By Bill W. Cooper
The government of the United States of America (USA) has publicly affirmed the potential imposition of sanctions on politicians who seek to undermine the integrity of the country’s upcoming electoral process.
The announcement by the U.S government comes at a critical time, as Liberia gears up for its upcoming October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, aiming to strengthen democracy and ensure a fair and transparent voting system.
The potential sanctions, if imposed, would specifically target political figures and entities found guilty of actively undermining the electoral process through violence or election malpractice, among others.
Additionally, these sanctions could include travel restrictions, financial penalties, and other measures designed to ensure accountability, transparency, and fairness in the democratic process.
Furthermore, the US Government’s sanction, through its Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, aims to send a clear message that any attempts to violate democratic norms and principles will be met with severe consequences.
In the coming days, Liberians are expected 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.
Addressing her first press roundtable with a team of journalists at her US Embassy office in Monrovia, the U.S Chargé d’Affaires to Liberia, Catherine Rodriguez, further emphasized the US’ commitment to promoting democratic principles and safeguarding the electoral process in the country.
This, Rodriguez stressed, “As Liberians prepare to elect their new leaders and representatives, which is their solemn responsibility, it is important that the government ensures that these are fair, free, and peaceful elections, and to hold accountable those that would attempt to disrupt it.”
“Because the United States is also prepared to assist in efforts to keep these elections free, fair, and peaceful, by holding accountable anyone responsible for engaging in activities to undermine the democratic election process in Liberia, through additional measures such as sanctions,” she said.
According to the US Chargé d’Affaires, the eyes of the world are focused on these elections and how they are managed, and stressed that the proposed sanctions are not intended to interfere in Liberia’s internal affairs, but rather to protect the democratic values upon which the nation’s governance is founded.
She then called on the government to invest an adequate amount of money, personnel, and organizational resources, to protect its citizens, candidates, polling stations, and election workers from intimidation or harm.
“The eyes of the world are focused on these elections and how they are managed. The United States, as a long-standing partner of Liberia, along with the international community, has been working closely with the NEC to make sure that all election observers have full access to polling stations during Election Day, as well as access to the vote tallying,” Rodriguez asserted.
The U.S Chargé d’Affaires added that the US Embassy, through USAID, is also directly supporting both international and domestic election observer missions, as well as their own mission, observing the election process across the country.
She urged all stakeholders, including politicians, civil society organizations, and the National Elections Commission, to work collectively in ensuring the integrity of the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, Chargé d’Affaires Rodriguez, during the conference, further expressed her satisfaction with the level of work done at the Mt. Coffee Hydropower plant, describing it as a testament to the enduring relationship between the US and Liberian governments.
As Liberia moves closer to its electoral process, the responsibility falls not only on the government but also on every citizen to safeguard the integrity of the electoral system, as it is crucial for all stakeholders to unite and uphold the democratic values that Liberia cherishes, ensuring a fair, transparent, and accountable electoral process that accurately reflects the will of the people.
