By Bill W. Cooper
Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf warned that the National Election Commission (NEC) has the full responsibility to ensure that Liberians vote for their respective choices in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
She said, “We are aware that there are many women on that commission, but we want men and women on the commission to know that they have a sacred duty to our country and people, and ensure that the electoral process enables everybody to have a freedom of choice.”
Former President Sirleaf spoke Friday, August 4, 2023, at a peace forum for aspirant Liberian women towards a peaceful elections, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
The forum was organized by the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA), in collaboration with the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, MADRE, and the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF).
Furthermore, it is aimed at providing a cross-segment of Liberian women to consult, reflect and strategize pathways in ensuring peaceful elections in 2023, as well as identifying key issues affecting peaceful elections and women’s participation, the Liberian women manifesto for peace.
Former President Sirleaf’s calls came as Liberians prepare to go to the polls to elect a new President and Vice President, as well as 15 Senators and 73 Representatives to steer the affairs of the country for the next six years.
The Commission has officially announced the opening of the 2023 campaign, which is expected to end on October 8, 2023, leading to the conduct of the general elections.
Madam Sirleaf noted, “We want to see a process that is free and fair, that is what our constitution calls for. We want everybody to feel safe, to go to the polls and cast their ballots in accordance with their hearts and their conscience.”
According to her, the women of Liberia want to see a country where their children can grow up with the similar purpose of seeking their education in a safe environment, coupled with quality schools and good neighborhoods.
She maintained that since Liberia transitioned to a post war country, beginning with Liberia’s first female President, women have always been an integral part of nation-building in Liberia and the advancement of the country.
“Throughout our history, women have made a difference, whether in my trial, the women who stood for me through signatures, whether when the war was raging and Leymah was able to bring women together to make sure that the Accra Peace Accord would succeed, whether it was the time when the judges could stand up for us, there were always women,” Madam Sirleaf intoned.
The former Liberian Leader also stressed the need for peace before, during, and after the elections, asserting, “Now, we are approaching a very important event and that event is to choose our leaders, the constitutional duty that each of us has, and the responsibility – because it is that choice we are all going to live with.”
“Based on peace, based on civility, we will be able to respect each other, being able to talk without getting into those things that lead to differences, those things that lead to unfair expressions, and those things that lead to tension in the society.
“It is a collective effort, a genuine effort for women to know what the process is, to encourage each other to do the right thing and to call upon our leaders, and our institutions to abide by the constitution and do the right thing,” she added.
Earlier, GPFA Founder/President, Madam Leymah R. Gbowee, giving an overview of the occasion, said the Liberia Women’s Peace Summit provided a structured consultation for Liberian women to gather, discuss critical issues for peaceful election in 2023, and articulate a position statement for public release.
The 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate added that it was not by mistake the country is now having elections 20 years after the signing of the Accra Peace Agreement in Accra, Ghana, noting that the country is now brainstorming as to where it will be 20 years from now after the elections.
She then thanked the former President and her organization for the opportunity to collaborate to ensure the success of the gathering, and disused that a communication is expected to be issued following the closure of the meeting.
