(MONROVIA-May 14, 2008): A one-day summit of Heads of State and Government of the Mano River Union gets underway Thursday in Monrovia, with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf chairing.

The Monrovia summit, will among other issues consider concrete measures, aimed at strengthening the Union’s secretariat.  The leaders will also discuss peace and security in the sub-region as well as the looming global food crisis, with the aim of adopting a comprehensive approach to tackle the food crisis.

According to an Executive Mansion release, La Cote d’Ivoire, which recently announced its decision to join the Union, will formally be admitted into the Union.

The Current chair of the Union, Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will open Thursday’s session with a statement. The leaders of Sierra Leone, Guinea and La Cote d’Ivoire will also deliver statements at the opening ceremony, following which they will retire behind closed doors for deliberations.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s President, Ernest Bai Koroma arrives in the country later this afternoon for Thursday’s summit. President Koroma will be received upon arrival by President Ellen Johnson at the Roberts International Airport in Harbel, Margibi County.  Guinean Prime Minister, Lansana Kouyate, arrived Wednesday afternoon at the James Spriggs Payne airfield in Sinkor. Prime Minister Kouyate was received by the Vice President, Dr. Joseph Boakai.  Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo, is being represented by the Head of the Country’s Economic Council, Mr. Laurent Dona Fologo.

Thursday’s Mano River Union Summit is the first in Liberia since the ascendancy two years ago of Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as President.

Flashback: Presidents Sirleaf of Liberia (L) and Kabbah of Sierra Leone (R)

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