-End stalemate “without necessary delay”
The European Union (EU) stresses the need to resolve the ongoing elections stalemate in Liberia “without unnecessary delay” and calls for a smooth democratic transition, a joint statement by the EU member states with embassies in Liberia says on Tuesday.
“We therefore encourage all concerned to work constructively and in good faith to conclude the current complaints process without unnecessary delay, so that the electoral process can be completed in accordance with Constitutional timelines regarding the assumption of power by the next administration,” the joint statement from France, Germany and United Kingdom says.
The statement recalls how the EU has worked closely to support both post-conflict reconstruction and long term development in Liberia over the past 12 years but urges: “We would like to stress the importance of a smooth transition for Liberia’s stability and economic growth.”
The EU’s latest statement comes just days after a similar joint statement issued in Monrovia by the AU, ECOWAS mission in Liberia and UNMIL, expressing concern that the delay in concluding legal challenges has the propensity to thwart the completion of the election process before the constitutionally-mandated transition date in January 2018.
In their joint statement on Tuesday the EU said: “As close partners of Liberia the European Union and its Member States have been and continue to follow the 2017 Presidential and House of Representative elections with high interest. Peace and security, together with democracy, good governance and human rights, are some of the shared values at the heart of the EU-Africa partnership.”
The statement then congratulates both the Liberian people and Liberian political parties “for the commitment they have shown to these values through the peaceful conduct of the electoral process so far, including through the use of the appropriate legal mechanisms to address any concerns.”
The European Union praised Liberians for demonstrating commitment to democracy “through the high turnout of voters on 10 October” to cast their ballot in a peaceful atmosphere.
“The European Union is looking forward to continuing our cooperation with Liberia’s new President and new government. It is now the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that the electoral process continues in a manner which respects the will of the people, thereby putting Liberia’s interests first. We trust that this will continue to be the case,” the EU statement says on Tuesday.
The opposition Liberty Party (LP) of Charles Brumskine backed by the ruling Unity Party (UP) and two other parties—All Liberian Party (ALP) and the Alternative National Congress (ANC) are currently challenging the results of the October 10, 2017 first round of elections claiming massive fraud and irregularities.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) is presently probing into the complaint after Liberia’s Supreme Court ruled that the scheduled November 7 runoff presidential election be halted pending conclusion of the NEC’s probe.