the setting up of the sub-regional stand-by force, the Liberian leader commended the military chiefs for the initiative and stressed the need to focus on preventing and not only intervening in conflicts. Speaking on the United States Africa Military Command (AFRICOM), President Johnson Sirleaf said she believes that it buttresses Africa’s ability to take charge of its responsibilities.
 
She added that AFRICOM is also aimed at having Africa participate in decisions which affect the continent. She assured the ECOWAS chiefs that the present African political leadership is very strong and has the will to advocate issues in favor of the continent. The Liberian leader said she was looking forward to the ECOWAS chiefs’ view on AFRICOM.

Speaking on behalf of the military chiefs, the Chief of Defense Staff of Burkina Faso, Gen. Ali Traore, congratulated President Johnson Sirleaf for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the United States. He revealed that ECOWAS military chiefs discussed the security situation in the sub-region as well as the possibility of setting up an ECOWAS stand-by force.

He emphasized that a task force of 2700 people is being gathered, adding that troops are being prepared for initial training. Gen. Traore further informed the President that the ECOWAS military chiefs hope to set up the main battalion in 2010. He noted that there is general restoration of peace in the region and that countries experiencing conflicts are now stabilized. He observed that progress has been made in countries previously riddled with conflict.

Also present at the meeting were ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia, Ansumana Cisse, and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Commanding General Abdulrahman.