Thursday, June 20, 2013 12:13 
Ellen Presents Travel Ban Case To U.S. Gov't
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The Government of Liberia has formally presented the issue of the travel ban placed on some Liberians since the early 2000. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf told the United States Secretary of State Mrs. Haliary Clinton that those Liberians currently on the travel ban are not posing any threat to the country and as such it will be expedient to lift the ban.
According to Bong County Representative George Mulbah who was part of President Sirleaf's recent delegation to the United States, President Sirleaf told the United States Department of State that Liberians have put the past behind and are looking forward to moving forward despite the many years of war.
It can be recalled that in the early 2000 several Liberians who at the time were officials of the Liberian Government were placed on a United Nations (UN) Travel ban for what the international community referred to as having closer ties with former President Charles Taylor.
Those Liberians some of whom are still in the government were prevented from leaving the country as the healing process in the country was ongoing.
Those on the travel ban include Careysburg City Mayor Benoni Urey, Former National Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Cyril Allen, Representative Edwin Snowe, Senator Jewel Howard Taylor among others.
Several Liberians I spoke to yesterday expressed delight at the news on ground that the war is over and all Liberians should have the same right to move about freely.
“Once Charles Taylor issue is over, it is good for those on the travel ban to be set free because most of them have the potential to contribute to the economic recovery of the country by bringing in investment,” an elderly woman told the INQUIRER.
