The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has congratulated Liberia’s president-elect, Joseph Boakai, on his victory at the November 14 run-off election. It also congratulated the people of Liberia for a peaceful process. Observers say that the election had significantly low occurrences of irregularities and this significantly improved the legitimacy of the process.
In a statement released by the regional body, it also commended President George Weah for “graciously accepting the results of the elections.”
In a separate statement, the President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, expressed his confidence that Boakai would “build on this major achievement by forming an inclusive government that will represent all the people of Liberia.”
Touray also assured that “ECOWAS will continue to support the people of Liberia to consolidate peace and security, deepen democracy and Foster socio-economic development.”
Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Jonathan, who led the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Mediation Mission to both the October 10 general elections and the November 14 Presidential run-off poll, has also commended President Weah for exhibiting an exemplary display of statesmanship and commitment to the peace and progress of his country by accepting defeat in the election.
The former president faced similar circumstances in 2015 when he also conceded defeat to former President Muhammadu Buhari, becoming the first Nigerian sitting president to be defeated in an election.
Liberia stands as a rare example against the backdrop of recent major threats to the democratic process in the sub-region. Many say Weah’s decision to accede would go a long way in rebuilding confidence in democratic governance in the coming years.
ECOWAS obviously acknowledged this fact, commending “all stakeholders, including the political parties, National Elections Commission, the civil society, the security forces as well as local and international partners, for their commitment to a credible and inclusive electoral process as enshrined in the Revised Farmington River Declaration.”
