By: H. Richard Fallah
MONROVIA: With seven (7) months to Liberia`s crucial elections, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Christine N. Unutoni, has admonished members of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) to take the lead in ensuring that the votes of Liberians are secured.
Speaking at the Liberian National Bar Association 2023 Annual Assembly held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town over the weekend, Madame Unutoni said, the LNBA, as a body, is expected to engage in concerted non-partisan commitment to electoral integrity comes October this year.
She stressed that LNBA has a crucial role in ensuring that electoral disputes are resolved in accordance with the rule of law.
Ms. Christine N. Umutoni: “I must reiterate that LNBA is a major stakeholder in the electoral process and must play a crucial role in setting the agenda of political discourse and proactively pointing the way out of any challenging situation that may arise.”
Madam Umutoni disclosed that Liberia has made sufficient democratic gains, noting, elections and other political processes remain essential to the eminence of the Country’s peace.
“Ensuring a good environment for peaceful, free and fair elections also includes people trusting the legal system works, and it is credible enough to support and claims that may arise,” she maintained.
The UN envoy also disclosed that on Tuesday, April 4,2023, political parties from both ruling and the opposition community, will be signing the Farmington Declaration; where they will be committing to a peaceful election and bringing any grievances to the law which is critical in the work the LNBA does as the country prepares for presidential and legislative elections.
Meanwhile, the United Nations resident coordinator has, at the same time, encouraged a strong monitoring of the media in Liberia, when it comes to information dissemination during these critical times in the country (Liberia).
She mentioned that communication is very critical and useful at any time in society but said, it must be a guided against misinformation and disinformation or may continue as a grave threat not only to the electoral process of the nation (Liberia), but also, the peace and stability of the country.
The UN Representative called on the legal system in Liberia to help guide credible media practices, noting that in the world of social media, the issue of information dissemination is becoming very important, and as such, there is a need for people to communicate responsibly.
She said, it is important that the political competition remains within the rule that all sides will adhere to per the tenets of the democratic process and desist from hate speeches.
Ms. Christine N. Umutoni: “As you know the UN has made the 7th of April an International Day for the campaign against genocide; I come from Rwanda, and I can tell you hate speech through Radio LTRM was used as a tool of genocide. I don’t wish any country to experience what we experienced in Rwanda.”
“I therefore wish to draw the attention of all political parties to keep the principles and commitments they make to prevent electoral violence, impunity and injustice,” Ms. Umutoni said.
She has however reminded Liberians of the foundation upon which the country was built which is carved in the preamble of the Liberian constitution in the following words: unity, liberty, peace, stability, equality, justice and Human Rights under the rule of law with opportunities for political, social, moral, spiritual and cultural advancement of our society for ourselves and for our prosperity.
The UN official spoke when she delivered her keynote speech at the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) Annual Assembly held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo town under the theme: “Beyond Rhetoric and Impunity, Law, Governance and 2023-Election-the Basis for Democratic Necessity in Liberia.”
The United Nations Resident Coordinator is not the only diplomat to speak to Liberians particularly, the Liberian media and politicians to stay away from violence and respect the rule of law.
On March 14, 2023, Outgoing U.S Ambassador Michel McCarthy, in a statement, told Liberians that violence of any kind has no place in a democratic society.
He said Violence does nothing but undercuts one`s own credibility and will only take a country backward.
Ambassador McCarthy said that Disagreements and competing visions for the country should be solved through peaceful debate and at the ballot box, not on the street.
“I am speaking directly at politicians, student groups, and citizens across the country when I say that violence of any kind has no place in a democratic society”, He noted.
Meanwhile, Ambassador McCarthy also expressed disappointment in the manner and form in which the Liberian media is proceeding with its everyday reportage and analysis.
He recalled how in both the U.S.-funded media training and messaging to the press, they (the U.S) spent a lot of time emphasizing responsible journalism; that with freedom of expression comes an obligation to verify facts, and to not inflame passions without first doing due diligence.
