Africa-Press – Liberia. Ambassador Anna Karin Eneström, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations, has called on the international community to urgently address the funding gap for Liberia October 10 elections.
Eneström, who is the Chair of the Liberia Configuration, Peacebuilding Commission, said the country is in need of US$25.5 million for the conduct of elections in October.
According to a dispatch from the Liberian mission to the United Nations in New York, the Swedish diplomat noted that while funding the elections was the responsibility of the government, the country’s international partners need to come in and support the conduct of the elections.
Eneström made the case for Liberia at a recent bilateral consultation meeting with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC, during which the institutions outlined their contributions to addressing inequalities, increasing opportunities for women and youth, and improving access to education and health services.
Meanwhile, the Swedish Envoy has applauded the government for preparations it has made for the upcoming elections, emphasizing that the elections represent a crucial milestone in consolidating peace and democracy in Liberia.
She hailed the signing of the Farmington River Declaration in which 26 political parties pledged to ensure free, fair, peaceful, transparent, credible, and non-violent elections and judicial resolution of electoral disputes and described it as an important achievement, sending a clear signal to all party supporters that violence will not be tolerated.
On ensuring an inclusive electoral process, Eneström expressed support for enhancing youth and women’s political participation, especially an initiative by UN-Women and the National Elections Commission encouraging political parties to sign a voluntary pact to include at least 30 percent women on their candidate listing.
Eneström then reaffirmed the Peacebuilding Commission’s commitment to continuing its support to Liberia’s electoral process and its efforts to sustain the peace.
Thelma Duncan Sawyer, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Edward Mulbah, Executive Director of Liberia’s Peacebuilding Office, and HDavidetta Browne Lansana, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, provided briefings on the government’s preparation for the upcoming elections.
Amongst others, the Government representatives mentioned the conduct of the national census, the first phase of biometric voters’ registration, relaunch of a robust conflict early warning and response system, efforts to increase women and youth participation in the electoral process, and the need for more financial, technical and logistical support from the international community.
Naomi Tulay Solanke Executive Director of the Community Healthcare Initiative, and Ernest Dukuly, Secretary General of the Federation of Liberian Youth also briefed the meeting on women and youth political participation.
Several Member States of the United Nations, including Demark, Dominican Republic, Japan, Kenya, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, and South Africa, hailed the remarkable peacebuilding progress in Liberia and expressed support for the ongoing electoral process.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
