Johnson-Sirleaf back in Liberia
2001-08-03 20:57
Abidjan - Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the main political rival of Liberian President Charles Taylor, will end her self-imposed exile this month following a sweeping amnesty announced by Monrovia.
Johnson-Sirleaf, who was runner-up in the 1997 presidential
elections won by Charles Taylor, told AFP in an interview late
on Thursday that she would return to Liberia "by this month" despite security fears.
"I am not totally reassured [about safety]. In the environment in which we operate in Liberia, no one can feel safe especially someone who has been declared enemy number one of Taylor," she said.
"But I will go back although I am scared. I must be prepared to take risks and I will be very careful and very cautious," she said as "Taylor is well-known for having eliminated a lot of his
rivals."
But she added in a combative tone: "Also, Taylor is not a fool. He knows the consequences if he attempts to kill me. He is under tremendous [international] pressure."
She said she would be "in and out of Liberia" for the moment and return for a longer period later.
Monrovia on Thursday formally lifted treason charges against 30 leading exiled opposition figures, including Sirleaf-Johnson and announced an amnesty for three others charged with "terrorism."
Theophilus Gould, deputy minister of justice, said the move was made "in the interests of reconcialition and unity."
Prince Johnson granted amnesty
Former Liberian warlord Prince Johnson, who was among the people granted an amnesty, echoed Johnson-Sirleaf's security fears in remarks published on Friday in the Liberian newspaper Enquirer.
"I will return home but Taylor should create a conducive
atmosphere for us to return," the former head of the Independent
National Patriotic Front of Liberia rebel faction said.
Taylor's regime had attracted international condemnation for
flagrant human rights abuses and a slew of UN sanctions for its
perceived support to Sierra Leonean rebels in return for the
so-called "blood diamonds" mined by them.
Taylor last week announced a general amnesty for all treason
suspects living abroad as well as rebels fighting in the northern
Lofa county to mark Liberia's independence day.
"On this day I announce ... [I] wish to grant general amnesty to all Liberians outside of the country who have been charged with treason," including Johnson-Sirleaf, Taylor declared.
Taylor had once threatened Johnson-Sirleaf that she would be
immediately arrested "if she stepped on Liberian soil, no matter
her international connections."
Johnson-Sirleaf, who is currently working on a UN assignment to study the impact of conflicts on women, said she would revive her party when she returned.
"The partisans have been struggling every day. We don't have a
proper office now or even phone connections. We have to prepare for the 2003 [presidential] elections.
"There are 13 opposition parties. We have to unite. We could make an appeal to those who are fighting [in the northern Lofa County] to come and join us in the peace process," she said.
She added: "Of one thing I am sure. If there is a level playing field in 2003, I am sure we can defeat Taylor."
She said she suspected Taylor of initiating treason charges
against her in April last year - when she was abroad - to prevent her from being a presidential candidate in 2003.
"If that is the case, I will totally back the candidate of our
party as if I was standing," she said, adding that it was time to
end Liberia's long-running political turmoil.
Liberia was founded in 1822 by freed American slaves, whose
descendants dominated national politics until a 1980 coup led by
Samuel Doe, who became president.
Doe was assassinated and Taylor, who initiated a seven-year civil war in 1989, became president after the 1997 elections. - AFP
- SAPA