New U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Warns Sanctions Await Attempt to Undermine Liberia’s Democracy

MONROVIA-The United States Embassy in Liberia through its new Chargé d’Affaires Catherine Rodriguez has told a team of Liberian Journalists that in as much as the U.S. government is prepared to assist in an effort to keep the 2023 general elections free, fair, and peaceful, it will hold accountable anyone responsible for engaging in activities that undermine the democratic election process in Liberia through sanctions.

Ms Rodriguez pointed out that it is also a solemn responsibility of the government to ensure that these are fair, free, and peaceful elections, and to hold accountable those that would attempt to disrupt it.

The U.S. Diplomat also used the occasion to call on the Liberia government to ensure that the election process is well facilitated.

“Officials must also ensure that the government invests an adequate level of money, personnel, and organizational resources to protect its citizens, candidates, polling stations, and election workers from intimidation or harm,” Ms. Rodriguez said.

She also called on the NEC to make sure that all election observers have full access to polling stations during election day, as well as access to the vote tallying.

The U.S. Embassy, through USAID, is directly supporting both international and domestic election observer missions, as well as its own mission observing the election process across the country.