Liberia's new president vows to work for change
Jan. 17, 2006
By Kathy L. Gilbert*
|
A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert Ellen Johnson Sirleaf takes the oath of office as president in Monrovia, Liberia, Jan. 16.
|
Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf takes the oath of office as Liberia's 23rd president
during inauguration ceremonies in Monrovia Jan. 16. Henry Reed Cooper,
chief justice of Liberia's Supreme Court, administers the oath. Johnson
Sirleaf, an active member of Monrovia's First United Methodist Church,
is the first woman elected head of state in Africa. A UMNS photo by
Kathy L. Gilbert. Photo #06-032. Accompanies UMNS story #025. 1/17/06 |
MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS)
-- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the 23rd president of Liberia, pledged to work
for economic stability, create a brighter future for youth and children
and empower women in her inauguration speech Jan. 16.
"We will work to change," she
said.
The first woman elected head of
state in Africa, Johnson Sirleaf acknowledged many challenges lie ahead for her
country.
"I understand what you ordinary
citizens go through each day," she said, speaking to her people.
"I applaud the resilience of
our people, who have been dehumanized by poverty and shackled by 14 years of
civil war, who had the courage to go to the polls and vote -- not once but twice
-- for me and Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai."
Under cloudy skies, the new
president began by reflecting on her two illiterate grandmothers and parents who
taught her "to be what I am today." She also called for a moment of silent
prayer.
An active member of First
United Methodist Church, Johnson Sirleaf spoke of her faith several times during
her 40-minute speech. On Sunday, Jan. 15, a thanksgiving and intercessory
service was held at her church and officiated by Liberian Bishop John Innis and
Bishop Peter Weaver, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops.
Weaver presented Johnson-Sirleaf with a Bible signed by the bishops of the
church.
|
A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert U.S. first lady Laura Bush (center) speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during inauguration ceremonies Jan. 16.
|
U.S.
first lady Laura Bush (center) speaks with U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice during inauguration ceremonies for Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf in Monrovia, Liberia, Jan. 16. Johnson Sirleaf, an active member
of Monrovia's First United Methodist Church, is the first woman elected
head of state in Africa. A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert. Photo
#06-034. Accompanies UMNS story #025. 1/17/06 |
On the grounds of the Capitol,
heads of state and dignitaries from many nations of the world came to pay their
respects to Johnson-Sirleaf and show support for Liberia. First lady Laura Bush
-- also a United Methodist -- headed a U.S. delegation.
"I am touched by those you
see," Johnson Sirleaf said, looking around at those gathered. "Our dear brothers
and sisters from the United States, headed by the wife of President George Bush,
I pay homage and respectfully welcome you."
Johnson Sirleaf made a special
point of thanking West Africans who "died for us and denied yourselves to assist
and pray for us."
In a statement given to the
press, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan congratulated the people of Liberia for
a peaceful and transparent electoral process. The establishment of the
democratically elected government brings a close to the two-year transitional
period in the peace agreement signed in 2003.
|
A UMNS photo by Joseph Zeogar Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia is Africa's first woman elected head of state.
|
Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf sits following her inaugural address in Monrovia,
Liberia, Jan. 16. Johnson-Sirleaf, an active member of Monrovia's First
United Methodist Church, is the first woman elected head of state in
Africa. A UMNS photo by Joseph Zeogar. Photo #06-033. Accompanies UMNS
story #025. 1/17/06 |
The new president faces a
number of challenges, including restructuring security, strengthening the
economy, protecting human rights and establishing basic services such as
electricity and running water. Liberia's civil war decimated most of the
country's infrastructure.
Liberians have high
expectations for their new president, and Johnson Sirleaf said she will work to
put Liberia's economic house "back in order."
"We need to put Liberians back
to work and bring our economic and financial house in order."
Johnson Sirleaf extended a hand
of friendship to those who ran against her in the election, at one point
speaking directly to George Weah, her closest opponent, who attended the
inauguration.
"I believe democracy is best
served when the opposition is strong and actively engaged," she said.
She asked those Liberians who
had fled the country during the war to return and join in rebuilding the nation.
She also said she would help those living in refugee camps rebuild their lives.
"Your job as citizens is to
work for family and your country," she said. "The government's job is to work
for you."
Johnson Sirleaf promised the
days of terror by corrupt chief executives were over and said "corruption will
be enemy No. 1" in her administration. She pledged that everyone in her
administration would be required to declare their assets. "I will be the first
to comply," she said to the applause of those in attendance.
|
A UMNS photo by Joseph Zeogar Bishop
Peter Weaver (left) presents a Bible to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (right)
during a Jan. 15 service at First United Methodist Church in Monrovia.
|
United
Methodist Bishop Peter Weaver (left) presents a Bible to Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf (right) during a thanksgiving and prayer service at First United
Methodist Church in Monrovia, Liberia, Jan. 15, the eve of Johnson
Sirleaf's inauguration as president of Liberia. Bishop John Innis (third
from left), who leads the United Methodist Church in Liberia, looks on.
Johnson Sirleaf, an active member of the church spoke of her faith
several times during her inaugural address. A UMNS photo by Joseph
Zeogar. Photo #06-035. Accompanies UMNS story #025. 1/17/06 |
"I am a president for all the
people," she said. "No one in my administration will pursue any vendettas, and
we will have no policy of exclusion."
Before ending her speech,
Johnson Sirleaf closed with words for the women of Liberia, Africa and the
world.
"Women have endured injustices
and inhumane treatment? yet it is the women who have labored and advocated for
peace."
She thanked the women in
Liberia who "had an unmatched passion" for her candidacy. She said she would
work to make sure women had their proper place in the economic process
She ended on a determined note.
"We are good, we are kind, we are forgiving and we are God's? We have a future
of promise and hope, and we will not fail."
*Gilbert is a United Methodist
News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Kathy L.
Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.
Related Articles
Liberians welcome president's pledge to curb corruption
Challenges for Liberia's leader
New leader's pledge: Unite Liberia
Related Articles
Inaugural Address by President of Liberia
UMCOR: Liberia Emergency Response
Mission Profile: Liberia
|