President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has stressed the need for a stronger working relationship between the Mano River Union Countries as their challenges are the same and require similar solutions. Delivering the keynote address Monday, July 22, 2024, at the High-level meeting of Mano River Union Countries comprising of Foreign Ministers and Ministers of Finance, Defense and Stakeholders at the EJS Ministerial Complex Congo Town, Liberia, President Boakai said if all countries in the Mano River Union work together, learn from each other and protect its future, they will have a stronger union and a stronger West Africa.
The Liberian leader revealed that the Union was founded by Liberia and Sierra Leone in October 1973 as a customs union; adding that Guinea joined in 1980 and Cote d’Ivoire in 2008, with the objectives to expand trade by the elimination of all barriers, cooperation in the expansion of international trade, creation of conditions favorable to an expansion of mutual productive capacity, the progressive development of a common protective policy and cooperation in the creation of new productive capacity and to secure a fair distribution of the benefits from economic cooperation for the general good of the peoples of the Union.
“In line with these objectives concrete steps were taken to liberalize trade by elimination of barriers to trade; the harmonization of rates of import duties, development cooperation in the production of agricultural and manufactured goods of local origin; and establishment of institutions for building capacity in the areas of maritime, forestry, customs and telecommunications,” Boakai said. But the president explained that all of those gains were shattered by the prolonged civil conflict which engulfed the sub region.
He said the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Union held in May 2008, resolved that the Union Secretariat be revived to pursue the Mandate of the Union with focus on restoring the capacity of the Secretariat, ensuring peace and security especially along the borders of the member states, and facilitating economic development and regional integration.
Speaking about the meeting, President Boakai said: “Today’s dialogue is the beginning of the renewal of such a commitment to the growth and success of the Union.” “We know our development challenges and the prevailing and emerging socio-political, economic and environmental issues that we are faced with,” he told the gathering.
President Boakai appealed to all participants, including development partners, to be open and forthright during the meeting, as their candid insights and suggestions will help chart a new and realistic course that will enable countries fulfill their objectives through their Secretariat.
