— Addresses Ambassadorial-Level Meeting of the UN Peacebuilding Commission-Liberia Configuration
IPNEWS: Liberia’s Foreign Minister Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., has assured the international community and partners that the forthcoming General and Presidential Elections in October 2023 will be crucial to consolidating the democracy as well as the sustenance of peace and national development in Liberia.
Minister Kemayah reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of President George Manneh Weah and the Government of Liberia to ensuring the conduct of a free, fair, transparent, peaceful, inclusive and credible General and Presidential Elections in October 2023 in Liberia.
Min. Kemayah, who is Dean of President Weah’s Cabinet, said there is absolutely no doubt in his mind, and indeed, everyone else, he believes, that the outcome of a free, fair, transparent, peaceful, inclusive and credible electoral process will further enhance the sustenance and consolidation of peace in Liberia, which is the foundation for a thriving democracy, and the pursuit of the national development agenda.
Foreign Minister Kemayah slfurther stated that an inclusive process will ensure the continuation of participation of all Liberians in the political and governance process of the country; hence, further adding to a greater sense of belongingness amongst all Liberians.
Foreign Minister Kemayah made these remarks on Monday, November 14, 2022 during an Ambassadorial-Level Meeting of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission-Liberia Configuration.
The Foreign Minister quoting Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr. Samuel D. Tweah, Jr, said, as an initial step to funding the electoral process, the government, in spite of the challenging fiscal situation, has actualized a net of US$18 million for the National Elections Commission through appropriation in the 2022 National Budget for the conduct of the October 2023 Elections.
“Finance and Development Planning Minister Tweah further revealed to me that for the 2023 budget; Thirty-three Million United States is being earmarked for the National Elections Commission for the elections; which according to him will take the Government of Liberia’s total support for the 2023 elections to US$51 million.
According to him, with this support from the government, the National Elections Commission is left with a gap of US$10 million to be able to conduct the October 2023 Elections.
“Our partners will come in to cover this gap; he concluded his conversation with me this morning. This, therefore, means that the total budget for the conduct of the elections is US$61 million; out of which the Government of Liberia is contributing US$51 million; and seeking a contribution of US$10 million from our partners to close the gap. The Government of Liberia therefore calls on the UN Peacebuilding Commission, Peacebuilding Fund and its Member States; the United Nations in general, and our international partners to see the urgent need to act in assisting to mobilize the gap of US$10 million needed to ensure the conduct of a free, fair, transparent, peaceful, inclusive and credible elections in October 2023.
“In furtherance of promoting the political participation of women, who constitute about 60 per cent of our population, we have included provisions for a 30 per cent gender quota through the revised New Elections Bill for senior political party leadership and candidate listings in elections. This Bill has been passed by the House and Senate.
“Furthermore, as President Weah underscored during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, after many years of civil upheaval, Liberia is becoming a stronghold of peace and a safe haven for democracy. Pursuant to our desire to maintain this trend, the Government has taken actions in the last few years to build and strengthen democratic institutions such as the media and the Liberian Judiciary, including legislation that seeks to eradicate impediments that tended to suppress or hinder free speech”, Minister Kemayah noted.
In the same vein, Minister Kemayah said within the framework of the national development plan, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), which embodies the vision for peace and national stability, the Government has initiated programs to cater to the youthful population of more than 60%.
Minister Kemayah intoned government remains firmly of the strongest conviction that, when empowered, the youths can be a positive force for good, growth, development and stability.
“With the support of our multilateral and bilateral partners, the national census, which is very crucial to Liberia’s development drive is now underway.
“The Government is continuing to demonstrate the political will and its commitment to the continued support of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), and our partners are very key for the attainment of our peacebuilding mechanisms, particularly, the successful conduct of the forthcoming October 2023 General and Presidential Elections.
“We are very pleased with the support, cooperation and collaboration we continue to receive from the Peacebuilding Commission, as we are keeping on an irreversible path to a peaceful, prosperous and stable Liberia. Certainly, our bilateral, development and multilateral Partners, and the United Nations Country Team, Civil Society and the Liberian People themselves have been dependable partners in this process. We continue to reiterate that in the midst of urgent competing priorities, the Government remains committed to keep making efforts to support peacebuilding in the country, knowing that the Liberian people are the greatest beneficiaries of a peaceful country”, the Chief Diplomat mentioned.
He said as this journey appears to be challenging in terms of resource mobilization and expenditure, the government will continue to be grateful, and call on the partners and friends to act now for more support and assistance to keep the peacebuilding exercise viable and effective.
“We also appreciate the Peace Building Fund (PBF) for the United States Two Million Dollars (US$2m)-UN Women and UNDP initiative; and for its approval of the United States Three Million Dollars (US$3m) project through UNDP, OHCHR and IOM, which further aims to strengthen the prevention of electoral violence and demonstrate the Fund’s commitment towards ensuring a peaceful environment for the impending elections.
