Monrovia – The United Nations through its Resident Coordinator in Liberia, ECOWAS Ambassador and the Chargés D’Affaires of the European Union and United States of America in Monrovia have called on all political parties and the Liberian populace to refrain from actions that could dampen Liberia’s democracy and development.
Report by Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
In a Joint statement release in Monrovia on August 4, the heads of the diplomatic missions say they “fully support the concern expressed by the Inter-Religious Council, the Catholic Diocese of Cape Palmas, the Providence Baptist Church, the Legislative Caucus of Grand Gedeh, other religious leaders and political stakeholders, including President George Manneh Weah and his Government, over the use of hate speech and mob violence, and particularly, the recent attack against opposition politicians in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County.”
The statement from the top diplomatic missions accredited to Liberia came in the wake of heightened tensions between the opposition and supporters of the ruling party in the wake of an attack against the Chairman of the Collaborating Political Party (CPP), Alexander Cummings and Representative Yekeh Korlubah of Montserrado County District #10 by pro-government supporters in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County.
The missions said while they support President Weah’s statement condemning the attack, the Liberian government should swiftly investigate the incident “in an objective and non-partisan manner.”
“We welcome President Weah’s statement denouncing and repudiating the attack and urge Liberian authorities to swiftly investigate the incident — in an objective and non-partisan manner — and bring to justice all those found culpable. Such action will send a clear signal that threats and violence have no place in the democratic dispensation which the people of Liberia have established for their country,” they wrote in the statement.”
Writing further, they “call on all parties to refrain from undue provocation and incendiary language, promotion of misinformation, falsehood and mistrust that has the propensity to fuel political tensions, divisiveness, and violence.”
“We welcome President Weah’s statement denouncing and repudiating the attack and urge Liberian authorities to swiftly investigate the incident — in an objective and non-partisan manner — and bring to justice all those found culpable. Such action will send a clear signal that threats and violence have no place in the democratic dispensation which the people of Liberia have established for their country.”
Diplomatic Missions in Liberia
As Liberia works towards the preparation of inclusive, free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful senatorial elections as well as a referendum in December 2020, the missions pledged their support to increased opportunities for genuine dialogue and constructive engagement on issues that will advance Liberia’s democracy and development.
According to them, most Liberians from all walks of life have demonstrated their commitment to peace and are resolved to learn lessons from their past to embrace a culture of peaceful competition for political leadership and responsibility.
As Liberia heads towards a crucial special senatorial elections and referendum on December 8, there have been brewing tensions between the major opposition blog comprising of the CPP and the ruling coalition as they strategize to gain more senatorial seats.
The special elections are being considered as a litmus test to the 2023 Presidential and legislative elections.
These tensions have been exacerbated by the attack against Mr. Cummings and Rep. Korlubah in Zwedru while on their way back from Maryland County on Thursday, July 30, 2020.