2023-11-14 11:30:00
In the opinion of all observers of the country’s political life, this second round of the presidential election promises to be close between the two candidates, already opposed in 2017, when George Weah won with more than 61%. In the first round, on October 10, George Weah, 57, led the poll with 7,000 votes more than his challenger, 78.
Beyond the choice of the person who will lead this country among one of the poorest of 5 million inhabitants in search of peace and development, after the years of conflicts and Ebola epidemics, one of the What is at stake is the peaceful and regular conduct of the election and the acceptance of the results.
This election is the first organized without the presence of the United Nations mission in Liberia created in 2003 (and left in 2018) to guarantee peace after the civil wars which left more than 250,000 dead between 1989 and 2003 and whose memory remains alive.
The election “undoubtedly represents a crucial step in the consolidation of peace and democracy in Liberia and the region,” the UN said in a recent statement.
More than 2.4 million voters are invited to vote from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time and GMT) between an incumbent who remains popular among young people but must defend a criticized record, and an old hand who was from 2006 to 2018 the vice-president of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman elected head of state in Africa. Joseph Boakai has held a multitude of positions within the state or the private sector, but his age is considered a handicap.
The electoral commission has 15 days to publish the results, but the matter could take less time, says one of its officials, Samuel Cole.
What participation?
Between the two rounds, the two camps mainly consisted of obtaining the support of the voters of the 18 other candidates, none of whom reached 3%.
The third in the first round, Edward Appleton, and two others of the six leading candidates called for votes for Boakai.
The participation rate could also be an important factor, told AFP Lawrence Yealue, director for Liberia of Accountability Lab, a network for good governance. He predicts a lower rate than the record of October 10 (78.86%) because the vote will not be coupled this time with the parliamentary elections.
George Weah retains his aura as the only African to be awarded the Golden Ball, the most prestigious individual award in football. The former kid from the slums of Monrovia has the image of an approachable and peaceful man. He claims his action in favor of education and the electrification of homes, the construction of roads and hospitals. He promises to continue to work for the development of one of the poorest countries on the planet. George Weah led the country during the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis.
His detractors accuse him of not having kept his promises. They accuse him of being out of touch with the realities of his fellow citizens who are struggling with price increases and shortages. In fact, more than a fifth of the population lives on less than $2.15 per day, according to the World Bank.
Gun attack
Joseph Boakai, who is playing his last card, blames it for the worsening of corruption known to be endemic, promises to develop infrastructure, attract investors and tourists, and improve the lives of the poorest. He has forged alliances with local barons, including former warlord and senator Prince Johnson, who supported Mr. Weah six years ago.
The context is also decisive in this election. Clashes during the campaign left several dead and raised fears of post-election violence. Joseph Boakai reported attacks and abuses against his camp on Sunday, including one with firearms on Friday against a convoy carrying Prince Johnson and vice-presidential candidate Jeremiah Kpan Koung. Seven people were reportedly injured. The Boakai camp also denounced irregularities during the first round.
For their part, the international observers deployed in large numbers welcomed the smooth running of the first round, in a region where democracy has been shaken by a succession of coups d’état. The campaign was also marked by misinformation.
The United States, Liberia’s important partner, has warned that it is exploring the possibility of restricting the issuance of visas against people “guilty of or complicit in acts undermining democracy”.
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