Nimbaians and Grand Gedeans sign peace accord

The Chief of Party of Carter Center Liberia has called on Liberians to serve as peace ambassadors in their respective counties, districts, clans and communities as the country goes to elections in 2017.

Mr. Pewee Flomoku stressed peace should start with ordinary citizens across the country, promising Carter Center’s support to sustaining peace here.  He also pledged support and commitment to helping the Government of Liberia in providing access to justice and empowering chiefs. Mr. Flomoku spoke on Sunday, 27 November in Gaye Town, Gbao Administrative District, GrandGedeh County during the signing of a 17-count joint resolution, ending a three-day conference between the people of Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties.

The two sisterly counties agreed to reject tribal hatred, gossip and rumors of war and strengthen communication among their respective chiefs, elders, women and youth groups to discourage negative perceptions that could breed hatred, undermine social cohesion and promote conflict.
They empower the Peace Building office of the Republic of Liberia in collaboration with the Carter Center and other partners to develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation mechanism on the implementation of the Toweh Town and Gaye Town resolutions.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Administration and head of delegation Mr. Varney A. Sirleaf and the Deputy Minister for Operation Mr. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, and Assistant Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Mr. Elvin Frank, including National Peace Ambassador William R. Tolbert, lll and the Executive Director for the Liberia Peace Building Office at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr. Edward K. Mulbah.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister Sirleaf commended people of the two counties for the commitment and love they expressed for each other. He pledged government’s support towards the initiative.

Meanwhile, Minister Sirleaf has disclosed that government will take the exercise to all 15 counties to help resolve unsettled disputes among citizens. Peace Ambassador Tolbert, lll called on Liberians to forgive one another and unite to rebuild the country.
He said there is more work to do to promote peace across Liberia, while lamenting that his own story could be told so that people can know that there is need for peace to exist among Liberians.

The conference was organized by the Government of Liberia thru the Ministry of Internal Affairs and funded by the Carter Center. Chiefs, elders, and authorities of the two counties gathered in Gaye Town, Gbao Administrative district to trash long-standing conflicting issues and strengthen relationship.

Franklin Doloquee, from Zwedru-Editing by Jonathan Browne