THE FARMINGTON RIVER Declaration 2023 is a comprehensive document that commits all participating parties in the ensuing October elections to prevent electoral violence, impunity and injustice. On Tuesday, April 4, 2023 twenty-six political parties converged at the Farmington Hotel, Margibi County, to affix their signatures to the peace document.
THE FARMINGTON DECLARATION was birthed on January 23, 2017, when the former President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, announced during her annual message to the National Legislature the need for a National Political Forum for the peaceful conduct of 2017 General Elections. Committed to a peaceful electoral process, Her Excellency appointed a steering committee for the National Political forum headed by Bishop Jonathan B. B. Hart and Sheikh Omaru Kamara, President and Vice President of the Interreligious Council of Liberia.
DEDICATED TO ITS responsibilities, the Hart and Kamara Steering Committee worked diligently with all registered political parties to draft an agreement that was signed on June 4, 2017, known as “The Farmington River Declaration of 2017”. That Declaration sought from the political parties strict adherence to the laws governing the electoral process, and a commitment to an electoral process free of all forms of violence that may endanger the peace and security of Liberia.
PRESIDENT GEORGE MANNEH Weah, Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC); Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai, Unity Party (UP); Alexander B. Cummings, Collaborating Political Parties (CPP); and Jeremiah K. Koung, Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) all signed the 2023 Farmington Declaration. The parties pledged their commitment to a peaceful, transparent and credible election.
PRESIDENT WEAH SAID, “These upcoming elections, if peacefully and credibly held, will be a manifestation of the strengthening and showcasing of our democratic credentials, as well as our resilience and relentless commitment to upholding the tenets of democracy. It is about the building of trust and confidence in our political culture.
“I COMMEND ALL of us political leaders and our respective political parties for resolving to sign this second Farmington River Declaration, which signifies our commitment and readiness to pursue the path of a peaceful, free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible democratic elections, come October 10 this year, that will elevate our standard as a democratic nation. With a guaranteed and successful democratic exercise, we will further demonstrate our readiness for sustained peace, security, stability and development.”
