As part of his two-day country tour, the SRSG met with the Liberian President.
SRSG Mahamat Saleh Annadif informed President George Weah that his visit to Liberia was part of his regional tour, upon assumption of his duties in April 2021. His main message to the President was to renew UN commitment to sustaining peace and security in Liberia.
President George Weah welcomed SRSG Annadif to Liberia. He congratulated the SRSG on his new appointment as SRSG and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel . President Weah also re-affirmed Liberia’s commitment to working closely with him and the United Nations team in Liberia to consolidate peace and democratic governance in Liberia, the region and Sahel, especially in the fight against terrorism. President Weah also recognised SRSG Annadif’s extensive national and international experience in peace processes in Africa, including in Niger, the Central African Republic and Sudan which he brings to the post.
President Weah informed the SRSG of his long history of interactions and profound friendship with his predecessor, former SRSG Chambas, a dear friend and brother, expressing hope for similar and stronger relationship with SRSG Annadif. He also spoke of his amicable relationship with President Macky Sall of Senegal whom he referred to as mentor and senior brother.
President Weah further stressed the “special relationship” between his Government and the UN in Liberia under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator and expressed confidence in the UN’s support to strengthen development efforts.
SRSG Annadif expressed strong support for the implementation of the national development plan, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, suggesting adoption of UNDP’s regional Emergency Community Development Project as vehicle for accelerating community development, which has been successfully implemented in Senegal, Togo and The Gambia and aims to reduce poverty and growing inequalities between regions by providing rural communities with basic socioeconomic infrastructure.