By Precious D. Freeman
Several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Liberia have discouraged acts of cyber bullying and stressed the need for reconciliation after the just ended elections.
It has been observed that over the last few days, supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) have suffered online bullying following the election results.
Some of the CSOs include the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Organization for Women and Children (ORWOCH), Accountability Lab Liberia (Alab), Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, Public Health Initiative Liberia (PHIL), Community Healthcare Initiative (CHI), and Integrity Watch Liberia (IWL).
Speaking on behalf of the CSOs at a press briefing yesterday, the Executive Director for CENTAL, Anderson Miamen, said that they have noticed that cyber bullying is currently unfolding on social media after the concession, and therefore, called on all Liberians to put peace and reconciliation at the center of their agendas.
He added that they also recognized the divisions currently existing within the Liberian political system due to heated campaigns that saw brothers, sisters, friends, professional colleagues, families, and others, going against each other, which needs to stop.
CENTAL Boss maintained that while they are encouraging post-election peace and reconciliation, they are in no way calling for the abandonment of the need for true accountability for past actions, decisions taken, and any crimes committed, adding that genuine peace and reconciliation cannot be achieved in the absence of the rule of law and full accountability.
He stressed that the CSOs have recommended to the outgoing and incoming governments to collaborate and implement a very transparent, robust transition, and an inclusive process.
“Among other things, all government properties, assets, and finances, must be identified and documented with clear reports produced and disseminated to the public. This is important to avoid the mistakes of the past, including claims and counter claims that the CDC-led government took over a very broke economy. Comprehensively audit the outgoing administration and prosecute those who will be identified to have abused public resources and assets,” he said.
ED Miamen continued that In line with due process of law, they call for an objective, thorough, and inclusive process that ensures that any public resources and assets corrupted are identified, retrieved, and used for the benefit of the public/population; they strongly recommend that the process be extended to then/previous Unity Party-led administration (2006 to 2017), during which some officials abused public trust and resources, for which they need to be held equally accountable.
He also emphasized that accountability for gender equality to make up for the limited women representation in the Legislature needs to be ensured.
Meanwhile, the CSOs commended the President of Liberia, George Manneh Weah, for honoring his commitment to Liberians and the world to conduct free, fair, transparent, and credible elections.
Adding, “This joy stems from individual and collective efforts and resolve of Liberians to uphold and nurture their nascent democracy. As civil society organizations and leaders, we welcome President Weah’s concession speech, in which he said ‘the CDC has lost the election, but Liberia has won’. This is a time for graciousness in defeat, a time to place our country above party, and patriotism above personal interest. Let us heal the divisions caused by the campaign and come together as one nation and one united people.”
“We wholeheartedly applaud President Weah for not only doing so, but courageously conceding defeat by congratulating the winner, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, prior to announcement of the final results by the National Elections Commission. This singular act is a show of strong will and commitment to preserving and strengthening Liberia’s peace and democracy, the latter of which is notably maturing. This solidifies Liberia’s position as one of the torchbearers and enablers of democracy in Africa, in the wake of coup d’états in many countries, due to extension of presidential terms and election manipulation by a number of African presidents,” they said.
“To President Weah, thank you for allowing the will of the Liberian people to prevail, likely amidst intense pressure from some of your supporters and confidantes to do otherwise. We hope that this great legacy will be built upon by successful presidents, especially your successor,” they maintained.
The CSOs explained that they remain a critical partner in strengthening Liberia’s democracy and accountability cultures, and that they are committed to be steadfast, robust, and objectively critical in engaging with the current and incoming administrations, to hold them accountable for their commitments, as well as core mandates.
“If anyone thinks that CSOs will change gears and lower their standards, they are grossly mistaken. We will continue to hold every administration to a very high standard, this new administration being no exception. We will continue to demand that public officials are more accountable to the people, and that government dealings are transparent, so as to weed out the menace of corruption which has destroyed the fabric of our nation for many years,” the CSOs said.
