Electoral Panel Says 22 Can Run for Presidency of Liberia
The New York Times
August 16, 2005
By REUTERS
MONROVIA, Liberia, Aug. 15 (Reuters) - Campaigning began Monday for elections in Liberia that are intended to open a new chapter of democracy after years of civil war.
The electoral commission cleared 22 candidates for president, including a long-time opposition politician, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; a former rebel leader, Sekou Conneh; and a former government minister, Roland C. Massaquoi, who is regarded as a protégé of the exiled former president, Charles Taylor. But a soccer star, George Weah, is regarded as the favorite.
Thousands of supporters lined the streets on Monday, singing and shouting as Mr. Weah drove through Monrovia waving from his open-top car. Youths led the convoy on motorcycles or standing on cars. Some played soccer in the streets, blocking traffic.
People in the crumbling coastal city, besieged by rebels before a peace agreement in 2003 put an end to one of the most brutal civil wars in Africa's modern history, said they hoped the election would be peaceful.
"I just want to thank God for this day, and we hope that there will be no violence in this process," said a shopkeeper, Edith Johnson. "For too long we have had problems, and it is my prayer that this election will be free of violence."
About 250,000 people were killed in the conflict, which was distinguished by its brutality. Many of the soldiers were children barely able to handle a gun.
A presidential and parliamentary election on Oct. 11 will be the first since the August 2003 peace agreement, which was negotiated by the warring factions after Mr. Taylor was forced into exile in Nigeria.
Liberia was founded by freed American slaves more than 150 years ago and was once one of Africa's most prosperous states.
The country has been governed for the past two years by a transitional administration led by a businessman, Gyude Bryant, who is not allowed to run for office in the election.
"This event should remind us all of the distance we, as a people and country, have come towards realizing a major element in our post-conflict transformation," Mr. Bryant said on state radio after the electoral commission announced the candidates.
The commission said it would revoke the registration of any candidate whose party was found guilty of stirring up trouble.
In spite of his lack of political experience, Mr. Weah, who won the "world footballer of the year" award, is seen as a favorite, given his huge popularity among Liberian youth. They see him as a success story untainted by links with former warlords.
The commission rejected complaints on Friday from rival parties that Mr. Weah should be barred from running for president because he took French citizenship while playing for Paris St.-Germain in 1993.
"At long last the day has come," said a supporter, Amos Kollre, wearing a T-shirt with Mr. Weah's picture. "We will show to the old politicians in this country that we the youth, headed by George Weah, will take this country to prosperity."
One of Mr. Weah's main challengers is likely to be Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf, a former World Bank official who lost to Mr. Taylor in an election in 1997.
August 16, 2005
By REUTERS
MONROVIA, Liberia, Aug. 15 (Reuters) - Campaigning began Monday for elections in Liberia that are intended to open a new chapter of democracy after years of civil war.
The electoral commission cleared 22 candidates for president, including a long-time opposition politician, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; a former rebel leader, Sekou Conneh; and a former government minister, Roland C. Massaquoi, who is regarded as a protégé of the exiled former president, Charles Taylor. But a soccer star, George Weah, is regarded as the favorite.
Thousands of supporters lined the streets on Monday, singing and shouting as Mr. Weah drove through Monrovia waving from his open-top car. Youths led the convoy on motorcycles or standing on cars. Some played soccer in the streets, blocking traffic.
People in the crumbling coastal city, besieged by rebels before a peace agreement in 2003 put an end to one of the most brutal civil wars in Africa's modern history, said they hoped the election would be peaceful.
"I just want to thank God for this day, and we hope that there will be no violence in this process," said a shopkeeper, Edith Johnson. "For too long we have had problems, and it is my prayer that this election will be free of violence."
About 250,000 people were killed in the conflict, which was distinguished by its brutality. Many of the soldiers were children barely able to handle a gun.
A presidential and parliamentary election on Oct. 11 will be the first since the August 2003 peace agreement, which was negotiated by the warring factions after Mr. Taylor was forced into exile in Nigeria.
Liberia was founded by freed American slaves more than 150 years ago and was once one of Africa's most prosperous states.
The country has been governed for the past two years by a transitional administration led by a businessman, Gyude Bryant, who is not allowed to run for office in the election.
"This event should remind us all of the distance we, as a people and country, have come towards realizing a major element in our post-conflict transformation," Mr. Bryant said on state radio after the electoral commission announced the candidates.
The commission said it would revoke the registration of any candidate whose party was found guilty of stirring up trouble.
In spite of his lack of political experience, Mr. Weah, who won the "world footballer of the year" award, is seen as a favorite, given his huge popularity among Liberian youth. They see him as a success story untainted by links with former warlords.
The commission rejected complaints on Friday from rival parties that Mr. Weah should be barred from running for president because he took French citizenship while playing for Paris St.-Germain in 1993.
"At long last the day has come," said a supporter, Amos Kollre, wearing a T-shirt with Mr. Weah's picture. "We will show to the old politicians in this country that we the youth, headed by George Weah, will take this country to prosperity."
One of Mr. Weah's main challengers is likely to be Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf, a former World Bank official who lost to Mr. Taylor in an election in 1997.
posted by IvanZ at 6:18 PM
2 Comments:
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