Mandingoes In The UK Seek Cordial Ties With FELMAUSA, ULAA

Thursday, November 8, 2007/ Reports by Sidiki Trawally for FELMAUSA

Mr. Musa Konneh (r) with ULAA President Wettee in Philly

Philadelphia, PA -  Liberian Mandingoes in the United Kingdom (UK) have set in motion an effort to strengthen ties with other Liberian organizations in the USA.

 

The President of the Liberian Mandingo Association in the United Kingdom (LIMAUK), Mr. Musa Konneh, who is visiting the United States, held key discussions with the leaders of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) and the Federation of Liberian Mandingo Associations in the USA in Philadelphia.

 

According to him, the meetings were rewarding and timely. Mr. Konneh said his discussions with Richmond Mohammed Konneh of FELMAUSA and Emmanuel Wettee of ULAA set the tune for his organization to join forces with these US based Liberian organizations to promote a common agenda for "our people.".

 

“We believe if we network, it would be healthy for our people, because we would be able to help them on a larger scale,” said the visiting LIMAUK President, who added, “I am very happy for the opportunity to meet with FELMAUSA and ULAA Presidents  in separate meetings this week. I think that it was a good start for all of us to begin to network.”

 

In his meeting with FELMAUSA, LIMAUK leader said he raised the issue about LIMAUK not being invited to the convention in Philadelphia. "We strongly feel left out and we believe FELMAUSA should begin to incorporate other organizations abroad.” According to him, FELMAUSA President apologized and promised to work with LIMAUK. “Our discussions were very fruitful. I would be taking the message to my membership as soon as I get back."

 

Mr. Konneh praised the Federation for brokering a peace deal among “our Mandingo brothers and sisters in Milwaukee. I was happy when we heard about the peace meeting among our brothers in that city. This is uniting forces with one another and it's a good sign for our community."

 

In another meeting, Mr. Konneh said he urged ULAA to include Liberians living abroad into its programs and activities. “We are wiling to coordinate our efforts with ULAA to help our brothers and sisters in Liberia,” Konneh said and added, “Our people back home need our help, so working with ULAA and FELMAUSA to push such common agenda will yield so much rewarding results for our people.”

 

He is hopeful that following those meetings, “we all will be part of the global network to help our people back in Liberia and other places. We have been helping some of our brothers and sisters in the UK to gain immigration status. Once we work as a team, we can also exchange ideas on immigration issues, etc.”

 

The visiting LIMAUK leader, who departs the US this weekend, extended an invitation to the FELMAUSA and ULAA leaderships to visit the UK. “We want them come to Europe and see how we do things here. That will also pave the way for all of us to join forces to help our people.”

 

LIMAUK promotes cultural values and traditions and it aims at promoting education, efficient communication culture, i.e. constructive dialogues, freedom of expression, civil right as well as disseminating news and information. The organization also promotes unity, tolerance and respect amongst all Liberians in an effort to eradicate the evils of ethnic and religious differences to create an atmosphere where “our differences can be celebrated to the advantage of our beloved nation.”