Former Liberian Leader Urges Free, Fair Process Amid Rising Tensions
Former President George M. Weah has raised alarm over growing threats and intimidation ahead of the crucial Nimba County senatorial by-election, calling it a defining moment for Liberia’s fragile democracy.
In a meeting with United Nations Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni, Weah expressed deep concern over early reports of voter suppression and a weakening rule of law in the county. The ex-president, now political leader of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), warned that any attempts to manipulate the electoral process could destabilize Liberia’s hard-won peace.
“The election in Nimba is not just about filling a seat—it’s about upholding the principles of democracy,” Weah told Umutoni during their discussions. “Threats, intimidation, and security interference will not be tolerated. The people must be allowed to vote freely.”
The Nimba by-election, triggered by the resignation of Senator Prince Johnson’s successor, has drawn national attention as a litmus test for Liberia’s post-war political maturity. Weah stressed that the government must ensure a transparent process, cautioning that failure to do so could erode public trust and reignite tensions in a country still healing from decades of conflict.
His concerns echo broader anxieties over Liberia’s political climate, including recent chaos in the National Legislature and open defiance of Supreme Court rulings by some lawmakers—a trend Weah likened to the lawlessness that once plunged the nation into crisis.
In response, UN envoy Umutoni reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to Liberia’s stability, assuring that the international community would closely monitor the electoral process. “We stand with Liberia in its journey toward lasting peace and democratic governance,” she said, joined by UNDP Deputy Representative Louis Kuukpen and UN specialist Margaret Gulavic.
Weah’s appeal to the UN follows similar discussions with the European Union and the Vatican, signaling a coordinated push for accountability ahead of the vote.
As Nimba prepares for the high-stakes election, civil society groups and opposition figures have joined Weah in demanding restraint from security forces and political actors. Analysts warn that any perception of foul play could deepen divisions in a county known for its influential voting bloc.
“Liberia has come too far to slide backward,” Weah emphasized. “This election must reflect the will of the people, nothing less.”
With tensions simmering, all eyes remain on Nimba, where the conduct of the by-election could either reinforce Liberia’s democratic progress or expose its lingering vulnerabilities.
