By Michael Olugbode and Lizzy Okoji
Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis and President of the ECOWA Commission, Omar Touray have assured the government and people of Liberia of the Commission’s support in consolidating its democracy as the country holds its general elections in October.
They gave their assurances while speaking at the opening of the Delocalized meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Joint Committees on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and the African Peer Review Mechanism, Judicial Affairs and Human rights, Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment in Monrovia, Liberia.
Tunis said that as Liberia prepares to hold presidential and legislative elections in October, he assures of ECOWAS Parliament’s fullest support.
“I am aware that an ECOWAS pre-election mission is currently in Liberia to assess the country’s preparedness for the upcoming elections.
“In doing so, I extol the efforts of the ECOWAS Commission and express the Parliament’s to support Liberia’s next democratic transition,” Tunis said”
Touray who was represented at the event by Mrs Josephine Nkurumah, Permanent Representative of the ECOWAS Commission to Liberia lauded the country on the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in Accra, Ghana on Aug. 18, 2003.
He commended the country for advancing democratic rule and sticking to the CPA agreement signed between the Government of Liberia, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), the movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) and political parties which ended the brutal Liberian Civil war.
Speaking on behalf of Touray, Nkurumah said “Twenty years of uninterrupted peace since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in Accra, Ghana.
“The ECOWAS Commission will continue to work with Liberia as it consolidates its peace journey and its democratic process.
“The President of the Commission expresses his commitments to national and international efforts that the Liberian general elections in October 2023 will be credible, peaceful, fair and transparent.
“At the critical time of the subregion when we are experiencing volatility and threats to our collective democratic advancement, discussions on inclusivity and participatory our democracy cannot be timelier,” Touray said.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission also congratulated the government and people of Liberia on the occasion of their 176th Independence Anniversary on July 26.
Liberia’s Vice President, Jewel Taylor also said that Liberia is ready to preserve its democracy as its citizens go to the polls in approximately seventy-six days from today.
Taylor also pledged the government’s commitment to delivering a free, fair, transparent and violence free election.
Taylor said, “In anticipation of the upcoming Presidential and General Elections in Liberia, currently scheduled for 10th October 2023; approximately seventy-six (76) days from today.
“Thus becoming Liberia’s fourth post-conflict general elections and the second to be conducted completely without a peacekeeping mission present; an indication of Liberia’s commitment to Peace, Security and Democracy”.
On Liberia’s 176th Independence commemoration on July 26, Taylor said that the day is a constant reminder of the responsibility of every Liberia citizen to preserve their democracy and freedom.
“Tomorrow, July 26, 2023 commemorates our Nation’s 176th Independence Anniversary.
“For me and for all Liberians, this day reminds all; of not only how far we have come.
“But that each generation has the responsibility to preserve this precious gift bequeathed to all succeeding generations and that after we have completed our service to God and Country.
“To leave our beloved Nation in a better state than we found it, for ourselves and for posterity,” Taylor said.