Some professional journalists and stakeholders have launched an organization endeavoring to promote peaceful elections in Liberia ahead of the 2023 general and presidential election.
The non-for-profit organization named ‘Journalists Initiative for Peaceful Elections in Liberia’ (JIPEL) seeks to engage the Liberian society in the attainment of peace and democracy through the media and the security sector.
JIPEL’s target is at the media through Talk Show Hosts and the security personnel in Liberia in order to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development and as well promoting a Liberia which guarantees free space for all and democratically level playing field during electioneering processes.
During the organization’s launch held at the Lutheran Church over the weekend, the founder and CEO, Oscar F. Mulbah, explained that the organization was birthed since 2019 as part of efforts aimed at addressing “binding constraints” which have the proclivity to undermine Liberia’s long-term fight for peace in Liberia during electioneering processes.
He outlined the binding constraints as ranging from concerns raised about how the National Elections Commission creates a level playing field for all and the credibility of its voters roll; how politicians conduct themselves during such crucial times in the country and the control they exercise over their supporters; to how justice is dispensed and the court being the only hope for all.
Mr. Mulbah who himself was once a talk show host stated that more to these, is the concern about how journalists and state security actors conduct themselves during elections pointing out, “All of us have been troubled when, on the one hand, members of the public referred to journalists with all sorts of names and branding us as being bias, partisan journalists, people who are responsible for heightened tension and fear in the country during elections, while on the other hand, we see journalists themselves attempting to plunge the country into serious chaos by sitting on their platforms to announce fake results or going as far as campaigning for a side in the process.”
“We cannot downplay how state security actors conduct themselves during elections, either by a needless use of force, or trying to please a power that be by taking unlawful instructions. It is our view that all the aforementioned actions by journalists and state security actors are not right as our only side should be to wholly defend and protect is the interest of Liberia and the common good of all,” he expressed.
Journalist Mulbah said journalists and state security actors should defend, protect, and promote the interests of Liberia by being fair, non-partisan, and not taking unlawful orders during electioneering process
The Director of the Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Program (LCL-THRP) of the Lutheran Church in Liberia, Philip L. Nushann, encouraged Mr. Mulbah by saying that this initiative does not only demonstrate his love and concern for the peace and development of Liberia but is also a classic manifestation of excellent leadership skills and innovation as a young Liberian.
Serving as keynote speaker, Rev. Nushann said democracy, the free and equal representation of people, is fundamental to the peace, stability, and sustainable development of any nation.
He added that JIPEL’s launch is to help support the democracy of a country with a difficult past and the more than 19 years of peace since the end of the Liberian civil war that claimed the lives of more than 250,000 human beings.
“There is no doubt, the effects of the civil war are still visible across this country. Sustainable conflict transformation that promotes positive peace remains a major challenge. Our systems and institutions need to be strengthened and supported and our people need to be empowered to redirect their energy in a more positive and constructive way,” he recounted.
He told the organization that election is an event at which people vote and it requires too much energy; but is a fundamental pillar of any society’s democracy.
“In 2023, our country’s democracy will be tested as we will be going to a general and presidential elections. We have already started having some turbulence along the way. The processes (including voters’ registration) leading to the conduct of a credible election are cardinal.
Whatever turbulence that we may encounter, it behooves every single Liberian to cultivate a constructive attitude and approach in navigating such turbulence. We all have the responsibility to ensure that these elections are peaceful. Cognizant of this civil responsibility,” he admonished the new organization.
He said JIPEL has the propensity to either put the nation in trouble, or to promote our democracy noting, “2023 is a critical time in our nation’s history. Please help to safe our nation from trouble. Everyone you interact with needs to be treated with the highest degree of respect and equality.”
JIPEL is committed to working in the program areas such as Civic Awareness, Advocacy, and Training with a concern that a Responsible Media Coverage Leads to Peaceful Elections and therefore calls on the Government of Liberia to join as this vision aligns with the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), especially pillars three and four on “Sustaining the peace, and Governance and Transparency.
JIPEL’s vision is also in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially goal 16 which calls for the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
