LOWER MARGIBI COUNTY, LIBERIA-Twenty-six political parties in Liberia have signed the Farmington River Declaration, recommitting their various parties to the 2023 October 10 Non-Violence Elections.
The Farmington River Declaration was initiated during the 2017 Elections by former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
Among the political parties that signed the Declaration included the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Unity Party (UP), Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) and the People’s Liberation Party (PUP).
Speaking at the signing ceremony on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Farmington Hotel in Lower Margibi County, President George Weah said:” The document is a testament of the elevation of Liberia’s democracy.”
President Weah said:” The conduct of peaceful elections in October will demonstrate Liberians’ readiness for the sustenance of peace, security, stability and development.”
Also speaking, Unity Party (UP) Standard Bearer former Vice President, Joseph Boakai, recommitted the various political parties to upholding the Farmington Declaration of non-violence.
Mr. Boakai, however, called on political actors, ordinary Liberians and the National Elections Commission (NEC) to work together to address issues that can bring about electoral violence.
He recounted some elections violence experienced in several bi-elections conducted in parts of the Country, which did not augur well for Liberia’s emerging democracy.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS Commission Chairman, Omar Alieu Touray, pledged ECOWAS continued support to the Liberia’s electoral process to ensure the Country’s democracy is strengthened.
Dr. Touray, however, warned ECOWAS Zero Tolerance on election violence, and stressed that ECOWAS will punish those who get involve in election violence.
