Nigeria, ECOWAS to send observers to Liberia elections – Jonathan

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics Thursday, August 25th, 2011

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS will send observers to Liberia’s general elections holding in October or November 2011.
He stressed the importance of whoever emerged, being the choice of the Liberian people.

President Jonathan gave the assurance when the Special Representative of the United Nations’ Secretary General and Coordinator of UN Operations in Liberia, Ambassador Ellen Margrethe Loj, visited the State House, yesterday.

He stated: “Nigeria and ECOWAS will send observers to Liberia, to work with the United Nations, to ensure that credible, free and fair elections are conducted,” adding that “it is important that whoever emerges winner of the process is acceptable and has the respect of all Liberians.”

President Jonathan also assured the UN Special Representative that ECOWAS would meet in September to discuss the security situation around Liberia in the aftermath of the conflict in Cote d’Ivoire and its likely effect on the elections, acknowledging that it was impossible to attain immediate peace after such a major crisis.

He said Nigeria was aware of the various security and other challenges confronting Liberia at this critical time before the elections and pledged to assist within the limits of the scarce resources available. President Jonathan thanked the UN for efforts to stabilise Liberia and called on all Liberians to be sensitive to the need for stability and cooperate with the world body to avoid a return to anarchy.

Earlier, Ambassador Loj, had briefed the ECOWAS chairman about the huge security concerns threatening the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in Liberia and appealed to ECOWAS and Nigeria to help support the conduct of successful elections in Liberia.

-Sunwp_posts