Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has instructed that its Technical team arrive in Monrovia, very soon to do a fact-finding mission on Electoral matters.
According to the final Communique of the Extraordinary Summit convened in the margins of the 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) on 18th February 2023, under the Chairmanship of H.E. Umaro Sissoco Embaló, President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and Chair of ECOWAS Authority.
The Technical Team from Ecowas will arrive in Liberia, to hold consultations with political parties, and key stakeholders including civil society, in consent of the peaceful conduct of the October 2023 Elections.
Similarly, at the Extraordinary Summit in Addis Ababa, ( Ethiopia), the West African Monitoring Body, examined the progress made with the transitions in Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, as well as the level of preparations for elections in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The Summit also deliberated on the update on the establishment of a Regional Force.
“We are examining the progress made and the challenges being encountered, in the electoral processes of the three countries organizing presidential elections in 2023, namely Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia and we call on the ECOWAS Commission to expedite the review of the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, and ensure the completion of this project, to strengthen democratic conduct and stability in the region” The Heads of State and Government cited.
Correspondingly, as Liberia had a peaceful transition after its 2017 elections were held, ECOWAS hopes that the upcoming Elections in October this year be free, fair, and transparent void of Violence or any other malpractice.
It can be recapitulated that the Farmington Declaration, held by Ecowas in Liberia was a very noteworthy one because, it concentrated on the advancement, the hindrances, and the way forward in conserving the peace as voters get ready to carry out their constitutional rights.
It can also be recalled that at the Farmington Declaration, the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL), inferred that the current political climate in Liberia was obscured and heavily inundated with potential threats of conflicts and a heightened sense of violence and chaos that require urgent intervention before the October 2023 General and Presidential elections.
With many Liberians eagerly awaiting the voters’ registration period planned by the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC), ECOWAS anticipates that the Election process becomes lucent and peaceful.
Emmanuel Logan, Is A Renowned Liberian Poet And Journalist With Over 19 Years Of Experience In Journalism. He Is Also An Economist and An Award-Winning Journalist Who Has Practiced As A Broadcaster, A TV Presenter, A Newspaper Managing Editor, And A Talkshow Host.