Ahead of presenting his letters of credence to H.E. President George Manneh Weah, French Ambassador-designate to Liberia, H.E. Michael Roux, has presented copies of his letters of credence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr.
During the meeting on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 in the Minister’s holding room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia, Ambassador-designate Roux expressed French investors’ interest in Liberia, noting that effort is being made in trying to convince dozens of French companies to invest in Liberia.
Additionally, Ambassador Roux said he was impressed by the way the recent election in Liberia was organized, and praised the process for being peaceful and trustworthy.
In response, Liberia’s Foreign Ministerm H.E. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., said he is very pleased to welcome Ambassador Roux, and thanked the French Envoy for coming to Liberia, assuring him that he would hit the ground running as of 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 17, 2020, at which time he would present his letters of credence to H.E. President George Manneh Weah.
Minister Kemayah explained that Liberia and France have an excellent relationship, and also noted that the level of cordiality between the two presidents has come a long way in fostering the bond that exists between the both countries.
“I am very much pleased in hearing your emphasis on French companies because the priority for me as Minister of Foreign Affairs, which is pursuant to the vision of His Excellency President Weah, is economic and development diplomacy,” Minister Kemayah said.
He also commended the Government and People of France and H.E. President Emmanuel Macron for the US$35 million value in terms of projects that have been implemented in Liberia, and also expressed hope that, with the coming of Ambassador Roux, a lot more can be done.
Furthermore, Minister Kemayah said Liberia, in the words of President Weah, is ready for business and welcomes investors, stressing foreign-direct investment is key in terms of enhancing the country economy.
Regarding the French envoy’s commendation of the Liberian election process, Minister Kemayah said he appreciates the kind word as it relates to the just-ended election for the 15 senatorial seats, the by-elections for two representative seats and the national referendum.
“His Excellency the President is unwavering. He’s uncompromising when it comes to the promotion of the tenets of democracy, and he has been very much resolute to his officials—those of us his officials in government and to the Liberian public in general as it relates to non-interference in the democratic system. when it comes to elections,” Minister Kemayah indicated.
Minister Kemayah said President Weah is ardent when it comes to election. “The will of the people has to be respected, and the President supports that,” he said.
He said in the referendum that was just held that President Weah pushed for a reduction of tenure for the office he currently occupies, as well as for lawmakers, describing the move as a blessing for Liberia because of the kind of leader that Liberians have as their President.
Minister Kemayah noted that the sustenance of peace, democracy and development in Liberia remains uncompromising for H.E. President Weah, as demonstrated in the recent elections when he made phone contacts to contestants from the opposition, congratulating them for their election, despite some candidates from the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) not winning the election.
