17 Jan 2012

LIBERIA / SIRLEAF-JOHNSON INAUGURATION

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was sworn in today for her second term as Liberian president. Over the weekend, CDC opposition leader Winston Tubman met with Sirleaf-Johnson and said he would recognize her electoral victory. UNMIL

Posted at: January 17, 2012 5:55 pm

Duration: 02:00

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY:  LIBERIA / INAUGURATION
TRT: 2:00 
SOURCE: UNMIL
RESTRICTION: NONE
LANGUAGE:  ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 16 JANUARY 2012, MONROVIA, LIBERIA

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot, President-elect Ellen Johnson Sirleaf escorted through crowd
2. Wide Shot, men in suits watching
3. Wide Shot, crowd assembled near stage
4. Med shot, SRSG Ellen Margrethe Loj sitting in crowd
5. Med shot, Winston Tubman and George Weah seated together, watch proceedings
6. Wide shot, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton seated on stage
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President, Liberia:
"We can state with conviction that our country has turned the corner.  Liberia is not longer a place of conflict, war, deprivation. We are no longer a country our citizens want to run away from. Our international partners pitted, and our neighbors scared.  We have earned our rightful place as a beacon of democracy." 
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President, Liberia:
 "The cleavages that lead to decades of war still run deep.  But so too does the longing for reconciliation. A reconciliation defined not by political bargaining, or by an artificial balance of power--by tribe, region, religion or ethnicity--but by the equality of opportunity, and a better future for all Liberians."
9. Wide shot, Liberian flags displayed
10. Wide Shot, National Legislature building with section of stage in foreground
11. Med shot, smiling woman with red, white and blue outfit
12. Wide shot, large billboard sign with Sirleaf and Boakai  
13. Wide Shot, UN helicopter approaching
14. Wide Shot, UN Nigerian contingent stationed in APC 
15. Med shot, man with painted with slogans in red, white, and blue

STORYLINE:

Liberia's Nobel peace laureate and President-elect Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was sworn in on Monday for a second six-year term as president during a ceremony held in the capital Monrovia.

With thousands of onlookers assembled on the grounds outside of the national legislature, President-elect Sirleaf walked the red carpet leading to the stage where she later took the oath of office with fellow heads of state and other dignitaries and guests watching.

The ceremony was attended by Heads of states from Sierra Leone, Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal, Guinea, Benin, Namibia, and Niger among others.

United States Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton attended the ceremony as part of a two day tour of African nations.

Special UN Envoy, Ellen Margrethe Loj was also in attendance, sitting amongst several dignitaries and key members of the diplomatic corps.

Opposition party leader Winston Tubman and his Vice-Presidential running mate George Weah agreed to attend the ceremony, following a meeting with the government on Saturday where the focus was on unity and moving forward.
  
In her inaugural speech President Sirleaf mentioned the importance of building on the foundation of democracy in the country, which Liberia has sought to build in the aftermath of a devastating civil war.

SOUNDBITE (English) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President, Liberia:
"We can state with conviction that our country has turned the corner.  Liberia is not longer a place of conflict, war, deprivation. We are no longer a country our citizens want to run away from. Our international partners pitted, and our neighbors scared.  We have earned our rightful place as a beacon of democracy."

The President-elect also spoke about the importance of reconciliation as a vital tool for moving forward and for progress.

SOUNDBITE (English) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President, Liberia:
 "The cleavages that lead to decades of war still run deep.  But so too does the longing for reconciliation. A reconciliation defined not by political bargaining, or by an artificial balance of power--by tribe, region, religion or ethnicity--but by the equality of opportunity, and a better future for all Liberians."

In addition to playing a strong supporting role for the 2011 Liberia elections the UN worked with Liberian security forces to provide security for the inaugural ceremonies, including helicopter air patrols and road check points to insure that the inauguration would be safe and secure for those attending.