International Partners Condemn Cape Mount Violence -Call for Full Investigation and Punishment of Perpetrators

In the wake of the horrendous attacks on opposition Collaborating Political Parties Grand Cape Mount County senatorial candidate, Simeon Taylor, and Representative Bob Sheriff in Western Liberia’s Bambala Town, Porkpa District, Liberia’s international development partners have strongly condemned the incidence, urging government to launch a full investigation into Saturday’s violence and other related electoral and political violence in the country.

According to a December 6, 2020 Joint Statement emanating from the United Nations in Liberia, ECOWAS, the EU Delegation and the Embassies of the EU Member States (France, Germany, Ireland, and Sweden), the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Embassy of the United States of America, although the international community fully appreciates and shares the profound values Liberians hold for peaceful and democratic processes and protection of human rights; and while  international community members have invested heavily and worked strenuously alongside Liberians from all political parties and all walks of life to promote peace, security, and democratic institutions in this country, they deplore the Saturday, December 6, 2020 incidence of violence in Grand Cape Mount, including the burning of cars and looting and burning of a house, and are certain that the vast majority of Liberians would wish to disassociate themselves from such acts.

While expressing their support for the statement from President George Manneh Weah on Sunday, December 6, 2020, condemning the violence and calling for political partisans and their leaders to conduct themselves peacefully, the international community bloc is, however, calling for a full investigation into the matter.

“There must be a full investigation of incidents of violence, including yesterday’s, and all those found responsible must be held accountable. Law enforcement agencies must be granted sufficient resources to carry out their work, including the provision of security to political candidates and polling sites. We recall commitments stakeholders made in the Code of Conduct to ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process. We call on all parties to renounce the use of provocative language and dissemination of misinformation and falsehoods that only promote political tensions, divisiveness, and violence and risk the progress Liberia has continuously demonstrated since 2005. We further call on political leaders and electoral candidates to pursue any disputes through peaceful means and dialogue, in accordance with the law,” the international partners said.

“International partners are closely following Liberia’s adherence to the rule of law and its advancement of peace and democracy. We look forward to witnessing the voting process on December 8, and support Liberian civil society observation and monitoring initiatives as well. We remain confident in the strong commitment of the Liberian people to peace, stability, and development and continue dedicating our support to advance these essential goals,” the international bodies cautioned.