Friday, November 27, 2009: TRC Chairman Gerald Coleman has challenges President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s first female elected head of state to “be a Mother and a reconciler” of the nation.

Speaking recently at the 19th edition of the Liberia Democracy Watch (LDW) Dialogue for Democracy public discussion series held at the Gender Ministry, Commissioner Coleman stated that the ones of bringing all Liberians together depended in large on the leadership of the country led by President Sirleaf.

He stated that  despite been mentioned in the final recommendations of the TRC for a ban from politics, it was critical that as a leader, President Sirleaf undertake concrete steps at ensuring the implementation of the report, whether in part of whole. Commissioner Coleman reiterated calls for the report to be given serious attention and not left to be quashed.

Facilitators - (l-r) LDW Director Williams, SFCG Country Director Bloh, Father Robert Tikpor, ActionAid Director Gaie and TRC Commissioner Coleman

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of LDW, Mr. George Wah Williams, used the opportunity to call on Madam Sirleaf to consider some practically feasible steps aimed at materializing some of the recommendations which will show the commitment of the Presidency that is so direly needed at this critical period in the nation’s history.

Mr. Williams recommended the consideration to rebury former President’s Tolbert and Doe in a politically appropriate manner and site.

He stated that given the historical role Madam Sirleaf has played in the socio-political evolvement of the country, it was appropriate especially that as the leader receiving the recommendations from the body she swore into office and supported during its tenure to make good her promise to implement the recommendations. 

Additionally, Mr. Ernest Gaie and Bloh called for the setting up of the National Reconciliation Commission that will work within a national framework aimed at reducing the tensions and divide amongst the people of Liberia.

The Dialogue for Democracy is a bi-monthly public discussion series administered by Liberia Democracy Watch with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

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