There has been outpours of condemnations since some members of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) paraded with a casket bearing the image of Amb. Joseph Boakai at the opening of the national campaign in Montserrado County.Among Civil Society actors registering disdain is the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) who says the action of the CDC is in sharp contravention of the Farmington Declaration signed by all political parties.
27 political parties, including the CDC, in April signed a declaration dubbed the “Farmington River Declaration” wherein they recommitted themselves to preventing electoral violence, impunity, and injustice.
The Declaration also contains commitment that where political conflicts occur, they would address said conflicts through mediation or through legal means and that political campaign activities would be conducted in such a manner that would not only preserve, but also enhance and maintain the peace and unity of Liberia.
On the overall, the Farmington Declaration aims to prevent violence that may undermine the conduct of the ensuing October 10 Presidential and Legislative Elections. It is geared towards ensuring a violent-free electoral process, with political actors being cognizant of the need to maintain a peaceful environment before, during, and after the 2023 Elections.
Accordingly, the Council indicated that the action of the CDC has the propensity to spark serious tension that may backtrack the gains made towards the holding of peaceful elections.
“It will be considered bad politics if political parties and/or independent candidates incite their foot soldiers to damage campaign paraphernalia of other candidates, issue comments and/or statements that are denigrating and meant to stir up commotion in the process, and engage into practices that tend to scare and force women into submission,” the Council noted.
Also Naymote Partners for Democratic Development buttressed by calling upon all Liberian youths, particularly those affiliated with political parties’ youth leagues and auxiliaries, to actively engage in issue-based political activities, including campaigns, while fostering a culture of political tolerance.
Recognizing the profound influence that the young people of Liberia wield, Naymote emphasizes the pivotal role they can play in shaping the outcome of these elections and with their numerical strength, Liberian youth have the collective power to determine the course of leadership in their country.
Naymote urges them to harness this potential and exercise their voting rights to elect leaders who are best equipped to usher in the transformative changes that they desire and address the challenges young people are facing.
Naymote is also calling on all political parties not to use Liberian youths to engage in any act of political violence, due to their status and unemployment.
Amidst the criticisms, the CDC National Campaign Team said it was an “unacceptable work” of its youth league.
“The Weah-Taylor 2023 Campaign Committee of the Coalition for Democratic Change recommits itself to the conduct of an issue-based campaign that emphasizes the exceptional record of development and good governance of President George M. Weah, while also stressing the importance of maintaining a peaceful democratic environment,” indicated the communication signed by the National Campaign Manager, Lenn Eugene Nagbe.
“The committee believes that the unprecedented gains the Weah Administration has made over the years provide sufficient nuggets for a massive victory in the upcoming elections. The Committee therefore urges everyone working towards this ultimate goal to remain on message,” the CDC campaign team added.
Already, President George M. Weah has expressed outrage over the disdainful act carried out by his partisans.
On August 5, 2023, which marked the official opening of campaigning activities across the country, some CDCians were seen toting a casket during an event organized by the CDC at its Party Headquarters in Congo Town.
Commenting on the incident at a Service on Sunday, the Liberian leader further warned his supporters against a repeat of such unprovoked act, describing it as unrepresentative of the Party’s values and credentials.
He asserted, “I want to caution us going to these elections. We should know that we are the government, we are the ruling party. It is not the same as in 2005, 2011, and so on. We are to set the pace for a peaceful election, not provocation.”
The CDC political leader insisted that it is only important and advisable for the party to stick to its faith and belief in God, rather than veering towards anything that is symbolic of Satan.
He reminded partisans that the CDC subscribes to the noble values of peace, democracy, and national unity, warning against the reoccurrence of what had happened on the day commencing official campaign period.
“What happened during the religious event must never happen again. The CDC is a peaceful party; from 2005 to 2011, we held the pillar and mantle of peace and democracy. If you believe in God, He will see you through. Do not carry anyone’s symbolic casket; we don’t want provocation,” he said.
The President at the same time threatened drastic disciplinary measures against anyone, regardless of their status in the party, found orchestrating or participating in such act of toting caskets as campaign overtures.
Meanwhile, the opposition Unity Party has described as lack of maturity, the action by the ruling CDC supporters parading with casket, bearing portraits of its Standard Bearer, Joseph Boakai.
The Unity Party, in a statement issued over the weekend, said the action of the ruling party supporters violates the Farmington Declaration, in which all political parties committed themselves to a peaceful election.
