–Pres. Weah tells cidicians, and frowns at the toting of casket.
By: Jerromie S. Walters
In his political garment as the campaign process begins, President George Weah has frowned at act exhibited by members of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Young League, who was seen parading the streets of Monrovia with a casket, along with the photo of former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, during the kickoff of the October 10, 2023, general elections.
President George Weah made the disclosure Sunday, August 6, 2023, when he visited the Eternal Christian Miniseries in Barnersville, Liberia.
As articulated by the President, the action of the youths was unorthodox, and it contradicts the beauty of democracy which he strongly believes in.
He’s convinced that supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) have multiplicity of tangibles to campaign with, rather than parading with a casket or personal attack.
“You have something to show and they are making noise, show what you have,” President Weah admonished supporters of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
Moreover, he stated that cidicians are peaceful people, and he’s committed to ensuring it remains as it is, there; the party will not entertain acts that have the proclivity to create civil unrest.
During this campaign period, he wants the party’s supporters to use what he has done over the last five years as their campaign messages, instead of personal attacks and uncivil acts.
He’s convinced that their tangibles are innumerable, and it has what it takes to secure his reelection.
Undermining The Farmington River Declaration
Liberia is among hundreds of other countries that have committed themselves to tens of magnificent national and international peace policies, and the state (Liberia) is also governed by exquisite laws which have on countless of occasions been undermined, due to the deliberate refusal of the very same people that crafted those laws to concur and act in accordance with it.
Unarguably, this is synonymous to a possible threat the prestigious “Farmington River Declaration” might suffer, if the needed checkpoints are not erected in due time.
As per the National Elections Commission (NEC) October 2023 general elections scheduled, campaign officially kick-started on Saturday, August 5, 2023. However, with the existence of the Farmington River Declaration”, a lot of Liberians expected a moderate and responsible process, void of some mistakes that were made in past elections that somehow led to violence.
Sadly, it wasn’t played as many expected, as Liberians watched with their naked eyes how supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) paraded the streets with a casket with an image of the standard bearer of the former ruling Unity Party (UP), Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
This, which many Liberians condemned, was not only awkward to be seen, but it also is enraged with an influence to undermine commitment made by the same political parties through the Farmington River Declaration.
In what that appeared as a counter reaction to this, some supporters of the Unity Party (UP) in parts of Sinkor and central Monrovia later the same day, were seen parading the streets, and singing “We don’t want kush”, a harmful substance that has killed tens of young Liberians, and maltreated and left others mad.
At the current juncture where LIberia is, the October 10, 2023 legislative and presidential elections remain apt to Liberians, but those with the esteem interest and desire to liberate the state or deliver the needful must be skeptical about their proceedings in how they proffer their messages, as an unorthodox medium will not only trouble the existing peace, but will obviously be contrary to commitment made by over 20 political leaders months ago (through the Farmington Declaration).
Undoubtedly, provocations that are followed by counter reactions, have often been the drivers behind several political conflicts.
Meanwhile, with just the opening of the campaign period, it appears that the National Elections Commission (NEC), has already gotten an assignment to erect the necessary checkpoints, to avoid politicians going contrary to a peaceful process they committed themselves to through the Farmington Declaration.
The Farmington River Declaration
Mid Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the famous Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, political leaders from 27 out of 31 political parties including CPP, UP, ALP, DPPL, UPP, PLP, signed the Farmington River Declaration 2023 that endeavors to ensure a nonviolent electoral process to build on the foundation of their initial pledge signed in 2017.
The signing ceremony was organized by the National Elections Commission (NEC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the United Nations (UN).
Meanwhile, President George Weah attended and signed as a political leader and standard-bearer. Representatives from the government, civil society groups, the diplomatic community and international organizations were also present at the high-level event.
The UN and ECOWAS signed the agreement as witnesses. On behalf of the United Nations, Ms. Giovanie Biha, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Acting Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), signed the agreement. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, signed on behalf of ECOWAS.
The Farmington Peace Pledge obliges signatories and their supporters to uphold the principles of peaceful elections and respect the rule of law. The UN, ECOWAS, and international partners continue to reiterate the importance and centrality of peaceful elections to Liberia’s stability and prosperity.
The upcoming elections in October, the fourth in the country since 2003, coincide with Liberia commemorating 20 years of peace. This pivotal moment serves to reinforce progress towards sustainable peace and democracy. The Farmington River Declaration 2023 is a strong commitment to prevent potential instances of violence, including violence against women, during the electoral process.
By signing this Declaration, the nation’s political parties displayed their resolve to ensure peaceful elections in 2023, with the international community fully committed to supporting their efforts.
Count six of the FRD urges political parties to desist from engaging into actions or using languages, whether online or offline, that could provoke any type of violence, intimidation, or human rights abuses before, during, and after elections.
Calls for peaceful elections
Recently, the Head of the National Traditional Council of Liberia, Chief Zanzan Karwor, while serving as the orator of the 176th Independence Day celebration, admonished political actors and their supporters of the significance of being peaceful throughout these processes.
“As your father and Chairman of the National Traditional Council of Chiefs and Elders of this great Country, I call on you to ensure that the election is free without violence. Political leaders should talk to their followers, do not incite them to engage into violence or take the laws into their own hands”.
He continued, “The reason why some of us want elected position is because we love Liberia and we want to develop this country. But how will we develop the country after the election when there is violence all over.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the October 10 election is right to our doorsteps. In less than three months we will be having our election where the president, vice President, senators and representatives will be elected. This election will come and go and we will still live together here as Liberians, because this is the only country that we have”.
As disclosed by the Chief, “election in itself is not an end to democracy but it makes democracy to work when it is free, fair and transparent. Some of the problems we have had in this country came when some people felt that the 1995 election was not free, fair and transparent. Election is free when the voters are allowed to freely go to the poll and cast their ballots without any form of intimidation”.
Accordingly, he said the election is fair and transparent when the results are based on what really happened at the polling centers. “Election becomes credible when it is free, fair, and transparent. So we call on the government, NEC, all political leaders and the people to make show that the October 10th election is free, fair, transparent and credible to avoid violence”.
He encouraged political parties to reach out to the Council, in case they are dissatisfied with the proceedings of the elections.
“We, the traditional people are here, the election commission is here, and even the courts are also here. So if there is anything that any political leader is not happy with, please bring it to us so that we can settle them peacefully. Violence will only destroy this country and send us backward. Political leaders must abide by the Farmington River Communiqué for the peace of Liberia”.
Also, at the National Elections Commission (NEC) recent launch of the civic voter education campaign, Louis Kuukpen-Deputy Resident Representative/Programme, alluded that they are committed to supporting LIberia in its election processes but emphasized the need for political actors to concur with the Farmington Declaration.
He wants aspirants exhibit tolerance during these processes, and uphold to the Farmington declaration, and further condemned acts of hate speeches, and personal attacks on other candidates.
CDC Condemns Supporters for Parading With Casket
Following the act, the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has strongly condemned recent action by scores of supporters parading major streets of Monrovia with a casket bearing the photo of opposition leader, Amb. Joseph Boakai.
The action of our supporters on today is unacceptable; and cannot be condoned in any given space of our democratic credentials. – CDC National Secretary General, Jefferson Koijee has said.
It follows the commencement of campaign activities when supporters of the ruling establishment were seen parading major streets of Monrovia with a coffin bearing the photo of Unity Party Standard Bearer, Amb. Boakai and inscribed “RIP”.
The latest display can be measured to a gross violation of the Farmington River Declaration signed by the government and opposition parties.
Mayor Koijee, stated that the Weah-led government has established the foundation for peaceful and violence-free elections, and will promote a civic atmosphere in the election.
