Liberia’s President Promises Reconciliation After Disputed Poll

Posted November 11th, 2011 at 6:10 pm (UTC-5)
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Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has announced that her fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Leymah Gbowee, will lead reconciliation efforts after Mrs. Sirleaf's re-election divided the country.

Gbowee shared this year's Nobel Peace Prize with President Sirleaf and Yemeni activist Tawakkul Karman.

In the announcement Friday, President Sirleaf said Liberia must move forward in harmony as one people. She urged Liberians to move on and focus on building infrastructure, creating jobs and bringing electricity and clean water to more homes. She said the country needs education, health services and skills to rebuild the country.

With most of the votes counted, President Sirleaf won more than 90 percent of Tuesday's run-off election against rival Winston Tubman, who leads the opposition Congress for Democratic Change, or CDC. The party boycotted the run-off, alleging cases of fraud in the first round of voting. International observers said the election was mostly fair and transparent.

President Sirleaf has promised to reach out to Liberians from all political parties and ensure that they have a stake in the future.

Tubman continues to reject the election results but has not ruled out working with the new government.