The Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform (CSHRA-P) and the human rights community have hailed President George Manneh Weah for conceding defeat and congratulating Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai as president-elect of the Republic of Liberia. The singular action of the president to concede and congratulate his opponent in the just-ended Presidential runoff is a breakaway from other despotic African regimes that cling to power at the peril of their people.
The Liberian leader on Friday conceded defeat to the main opposition leader Joseph Boakai. In a nationwide address to the nation, Weah said, “I stand before you tonight with a grateful heart but with the utmost respect for the democratic process that has defined our nation. As your President and the leader of the Coalition for Democratic Change, I want to address you on the outcome of the run-off elections held on November 14, 2023.”
He said the results announced tonight, though not final, indicate that Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai is in a lead that we cannot surpass. Therefore, a few minutes ago, I spoke with President-elect Joseph N. Boakai to congratulate him on his victory.
“Tonight, as we acknowledge the results, let us also recognize that the true winners of these elections are the people of Liberia. Through the peaceful and orderly exercise of your constitutional right to vote, you have once again demonstrated your commitment to the democratic principles that bind us together as a nation.
However, today in a statement CSHRA-P through its National Secretary General, Mr. Adama K. Dempster also congratulates the president-elect Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai for his victory in the just ended November 2023 Presidential Election run-off, adding that the Platform and the human rights community remains positive that the President-elect administration will take the necessary steps to correct the issues of inclusive government, human rights promotion and protection, accountability for past crimes, prioritizing the condition of persons living with disabilities, drug addiction, unemployment, healthcare and the bread-N-butter issues of the state.
The statement further said that the CSO Platform also recognizes the National Election Commission for transparently and independently conducting the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections in the face of overwhelming challenges.
The results of the just ended polls rekindles the hopes and aspirations of the Liberian people that public institutions in the country still have integrity and call on other institutions like the judiciary and police to emulate the example of NEC, the statement noted.
“We want to commend the Liberian people for the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves during the just ended electoral processes. The CSO Platform and the human rights community recognizes that people took sides during the process, but the elections have ended and it’s time to put the interests of the country above personal interests,” the statement concluded.
