Brussels, 25/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - Concerned by the recent violence in Liberia, the EU has urged peaceful debate among Liberians so that the general election scheduled for October can pass off without disturbance. In a press release published on 23 August, the day on which the country's constitutional referendum took place, the spokesman for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton said: “The High Representative is concerned about recent incidents of what appears to be politically motivated violence in Liberia. She calls on all the political parties, both their leaders and their supporters, to confirm their commitment to the peaceful conduct of the upcoming elections. The High Representative urges all political parties to make the necessary efforts to ensure that there is a climate of tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful debate, and to refrain from any inflammatory declarations or statements.”
The considerable progress made by Liberia in consolidating democracy and stability since the end of the conflict in 2003 must not be allowed to be reversed by political violence. “Violence and intimidation against political representatives, journalists or individuals threatens Liberian democracy. The EU calls on Liberians and Liberian political parties to show commitment to Liberia by acting democratically, peacefully and with full respect of the Law, in the run-up to Parliamentary and Presidential elections. The EU will continue to support the electoral process and a peaceful dialogue between Liberians from all parties and coalitions”, the press release goes on to say.
On 24 August, the national electoral commission hailed the peaceful conduct of the referendum. (A.N./transl.rt)