
Monrovia – FrontPageAfrica has obtained a video of former Vice President Joseph Boakai, the standard bearer of the Unity Party, during one of his campaign rallies, where he warned that it would be “the end of Liberia” should the ruling CDC rig the October 10 elections.
In the video, Ambassador Boakai is heard saying, “…that’s why you need to protect it. If they think they’ll steal this election, you will not allow it because if they do it, that’s the end of this country.”
Over the past few weeks, supporters of the former ruling party have hinted at the possibility of election rigging by the government while simultaneously threatening unconventional reactions if such allegations proved true.
Last week, Senator Prince Johnson, representing the vote-rich Nimba County, went as far as to threaten a revolt similar to the Arab Spring in the event of election rigging by the CDC. He drew inspiration from the massive turnout of supporters and sympathizers during the launch of the Unity Party campaign on September 17.
“Before the October elections, Liberians are coming out under the banner ‘Don’t Try It’ – any attempt, the people’s power would be exercised like the Arab Spring. You’ll shoot your gun; you’ll kill us or you’ll die. No more fear, Liberians don’t have fear anymore,” Senator Johnson said.
The Arab Spring, also known as the First Arab Spring, was a series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions that spread across much of the Arab world in the early 2010s. It began in Tunisia in response to corruption and economic stagnation.
These statements have garnered the attention of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia, which has cautioned political leaders and their followers against making inflammatory and incendiary comments.
In a statement released through its Resident Representative in Monrovia, ECOWAS stressed the importance of political actors resorting to dialogue and mediation to address grievances, while also emphasizing the need to follow legal channels for addressing concerns related to the electoral process.
“ECOWAS underscores the crucial role of state institutions in maintaining neutrality throughout the electoral process, ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders to exercise their constitutional rights within the framework of the rule of law,” the regional body emphasized.
Furthermore, ECOWAS reiterated the significance of adhering to the provisions of the Farmington River Declaration, which it views as fundamental in guiding the behavior of all political actors in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
Meanwhile, in his address to the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly last Wednesday, President George Weah assured the world leaders of a free, fair, transparent and inclusive election. He mentioned he signing of the Farmington Declaration by all political leaders and stakeholders in a bid to uphold the peace of the country during the elections.