It's hard to believe we have passed the moment of the highly anticipated 2017 races which went by quite smoothly (except for administrative and operational complaints against inefficiency and disorganisation at some voting stations). In fact the entire process has been peaceful. Now we are awaiting the final tally. That we will go to a second round is inevitable since it is unlikely that any one party will secure 51% of the votes. Provisional results indicate that Boakai and Weah are leading the vote count. If Boakai is indeed the incumbent (phrased as the incumbent president at Dr Pailey's lecture), then it's the same race as it has been for the past 2 elections, namely in 2005 and 2011. It's the Unity Party against CDC. What's more, Weah has always clinched higher percentage in the first round and has consistently been popular. It's too bad though that amongst the heavy weights, at the front of the Presidential aspirants, Dr Pailey couldn't come up with a phrase to capture the phenomenon that is Weah.
Several weeks ago, the supermarket we shop at hinted to us that we should stock up before the elections. A few other Lebanese and Indians told us the same. Back in 2011, it was the same thinking within these business communities: anxiety and trepidation over possible riots and looting.
None of my Liberian friends shared any fear of violence. Last year, our company driver Morris Duo expressed supreme frustration over all the opportunists who were going to come and contend for the Presidential elections next year. He said he didn't know who he would vote for but for sure, he didn't have any praise to shower on the ruling party and Sirleaf's Presidency. He was recently struck by a stroke (thankfully, he's almost fully back to normal) and then said he can't go and vote because he can't stand in line that long.
Closer to the elections, earlier this year, we heard and read about disappearances of children, in alleged ritualistic killings. In this sense, the lead up to the elections has not been without violence.
When I asked my housekeeper and nanny, Christiana and Musu, who they would vote for, they were shy to tell me. I joked and said, is it because you will vote for CDC and are embarrassed to admit it? (Apparently, Trump voters in the United States quietly voted for their choice). They said they can't vote for CDC because George Weah cannot control his crowds. They are seen to be smoking, taking drugs and drinking at the rallies at the headquarters.
Haresh has been saying that CDC supporters are threatening violence if they do not win this time. Could Liberia really fall into chaos and fighting?
UNMIL is really only sticking around until it sees the peaceful transfer of power. It seems they have been trying to leave for years now! From UNMIL friends, I gather that the mission has drastically been reduced in size and, they will definitely close up shop once the elections are peacefully concluded and the next regime steps in.
I must admit that the little bit of fear mongering whispered among business communities affected me and, I thought "At least UNMIL is still sticking around." UNMIL has served as the pseudo safety net in Liberia in the post war era - acting in place of a capable army. In terms of actual security and border control, what was the actual role and impact of the UN's massive deployment of peacekeepers? And, was their presence required all these years? Especially if they just gave us a 'semblance' of security? When I was briefly representing International Alert, during the Country Director LINGO (Liberian International NGO) Forums, we learned that since UNMIL has considerably downsized, the maintenance of the dirt roads in the south east has stopped and, movement was heavily affected.
Is there really a chance that Liberia could slide back into chaos? Would it be CDC-ians causing problems?
Another friend I spoke with, the illustrious Mr. TQ Harris, our neighbour and landlord, explained that Liberians are tired from war and, they have tasted it badly!
Will they be peaceful elections are not? Should a reduced UNMIL presence concern us? What's going to happen? How helpful have these questions been in the lead up to the questions? Not so much!
Another friend on Facebook (she works for an international NGO) stated in a discussion that many Liberians were enjoying the process itself.
I also saw another friend proudly posting about he was voting for the first time in Liberia (he's someone who returned to Liberia from the United States).
UNMIL is really only sticking around until it sees the peaceful transfer of power. It seems they have been trying to leave for years now! From UNMIL friends, I gather that the mission has drastically been reduced in size and, they will definitely close up shop once the elections are peacefully concluded and the next regime steps in.
I must admit that the little bit of fear mongering whispered among business communities affected me and, I thought "At least UNMIL is still sticking around." UNMIL has served as the pseudo safety net in Liberia in the post war era - acting in place of a capable army. In terms of actual security and border control, what was the actual role and impact of the UN's massive deployment of peacekeepers? And, was their presence required all these years? Especially if they just gave us a 'semblance' of security? When I was briefly representing International Alert, during the Country Director LINGO (Liberian International NGO) Forums, we learned that since UNMIL has considerably downsized, the maintenance of the dirt roads in the south east has stopped and, movement was heavily affected.
Is there really a chance that Liberia could slide back into chaos? Would it be CDC-ians causing problems?
Another friend I spoke with, the illustrious Mr. TQ Harris, our neighbour and landlord, explained that Liberians are tired from war and, they have tasted it badly!
Will they be peaceful elections are not? Should a reduced UNMIL presence concern us? What's going to happen? How helpful have these questions been in the lead up to the questions? Not so much!
Another friend on Facebook (she works for an international NGO) stated in a discussion that many Liberians were enjoying the process itself.
I also saw another friend proudly posting about he was voting for the first time in Liberia (he's someone who returned to Liberia from the United States).
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