By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Liberia has made a u-turn, reversing its vote against a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza after a directive by the country’s outgoing leader, George Weah.
The country’s Ministry of Information says the diplomats who voted against the ceasefire did not get President Weah’s approval prior to voting.
“The Liberian Foreign Ministry has therefore ensured the reversal of the negative vote through the appropriate channels at the UNGA [United Nations General Assembly] and registered a new vote in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza,” the information ministry said on Tuesday.
It added that President Weah “has always stood on the side of peace” and that he had made “a passionate appeal” “for the exercise of restraint and consideration for civilians who are the real victims of the ongoing crisis” in a letter he sent to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month.
Liberia was the only African nation among the 10 countries that voted against a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza during the vote held on 12 December.
Mr. Weah is due to step down as President after losing a re-election bid last month in which he was defeated by a septuagenerian, Joseph Boakai.
