Press Statement
MONROVIA, October 5, 2023
The attention of ECOWAS has been drawn to a media report by the News Public Trust newspaper and same carried on its website titled “In Foya Violence: Election Observers Disappointed in Police Investigators.”
1. ECOWAS wishes to state emphatically that this report is a palpable fabrication without any factual basis.
2. ECOWAS observers in Lofa have neither commented nor expressed disappointment about any issue including the Liberia National Police investigations into the unfortunate clashes in Foya, Lofa that left two dead.
3. The mandate of ECOWAS Long Term Elections Observers (LTOs) deployed to all corners of Liberia do not include expressing views on issues. They just observe and report and have been doing just that.
4. ECOWAS demands the withdrawal of the fictitious report and insists on a written apology.
5. ECOWAS will continue to appeal to the media in Liberia to continue to abide by the ethics and principles of the profession and refrain from acts that have the tendency to cause dissatisfaction, and mistrust, and lead to conflict.
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The media must continue to provide factual reports, provide a platform for healthy and issues-based debate among the candidates for the electorate to make informed choices as well as assist with civic and voter education for a peaceful, transparent, inclusive, free and fair October 10 elections.