By Olukayode Idowu
Liberia’s President, George Weah has promised to ensure a violent free, credible, transparent and inclusive polls during the forthcoming general elections in the country scheduled for October.
Weah, gave the promised on Wednesday in Monrovia during the celebration of the country’s 176th Independence with the theme “Giving our People Hope for a Violence Free, Fair, Transparent, Inclusive and credible elections.”
Weah said that the theme for this year’s celebration was of special significance as it comes on the heels of the nation’s preparations for elections, reiterating his commitments to uphold and preserve the peaceful democracy of Liberia.
He said: “Today, we have a collective duty to uphold and defend our constitution and I pledge to do that with all my ability.
“The theme of this year’s celebration is also a reminder to do our duty to country and to God.
“And I reiterate my commitments to preserving the peace of the country which has been sustained since the singing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on Aug. 18, 2003 in Accra, Ghana.
“The presidential and general elections will be credible, reflect the voice of the people of Liberia, and will meet international and national standards.”
Weah also admonished politicians contesting for various positions to follow suit in ensuring peaceful polls in their various counties, putting the interest of the people first before theirs.
He thanked Liberian citizens for their resilience and commitment to the sustained peace in the country.
“We have proven that what unites us is bigger than what divides us and we are grateful to the people of Liberia for their tenacity and commitment to preserving the peace of the country since the end of the civil war.
“We should know the value of peace now and must do all we can to sustain it,” Weah added.
President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, who was a special guest of the Liberian President and honoured with a Liberian National Award, congratulated the government and people of Liberia on the occasion of their independence and their adherence to the Accra commitment.
Akufo-Addo said that it gives him great excitement to see the fruition of the Accra Agreement which was a commitment to the peace in Liberia by all factions after the brutal civil war.
He urged Liberians to hold on to the tenets of the agreement and again, preserve its democracy to a peaceful transition.
“The successful implementation of the Accra agreement twenty years after has seen to peaceful transition of power and this must be maintained.
“As you go to the polls, look beyond where you come from, deepen cohesion for peace and prosperity.
“You are Liberians first and foremost. If there must be a flight, it must be a fight to work together for the advancement of the country, political and economic gain,” Akufo-Addo said.
Akufo-Addo pledged the commitment of ECOWAS to supporting Liberia in achieving peaceful, credible and transparent elections.
President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, who also bagged a Liberian National Award, greeted the country on their independence celebration, urging them to remain united as it remains essential to recording another peaceful democratic transition.
Also present at the event was the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis, representative of the ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmtyro Kuleba among other dignitaries.
