Liberia no longer "deprived", says president at inauguration

Jan 16, 2012, 14:49 GMT

Monrovia - Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf began her second term in office at a 1.2-million-dollar ceremony, attended by several African leaders and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Monday.

Johnson-Sirleaf, dressed in a silver gown and matching headscarf, and Vice-President Joseph Boakai, who wore stripes, were sworn in at around midday at an outdoor ceremony held in the grounds of Liberia's Capitol Building.

Liberia's military band played, choirs sang and traditional performers entertained the 3000-strong crowd with drumming and dancing.

Clinton, seated between Guinea's leader Alpha Conde and Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal, watched Johnson-Sirleaf take the oath before continuing on a two-day tour of West Africa.

Nobel peace prize laureate Leymah Gbowee, who was awarded the honour alongside Johnson-Sirleaf in October, was seated nearby.

To mark the moment of inauguration, 12 cannons were fired and a cheer swept through the audience.

The event was also attended by Cote d'Ivoire leader Alassane Ouattara, who is due to meet Clinton for talks later Monday.

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan, who had been due to attend, stayed behind in Nigeria, where a deal was being cut with unions on the issue of fuel price hikes.

Also present were Liberia's main opposition leaders, Winston Tubman and former footballing great George Weah, of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).

The CDC boycotted the second round of voting that saw Johnson-Sirleaf elected as president, after citing 'voting irregularities.' Talks have been underway between Johnson-Sirleaf's administration and the CDC in order to attempt to address some of the needs of the opposition's voters.

In her inaugural address, the president said Liberia has turned a corner.

'We are no longer the country our citizens wanted to run away from and that our international partners hated,' she said. 'Liberia is no longer a deprived country that has suffered from its war, but a dignified African nation with a simple dream of liberty.'

She added that the true test of democracy 'is a successful second democratic election.'

'The first post-war democratic election usually takes place on the world stage, but the second establishes a pattern. Liberia conducted an election described by all international observers as free and fair,' she said.

Observation groups including the Carter Center had said last autumn's vote was largely transparent, but cited some serious irregularities in one part of the country.

Speaking of Liberia's 14-year-long conflict that ended in 2003, Johnson-Sirleaf said 'the cleavages of war still run deep.'

'The country's youth have sent me a message,' she said. 'They are impatient, anxious to know that their homeland offers ground for hope. Let me say to them, we have heard that message.'

Monrovia was rocked by riots in the run-up to Christmas, when thousands of young people demonstrated against the government's late payment of casual wages.

'But it is also up to you, the people,' she said. 'Your government should foster equality of opportunity so you can get a job and know the dignity of receiving an honest day's wage, but it will be up to you to work hard.'

She added that the new cabinet, which has not yet been announced, remains committed to 'achieving equality for women and girls in all areas of life.'

'Today I begin my second and final term in office,' Johnson-Sirleaf said. The crowd cheered; during her 2006 inauguration, the president promised she would not stand for a second term.

Liberian commentators said the ceremony was much smaller than that which marked Johnson-Sirleaf's first inauguration. Then, the guest listed included South Africa's Thabo Mbeki and former first lady Laura Bush.

As the event drew to a close, fanfares sounded and lunch was served in the grounds of the Capitol Building. Inside, tables were being set for a formal lunch attended by heads of state.

Although guests' invitations specified 'traditional dress,' many took the opportunity to impress the crowd with their outfits.

Dresses cut from cloth depicting Johnson-Sirleaf's face were plentiful. One woman wore a dress, shoes and matching umbrella made from a Liberian flag, while a man painted his body white and wore underpants that bore the slogan 'I love Liberia.'

The streets of Monrovia were quiet Monday, a national holiday, and some main roads were closed. Many Liberians gathered around radios to hear the president's inaugural address, while others drank beer in the sunshine.

Nancy Boke, a clerical assistant who attended the event, said she was impressed by the president's address.

'I think she's right,' she told dpa, dressed in a yellow outfit that depicted a map of Liberia. 'Liberia is moving forward, but it is up to the people to make an effort as well.'