Dakar, Senegal - President George Manneh Weah has arrived in Dakar, Senegal amid a rousing welcome by host Government and Members of ECOWAS Parliament. Accompanying the President is First Lady Madame Clar Marie Weah, Hon. Gbehzongar Findley Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Trokon Kpui, Minister of State Without Portfolio, Hon. Munah Pelham-Youngblood, Chair on Executive, House of Representatives, Hon. Jefferson Kanmoh, National Security Advisor and Presidential Press Secretary Sam Mannah.

According to a dispatch from Dakar, President Weah on arrival informed his Senegalese Counterpart that he came to Senegal on a mission of gratitude and respect. The Liberian leader thanked the Senegalese leader for the very important role he played and continues to play in Africa and ECOWAS in fostering peace, stability and the rule of law.

President Weah also lauded his Senegalese counterpart and the Government people of Senegal for their role in mediating a peaceful transition in Gambia.

President Weah assured the President of Senegal that under his administration as President, he will prioritize and do all that is necessary; to strengthen the bilateral relations that already subsists between Liberia and Senegal. The Liberian leader further underscored the need to encourage significant increases in investment and trade between Liberia and Senegal.

He used the occasion to inform his counterpart about the deplorable state of the Liberian economy and stressed that unemployment is at an unprecedented high. President Weah acknowledged that expectations are extremely high, and that he realizes that his government will not be able to deliver on the promise of change for the betterment of Liberia and the people of Liberia, without urgent and significant assistance from friendly governments - such as the Government of Senegal and other friendly institutions.

President Weah informed his Senegalese counterpart that youth unemployment remains one of the greatest threats to peace and long-term stability in Liberia, and appealed to the Senegalese Government to support his administration in any way that they can in an effort to jump-start the Liberian economy while his government concentrates on the structural adjustments; and institutional and policy frameworks, that will allow his administration to achieve sustainable and stable improvements in the economy, in the medium long term.

For his part, the Senegalese President, H.E. Macky Sall expressed great delight to President Weah and his delegation for the visit, and congratulated him for his ascendency to the Presidency. He assured the Liberian Leader that his Government stands ready to support the Weah-led government’s pro-poor agenda in the areas of capacity building, education and healthcare. He further acknowledged the longstanding relationship that exists between both countries and the need to further strengthen that relationship for the common good of their respective countries.