What is the outcome of the presidential election in Liberia?
After the end of the civil war in 2003 the second presidential election was held in Liberia yesterday. Independent observers talk about successful and peaceful elections.
Office-holding president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - Copyright World Economic Forum (www.weforum.org) www.swiss-image.ch/Photo by Remy Steinegger
In 2005 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected as president of Liberia. By then she was the first woman who was elected as president of an African country. During this year’s election she is challenged by fifteen other candidates while the former diplomat Winston Tubman is probably the strongest challenge.
The present election in Liberia is the first one the country organized itself. This year Liberia’s National Elections Commission was in charge of the election whereas it was the United Nations in 2005 which observed and basically organized the process of the election.
While about 8.000 soldiers from the United Nations are currently present in Liberia to prevent any violence, many people are still afraid of riots if certain candidates for instance would not accept the results of the election. There is still a lot of fear among the people and observers that the country could end up in a chaotic situation as before 2003 when violence ruled the daily life.
The National Elections Commission for itself expects to get a first result of the election on Thursday.
Further reading:
“Can Liberia’s leading lady fight off election challenge?” (bbc Africa)
“Profile: Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf” (bbc Africa)
“Präsidentschaftswahl in Liberia: Friedenskicker auf einem Bein” (taz)
