MONROVIA: Liberia’s President, George Manneh Weah, has told the United Nations UN), General Assembly (UNGA), that his government remains committed to the sustenance of peace and democracy ahead of the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections in Liberia.
“Democracy in Liberia also continues to grow from strength to strength; after many years of upheaval, Liberia is becoming a stronghold for peace and a safe haven for democracy,” President Weah said.
The Liberian leader attributed the sustenance of peace to his government’s commitment to build democratic institutions, such as the media and the judiciary through enabling legislations.
Since his ascendency to state power, the President stressed that there is no trace of any political prisoners in Liberia.
“I am proud to say that from the beginning of my administration to date, there is no political prisoners in Liberia,” Weah told the UN General Assembly in an Address he delivered yesterday, in New York, United States of America (USA).
Liberia is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a sub-regional body that promotes peace and economic activities among member states. But the body in recent years has been grappling with issues such as coup de ’tat, insecurity, terrorism, in some of its member states such as Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and others, the President said.
President Weah, in apparent response, told the world leaders that Liberia has consistently called for a straight adherence to constitutional time limits and democratic civilian rule in member states.
Touching on the lead up to the much-heralded 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections in Liberia, the incumbent President indicated that the process is a test moment for all citizens, especially in the consolidation of the nation’s democracy.
“I wish to pledge my unwavering commitment to ensuring that the enabling environment continues to exist for the conduct of a peaceful, transparent and inclusive elections to ensure that the democratic will of the Liberian people is respected at all times,” Weah pointed out.
The Liberian leader, at the same time, cautioned the opposition politicians to guide against acts that have the potential to undermine the people’s peaceful co-existence.
“We must let the people decide and then we must respect their decisions. This is indeed the true essence of democracy,” the President added.
The General Debate is a part of the High-level week of the General Assembly at the UN and presents an opportunity for world leaders to come together annually to discuss critical global issues.
To the UN family, he said: “If we must advance the common good of humanity, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, then international cooperation must be given primacy, and the principle of solidarity must have its rightful place.”
According to him, the UN has the platform to generate the transformative solutions the world seeks. “The world is watching, our people are watching; and we must now seize the moment; confront the challenges and collectively endeavor to lift the poor from poverty and hunger, sickness and disease, and ensure progress, development and prosperity for all,” the Liberian President challenged the world body.
At the same time, President Weah, weighing in on the climate change debate stressed the need to protect the planet, in ways that will guarantee and maintain global peace, security, and stability.
“Mr. President, we must pursue efforts to make the United Nations more efficient, more effective, more inclusive, more accountable, and more suited for the purpose,” he said.
