President George Weah has responded to threatening statements made by some members of the Opposition including Unity Party Standard Bearer, Joseph Nyumah Boakai of stringent actions to be taken if the October 10 polls are rigged.
The Liberian leader reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to maintaining peace with a clear manifestation that there will be “no return to rebel checkpoints in Liberia”.
The Standard Bearer of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) insisted on his government’s commitment to democratic principles, noting that the Country remains on the path to prosperity despite past challenges.
President Weah made the statement upon his return from the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the United States of America
He reminded the Unity Party of the 2005 and 2011 elections, suggesting that their concerns about electoral integrity were a result of past grievances related to the National Elections Commission’s handling of results.
Over the weekend in Buchanan Grand Bassa County, Liberia’s Former Vice President and the standard bearer of the opposition Unity Party, Joseph Nyuma Boakai said any attempt should the ruling CDC to rig the October 10 elections would be “the end of Liberia”.
Ambassador Boakai was heard saying, “That’s why you need to protect it. If they think they’ll steal this election, we will not allow it because if they do, that would be the end of this country.”
At the same time, the Senator of the vote-rich County of Nimba Senator Prince Johnson, also said any action of elections rigging by the CDC will a revolt similar to the Arab Spring.
He stated “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”.
President Weah urged Liberians to actively work for peace, emphasizing its crucial role in national development, something he encouraged the public to ignore provocative statements from certain individuals, and to prevent not to return to civil conflict.
As a result of some of these provocative statements, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Monrovia, has stressed the importance of political actors resorting to dialogue and mediation to address grievances, as well as to follow legal channels for addressing concerns related to the electoral process.
Figo Mansaray is a Liberian Journalist for over 10 years and currently working with Kukatonon Media Inc and AYV Media Empire.
Figo, a prospective Graduate at the University of Liberia can be contacted via +231777489052/+231881734014 and mfmansaray2015@gmail.com