Liberia: UN Hails Liberia’s Progress

The United Nations has commended Liberia for its successful transition from being reliant on peacekeeping assistance to becoming a development partner of the UN. This recognition reflects the country’s significant progress in post-conflict recovery and demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development initiatives.

UN Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni, at the official celebration of the 78th UN Day in Monrovia on Tuesday, October 31, highlighted Liberia’s political stability since the civil war ended in 2003.

“We celebrate big and small wins; that is what keeps people and countries moving. This country registered a relative economic growth of 4.8% in 2022, thanks to mining and a relatively good agricultural harvest,” she said. “We also understand that the Human Development Index (HDI) increased by 20.3% from 1999 to 2019. Although we know that due to COVID, global wars, high global inflation, and the price of fuel, further progress might have been affected.”

Umutoni also acknowledged Liberia’s peaceful transitions of power through democratic elections and praised the country’s economic growth and improvements in the Human Development Index.

The 2023 UN Day celebration in Liberia coincided with the successful completion of the first round of the country's general elections, which were nationally owned and largely funded by Liberia itself.

Umutoni emphasized that there was no UN peacekeeping force involved in this year’s election process, as Liberia managed and financed its own security operations.

“This celebration of United Nations Day in Liberia in 2023 is particularly special as it coincides with the successful completion of the first round of Liberia’s general elections. And we want to thank Liberians for a largely peaceful and credible first round of the 2023 presidential and legislative elections,” she said. “Liberia deserves a big round of applause. Since we are in the UN compound, I would like to remind everyone that these elections are fully nationally owned and largely funded by Liberia.”

The UN Day celebration, held under the theme “Rebuilding trust and solidarity,” brought together top Liberian government officials, including President George Weah, as well as international partners and members of various UN bodies.

President Weah lauded Liberians for further enhancing the country’s democratic credentials by the manner in which they conducted themselves during the electoral process.

President Weah further emphasized that the citizens are now poised to embark upon the runoff election for their president on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 in a free, fair, peaceful and transparent process.

“I want to thank the United Nations and all our international and national partners and friends for the support given towards our journey to sustainable democracy,” he added.

President Weah recommitted his promise “to continue to uphold the confidence reposed in me to guide the process and ensure our collective action towards actualizing the 2030 Agenda.”

He also commended the Liberian media for its contributions to sustaining the peace and for promoting the developmental initiatives of the country. For these, he noted, the media deserves better and must be supported.

“We must empower them so our country can remain peaceful,” he said. 

Editor’s Note: Mr. President, you and your government can do right by the Liberian media by paying the debts your government owes the media.