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'Not What We Expected' - General Abubakar

Liberian Observer (Monrovia)
NEWS
November 17, 2005
Posted to the web November 17, 2005

By Boto K. Bradford
Monrovia
The chief mediator for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
left Monrovia Tuesday not exactly thrilled with the outcome of the run-off
elections.
Retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar expressed his disappointment in a press
conference at the ECOWAS headquarters in Congo Town Wednesday morning, where he
met with members of the press just hours before his departure.
General Abubakar was in the country for the run-off elections, "to see what
milestones were being made" in the peace process.
He took the opportunity with the press to congratulate Liberians on the recent
elections, which he said most observers (including ECOWAS' own mediation team)
had reported free and fair.
The former Nigerian head of state, however, expressed his disappointment with
the current state of the process.
"We were happy with what happened at the polls until issues arose the following
day," he said. General Abubakar said the allegations were "not what ECOWAS had
expected," describing accusations "a stumbling block."
He thanked the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) for having made their point
through peaceful demonstration, but added that it is "time to stop the rallies
in order not to create more problems." The mediator appealed to the CDC and any
other aggrieved parties to follow the laid down procedures according to the
Constitution of Liberia. General Abubakar said even if after the proceedings
the CDC is still dissatisfied, there are other legal channels open.
He urged Liberians to give peace a chance and not to do anything that would
truncate what has been achieved so far.
The ECOWAS mediator said he had met with Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Mr.
George Weah both separately and together, and that "both parties want peace."
In responding to questions from the press on related matters, he said the
European Union's call for exiled President Charles Taylor to be turned over
immediately to the new government was not in the best interest of Liberia and
should be revisited. He also dispelled rumors that ECOWAS as a decision making
body was divided in its response to the current situation in Liberia.
"ECOWAS is not interested in any one party," he asserted, "but in Liberia." He
said that the international community would stay as long as necessary to help
Liberia in her rebuilding process.
With regards to the incoming government, the former Nigerian head of state
cautioned Liberians not to "expect all of the country's problems to be solved
the next morning," but to be realistic in their expectations of the new
government.
In closing, he urged the Liberian press to be responsible, to report "the truth
and nothing but the truth," and to avoid inflaming situations. "Do not set your
own country on fire," he said, urging the press to preach "politics without
bitterness."
The general said he hopes to return to Liberia for the inauguration of the new
president.

   

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