Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire reaffirmed relations on Saturday 9th July 2011 with a visit from Prime Minister Soro and an accompanying delegation to the Executive Mansion of the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
A traditional welcome greeted the delegation at James Spriggs Payne Airport, where the Liberian Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. J. Levi Demmah; the Minister of National Defense, Hon. Brownie Samukai; and the Chief of Protocol, R.L., Ambassador Edward L. Dunn received the Ivoirian politicians.
The two sides discussed common issues including the Mano River Union, refugees, the demobilisation of anti-Ouattara forces hiding in Liberia and International Criminal Court charges relating to the massacres of civilians in the Ivorian town of Duekoue.
Thousands of refugees fled from Côte d’Ivoire into Liberia following contested Presidential election results in which the forces of Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara fought for nearly four months.
A luncheon was held at the Cape Hotel, hosted by Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., to conclude the one day visit.
