One year ago on Saturday, April 30, 2011, the process of reunification of the Grebo Peninsula pursued by The KudeNumo Peace Iniatitve Foundation, Inc., became a total reality. A pre-Annual Grebo General Convention was convened in Rocktown and President Sirleaf presence was felt.
Rocktown is arguably the oldest Grebo town in the world. And so its role in the process of peace, reunification and unity within the two chiefdoms is crucial and important. More than twenty towns within the two chiefdoms of the Harper District, namely, Kudemoweh & Numoweh, were represented.
By all calculations, this sort of activity has never taken place amongst the two chiefdoms and Grebo people for over two decades. This is because both Chiefdoms have been at each other’s throats for so long. There has not been any sign of peace and reunification in sight amongst the two chiefdoms until now. Many local and international nongovernmental organizations specialized in peacemaking have tried to bring both chiefdoms together in peace and unity but up to no avail. Thanks to The KudeNumo Peace Initiative Foundation, Inc. (KNPIF). It is responsible for the level of peace and reunification that is currently been enjoyed by Grebo people within the Peninsula. In our next postings, the secret behind this great success story will be told. But for now, let’s stick to the past Convention and President Sirleaf’s impact.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first ever democratically elected female president of Africa, made her presence felt at the Convention. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the 24th President of Liberia and the first elected female Head of State in Africa. Throughout her career she has demonstrated passionate commitment to hard work, integrity and good governance, advocating for the rights of women and the importance of education to provide a better future for her country and its people. By sending Mr. Archie Rrichlieu Williams to represent her at the Convention, she showed her absolute support for the reunification and peace process in the Peninsula. Even though she did know anything about the hosting of such Convention (but with the help of a great son of Maryland-Archie Richelieu Williams), she was able to know and give her fullest support.
From all indications, President Sirleaf got to know about this all-powerful convention through Mr. Archie Richelieu Williams. We learned after she got the news about the Convention, she wanted to attend and land on the second international aero port in Liberia situated in Rocktown. But because her schedule could not allow her, she sent Mr. Williams as a Special Envoy taking her Message of Peace and Solidarity.
The day was Saturday, April 30th at about 3pm when Mr. Archie Richelieu Williams, director, civil aviation, Republic of Liberia, got in Rocktown. He received a rousing welcome from the citizens who assembled in the area. Even though the citizens heard that President Sirleaf was no more coming to attend the Convention and that she was sending an Envoy, students, men, women, children with flowers and “Welcome” signs lined up on the streets of Rocktown to welcome Mr. Williams. As soon as Mr. Williams disembarked his motor vehicle, the welcome shout from the throats of thousands of Grebo people resounded in the ceiling of the skies like thunder. The welcome greetings were so strong, one would have thought President were in town. I believe, had the President attended the Convention, the grounds of Rocktown would have undergone tremendous pressure from the stepping of the thousands that gathered in jubilation.
As soon as Mr. Williams disembarked his vehicle, the citizens took on to him. There were so many hugs from chiefs, elders, women, men and children. The name Archie resounded triumphantly. Archie is a household name in the county. And so everyone who met and spoke with Archie called him by his first name- Archie.
At the start of the Program, Archie took the Podium. He was representing President Sirleaf. He spoke on the need for unity, peace and reconciliation. He informed the Convention that President Sirleaf was very happy to hear that the two troubled chiefdoms in Maryland County had come together under the umbrella of peace and reconciliation. Archie revealed that President Sirleaf desire was to attend this historic event. But due to some uncontrollable circumstances, she could not land on the Rocktown Aero Port. And that’s why she sent him on her behalf. The huge crowd cheered. On behalf of President Sirleaf, Archie promised to help the ongoing process of peace and unity of the two chiefdoms. Because peace and unity is the best way to go!
Archie extended the President’s special thanks to The KudeNumo Peace Initiative Foundation, Inc. (KNPIF) through its head and founder, Mr. Thomas G. Bedell for such a job well-done to bring together the chiefdoms that have been in conflict for more than two decades. Archie committed the President’s total and unconditional support for the peace process.
A donation of $1000 United States dollars was given to the Convention. And additional amount of $5000 Liberian dollars was donated along with twelve cartons of drinks for the Convention.
The Paramount chief of the Kudemoweh Chiefdom, Hon. Huskin, thanked President Sirleaf through Archie. He elaborated on the need for peace amongst his people. Hon. Huskin asked Archie to submit to the President on behalf of the Grebo people, their deep concerns and trouble for the continued imprisonment of their children without Fair & Speedy Trial. The Grebo people expressed their support for President Sirleaf’s administration and pray for continued peace in Liberia.
Archie responded by accepting the people’s gratitude to the President. Archie left the Convention to allow the people the time to go on with their discussions.
I am Thomas G. Bedell speaking and working on the ground in Liberia at +231.692.0151
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