Africa-Press – Liberia. Supporters of President George Weah have carried a symbolic casket purporting to be that of former Vice President Joseph Boakai, who is Weah’s main challenger for the October 10 polls as campaign opens.
The gesture, which analysts view as a serious provocation, unfolded during a marching rally organized by the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change party to kick off their campaign.
While marching through the city streets to the party headquarters in Congo Town, the President’s supporters were captured on Facebook holding a casket adorned with images of Boakai and accompanied by chants and slogans.
They also chant traditional tribute songs that are meant for the dead.
The action by the President’s supporters, which he or his party is yet to condemn, comes just few days after Weah called on politicians in the country to embrace dialogue, tolerance, and the spirit of national unity during the activities leading to and after the October 10 polls.
Weah also noted that the Farmington Declaration, which commits politicians to avoid any activities that would breed violence to undermine the conduct of the October 10 elections, is not just a piece of paper but rather a solemn pledge to uphold the values of democracy, peace, and inclusivity.
But it seems this may not be the case, as analysts label Weah supporters’ action as provocative and a deliberate attempt to stoke tensions and create a hostile campaign environment.
Analysts believe such actions undermined the overarching objective of the Farmington accord — initiated under the auspices of the ECOWAS, AU, and the UN — to ensure a nonviolent electoral process, with political actors being cognizant of the need to maintain a peaceful environment before, during, and after the 2023 presidential and general elections.
The signing of that pact was the second in the country’s turbulent political history and builds on the foundation of the initial pledge signed in 2017.
Meanwhile, Boakai, whose picture was used by the Weah supporters, has yet to comment on the issues, but his campaign has earlier issued a statement noting that the greatest responsibility for maintaining the country’s peace rests squarely on the shoulders of the National Election Commission.
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The electoral body, he added, must go the extra mile to ensure the conduct of free, fair, transparent, and credible elections, by enforcing all relevant laws guiding the process, especially during the campaign period.
“It must utilize the muscle given it by the Elections Law to track and catch violators in their tracts and bring them to justice as provided for under the Law.
“Every constituent organ of the National Election Commission needs to remain conscious of the nationally damaging consequences of the Institution allowing itself to be compromised by manipulation and inducement,” Boakai noted.
He added, “Our not too distant history gives us a clear lesson in what results from actions and omissions that undermine the process and serve only to threaten the peace and stability of the country.”
Meanwhile, some Liberians have taken to Facebook, which is the most widely used social media platform in the country, to vent their anger against the actions of Weah supporters
David Kwiyarhe said, “Not a good way to go. We need to keep this campaign and elections void of such wrong moves, guys.”
Murphy G. Whea said, “They are all wasting their time. They like it; they can carry an airplane as a casket, but the fact is that they will be out come October 10.”
John Edgar Freeman said, “This is not good and not a good sign at all. We have seen before and it needs to stop.”
Terry Beweh Chea, “I’m a CDCian and I fully support the reelection of President George Weah for him to do more for Liberia and the Liberian people, but I’m totally against the action of our party’s youth against former VP and statesman, JNB. This is not politics. This should not be acceptable in our body politics as a nation. Let us remember that JNB served this country to make it better for us. Let us respect our past and present leaders.
Rubin Gonkarnue Lemah said, “Weah is laughing about such an action. This is prohibited and inhumane.”
Linda Soe, “This is not necessary. We are trying to repeat our past mistakes, and no one in higher power is saying anything.”
Though the action of the ruling party is in flagrant violation of the Farmington Peace Accord, it remains unclear how it violates the election guidelines, which prohibit hate messages and instigation.
Meanwhile, the upcoming elections in October, the fourth in the country since the civil war ended in 2003, coincide with Liberia commemorating 20 years of peace.
It will be the first to be primarily organized and administered by Liberia since the drawdown of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, which had more than 10,000 troops in Liberia six years ago.
The election is expected to be heavily contested, with the incumbent, Weah, facing strong challenges from Boakai of the former ruling Unity Party and Alexander Cummings of the Collaborating Political Parties, both of whom are considered to be close challengers.
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