Liberia: Gbowee Observes ‘Incoherent Power Struggle’ Ahead of October Polls

Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee has expressed concern about the “incoherent jostling” for power in Liberia ahead of the October 10 polls. 

Gbowee, in a Facebook post on September 4, noted that over the course of a few weeks, she had identified several troubling trends that have characterized the campaign period.

“I have been thinking about October 10, — the day we, Liberians, head to the polls to elect our representatives, senators, and president,” Gbowee wrote, in a post, she captioned: “My Thoughts on Liberia’s Elections.”

“The jostle for power is incoherent for participants and observers alike. It rests on clueless attempts to discredit rather than efforts to exemplify trustworthy leadership,” Gbowee added.  

According to the Nobel Peace Laureate, during this period, she has witnessed active attempts to sell the unsellable, defend the indefensible, and excuse the inexcusable political participants. 

Additionally, Gbowee criticized the use of failed systems in Liberia and structures as benchmarks for success, which she says fails to prioritize trustworthy leadership.

She also highlighted the prevalence of insults and toxicity in the country, with former allies turning into enemies due to political differences.

“The list of displaced priorities and the confusion therein seems endless,” Gbowee added. “With personalities as the primary focus, insults, and toxicity have overrun the country, as allies of yesterday have become sworn enemies.  

“However, we Liberians have three significant tasks amidst the chaos: pay attention to what the candidates are offering us; set aside violence as a campaign tool; and WE MUST ALL CAST OUR VOTES! – Apathy is not an option.”

The polls on October 10 will mark the fourth consecutive general election in the country since the restoration of peace 20 years ago.  It is the first election that will be managed single-handedly by Liberian security officials following the withdrawal of UN Peacekeepers. The election will also be the first ever election in Liberia to be conducted with a biometric voters’ register, despite the fact that voting will still be conducted manually as it was done under the old optical manual registration system.

A total of 20 candidates, including two independent candidates, will be contesting for the presidency, while 31 political parties and coalitions as well as 195 independent candidates will contest for seats in the Senate and House of Representatives.