By: H. Richard Fallah
WASHINGTON DC/MONROVIA: With eleven (11) days to the much-awaited and crucial Presidential and Legislative elections in Liberia, scheduled for 10, October, 2023, the country’s leading development partner, United States of America (USA), has announced a New Visa Restriction Policy against individuals who are thought to be undermining democracy in the West African nation.
United States Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, who made the announcement pointed out that New Visa Restriction is in line with Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for those undermining democracy in Liberia.
The US Secretary of State, in a statement, marked Wednesday, September 27, 2023, noted that the United States will pursue visa restrictions for those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Liberia, including through manipulation or rigging of the electoral process; use of violence to prevent people from exercising their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
According to Blinken, such restriction will target the use of measures designed to prevent political parties, voters, civil society, or the media from disseminating their views; or engagement in any other activity designed to improperly influence the outcome of an election.
The US Diplomat also disclosed that those who might be found in any of the above-mentioned areas may, along with their family members, be subject to these restrictions.
“Persons who undermine democracy in Liberia, including in the lead-up to, during, and following Liberia’s 2023 elections; may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy,” Secretary Blinken maintained.
He, however, clarified that “the visa restriction will apply to specific individuals.”
The top American official noted that “it is not directed at the Liberian people or the Government of Liberia.”
Secretary Blinken: “The decision to impose visa restrictions reflects the commitment of the United States to support Liberians’ aspirations to have free and fair elections that demonstrate the will of the people and strengthen democracy and the rule of law.”
He, at the same time, noted that the United States Government remains committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Liberia and around the world.
According to the US Secretary of States, this policy will take effect in advance of the October 10, 2023, Presidential and Legislative elections.
The US State Department’s statement comes barely few weeks after the US Embassy accredited near Monrovia, through its Charged Affairs, Madame Catherine Rodriguez, cautioned the government of Liberia to ensure that the October 10, Presidential and Legislative Elections are free, fair and peacefully conducted.
Addressing a media roundtable on Wednesday September 6, 2023, at the US Embassy, Rodriguez
at the forum, stressed that it was important for the government to make sure that the electoral process is transparent as citizens go to the polls.
Madame Catherine Rodriguez: “Like other countries in the world, your citizens will soon be celebrating your democracy by flocking to the polls to choose your leaders and representatives. It is a solemn responsibility. It is important that the government must ensure that these elections are fair, free, and peaceful elections, and to hold accountable those that would attempt to disrupt it.”
She noted, then, that officials must also ensure that the government invests an adequate level of money, personnel, and organizational resources to protect its citizens, candidates, polling stations, and election workers from intimidation or harm.
The US Diplomat also indicated at that time that “the eyes of the world are focused on the Liberian elections and how they are managed.”
She further stated that the United States, as a longstanding partner of Liberia, along with the International Community, has been working closely with the NEC to make sure that all election observers have full access to polling stations during Election Day, as well as access to the vote tallying.
“The U.S. Embassy through USAID is directly supporting both international and domestic election observer missions, as well as our own mission observing the election process across the country,” she asserted.
The Charged Affairs committed the United States preparedness to assist in efforts to keep the October 10 elections free, fair, and peaceful by holding accountable anyone responsible for engaging in activities to undermine the process in Liberia through additional measures such as sanctions.
In a statement issued by Information Minister, Ledgerhood J. Rennie, the Government of Liberia stated that it welcomes the latest United States Government visa restriction policy intended to target those who undermine democracy in Liberia.
The statement indicated that, “This policy, the government believes, further reinforces President George M. Weah’s expressed commitment to building a more democratic society – grounded in respect for the rule of law, free expression, and association, as well as the holding of free and fair elections.”
“This was the central theme of his address to the UN General Assembly last week and during various conversations with U.S. stakeholders – including U.S. Charge d’Affairs Catherine Rodriguez,” the Government indicated.
“The Government believes the U.S. statement, coming at a time when incendiary rhetoric by politicians have been on the rise, will aid its efforts to calm public anxiety around the upcoming democratic exercise,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the government has also welcomed the arrival in the country of scores of election observers from the ECOWAS, AU, EU, U.S. and other observer missions from around the world.
“This comes as international partners in Liberia have commended various stakeholders, including the elections commission, for the methodical and open manner in which they have conducted themselves so far.” Information Minister, Ledgerhood J. Rennie, asserted.
