Powerful African Leaders Endorse Liberia’s Election
Forum
Monrovia, Liberia
Distributed by
The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
The leaders made the declaration over the weekend in the Nigerian capital Abuja at an extra ordinary summit of the African Union.
The leaders include President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Thabo M’beki of South Africa and Alpha Omar Konare of Mali.
In their statements, the leaders said the November 8 run-off presidential election was peaceful, transparent, free and fair and called on disappointed candidates to seek constitutional and legal redress to their grievances.
Meanwhile, with over 95% of the results counted and tallied and showing a strong lead for the Unity Party candidate Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has officially filed a complaint alleging fraud in the election. The CDC also alleged that statements made by NEC Chairman Cllr. Frances Johnson- Morris that George Weah made irresponsible and reckless statement put its candidate at a disadvantage.
As a result of the fraud allegation levied by CDC, its supporters took to the streets of Monrovia over the weekend and staged protest action in front of UNMIL Headquarter and the American Embassy disrupting traffic and business operations.
Protests were also reported last week in Maryland and police was placed
on alert in Gbarnga after police received tip- off of the planned protest
action by CDC supporters.
With only a tiny fraction of the result left, many observers say the bid
by the CDC to file a complaint is a step in the right direction and called
on the party to do it legally and constitutionally something also echoed
by the AU heads of state.
Already calls have been coming from Liberians in and out of Liberia to George Weah to accept the result of the elections and move forward. As to whether this will happen is yet unclear.
A student of the UL majoring in sociology Jonathan Kollie told The FORUM that what is unfolding could be attributed to those warlords who have crossed over to the CDC and were bent on ill-advising Mr. George Weah based on their selfish motive. “Since their dream did not come to pass, they are now confusing the young people to take to the streets” Jonathan said.
At the same time, the commission, through its legal arm, is expected to commence investigation into the complaint Wednesday, while the NEC continues its announcement of results today.
