PHOTO: Sara Beysolo-Nyanti, presidential candidate
One of the two female presidential candidates in the October 10, 2023 election, Sara Beysolow Nyanti has praised Liberia for the peaceful voting.
But the former Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General has called on Liberians to maintain the peace, while noting that despite the relative peace, there is “growing tension and apprehension” in the country.
This is contained in a press statement issued in Monrovia on Monday, October 16, 2023.
Statement by the Political Leader of the African Liberation League
Rev. Sara Beysolow Nyanti
October 16, 2023
“I applaud all Liberians for peacefully voting in these elections despite us shouldering our own security responsibilities without international community forces. I thank our valued partners for their support during this critical phase in our country’s history.
While we have been relatively peaceful, we must acknowledge the growing tension and apprehension. It is concerning that there is a sentiment that there will be violence after the final results are announced. We must work to mitigate these negative perceptions. Our history is filled with bloodshed, and it is time to reconcile and not add to this pain. God desires our prosperity and good health, but we must as well, and it cannot be achieved in conflict.
I commend the National Elections Commission (NEC) for their efforts despite numerous constraints. However, we must acknowledge irregularities and concerns that raise questions about the full expression of every registered voter’s will. In spite of these concerns, when the final results are announced, we must all accept it or take a legal pathway.
I urge everyone to partner with NEC to strengthen the institution, as it is critical to our democracy. If there is a potential runoff, a debriefing session involving all candidates should be held to benefit from our collective wisdom and experiences over the last few months. After the 2023 elections, a full audit should be conducted to identify weaknesses and proffer solutions for future elections, including assessing the current electoral laws to ensure they are sufficient.
Having led elections support and transitional justice advocacy in various countries, including the Gambia’s contested 2016 elections, I understand the challenges of supporting countries in conflict and recognize the signs of countries on the verge of it. We must show the international community that their billions of dollars investment in Liberia was not in vain.
Liberia’s challenges require collective Liberian solutions that transcend tribal affiliations, political allegiances, and religious beliefs. Our Liberian identity must come before everything else. Chaos is easy, but building is difficult.
Our commitment to peace will be tested in the coming days, and we must emerge victorious to achieve sustainable development.
I joined this race to impact the process and the people. I initiated the opposition agreement to work together to protect the votes of the Liberian people because of that, and I will continue to speak in that regard. The upcoming results will not change my belief in or stop my resolve in pursuing nation-building, unity, reconciliation, and poverty reduction as Liberia’s much needed solutions. Moving Liberia forward cannot be done by the president alone but requires the efforts of all Liberians. Let history remember that we stood united for our unity and progress.
May God bless Liberia, protect our nation, and prosper our people.