President George Manneh Weah has described the signing of the second Farmington River Declaration, as truly another milestone achievement that is to be admired and celebrated
President George Weah spoke out that the fact that political parties leaders are determined to sign the
Farmington River Declaration signifies their commitment and readiness to pursue the path of a peaceful, free, fair, transparent, inclusive, and credible democratic election, which comes on October 10th this year.
Talking at the signing ceremony of the second Farmington River Declaration held at the Farmington Hotel on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023, the Liberian leader said with a guarantee and successful democratic exercise, demonstrates the readiness for sustained peace, security, stability, and development.
According to him, the signing is a gesticulation that further indicates that the ruling and opposition political leaders should send a strong signal to their partisans, supporters, well-wishers, and followers, of an unflinching commitment and preparedness to conduct peaceful, inclusive, and credible democratic Presidential and Legislative elections.
To continue, it can be thought that in June 2017, a few months before the Presidential and Legislative Elections, twenty (20) of Liberia’s twenty-two (22) registered political parties signed a “Farmington River Declaration”.
The Farmington River Declaration is a document that committed political leaders to an orderly and peaceful election process.
“We agreed, individually and collectively, to prevent electoral violence, impunity, and injustice; and pledged before the ECOWAS Heads of State, who was present in Liberia at the time attending the 51st Summit of that Organization, that if ever and whenever such conflicts occurred, we would address them through mediation”, he declared.
The Liberian Leader further remarked that the promotion of peace is the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in Liberia as such respective leaders are expected to play individual roles appropriately and effectively.
President Weah summed up that the common interest of the people must be pursued with sincerity and goodwill, as a means to strengthening Liberia’s democratic credentials and value, which according to him will not only target the forthcoming elections but future elections that will benefit and safeguard all the generations to come.
He used the occasion to urge all stakeholders that have a vested interest in the October 10 elections to avoid incendiary language and growing culture of militancy, which have the propensity to quickly spill over into violence.
President Weah suggested that when the October 10th elections will be peacefully and credibly held, it is a manifestation of the strengthening and showcasing of Liberia’s democratic credentials, as well as the resilience and relentless commitment to upholding the tenets of democracy which involve the building of trust and confidence in the political culture.
“We have now enjoyed five (5) years of sustained and unbroken peace since I assumed the Office of President of Liberia on January 22, 2018. The transformation is stark: Liberia is now contributing troops as part of United Nations peacekeeping forces in several countries in Africa, instead of requiring peacekeepers to maintain peace in our Country”, he pointed out
At the same time, President Weah has called on all political leaders to talk to their supporters, and the electorate to also uphold the pledge to prevent violence against women in the elections and to treat them with civility and respect.
He said at normal physical violence, women in elections have often faced harassment, discrimination, and psychological abuse, adding that thebehaviorsurs must be condemned and dismissed as it is a clear violation of human rights.
“This Peace Pledge will be put to the test before the elections, through our pre-election campaign activities. It will be put to the test on Elections Day, and it will be put to the test during the post-election period, particularly after the results are declared. This is when the sincerity of our intentions and the genuineness of our commitment to promoting and preserving peace will come under the highest scrutiny”, he underscored.
