Liberia reports at ECOWAS Parliament

Liberia’s representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament have reported to the regional parliament, outlining progress and challenges the country has faced since their last report in May this year.

Presentation of Country Reports at the ongoing Second Ordinary Session of the Fourth Legislature by the various lawmakers from all 15 ECOWAS countries is part of routine legislative activities of the regional parliamentarian body.

A release from the Liberian Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria says the December Country Report, presented on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, covers the political and security situations in Liberia, the status of the implementation of the ECOWAS’ Community Levy, ratification of the community protocols and conventions, and implementation of ECOWAS community programs.

The Country Report also highlights implementation of the ECOWAS infrastructural and transportation policies and programs, status of implementation of the ECOWAS macro-economic program, including achievement of convergence criteria and sensitization activities carried out by parliamentarians.

The release says Montserrado County Representative Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr, read the Country Report on behalf of the Liberian Delegation. Other members of the delegation from here include, Montserrado County Senator George Manneh Weah, who is Head of Delegation; Nimba County Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, Representative Jefferson Karmoh of Sinoe County, who is Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and Representative Haja Fatta Siryon of Bomi County, respectively.

The report describes Liberia’s current political situation as relatively cordial, detailing, “As we may know, Liberia conducted presidential and representatives elections on 10th October, 2017. Seventy-three members of the House of Representatives were elected.”

It notes, “…however, in keeping with the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, for a candidate to be declared winner for the presidency, the candidate must obtain not less than 50 percent plus one (50%+1) of the total votes cast. Of the twenty (20) candidates for the presidency, no one candidate reached such constitutional requirement.”

On the ongoing legal process surrounding results of the polls, it says the Supreme Court is expected this week with a ruling on the status of the stay-order it placed on the process last month following a complaint from the Liberty Party which finished third in the first round of voting.

“To this end, Liberians and the world are watching the legal process to see its logical conclusion. There has been a general atmosphere of calm amongst the parties and citizens”, the release quotes the Country Report.

Relative to the drawdown of the United Nations Missions in Liberia, (UNMIL) couple of months ago, the Report explains that the Government of Liberia through its relevant institutions that are responsible for dealing with security and combating terrorism, including the National Security Agency (NSA), the Ministry of National Defense and the Liberia National Police (LNP) is working to maintain peace and security.

Regarding the economy, the release quotes the Report as saying that the outlook of the “Liberian economy appears gloomy premised on the outcome of the presidential election and enhancement of investments in infrastructure developments as well as implementation of agricultural programs”.

It rather optimistically adds that the economic activities are expected to improve by the end of the first half of 2018.The Liberian legislators also included in their Country Report continuous implementation of regional integration commitments within the framework of the ECOWAS Single Currency Program.

Other aspects covered in the Report include Status of Implementation of the Community Texts, Ratification of the Community Protocols and Conventions, Implementation of the Community Programs and Community Levy and Liberia’s successful hosting of ECOWAS Mid-term Statutory Meetings between May and June this year.

The Country Report concludes that Liberia continues to make considerable progress on the regional front, achieving key deliverables, according to the release.
The ongoing Second Ordinary Session of the Fourth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament kicked off on 21st of November and will end on the 9th of December, 2017. Press Release