ENCOURAGES POLITICAL PARTIES TO ADHEAR TO THE RULE OF LAW
Farmington, Margibi Co. – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations, and all other stakeholders have received congratulations from President George Manneh Weah for their steadfast dedication to the promotion of democracy, peace, security, stability, and development in Liberia, as well as for their labor of love that went into making the Farmington declaration a reality.
According to President Weah, twenty (20) of Liberia’s twenty-two (22) registered political parties gathered at the Farmington hotel in Margibi County in June 2017 and signed a document known as the Farmington River Declaration a few months before the presidential and legislative elections that were held in Liberia that year.
“We committed to the process of an orderly and peaceful election in October 2017. We vowed before the ECOWAS Heads of State, who were present in Liberia at the time attending that Organization’s 51st Summit, that if ever and whenever such conflicts occurred, we would resolve them through mediation or through legal means. We agreed, individually and collectively, to prevent electoral violence, impunity, and injustice. As the leader of a political party that ran in that election and ultimately won it, I can proudly state that every party that signed the Farmington River Declaration in 2017 kept their word, the elections were held in a peaceful, free, and transparent manner, and all disputes were handled through the legal system in Liberia.”
The Liberian Leader expressed that six years later, the people of Liberia will again go to the polls to elect their leaders in the presidential and legislative elections in October 2023. He noted that these elections offer a significant chance to further solidify and expand Liberia’s democratic achievements.
Additionally, he said, they offer a chance to strengthen a developing political culture that is based on the values of liberty, fairness, and equality as well as the respect for all human rights, including those of women and children. They will also give the Liberian government the chance to continue demonstrating its unwavering dedication to upholding the rights of all citizens, as guaranteed by our Constitution.
Mr. Weah continued that, the Presidential and Legislative Elections of October 2023 will be the first to be primarily organized and administered by Liberia since the drawdown of UNMIL, although since the incumbency of his Administration in 2018, the National Elections Commission has successfully conducted By-elections and a Referendum that were acknowledged by all stakeholders as peaceful, free, fair, and transparent.
In order to ensure a credible, inclusive, and peaceful election process, it is the responsibility of all political stakeholders, including the government, opposition parties, civil society, the media, and all Liberians, President expressed.
“History has shown us that there is a very high likelihood that post-conflict nations will descend into war. Liberia is a post-conflict success tale by any standard. The signing ritual held today is unquestionably a noteworthy accomplishment. Since the signing of the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2003, there have been twenty (20) years of unbroken peace, the majority of which have been overseen by what was once the largest United Nations peacekeeping force, consisting of fifteen thousand soldiers and administrators. Since I took office as president of Liberia on January 22, 2018, there has been a continuous period of calm lasting five (five) years. The difference is striking: rather than needing peacekeepers to preserve the peace in our nation, Liberia now sends troops to join UN peacekeeping forces in several African nations. We have all contributed favorably to sustaining the peace in Liberia. However, even though we have now moved past our recent dark history, it is crucial that we refuse and condemn those who would like to return us to those gloomy times. I am proud of what our country has accomplished and equally pleased that we have made the most of the outside assistance we have gotten in getting here.”
According to the Liberian Leader, the forthcoming elections when conducted peacefully and credibly, will demonstrate Liberia’s democratic credentials, as well as the country’s tenacity and unwavering dedication to upholding their principles. He said, building faith and confidence in Liberia’s political culture is the key.
“I commend all of us political leaders and our respective political parties for resolving to sign this second Farmington River Declaration, which signifies our commitment and readiness to pursue the path of a peaceful, free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible democratic elections, come October 10 this year, that will elevate our standard as a democratic nation. With a guaranteed and successful democratic exercise, we will further demonstrate our readiness for sustained peace, security, stability and development. This signing is a gesture which further indicates that we political leaders are sending a strong signal to our partisans, supporters, well-wishers, and followers, and also to the entire World, of our unflinching commitment and preparedness to conduct peaceful, free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible democratic Presidential and Legislative elections on October 10 this year, and to accept the will of the Liberian People as will be expressed through the ballot box.”
Mr. Weah said, the Peace Pledge is primarily about political leaders exhibiting the patriotism and statesmanship necessary to speak peace to the country and put Liberia, ahead of their individual goals.
“I am confident that the peace and nonviolence Pledge that we, as political leaders, are making in writing and signing today will serve as a testament to our firm commitment to national stability, security, peace, and development because of our shared determination to keep Liberia peaceful and united. Let me emphasize how important it is for all of us in politics political parties, voters, and elected officials to keep the promise to stop violence against women during elections and to treat our female citizens with respect. In addition to physical abuse, Liberian women who participate in politics or elections frequently endure intimidation, prejudice, and psychological abuse both offline and online. Not just the cost of doing politics should be used to excuse this behavior. It’s degrading, offensive, disempowering, and cowardly, and it clearly violates human rights. The integrity of the elections is viewed as being threatened by this bloodshed. Through our pre-election campaigning, we’ll truly put this Peace Pledge to the test before the elections. poll Day will be used to test it, as well as the time following the poll, especially after the results are announced. At this point, the sincerity of our motives and the depth of our dedication to fostering and maintaining harmony will be put to the test.“
