The general elections in Liberia are slated for October, and President George Weah has pledged to make sure they are free of violence, credible, transparent, and inclusive.
He made the pledge on Wednesday in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, at a celebration of the nation’s 176th year of independence under the banner of “Giving our People Hope for a Violence Free, Fair, Transparent, Inclusive and Credible Elections.”
Weah reiterated his promises to protect and preserve the peaceful democracy of Liberia by saying that the theme for this year’s commemoration was of special relevance given that it came shortly after the country’s preparations for elections.
We all have a responsibility to maintain and defend our constitution today, he declared, and he vowed to do so to the best of my ability.
“This year’s celebration’s theme serves as a reminder to fulfill our obligations to God and our country.
“And I reaffirm my commitment to upholding the stability of the nation’s peace, which has been in place since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was sung on August 18, 2003 in Accra, Ghana.
“The presidential and general elections will meet international and national standards, reflect the voice of the Liberian people, and be credible.”
Weah also urged candidates for political office to follow his lead in ensuring orderly elections in their respective counties, putting the needs of the populace ahead of their own.
He expressed gratitude to the people of Liberia for their tenacity and dedication to maintaining the nation’s ongoing peace.
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, who was the Liberian President’s special guest and received a Liberian National Award, commended the Liberian government and people on their independence and adherence to the Accra promise.
Akufo-Addo declared that the realization of the Accra Agreement, which represented a commitment by all factions to the peace in Liberia following the horrible civil war, excites him greatly.
Akufo-Addo vowed that ECOWAS would support Liberia in holding legitimate, peaceful, and transparent elections.
In a greeting to the nation on the occasion of their independence celebration, President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, who also won a Liberian National Award, urged people to maintain their unity because it is crucial to achieving another peaceful democratic transition.
Along with other dignitaries, the event also featured the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis, a delegate of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, and the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmtyro Kuleba.
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