MONROVIA – President George Manneh Weah has renewed his commitment to the global community to promote and uphold democracy within the context of respecting and protecting the fundamental rights of citizens and residents, and strengthening accountability, transparency and the rule of law at home and abroad.
The President reminded the world of his promise in Washington last December committing the government to holding free, fair, transparent and peaceful Presidential and Legislative elections in October this year, and expressed belief that the peaceful conduct of the elections will strengthen Liberia’s democratic credentials and showcase Liberia as a bastion of democracy in Africa.
President Weah made statement when he virtually joined other leaders and champions of democracy for the Second United States Democracy Summit barely two days after returning home from important and strategic international engagements in the US and UAE when he assured the global gathering that Liberia has successfully implemented every commitment he made towards strengthening and safeguarding democracy at home and abroad.
Accentuating that his administration remains unwavering in that commitment, the Liberian leader also expressed confidence that Liberia will remain a pillar of democracy on the African continent, and pledged to continue to be an integral part of the global coalition in defense of democracy in the world.
“Our democratic institutions, including the judiciary, continue to improve on their capacities to respect and protect the fundamental rights of citizens and residents, and to strengthen accountability, transparency and the rule of law,” the Liberian leader said.
The President’s comments were contained in a virtual statement made to the Second Democracy Summit organized by the President of the United States of America, Mr. Joseph R. Biden.
He told the summit that Liberia continues to deliver on her commitments to media freedom and openness in legislative processes, as well as the elimination of harmful traditional practices.
“We have enacted a landmark anti-corruption law which gives greater independence and autonomy to existing anti-corruption agencies. We have also enacted a new anti-money laundering law to fight illicit financial flows as well as drugs and terrorism financing,” he disclosed to the Summit.
He said under his stewardship, “Liberia has been consistent and steadfast on the path of democracy. New laws have been enacted to protect free speech, and the right to freedom of assembly has also been guaranteed. There have been no political prisoners or prisoners of conscience since the beginning of my Administration more than five years ago.”
On behalf of the Government and People of Liberia, the President said he is honored to participate in this Second Democracy Summit, and congratulate President Biden and our co-hosts for organizing this Summit, which brings them together once again in the cause of democratic governance.
“During the first Democracy Summit held recently, Liberia made various commitments aimed at strengthening and safeguarding democracy at home and abroad. Those commitments are being successfully implemented,” the Liberian leader intimated.
He averred that at the meeting “I pledged my Administration’s unflinching commitment to the defense of democracy; the fight against corruption, and the promotion of human rights and good governance.”
According to him, his administration will continue to deliver on its commitments to media freedom and openness in legislative processes, as well as the elimination of harmful traditional practices.
He pointed to some of his administration’s progress made towards upholding democracy and good governance when he disclosed, “We have enacted a landmark anti-corruption law which gives greater independence and autonomy to existing anti-corruption agencies. We have also enacted a new anti-money laundering law to fight illicit financial flows as well as drugs and terrorism financing,” the president promised his colleagues.
President Weah recalled that during my visit to Washington last December, he affirmed his commitment to free, fair, transparent and peaceful Presidential and Legislative elections which are due to be held in Liberia in October this year, noting that the peaceful conduct of the elections will strengthen Liberia’s democratic credentials and showcase Liberia as a bastion of democracy in Africa.
Accentuating that his administration remains unwavering in that commitment, the Liberian leader expressed confidence that Liberia will remain a pillar of democracy on the African continent, and pledged to continue to be an integral part of the global coalition in defense of democracy in the world.
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