The Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. along with the Minister of National Defense, Maj. Gen. Daniel Ziankahn on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 attended a day long Ministerial level Meeting of the 45^th Session of the ECOWAS’ Mediation and Security Council (MSC) held virtually at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia.

Addressing the participants at the opening of the meeting, Minister Kemayah lauded the support ECOWAS provided during the Special Senatorial Elections held on December 8, 2020 in Liberia.

“Let me used this time to commend all of the members of ECOWAS for the support render the Government and people of Liberia in the just ended Special Senatorial elections on December 8, 2020 to be specific”, Foreign Minister mentioned.

Ambassador Kemayah, who was quick to indicate that indeed there, was an isolated and scudded semblance of violence, but with the able and astute leadership of His Excellency, President George M. Weah, the situation was brought under control.

 In furtherance, Minister Kemayah:  “we can say that Liberia indeed had very smooth and successful senatorial elections. And in fact we remain very much committed to the tenant of democracy as indicated always by President Weah. 

“For the first time in our history, His Excellency the President, though the ruling party experience some defeat, but he was very quick in accepting; realizing that the elections were conducted by the National Elections Commission without any interference whatsoever from the government, our President was very kind heart in extending congratulations to those members from the opposition and independent candidates who were elected; that was indeed historic”.

On the issue of maritime security, the Liberian Foreign Minister said as it relates to the report on maritime security, Liberia will like to encourage other sisterly countries, who have not setup their maritime zones to please work, in terms of ensuring that such zones are setup. 

According to Foreign Minister Kemayah, the countries concerned should not only set up their maritime zone but need to work toward operationalizing such maritime zone.

 “We say that owning to our concern as it relates to the increase in piracy in particular the Gulf of Guinea; we think when the maritime zone is fully set up, it will go a long way in enhancing the security situation in the sub region”.

For her part, H.E. Mrs. Shirley Ayokor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation of the Republic of Ghana and Chair of ECOWAS Council of Ministers who presided over the meeting, urged the Ministers and Representatives of Member States to conduct a thorough consideration of the recommendations from theMediation and Security Council(MSC) at the Ambassadorial level and the various memoranda brought forward for approval.

She said the MSC would continue to focus attention on implementing the ECOWAS Action Plan against Terrorism while redoubling the collective efforts in honoring the financial obligations made towards the implementation of the 2020-2024 Priority Action Plan to combat extremism in West Africa.