Liberia’s President George Weah has pledged to deliver a violent-free, credible, transparent and inclusive election as the country prepares for its presidential and general elections in October.
President Weah made the commitment on Wednesday during the commemoration of the country’s 176th Independence Day, with the theme “Giving our People Hope for a Violence-Free, Fair, Transparent, Inclusive and Credible Elections.”
“Today, we have a collective duty to uphold and defend our constitution and I pledge to do that with all my ability,” Weah said. “The theme of this year’s celebration is also a reminder to do our duty to country and to God. And I reiterate my commitments to preserving the peace of the country which has been sustained since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on August 18, 2003 in Accra, Ghana.”
Weah also admonished politicians contesting for various positions to follow suit in ensuring peaceful polls in their various counties, putting the interest of the people first before theirs.
“The Presidential and general elections will be credible, reflect the voice of the people of Liberia, and will meet international and national standards,” Weah said.
Liberia has a long history of political instability, and the upcoming elections are seen as a critical test for the country’s democracy. The last two elections, in 2005 and 2011, were both relatively peaceful, but there are concerns that this year’s elections could be more volatile.
The election is also important for the wider ECOWAS region. Liberia is a founding member of ECOWAS, and the success of its elections will be seen as a sign of hope for other countries in the region that are struggling to maintain stability.
Background
Liberia has a long history of political instability. The country was founded by freed American slaves in 1847, but it experienced a series of civil wars from 1989 to 2003. The last two elections, in 2005 and 2011, were both relatively peaceful, but there are concerns that this year’s elections could be more volatile.
Important statistics about Liberia
Liberia has a population of about 4.9 million people.
The country’s poverty rate is estimated at 54%.
The literacy rate is 53%.
The average life expectancy is 51 years.
Why the election is important not just to Liberia but to the Ecowas region
The election is important for the following reasons:
It is a test of Liberia’s democracy.
It could help to stabilize the ECOWAS region.
It could send a message of hope to other countries in the region that are struggling to maintain stability.
The upcoming elections in Liberia are a critical test for the country’s democracy.
The success of the elections will be seen as a sign of hope for the ECOWAS region and for other countries in Africa that are struggling to maintain stability.
