By: E. Geedahgar Garsuah, Snr.
MONROVIA: As the much-heralded October 10, 2023, Presidential and Legislative Elections draw closer, incumbent President, George Manneh Weah has reiterated the fullest commitment of his Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)-led administration to conduct Free, Fair and Transparent (FFT) elections.
Pledging his government’s support to a fair and credible electoral process comes this October, President Weah rallied the collaboration of all citizens aimed at ensuring that Liberia remains peaceful during the pre and post-electioneering periods.
The Liberian Leader, delivering his 6th State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a Joint Session of the 54th National Legislature recently, maintained that as an ardent disciple of inclusive democracy, his government will ensure fairness and transparency at the October’s polls.
President Weah: “And so, as we go to the polls in October this year, let us uphold and maintain our hard-won democracy. Let us conduct ourselves in a lawful and orderly way, so that the voices of the people will be heard, and the will of the Liberian people will prevail; because, as is often said; the voice of the people, is the voice of God.”
According to President Weah, the conduct of the upcoming crucial elections are a litmus test to Liberia’s hard-earned credential as a peaceful and democratic nation among its West African counterparts.
He emphasized that the October 2023 elections are the fourth polls since the cessation of Liberia’s armed conflict in 2003.
He stressed that the process will be used as a vital yardstick by international onlookers to measure the consolidation of the country’s hard-won democracy.
“Our well-earned credentials as a nation of peace and democracy in West Africa will be put to the test in about nine (9) months from today, when we head to the polls for the Presidential and Legislative elections. These will be the fourth elections since the end of the war in 2003, and they will be an important benchmark for judging the extent of the consolidation of peace in our country,” the Liberian Chief Executive declared.
President Weah stressed that information that the October 10, 2023 elections will be exclusively conducted by the Government of Liberia, for the first time since the end of the brutal civil war, is the utmost reason why all Liberians must join hands to ensure that the process is peaceful, free, fair and transparent.
He said: “Perhaps most significant is that these elections are the first to be primarily organized and administered by Liberia, since the drawdown of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in 2018. This is our moment, therefore, to continue to demonstrate to the world that we are a peace-loving nation, and that we are capable and ready to undertake elections that include all Liberians in a free and credible process”.
The Liberian Leader noted that despite numerous skepticisms arising from some quarters of the Liberian society as to the credibility of the upcoming elections, he expressed optimism that the task to carry-out the exclusive conduct of a free and fair electoral process by the government is a one collectively as a nation we can pass.
“Not only will our individual patriotism be put on trial, but our institutions of democracy will also be tested. I am of the strongest conviction that this is a test that we can–and will–pass. As you may be aware, I have continuously reaffirmed my commitment to free, fair and transparent elections, and to respect the democratic will of the Liberian people. I remain committed to that pledge,” President Weah declared.
Additionally, President Weah also disclosed that in a closed-door conversation with US President Joe Biden along with five of his African counterparts, at the recently held US-Africa Leaders’ Summit, he assured the US President of his administration’s commitment to a free, fair and credible election, inclusive and transparent democracy, rule of law, and national development.
He announced US$20million as Liberia’s own share of a financial support amounting to US$165million from the US-Government aimed at enhancing the conduct of peaceful and credible elections in the six African Countries.
President Weah said: “I am further pleased to inform you that I was among five (5) other Heads of State, out of the nearly fifty (50) African Heads of State and Government who were in attendance at the Forum, who were specially selected to meet with President Biden at the White House. We had a robust discussion with President Biden on the very crucial issues of elections, democracy, rule of law, and development.
“During this exclusive but vital meeting, I, and other Heads of State, made a strong pledge and commitment to hold free, fair, transparent, peaceful, inclusive and democratic elections in our respective countries. I also made it abundantly clear that, under my watch, the democratic credentials of Liberia will be safeguarded, as well as its peace, stability, and security,” he emphasized.
Weah: “I pledged to that friendly Government my determination to continue close collaboration with them in improving good and accountable governance, democracy, and the rule of law in Liberia.”
“In response, I am pleased to report that the U.S. Government made a promise to spend $165 million US dollars this year in providing financial support to elections in our respective countries, of which Liberia is expected to receive approximately $20 million US dollars,” the Liberian leader furthered.
The Liberian President used the occasion to extend thanks and appreciation to Liberia’s development partners for their continuous technical and financial support to the National Elections Commission (NEC), Political Parties, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including other relevant institutions for their readiness for the election.
Key among Liberia’s development partners mentioned by President Weah includes, Sweden, Ireland, ECOWAS, the EU, the UNDP, and the UN Peacebuilding Fund.
