FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JOINT STATEMENT OF ECOWAS, EISA INTERNATIONAL OBSERVATION MISSION AND THE EUROPEAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION ON STORIES CIRCULATING IN THE MEDIA ABOUT THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO ELECTION VIOLENCE IN FOYAH CITY, LOFA
6 October 2023
ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISAIEOM) and the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), have jointly noted with concern reports circulating in the media claiming that observers of the three missions have expressed disappointment regarding the ongoing investigations by the Liberian National Police (LNP) into incidents which led to loss of life and injury in Foyah City which occurred on 29 September 2023.
ECOWAS EOM, EISA IEOM and EU EOM would like to jointly assure the public that they have issued no such public statements expressing disappointment with investigations and processes by the Liberia National Police relating to the Foyah City incidents. ECOWAS EOM, EISA-IEOM and EU EOM wish to distance themselves from any reporting, which is not based on any public statements made by any of the missions. ECOWAS EOM, EISA IEOM and the EU EOM call on the media publishers to withdraw the fictitious report.
ECOWAS and EISA have already issued public statements on the events of 29 September in Foyah City, which are publicly available.
International Observers are bound by the laws and regulations of their host country. ECOWAS EOM, EISAIEOM and EU EOM reaffirm their commitment to respecting and abiding at all times by the rule of law and the sovereignty of Liberian state institutions as mandated under the Constitution and laws of Liberia. ECOWAS EOM, EISA-IEOM and EU EOM are observing campaign and electoral preparations across Liberia and that includes investigations by the LNP on electoral offences.
For media inquiries, including statements of the missions, journalists and the public are advised to contact the media offices of the respective missions.
Media Contact – ECOWAS EOM
Harouna MAYAKI, Communication Officer: +234 902 174 3006, hmayaki@ecowas.int
Media Contact – EISA IEOM
George Sharpe, Press Officer Mobile: +231 881 640 600 Web: https://www.eisa.org/liberia/
Media Contact – EU EOM
Rene SCHULTHOFF, Press Officer Mobile: +231 772 086 291 Web: www.eueom–liberia2023.eu