-As She Launches Women’s Situation Room
By Taisiah K. Merfee
IPNEWS – Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Tuesday, August 29, officially launched the Women’s Situation Room (WSR) aimed at promoting peaceful electoral environment and community security in Liberia.
The WSR’s flagship program is being implemented by the Angie Brooks International Center for Women Empowerment, International Peace and Security.
The initiative also seeks to combat hate speech, political violence and enhance peaceful co-existence during and after the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections.
It is funded by the European Union, United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Peace-building Funds, among others.
The program, which was held in the Monrovia City Hall Ball Room, was launched and graced by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Cllr. Francis Johnson-Allison, former Chief Justice and members of the diplomatic community, including ECOWAS, UN and the European Union.
In the same vein, the initiative brought together political parties, grassroots women, youths and students as well as motorcyclist.
Officially launching the program, former President Sirleaf, after observing silence and fatigue in the hall, raised battled cries, which awakened the audience.
In her brief remarks, Madam Sirleaf said that chanting of slogans is not only to wake Liberians up but to unify and bring them together with oneness and unity.
According to her, this is meant to tell Liberians that they are all one people, one nation from different tribes and counties but with single objective of withholding their peace and security.
“This tells us that we Liberians are dedicated to the costs of rebuilding our nation; dedicated to not just ourselves but for our children, and children’s children: to give them the place to pursue their dreams and ambitions. That is what we have come together as a people,” she stated.
Madam Sirleaf, who is regarded in the Liberian political space as “Iron-lady,” extolled ABIC, and all its donors, supporters and partners of the WSR for providing the funding for the project.
The former Liberian President expressed her joy that the proponents of the situation have now added for the first time “Men’s Situation Room.”
‘’Once again, we have come together in the spirit of unity, togetherness and the spirit of preserving the peace of this country. Let us vote because it’s a sacred responsibility and duty. Also, let us maintain the peace of our country for our generations here and to come.”
Giving the overview of the Women’s Situation Room, the Coordinator of ABIC, Cllr. Dr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh described the WSR as a strategies operation platform that is meant to promote peace and unity.
Cllr. Cheeson-Wureh further said the WSR will be operating in Montserrado, Nimba, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Bong, Lofa and Grand Gedeh Counties.
For her parts, former Foreign Affairs Minister and Chair of ABIC Board of Directors, Olubanke King-Akerele extolled ABIC for the launch of the Women Situation Room.
Former Foreign Minister Akerele called on the Government of Liberia to investigate election violence across the country, adding that the early warning sign of conflict are numerous and are unacceptable.
In brief remark on behalf of international community, including the United Nations Family, the UN Resident Coordinator to Liberia, Madam Christine N. Umutoni, European Union, and the Swedish Ambassador, in separates remarks, urged Liberians to take control of the peace.
They expressed commitment and support to Liberia and the WSR, adding that the peace of Liberia is in the hands of Liberians.
For her part, Indigenous Eminent Women or head of Rural Women, Madam Korpo Howard, extolled ABIC for taking the messages of peace and violence-free election to the counties.
