IPNEWS: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) election observation mission in Liberia says it takes exception to claims by Unity Party (UP) spokesman Mo Ali linking it to an inducement of USD 150, 000.00 to concord with runoff results in favor of incumbent President George Manneh Weah.
A statement from the ECOWAS Observer Mission noted with regret, “a reckless statement made by Mo Ali, National Campaign Spokesperson of the Unity Party, on his Facebook post of November 10, 2023, linking the mission to the acceptance of 150,000.00 to financially to sanction rigged election results.
The regional bloc noted that it has been accused by Mr. Ali that the ECOWAS Observer Mission has been influenced by USD 150,000 to declare a purportedly rigged election as transparent, free, and fair.
“The ECOWAS Observer Mission takes strong exception to this scurrilous statement, which puts at risk the safety and physical integrity of the ECOWAS Observers from across West Africa who have come to accompany the good people of Liberia in this pivotal election,” the statement said.
The ECOWAS Observer Mission calls on the leadership of the Unity Party to denounce the statement made by its National campaign Spokesperson that seeks to denigrate the image of ECOWAS.
“The ECOWAS Observer Mission challenges Mo Ali to prove this scurrilous accusation or publicly withdraw it immediately and tender an unqualified apology,” ECOWAS has demanded.
It warned that failing this, the ECOWAS Observer Mission and the ECOWAS Commission reserve the right to employ all necessary measures to hold him personally accountable for his utterance.
The ECOWAS Observer Mission urges all citizens of Liberia to deepen the positive outcome of the 10 October 2023 elections by remaining focused on living up to their civic responsibilities towards the 14 November 2023 Presidential run-off.
In this regard, the ECOWAS Observer Mission said it counts on the people of Liberia to disregard such falsehoods allegedly perpetrated by individuals who may seek to derail the positive democratic gains made by Liberians.
“The ECOWAS Observer Mission wishes to assure the good people of Liberia of its complete neutrality towards the contestants in the November 14 Presidential run-off poll,” the statement noted.
The Mission further reaffirms its total commitment to a credible, inclusive, and peaceful electoral process in Liberia, by its mandate under Articles 12 and 13 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
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