ECOWAS Job For Kufuor

After launching his foundation to promote excellence in leadership, governance and development, former president John Agyekum Kufuor is on the move again, this time around in Liberia to promote peace and democracy.

He has commenced a four-day pre-election mission in Liberia as the Special Envoy of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), with former Nigerian head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, as a joint Special Envoy.

The two leaders are expected to get first hand information and brief ECOWAS on preparations towards Liberia’s second general election since it returned to constitutional rule almost five years ago after more than a decade of civil war.

Sixteen political parties including the ruling Congress for Democratic Change of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who is seeking a second five-year term, will take part in the election slated for October.

President Sirleaf, when she became the leader of Liberia, said she would not contest for a second term in office. Her decision to do so however has shocked many.

The two former presidents held separate meetings with officials of the United Nations Mission in Liberia and the Independent Electoral Commission of Liberia (INEC) on arrival.

Former president Kufuor made a passionate appeal to INEC to conduct the elections in a manner which would win the trust and confidence of all the parties and the people.

He told the INEC to strictly apply the electoral rule to ensure a successful election because history beckoned Liberia.

Both Madam Ellen Margaret Loj, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Liberia and James Fromayan, Chairman of INEC, were concerned about the use of intemperate language by political actors, which they said had the tendency to plunge the country into chaos once again.

Mr. Kufuor and General Abubakar are expected to meet President Johnson-Sirleaf and representatives of political parties, civil society and the media.