The ECOWAS Parliament and Commission have assured Liberia of their support in consolidating its democracy as the country holds its general elections in October.
The assurances were given by the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis, and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, at the opening of the Delocalized meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Joint Committees on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and the African Peer Review Mechanism, Judicial Affairs and Human rights, Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment in Monrovia, Liberia.
Mr. Tunis said that the ECOWAS Parliament would provide its “fullest support” to Liberia as it prepares for the elections. He noted that an ECOWAS pre-election mission was currently in Liberia to assess the country’s preparedness for the polls.
Mr. Touray, who was represented at the event by Mrs Josephine Nkurumah, Permanent Representative of the ECOWAS Commission to Liberia, lauded Liberia for its progress in consolidating democracy since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2003. He said that the ECOWAS Commission would continue to work with Liberia to ensure that the upcoming elections are credible, peaceful, fair and transparent.
Liberia’s Vice President, Jewel Taylor, also spoke at the event, pledging the government’s commitment to delivering a free, fair, transparent and violence-free election. She said that Liberia was ready to preserve its democracy as its citizens go to the polls in approximately 76 days.
The upcoming elections will be Liberia’s fourth post-conflict general elections and the second to be conducted without a peacekeeping mission present. They are seen as a key test for Liberia’s democracy, and the international community is closely watching to ensure that they are free, fair and transparent.
Background
Liberia has a long history of political instability. The country experienced a civil war from 1989 to 2003, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 250,000 people. The CPA, which was signed in 2003, helped to end the war and establish a new democratic government.
Since then, Liberia has made significant progress in consolidating democracy. However, there are still challenges, including corruption, poverty and inequality.
The upcoming elections are seen as a key opportunity for Liberia to further consolidate its democracy and build a more peaceful and prosperous future.
