ARCHIVED NEWS

December 24, 2004

 

 Response to the Election Bill Passed by the NTLA

By the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA)

On behalf of Liberians in the Diaspora

Whereas, the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas, ULAA, representing Liberian communities and groups in the Americas whose members continue to contribute millions of dollars to help sustain the livelihood of Liberians both at home and those living as refugees abroad; 

Whereas, after years of civil war, Liberia’s infrastructure and economy have been destroyed and Liberia has been, and continues to be referred to as a failed state by members of the international community partly owing to the failure of interim, and elected governments to bring a lasting solution to Liberia’s civil war over the last fifteen years; 

Whereas, the most recent election bill passed by the NTLA approves a framework which formed part of the Comprehensive Peace Accord signed by all parties to the Liberian conflict at the conferences held in Akosombo, and Accra, Ghana from  04 June to 21 August, 2003; 

Whereas, the provisions of the recently passed election bill engenders a process that enjoys the endorsement of the international community including the United Nations, the African Union, and ECOWAS, all of whom continue to bear the financial cost of the peace process and the restoration of stability and democracy to Liberia; 

Whereas, there is a valid concern among Liberians that certain provisions of the election bill, as passed, may potentially disenfranchised some members of the Liberian citizenry as it pertains to their rights to equal representation in the Legislature;  

Whereas, any reasonable measures that may be implemented to remedy these valid concerns, including but not limited to a national census to ensure a broader accountability of the general and voter population of Liberia which may enhance a fairer and more justified distribution of legislative seats, may take us well beyond the October, 2005 general elections schedule; 

Now therefore: 

We, the members of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) family, hereby cautiously support the election bill as passed by the National Transitional Legislative Assembly of Liberia. We are hopeful that henceforth, all Liberians, individually or through their representative Liberian groups or associations will work together to monitor and foster voter registration programs to elevate the participation of all Liberians in the process of re-establishing peace and stability to our beloved country, Liberia. 

We call on the National Elections Commission to begin the electoral process with the utmost accountability, transparency and fair play. The importance of an electoral process which is beyond reproach can not be over-emphasized at this time in our history when we have had to stand by helplessly as our nation was being destroyed by the armed few, and as we are now constrained to suspend provisions of our constitution out of convenience to embrace the status quo. We, in ULAA, take this opportunity to once again challenge the NEC to work out the modalities for all qualified Liberians at home, and abroad to have the opportunity to vote in the coming general elections scheduled for October, 2005. 

We call on the United Nations, the African Union, the EU and ECOWAS to extend their presence and involvements in Liberia for a longer term (at least 7 years) to ensure the implementation of political, economical and social reforms pertinent to the solidification of a new democratic and political order for Liberia.  

We also call on our traditional partner, the United States to take the leadership role and continue to provide financial and other relevant support necessary to ensure and maintain the peace and the rebuilding of Liberia and its political and social infrastructure. 

The International Community led by the United Nations and the United States must provide long-term commitment for Liberia and continue its presence and involvement in the sub-region to discourage all actions that might renew the destabilization of Liberia and/ or its neighbors.  

We also call on the NEC, the NTLA, NTGL and all political parties to recommit themselves to a fair, transparent electoral process of 2005 and to fully include the Civil Society Movement and the international community in all processes relevant to the proper conduct of elections 2005.  

We also call on all Liberians to engage this process of change with optimism but also with honesty of purpose. We challenge all Liberians to make the necessary commitments to avail their expertise to the rebuilding of Liberia and to invest in the economy of the country. 

We extend our thanks and gratitude to members of the international community for coming to our aid in these dark hours of our history. We especially appeal to the United Nations to stay the course over the coming years as Liberians try once again to build a nation we can be proud of.  We hereby register our commitment to be a viable part of the peace building process in Liberia. We would welcome any opportunity to help monitor and vet the electoral process along with other interest groups to enhance its credibility and transparency in the eyes of our people.  

As we ready to move into our common future as Liberians, through national elections, we are painfully reminded that war was never a viable alternative to solving our problems. It is only by coming together as brothers and sisters do we stand any chance of reclaiming control of our own destiny.   

Signed: Wilmot W. Kunney

              General Secretary 

 

Approved: Arthur K. Watson

                  National President