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Nimbaians Want Say in Negotiations
By C.Y. Kwanue
The Inquirer (Monrovia)
December 17, 2004
Citizens of Nimba County have pledged their
unflinching support to the National Transitional Government of Liberia
(NTGL) in its quest to bring about peace and reconciliation amongst
the people.
At the same time, the Nimbaians have demanded
that they should be given unrestrained access to their county's
natural resources through direct and unhindered participation in all
negotiations between the Government of Liberia and investors for the
exploitation of the county?s natural resources, among other things.
The statement noted that all previous concession
agreements signed between past Liberian governments and companies
operating in the county be ratified and/or reviewed as appropriately
required under a genuinely transparent, environment-friendly and
people-centered Governance Reform Program as provided for under the
Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement, etc.
The call was made recently at the close of a
three-day inter-tribal peace conference held in Sanniquellie under the
distinguished patronage of the county superintendent, Harrison Sam
Karnwea, Sr. This was followed by the Mount Nimba Declaration of Nimba
County Leadership Conference also held in Sanniquellie over the
weekend under the banner of the United Nimba Concerned Citizens
Organization(UNICCO).
Both conferences brought together a
cross-section of Nimbaians comprising of Mandingoes, Gios, Manos and
Krahns as well as the Gbee and Lorlu ethnic groups.
In their statements of support, the citizens
also resolved that genuine peace and reconciliation be vigorously and
relentlessly pursued at all times and by the leaders of the county
through very peaceful means.
They, however, called for adequate financial
support from both the NTGL and international community among other
things to promote the process.
Moreover, in the words of Supt. Karnwea, the
respective tribal delegations to the conferences expressed contentment
that the objective and desired results were achieved.
He said, Gios and Manos on one hand, and
Mandingoes on the other are now freely communicating and in fact, have
extended invitations to each other to visit the county together during
the Christmas as there was mutual expression of willingness to live
and work together as a people as prior to the civil crisis.
However, to enhance the process, the Mandingoes
whose mothers are Gios and Manos were instrumental in the process thus
providing traditional Kola nuts to the both sides of the divide
pleading with them to put their differences aside for the sake of
their children, and other members of the family, according to
Supt.Karnwea.
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