By Bill W. Cooper
Liberia, the oldest country on the African Continent, stands at a critical juncture, amidst deep division among citizens, ahead of the inauguration of newly elected President, Joseph N. Boakai.
Liberia, a country known for its togetherness and resilience, went to the polls on October 10, 2023, where Liberians overwhelmingly exercised their constitutional rights to vote the leaders of their choice.
President-elect Boakai and incumbent President George Weah, as well as 18 other presidential candidates, battled it out for the country’s Presidency, but none of the candidates was able to obtain a outright majority of the total votes cast (50 percent plus one).
As a result, the National Elections Commission (NEC) then declared a run-off election between Weah and Boakai, who both got the highest number of votes during the October 10 polls. The run-off was held on November 14, 2023.
In the end, the run-off election was slightly won by Boakai of the opposition Unity Party (UP), after accumulating 814,481 votes, amounting to 50.64 percent, compared to Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change’s (CDC) 793,914 votes, counting for 49.36 percent.
Boakai served as Vice President to former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for 12 years, and has over 40 years of experience in the public sector. His election victory, according to analysis, is historic.
Boakai is now the second presidential candidate in the country to return a former ruling party (UP) to power since 1878, when former President Anthony W. Gardiner did so with the True Whig Party (TWP).
On the other hand, President Weah’s loss is also an historic one, becoming the country’s first president to fail in his re-election bid, as his defeat comes six years after he won against Boakai in the 2017 runoff, securing a decisive win with 61.5 percent to 38.5 percent.
But the October presidential election revealed a deeply fragmented society, requiring diligent and strategic efforts from President-elect Boakai and team to mend these divisions and foster national unity.
Boakai faces an immense task of reconciling a deeply divided Liberia in the aftermath of the October polls, as the results showcased a nation grappling with deep-rooted political, social, and ethnic tensions.
Boakai’s victory, though celebrated by his supporters, also highlighted the dissent and polarization among Liberians, as it is now glaring that his administration will face a daunting task of healing these societal wounds and fostering inclusion of other political parties.
One of the steps in reconciliation is addressing historical grievances, ranging from the civil war, injustices, economic hardship, mysterious killings, coupled with rampant corruption, among others.
One of the many Liberians to have recognized the division within the country was the NEC commissioner, Boakai Dukuly, who said, “Judging from my past election history, this election is the most crucial and toxic, and it has fueled more division in Liberia.”
Several international and local observers, including the ECOWAS, also spoke about the country’s division, stating that the success of the country’s reconciliation process relies not only on the efforts of the incoming government, but also the citizens themselves.
According to them, it is crucial that the incoming government ensure that they build on the principles of inclusive governance, bringing on board every Liberians irrespective of their political affiliation or religion.
The added in their respective election observation report about the need for the new administration to prioritize fair and equitable representation of different regions, ethnic groups, and marginalized populations in the governance of the state.
Meanwhile, recognizing the urgency of the situation, President-elect Boakai has wasted no time in extending an olive branch to all Liberians, emphasizing the need for unity and stressed that reconciliation will be a top priority for his administration.
Amidst the grievances and concerns of various factions, Boakai pledged to create a government that will be open to constructive engagement aim to restore trust and confidence in the government, ensuring every Liberian feels valued and represented.
In a conversation with journalists Monday, November 20, 2023 in Paynesville, Boakai further narrated that reconciliation efforts must go hand in hand with economic recovery and development to address the underlying socio-economic disparities that contribute to division.
This, he maintained that his administration will implement policies that promote job creation, tackle corruption, and attract foreign investment, noting that a strong economy can serve as a catalyst for fostering unity and prosperity, bringing Liberians together under a shared vision for progress.
He added that his administration also plans to actively engage and collaborate with the international community, seeking expertise and resources to bolster reconciliation initiatives and improve the living standard of all Liberians.
As Liberians grapple with the challenges of reconciliation, the hope remains that under President-elect Boakai’s leadership, the wounds of the past can heal, paving the way for a stronger, more together nation.
