Five former African presidents who are members of theAfrica Forum are expected to begin arriving in Liberia's capital, MonroviaThursday. They include Africa Forum chairman and former Mozambican PresidentJoaquim Chissano, former Benin President Nicephore Soglo, Jerry Rawlings ofGhana, Quett Masire of Botswana and Sam Nujoma of Namibia.
The core mission ofthe Africa Forum is to promote democratic governance as well as peace makingand post-conflict reconstruction and development in Africa. Their visit comesas Liberia prepares to celebrate its 161 independence anniversarythis Saturday.
Cletus Sieh is Liberia's acting minister of information. Hetold VOA the five former heads of stateare coming to show their solidarity with Africa's first elected femalepresident Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
"Whatthis is trying to show is that people can leave office as heads of state andstill be meaningful to Africa in the area of bringing peace and in the area ofbringing about reconciliation. So these former heads of state are coming together,some of them are very much interested in the health sector, specifically thearea of HIV/AIDS. Also some of them are interested in education andagriculture. So they are coming to bless this occasion but also to havediscussions with the Liberian government," he said.
Siehsaid the visit of the five former presidents is a testament to PresidentSirleaf's commitment to rebuild Liberia after 14 years of civil war.
"MadameEllen Johnson Sirleaf has tried very hard to put Liberia back among the comityof nations and leaders around the world are very much impressed with the kindof leadership she is providing. She also the first elected female president inAfrica. So these former heads of state are coming to show their solidarity butalso to lend a helping, especially as Liberia has started her poverty reductionstrategy, and these old hands are coming to give their advice to our presidentas to the way forward," Sieh said.
Thevisit of the former African presidents comes as preparations for the celebrationof Liberia's161 independence anniversary this Saturday are in fullswing.
Butfor many Liberians, this year's celebration comes amid skyracketing food andfuel prices. But Sieh said despite these problems, Liberians should have reasonto be enthusiastic about this year's 161 Independence Daycelebration.
"Inthe midst of the problems you've just highlighted, it was something to seetoday (Wednesday) when the president went to Kakata City to turn on the lightsafter so many years of darkness. Also the pipe-borne water was turned, andpeople were happy and drinking from these pumps, things that had not happenedfor a very, very long time. So this is a way of giving hope to our people. Inthe midst of what is going on, the government is trying her best to restorebasic services to our people. So a cause for some celebration," he said.