| border post re-open between Liberia and Sierra Leone |
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| World Affairs Talk | |
| Thursday, 14 June 2007 | |
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Prime reason of opening the border is to boost trade between the two neighbours - both still recovering from ravaging civil wars. The Mano River Union (MRU) was created in 1973 to establish closer economic cooperation in the Mano River Union Basin by bringing together heads of state of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. Relations between the countries have been strained as Liberia's ex-President Charles Taylor was accused of fuelling Sierra Leone's brutal conflict. The recently ended, decade-long civil wars, which began Liberia and spilled over into Sierra Leone, were marked by some of the most unsightly war crimes against humanity. They were caused by factors such as economic and social marginalization, and political intolerance of certain sectors of society by the aristocratic and paternalistic regimes of the past. The bridge reopened amongst cultural dancing and with a festive air. It is expected that custom officials of both end will be helpful towards the businessmen to accomplish goal. Sierra Leone and Liberia have many things in common: They are English-speaking neighbors, home to the descendents of freed slaves, have had two identical menaces, have recently ended acrimonious civil wars, and have postwar presidents who were once employees of the United Nations. Regional stability and economic benefits will not be achieved only by opening the border. A fresh strategy is needed if both are not to remain shadow states, vulnerable to new fighting and state failure. The international community needs to make genuinely long-term commitments to enable new business groups to develop. Share & Bookmark             |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 16 June 2007 ) |
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