Benin President Optimistic about African Development, as Liberia’s Ambassador Presents Credentials

(Abuja, June 19, 2012) The President of Benin Dr. Boni Yahyi has stressed the need for the Republics of Benin and Liberia to co-prosper for the benefit of the people of the West African sub-region, and the achievement of African development.

Dr. Yahyi, who is also the President of the African Union, said the co-prosperity of Benin and Liberia should be within the context of Africa’s global rise to prominence based on the implementation of the principles of democracy and good governance. President Yahyi believes this is achievable with the proper use of the resources in both countries.

On food security and the African Diaspora, President Yahyi said as agriculturally endowed nations; both Benin and Liberia should collaborate and coordinate their efforts to elevate their peoples out of poverty.  He added that the African Diaspora is Africa’s “Sixth Region,” and should be integrated with all its talents and human resources, to accelerate the economic and social development of the Continent.

President Yahyi made the remarks when he received Liberia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Benin with residence in Abuja, Nigeria, Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou, on Friday, June 15, 2012.

Looking back at Liberia’s civil war, President Yahyi recalled when he was a Special Advisor to the former President of Benin, Nicéphore Soglo, who held many meetings and personally intervened with Liberian warring factions and the Interim Government of Liberia to bring to an end the Liberian civil crisis.  He said he was very pleased that under President Sirleaf, development has taken an irreversible turn for the better in Liberia.

He believes with Liberia’s current stewardship under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first democratically elected female President in Africa, and Nobel Laureate, many doors will open for the economic development and prosperity in Liberia.

In response Ambassador Al Hassan Conteh recalled the good relations between Liberia and Benin dating back to the founding of the Organization of African Unity.  He thanked President Yahyi and former President Soglo for Benin’s pivotal role in the Nineties that contributed later to the end of the Liberian civil war.

The Ambassador said he looked forward to implementing the bilateral agreement signed in 2007 between Liberia and Benin, and to making representation for the establishment of consular services for Liberians living in Benin Republic.