22/01/2024
President Weah Underscores Liberia's Democratic Credentials, Invites ECOWAS Leaders To Witness Peaceful Turnover of Power
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah continues to receive ovations and commendations from international colleagues over his deportment during the just-end presidential polls at which he conceded defeated in a razor-thin results.
The lastest came at a meeting of ECOWAS where leaders rendered him long, deafening applauses for graciously accepting the democratic will of the Liberian people by conceding defeat to his rival, President-Elect, Mr. Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
Nigerian President Mr. Ahmed Bola Tinabu, current Chairman of ECOWAS, hailed President Weah's demonstration of leadership in the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections.
He indicated that President Weah has raised the bar of democracy that other leaders of ECOWAS should emulate and exemplify.
Meanwhile, the Liberian Leader said Liberia's democratic credentials have been reaffirmed by the peaceful conduct of the just-ended elections as well as its continuing success as a post-war nation.
Addressing the 64th Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State on Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria, President Weah challenged regional leaders to consider what happened in Liberia as a "positive and significant accomplishment not only for Liberia, but for the West African region in particular and Africa in general."
President Weah told his colleagues Liberia is only preparing for its second peaceful and democratic transition of power in six years, the first time being in 2018 when he took power from then President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
"My party may have lost these elections, but the true victors, the winners, are the people of Liberia who have made their leadership choices of their own free will," President Weah highlighted.
"It is my fervent hope that the peaceful and smooth transition of power in Liberia will resonate throughout our ECOWAS Region, as we seek to galvanise our efforts in attaining enduring peace and democracy," President went on wooing ECOWAS leaders.
The Liberian Leader has accordingly extended an open invitation to regional leaders to grace the peaceful transfer of power from him to President-Elect Boakai on January 22, 2023.
He similarly wooed ECOWAS to accord his successor, President-Elect. Boakai, the same respect and high-level support he duly received,
He said that though much remains to be realized, he was proud of the significant progress made thus far in tackling some of the hottest issues confronting the region.
President Weah said Liberia will remain committed to championing peace and democracy.
He thanked the regional body for the excellent cooperation shared together during the span of his six years in office.
