Liberians fail to clinch Peace Agreement

Accra, Aug.16, GNA- Lack of consensus amongst stakeholders at the Liberian Peace Talks over the hierarchy of the proposed Interim Administration for the war-ravaged country, delayed the scheduled signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Accra on Saturday. ECOWAS mediators offered 15 cabinet positions to the three belligerent groups while six portfolios went to the 18 political parties and civil society groups in the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL).

A source close to the facilitators of the ECOWAS brokered Talks, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, that the main rebel groups-Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) have widened their demand for key positions in the legislature and the executive.


These include the vice presidency, Defence and Foreign portfolios and that of the Bureau of Maritime Affairs. They are also demanding the position of Speaker in the legislature.


"We are ironing out the sticky points but I can assure you that there would be no signing of agreement on Saturday. "We hope by Monday a compromise deal will be reached," the source said.


Mr Sunny Ugoh, Spokesperson at ECOWAS Secretariat in Accra, also told the GNA that the draft document has been submitted to all the major players to study.


The document provides for a general framework for the peace process including the composition of the legislature and the judiciary. An extract of the document provides seven representatives each from the Government of Liberia (GOL); LURD; MODEL and Civil Society and special interest groups.

Each of the 15 counties and the eighteen political parties in Liberia would also have a representation at the legislature. Endorsement of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement will wrap-up two months of intense closed-door negotiations to end the carnage in Liberia.


Visiting Liberian President, Mr Moses Blah who was expected to witness the signing ceremony held closed-door meetings in Accra on Saturday with the political parties to chart a peaceful transition for Liberia.


ECOWAS sources told the GNA that General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Nigerian Head of State and facilitator at the Talks was also meeting with the LURD and MODEL to break the stalemate.


Mr Sekou Conneh, Chairman of LURD and Mr Thomas Yaya Nimely of MODEL took part in the closed-door negotiations.


The NTGL would take over from Mr Blah next October to manage a transitional process that is expected to span two years.

The interim government would organise general election and ensure the demobilisation, disarmament and re-integration of former combatants. Mr Jacques Paul Klein, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Liberia, is expected in Ghana on Sunday to hold extensive interaction with the Media over efforts at brokering peace in war-torn Liberia.


Fourteen years of conflict have killed about 250,000 people and driven some 500,000 others into exile.

Liberia controls 50 per cent of small arms in the sub-region

Accra, Aug.16 GNA- ECOWAS Executive Secretary, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas has called for a comprehensive disarmament programme in Liberia to rid the war-wrecked country of armed conflicts that threaten the stability of the West African Sub-Region.


He said 50 per cent of the small arms in the sub-region are in Liberia while 90 per cent of the irregular armed groups operating in West Africa could also be traced to the country.


A press statement issued by the ECOWAS Secretariat in Accra on Saturday said the Executive Secretary was speaking during a meeting with the Secretary for Europe, Asia and Africa in the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs who was only identified as Mr Shashank.


"Because of the sub-regional implications of these arms, disarmament must, therefore, be effective," Dr Chambas said. He said ECOWAS would collaborate with the United Nations and the international community to resolve the issue.

Dr Chambas expressed the hope that when the proposed National Transitional Government for Liberia is put in place for the two-year term, there would be voluntary disarmament by combatants and an end to proliferation of arms.


The transitional government that would replace President Moses Blah Administration on October 14 would also tackle the humanitarian, economic and security needs of Liberia.


The New Liberian leader took over from Mr Charles Taylor who resigned his post last Monday due to international pressure and went into exile in Nigeria.


Dr Chambas said ECOWAS was planning a donor conference on Liberia to appraise the needs of that country.


He appealed for Indian assistance for the re-organization of the Liberian security agencies as part of the comprehensive peace efforts. India should also help promote peace and security in the West Africa by strengthening the military logistics for regional training by military institutions in Ghana, Cote d' Ivoire and Nigeria to improve on their tactical operational strategic training.

Mr Shashank announced that the Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria would be accredited to the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja to facilitate the process of dialogue and cooperation.


He said his country had provided 200 million dollars as credit line to support the New Economic Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). Me Shashank said India was determined to enhance its military cooperation with ECOWAS.