—- Orders Visa Restriction For Underminers of Democracy In Liberia
“This policy, the government believes, further reinforces President George M. Weah’s expressed commitment to building a more democratic society – grounded in respect for the rule of law, free expression, and association, as well as the holding of free and fair elections.”
IPNEWS: Last Month, United States officials announced new visa restrictions for persons with greatest responsibility of post-election violence and undermining democracy in neighboring Sierra Leone following a heated elections in that country.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US will impose visa restrictions on officials who were allegedly involved in the manipulation and rigging of the electoral process, as well as those involved in alleged acts of intimidating voters, election observers, and civil society activities.
“Under this policy, the United States will pursue visa restrictions for those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Sierra Leone, including through the manipulation or rigging of the electoral process; intimidation of voters, election observers, or civil society organizations through threats or acts of physical violence; or the abuse or violation of related human rights in Sierra Leone,” Mr. Blinken said in a statement.
Now, ahead of the October 10 presidential and legislative elections, the United States Government has sounded a serious warning threatening to impose visa restrictions on officials and other Liberians who are involved in or are responsible for acts that undermine the democratic process in Liberia.
In a release issued late Wednesday evening, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for those undermining democracy in Liberia.
The policy, which takes effect in advance of the upcoming election, will affect officials of the government and others who are or will be involved in the manipulation and rigging of the electoral process, as well as those involved in alleged acts of intimidating voters, election observers, and civil society activities.
“The United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Liberia and around the world. Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for those undermining democracy in Liberia. This policy will take effect in advance of the upcoming election,” the US Secretary of State said in the release. “Persons who undermine democracy in Liberia — including in the lead-up to, during, and following Liberia’s 2023 elections—may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy.”
Under this policy, the United States will pursue visa restrictions for those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Liberia, including through manipulation or rigging of the electoral process.
The restrictions will also affect officials of government and other stakeholders who will use violence to prevent people from exercising their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly; the use of measures designed to prevent political parties, voters, civil society, or the media from disseminating their views; or engagement in any other activity designed to improperly influence the outcome of an election.
Certain family members of such persons, the US government said, may also be subject to these restrictions.
In a swift reaction, the government of Liberia has welcome the United States Government visa restriction policy.
In a statement by Information Minister, Hon. Ledgerhood J. Rennie, the Government of Liberia stated that it welcomes the latest United States Government visa restriction policy intended to target those who undermine democracy in Liberia.
“This policy, the government believes, further reinforces President George M. Weah’s expressed commitment to building a more democratic society – grounded in respect for the rule of law, free expression, and association, as well as the holding of free and fair elections.”
“This was the central theme of his address to the UN General Assembly last week and during various conversations with U.S. stakeholders – including U.S. Charge d’Affairs Catherine RODRIGUEZ.”
“The Government believes the U.S. statement, coming at a time when incendiary rhetoric by politicians have been on the rise, will aid its efforts to calm public anxiety around the upcoming democratic exercise.” Ledgerhood J. Rennie, MINISTER, Ministry of Information read.
Meanwhile, the government has also welcomed the arrival in the country of scores of election observers from the ECOWAS, AU, EU, U.S. and other observer missions from around the world.
“This comes as international partners in Liberia have commended various stakeholders, including the elections commission, for the methodical and open manner in which they have conducted themselves so far.” Information Minister, Ledgerhood J. Rennie, statement concludes.
This move comes at a time when members of the opposition community are already crying foul that the National Elections Commission is doing everything in its power to rig the elections in favor of the incumbent, President George Weah and his party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). With less than twelve days until the elections, the NEC has yet to make public the Final Voter Roll (FVR), which will make known the total number of people that are supposed to partake in the elections.
The main opposition, the Unity Party of former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, slammed the conduct of the electoral process by the NEC, terming it as lacking transparency. The UP has already taken the NEC to court for its failure to publish the FVR.
The main opposition believes the actions of the electoral body are deliberate and are meant to rig the elections in favor of the incumbent, President George Weah.
Ambassador Boakai was heard saying, “That’s why you need to protect it. If they think they’ll steal this election, we will not allow it because if they do, that would be the end of this country.”
On many occasions, supporters of the ruling party have hinted at the possibility of election rigging by the government while simultaneously threatening unconventional reactions if such allegations proved true.
However, they have not provided any evidence to substantiate such claims that have the tendency of plunging Liberia back into chaos.
Immediately after the former ruling party, the UP campaign launched at the ATS, Nimba County Senator Prince Johnson, described the massive turnout of supporters and sympathizers as a signal for the ruling Government to give way but any action of election rigging by the CDC will a revolt similar to the Arab Spring.
The Arab Spring refers to a series of pro-democracy uprisings and protests that swept across several Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa, beginning in late 2010 and continuing into 2011 and beyond. These uprisings were characterized by widespread public dissatisfaction with autocratic regimes, political corruption, economic inequality, and limited political freedoms.
“Before the October elections, Liberians are coming out under the banner ‘Don’t Try It’ – any attempt, the people’s power would be exercised like the Arab Spring. You’ll shoot your gun; you’ll kill us, or you’ll die. No more fear, Liberians don’t be afraid anymore,” Senator Johnson said.
Meanwhile, the regional bloc, the ECOWAS has released a statement through its Resident Representative in Monrovia, stressing the importance of political actors resorting to dialogue and mediation to address grievances, as well as to follow legal channels for addressing concerns related to the electoral process.
“ECOWAS underscores the crucial role of state institutions in maintaining neutrality throughout the electoral process, ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders to exercise their constitutional rights within the framework of the rule of law,” the regional body cautioned.
Also, the Liberia Council of Churches has condemned recent statements of threat from major opposition leaders including Joseph Boakai.
In a release issued in Monrovia, the LCC stated that it won’t condone any reckless utterances that has the propensity to undermine Liberia’s hard-earned peace and tranquility.
Liberia Council of Churches further condemned recent utterances by Nimba Senator Prince Johnson, Representative Yekeh Kolubah of Montserrado and Unity Party Standard Bearer Joseph Boakai which points to threatening Liberia’s peace.
LCC President, Rev. Dr. Samuel Reeves said the statements by Senator Johnson, Representative Kolubah and Ambassador Boakai, do not augur well for the peace of the country.
According to Rev. Reeves, the council will not condone what “any reckless statements from politicians”; noting that the statements could instill fears in the minds of Liberians during these ongoing campaigns leading towards October 10 elections.
