Liberian Christians See Hope in Upcoming Presidential Run-Off Election

Christians in Liberia have expressed their hope in the presidential run-off election set for November, saying that it will bring new changes to the nation.

|PIC1|On Oct. 11, Liberia’s first democratic presidential election was held since the end of the 14-year civil war, which concluded in 2003. Figures from the National Electoral Commission showed that about 1.3 million Liberians had registered to vote at more than 3,000 polling stations with the turnout rate topping 74 percent.

According to Church World Service (CWS), a statement released after the election by the Liberian Council of Churches said "the turnout and peaceful demonstration of Liberians on Elections Day gives a clear and undoubting indication of Liberians' commitment to usher in democratisation and recovery."

The Council also hailed the orderliness and peacefulness of the voting process, especially the resilience, tolerance and patience exhibited by voters, particularly the youth, pregnant women, mothers with babies, and the elderly.

According to reports, churches are very actively engaged in maintaining peace in this period of social and political transition.

To support voter education, build civil society, and raise awareness of human rights, the Liberian Council of Churches has partnered with the Education and Advocacy Program of Church World Service (CWS), reported CWS. The member churches in the Liberian Council of Churches have helped to mobilise their congregations to register and vote, especially among the women.

A team of international ecumenical observers was sent by CWS to monitor the Oct. 11 poll including those from Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (USA); the United Church of Christ (USA); Evangelical Development Service – EED (Germany); Finn Church Aid (Finland); the Church of Sweden; the World Council of Churches; Mercy Ships; Pentecostal Missionary Union; and the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in West Africa.

Heads of churches and Christian organisations in Liberia also participated as observers/monitors, according to CWS.

|TOP|"The Liberian Council of Churches did so much good work to recruit and train election monitors," reflected Susan Sanders, one of the observers from the United Church of Christ in the United States.

"Many young people participated in the election as observers, poll workers, and voters,” she said, according to CWS. “There is no doubt in my mind that the election will be determined to be free, fair, transparent, and credible.”

As Christians look forward to the run-off election scheduled on Nov. 8, Liberian Christians and churches are looking for a leader who can inspire positive change.

"We in the church hope that God is ready and that we are ready to receive God’s blessings," remarked Bishop John Innis from the pulpit of S. Towah Nagbe United Methodist Church. "It is the responsibility of all Liberians to cooperate with the new president – whoever he or she may be – to use their skills for the development of Liberia."

Initial results of the poll have identified football star George Weah and former Liberian finance official Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as the top two vote-getters. According to the United Methodist News Service (UMNS), both are United Methodists.

Meanwhile, as the Liberian Council of Churches continues to monitor the upcoming run-off election, church leaders remain hopeful in the changes that will be brought about.

"The election will contribute very significantly to peace efforts in Mano River Union countries," stated Benjamin Lartey, General Secretary of the Liberian Council of Churches. "What affects one country affects the others. Peace in Liberia will naturally have a stabilising effect in Guinea and Sierra Leone."

Having a large Christian population in West Africa and enjoying the benefits of abundant natural resources, Liberia was once among Africa's richest countries until the political change broke out in the 1980’s. U.N. sources say that the decade-long civil war has claimed some 150,000 lives and displaced 850,000 people. Over 80 percent of the country's 3 million people are unemployed.

In 2003, warlord-turned-president Charles Taylor stepped down and a ceasefire peace agreement ended the civil war. Since then, a transition government has ruled the country with the assistance of 15,000 United Nations peacekeepers. Liberians thus desperately seek for stability.

"We’re tired of fighting, we’re tired of war, we’re tired of poverty, we’re tired of ignorance, we’re tired of darkness," exclaimed Innis from the pulpit of S. Towah Nagbe.

Currently, the United Methodist Church, in cooperation with the Liberian Council of Churches, has been providing food, clothing and shelter to refugees and displaced people. It has also entered into dialogue with warlords in an effort to end the conflict.







Eunice Or
Christian Today Correspondent