Monrovia – The Liberian Council of Churches (LCC) and collaboration with Women’s Situation Room (WSR) an institution established to ensure nonviolent elections, have expressed deepened concern about a statement made by the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Secretary-General,  Jefferson Koijee, when he told partisans to prepare for their victory celebration.

By Jaheim T.  Tumu- jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com

The CDC’s Secretary-General,  in a remark on October 17, 2023,  assured large gathering of supporters at their national party headquarters that preparations for the inauguration scheduled for next January, were well underway. “Let’s get ready for the inauguration. We want to celebrate like never before”, Koijee said.

But during press conference held on October, 21, 2023, Secretary-General of the LCC, Rev. Christopher Wleh Toe, called the CDC Secretary-General should desist from making pronouncement of victory when the final tally of results has not been announced by the National Elections Commission (NEC) and where 99% of the tally so far indicate that there would be a run-off election.

Recently, NEC boss,  Daviedetta Browne Lansanah confirmed that the Commission has received 99.97% of the polling places, with a rerun for Presidential,  Senatorial and Representatives elections expected to take place at precinct in Beo Lonto Public School in electoral District#4,  Nimba County.

She has not announced the full numbers of final but there is an imminent runoff in the Presidential race between incumbent President George Weah of the CDC and Unity Party,  Standard Bearer Joseph N.  Boakai.

Rev. Toe emphasized,  “The Liberian Council of Churches and the Women’s Situation Room see the CDC Secretary General’s victory remarks as premature and a source of provoking violence.”

“We are calling on him and other officials to wait until the final results are announced by the NEC. Even were NEC to announce a run-off, we must be cautious in proclaiming victory before NEC gives the final results,” release stated.

It further stated, “We call on the leadership of CDC to inform their partisans to desist from pre-celebration announcements, as it would contribute to sparking violence. At the same time the NEC must similarly take issue with the CDC and condemn the premature victory remarks.”

It can be recalled on 16 October 2023, the LCC and the WSR of the Angie Brooks International Centre For Women Empowerment, Leadership Development, Peace & Security (ABIC), in joint press conference called on the Liberians to remain calm and non-violent as they await the final elections results.

He,  however,  urged the exuberant Unity Party which has being the frontrunner for pronouncing victory celebration before NEC final announcement of results to desist making said statement.

He further indicated, “Said  pronouncement as it would be provocative and untimely as well as inciteful contrary to their signatory of the Farmington River Declaration. We ask all political parties to not yield to provocative statements and continue to remain calm and non-violent.”

Accordingly,  he called on NEC to investigate and respond to the growing allegations of many issues that compromise the integrity of the data that is being put out in the public – real or imagined,  emphasizing that they do not intend to have aspersion cast on the process.

Amb. Ms. Stephene Audrey Kpoto is currently contributing to Liberia’s infrastructure development by spearheading the construction of mini-cities throughout the country, starting with Bentol City. In Bentol City, she is building the first-ever historic Arts Academy and a technology and fashion hub in Liberia. This hub will serve as the headquarters for the Angie Brooks Centre for Youth Empowerment.

Ambassador Ms. Audrey Kpoto, who also serves as the President of Rigorous Innovative Solutions for Excellence (RISE), is sponsoring the Women’s Situation Room project for cross-border traders. This initiative aims to empower Liberian youths and women (mothers) by providing them with UN-level training to ensure the sustainability of peace and to enhance their trading opportunities. She has expressed her commitment to establishing more partnerships with Angie Brooks through youth empowerment initiatives.

The Women’s Situation Room: The Women’s Situation Room is a pioneering initiative managed by the Angie Brooks International Center. It has played a pivotal role in promoting peaceful elections in several African countries, including Sierra Leone, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zimbabwe. Its approach involves a multi-stakeholder engagement strategy, bringing together women leaders, political parties, security agencies, election management bodies, and other key stakeholders to support and advocate for peaceful elections.

At the program’s launch, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who served as the chief launcher, emphasized the importance of unity and preserving peace for future generations. She stated, “Once again, we have come together in the spirit of unity, togetherness, and the spirit of preserving the peace of this country.”

The Women’s Situation Room concept, initiated in 2011 by Cllr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh, the Coordinator for the Angie Brooks International Centre, has been adopted by the African Union as a unique mechanism aimed at preventing conflicts before, during, and after elections. It serves as a neutral space where women monitor the electoral process, mitigate tensions, and mediate disputes. The Women’s Situation Room ensures that women’s voices are heard and their concerns addressed, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and peaceful electoral environment.

The launch of the 3rd edition of the Women’s Situation Room in Liberia coincides with the country’s preparations for a critical election scheduled for October 10. The outcome of this election will have a significant impact on the nation’s future. Chesson-Wureh highlighted that this edition will focus on key activities such as voter education and advocacy for peaceful conduct. Other areas of concern include conflict resolution and the deployment of women election observers across the country, among other initiatives.

MONROVIA — Former President Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has taken a significant step towards maintaining peace in Liberia by inaugurating the Women’s Situation Room (WSR), an initiative spearheaded by the Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC).

By Francis G. Boayue

Comprising distinguished women from the Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace, and Security, the Women’s Situation Room has launched its 2023 edition. This innovative approach aims to engage women and youth actively in championing peaceful electoral procedures.

The program was unveiled on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Monrovia City Hall, where former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf urged voters to exercise wisdom while making pivotal decisions in the impending elections.

“Your vote is your power, so exercise caution in your choice of candidates this year,” she emphasized.

Madam Sirleaf stressed the importance of informed voting among women and young citizens, underscoring that their selection would impact the nation’s trajectory for the next six years, influencing governance that caters to the marginalized and the common populace.

Extending her remarks, the former president commended the Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) officials for their enduring commitment to peace-building over the years.

“As the real promoters of peace, you women hold the key; let’s persist in our efforts for the betterment of the nation,” the former Liberian President conveyed to a diverse assembly comprising women, youth, motorcyclists, and others.

In her contribution, Madam OluBanke King-Akerele, Chair of the ABIC Board of Directors and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, elucidated that the Women’s Situation Room champions women’s leadership in conflict resolution and peace establishment, aligning with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

“The WSR functions as an early warning and rapid response mechanism to election-related conflicts and violence in African nations,” she explained.

She highlighted that the WSR had been effectively employed in other African countries, including Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda in 2016. Operating as a non-partisan platform, the mechanism focuses on swift intervention during incidents of election-related violence.

Expanding on her comments, Madam OluBanke King-Akerele condemned a recent episode of electoral violence involving supporters of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change and the Unity Party in Nimba County, resulting in a fatality.

“Acts of aggression during this crucial period should be universally condemned, as they endanger the peace we’ve cherished for years,” the former Foreign Minister asserted.

She stressed that such incidents contradicted the spirit of the Farmington River Declaration, a framework through which political parties and presidential candidates committed to shunning all forms of violence throughout the electoral process.

The Farmington Declaration framework mandates presidential candidates and political party leaders to encourage their followers to exercise tolerance, uphold the rights of others, and maintain decorum and serenity during this pivotal electoral phase. Intimidation and coercion against political adversaries stand contrary to the principles of participatory democracy.

Consequently, she urged the Liberia National Police (LNP) to conduct an inquiry into the violence that claimed a life. She called for the arrest and proper legal proceedings against the perpetrators, in line with the principles of due process of law.