With reference to the incident on Saturday, 17 August, 2019 in Montserrado County District #15 between supporters of candidate of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and supporters of the Opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), the United Nations in Liberia and the Office of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia condemned the violence and called on the Government to carry out a prompt and impartial investigation.
The two international partners of Liberia, in a release deplored the violent attacks that have taken place during the Senatorial and Representative by-elections and reiterate that electoral violence in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation.
The UN-Liberia and the ECOWAS Rep. in Liberia said electoral violence constitutes one of the most serious threats to peace and security in Liberia and pointed out that they have observed with concern the increasing acts of violence arising from the recent by-elections in Montserrado County.
“We condemn the violence that occurred on Saturday, 17 August in District #15, Montserrado County, between supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change and supporters of the Opposition Collaborating Political Parties,” the UN and ECOWAS Representative declared in their press release issued recently.
They commended the Government of Liberia’s swift move to defuse tensions and foster dialogue between antagonists. “We, therefore, urge the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police to carry out a prompt and impartial investigation into the unfortunate incident so that those responsible are held accountable, regardless of their political affiliations,” the UN/ECOWAS joint press release further said.
Both international bodies (UN & ECOWAS) have urged all Liberians in general and political parties in particular to reject violence and avoid using inflammatory language or hate speech that could further increase tensions.
“We appeal to Liberians to safeguard the hard-won gains made in consolidating peace and democracy and urge them to address electoral complaints in a peaceful manner and through legal means,” they said.
The United Nations (UN) and the Office of the Special Representative of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia then renewed their continued support to peaceful, credible and inclusive elections in the country.
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