SOUTH AFRICA: Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, backs sanctions against defiant Mugabe

Record ID: 455523

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, backs sanctions against defiant Mugabe
  • Date: 11th July 2008
  • Summary: (BN11) JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JULY 10, 2008) (REUTERS) NEWS CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PICTURES PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIBERIAN PRESIDENT, ELLEN JOHNSON- SIRLEAF, SAYING: "We are not opposed to a government of national unity and we said that, but we think that any arrangement should start with the results of the first round, and we believe that SADC's continuation is important, they are better placed than any other group, we hope that they will welcome another outside mediator to work with them, some recognised high-profile personality." JOURNALIST TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIBERIAN PRESIDENT, ELLEN JOHNSON- SIRLEAF, SAYING: "Sanctions do not always work, as you know and that have been, and many people have pointed that out, that it can force a nation to find an alternative means of survival, but I think the fact that it does send a strong message about the disagreements and against those things that are really causing the country and its people to suffer, makes it appropriate for those actions. Liberia itself suffered on sanctions in those days when similar circumstances existed in our country, and I think, I think they did help, to bring about a satisfactory resolution." MEDIA/ LIBERIAN PRESIDENT, ELLEN JOHNSON- SIRLEAF (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIBERIAN PRESIDENT, ELLEN JOHNSON- SIRLEAF, SAYING: "Liberia's position on Zimbabwe was made quite clear at Sharm el-Sheikh, when we said that, after the first round of elections, the conditions that led to the second round, resulted in all the observation, including that by the SADC observers, the African Union observers, that the conditions did not not lead to an environment of free and fair elections, that came out of the second round, hence we question the legitimacy of the current government" PHOTOGRAPHERS LIBERIAN PRESIDENT, ELLEN JOHNSON- SIRLEAF AND MEDIA LEAVING THE NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 26th July 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA6SMJUL6STH52I6XRW4IGMT0N
  • Story Text: Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on Thursday (July 10) backed sanctions against Zimbabwe's leadership, in rare African support for the Western-backed move.
    Many African leaders, led by South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, oppose Western-sponsored moves for United Nations sanctions to punish President Robert Mugabe and his followers for his widely condemned re-election after a violent campaign. But Johnson-Sirleaf told reporters during a visit to South Africa that sanctions would send a strong message of disapproval. She also called for more mediation and suggested a high-profile figure.

    "We are not opposed to a government of national unity and we said that, but we think that any arrangement should start with the results of the first round, and we believe that SADC's continuation is important, they are better placed than any other group, we hope that they will welcome another outside mediator to work with them, some recognised high-profile personality,"
    said Johnson-Sirleaf.
    The June 27 election and its outcome have worsened the crisis in Zimbabwe, whose economy has collapsed, sending millions of refugees into neighbouring states and increasing pressure for a solution.
    The once prosperous nation is crippled by the world's worst inflation rate, estimated to be at least 2 million percent.
    The African Union, at a summit last month, called for talks leading to a national unity government. Many AU members oppose sanctions but Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on Thursday came out in favour.

    "Sanctions do not always work, as you know and that have been, and many people have pointed that out, that it can force a nation to find an alternative means of survival, but I think the fact that it does send a strong message about the disagreements and against those things that are really causing the country and its people to suffer, makes it appropriate for those actions. Liberia itself suffered on sanctions in those days when similar circumstances existed in our country, and I think, I think they did help, to bring about a satisfactory resolution."
    Anglophone West African countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia and the continent's most populous nation, Nigeria, have been among Mugabe's strongest critics, together with his neighbours in Botswana and Zambia.

    "Liberia's position on Zimbabwe was made quite clear at Sharm el-Sheikh, when we said that, after the first round of elections, the conditions that led to the second round, resulted in all the observation, including that by the SADC observers, the African Union observers, that the conditions did not not lead to an environment of free and fair elections, that came out of the second round, hence we question the legitimacy of the current government," added Johnson-Sirleaf.
    MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai defeated Mugabe in a March 29 first round presidential poll but fell short of the absolute majority required to avoid a run-off. Mugabe blames the opposition for the bloodshed.
    Western nations led by former colonial ruler Britain and the United States are pushing the U.N. Security Council this week to impose sanctions on Mugabe's inner circle, as well as an arms embargo on Zimbabwe. A G8 summit in Japan this week supported sanctions.
    South Africa, backed in the past by veto wielding council members Russia and China, opposes sanctions. South African President Thabo Mbeki has mediated unsuccessfully in the Zimbabwean crisis for more than a year, drawing increasing criticism. The MDC say he favours Mugabe and has called for expanded mediation from the AU and the United Nations.
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