ECOWAS Commission president promises Ellen standing ovation

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Marcel Alain de Souza has promised to ask the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and others to do a “standing ovation” for the Chair of ECOWAS Authority and president of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her government.

A Foreign Ministry release issued in Monrovia this week says Mr. Souza announced the standing ovation is in recognition of the splendid job Mrs. Sirleaf has done for the sub-region and her country.

It says Mr. de Souza made the assertion during his remarks at the opening of the 38th Ordinary Ministerial Meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council taking place at the Farmington Hotel in lower Margibi County.

Providing updates on the sub-region, specifically on the democratic front, the ECOWAS Commission President says Liberia is the only country that is set to go to presidential and legislative elections in October this year.

He has praised the Liberian Government for its handling of the electoral process so far. While formally opening the meeting, the Chairperson of the Ministerial Council, Liberia’s Foreign Minister Madam Marjon V. Kamara welcomed her colleagues and guests, telling them how honored the Government and people of Liberia are by their presence.

“Our President, the Government and people of Liberia are greatly honored by your presence, she said, adding, that the decision to convene these mid-year statutory meetings in Liberia is a very reassuring statement of confidence in the progress which Liberia has made in consolidating peace over the past 13 years”.
Madam Kamara adds that it bears testimony to the strong and visionary leadership of President Sirleaf, who, with support of partners has kept the Liberian nation on a peaceful course.

“ECOWAS, the United Nations and many friendly governments have been indispensable partners in this respect,” Madam Kamara has emphasized.  She paid tribute to the president and staff of the ECOWAS Commission for the positive results of their hard work which continues to bring credit to the regional body.

She expressed her expectation that the 38th MSC Meeting will further enhance their collective initiatives to strengthen the peace and security architecture of the sub-region.
Meanwhile, the two-day Meeting of the 78th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers takes place on Thursday, June 1st and Friday, June 2nd, at the Farmington Hotel in lower Margibi County. –Press release