Uncertainty about Liberian Peace Process at Akosombo

There are no indications that the actual negotiations stage of the Liberia Peace Process, scheduled for Akosombo in the Eastern Region would kick off on Wednesday.

Volta Lake Hotel, venue for the 14-day marathon peace process, involving warring factions and other stakeholders, is very quite without the expected heavy security presence and the intensive negotiations likely to define the road map for attaining lasting peace.


Hotel officials told the Ghana News Agency at about 1800 hours that so far only seven Liberians had checked in whilst those who could not find their names on the rooming list have relocated at Akuse.


However, all the 35 rooms have been by booked by both local and foreign delegates.


One of the delegates, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Hotel management had received reports that actual business would take off on Thursday.


The few security personnel guarding the premises were also at a loss whether the event would take place.

"We are told a few Liberians who say they have flown in from the US for the meeting have arrived," a Police Officer told the GNA.


"We have, however, not received any feedback from our superiors why the meeting has delayed."


Apart from the Movement for Democracy (MODEM), the second rebel group, boycotting the peace process that was opened by the President John Agyekum Kufuor and other African leaders in Accra, pronouncement from other stakeholders in the conflict, including President Charles Taylor, showed serious commitment to the Peace process.


President Taylor flew back home on Wednesday after news that the UN War Crimes Court in Sierra Leone had asked for his arrest.