Irish-British Province

LIBERIA
After first round elections

After the first round of the presidential elections held on October 11, Liberia is generally peaceful. An inconclusive first round was widely predicted.

The run-off second round elections between the two leading candidates was held on November 8. Leading the polls in the first round was George Opong Weah, a former international footballer, is very popular among the youth and those people who are fed up with familiar politicians. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, called the “Iron Lady”, came second, trailing George by 10%.

Our confreres who work at the Salala IDP (Internally Displaced People) camp run by the JRS (Jesuit Relief Service) stayed close to the people to demonstrate their solidarity with them on the crucial day of the national elections.

Fr. Yakobus TOO described the mood on the day, “We just wanted to be with the people on a day which the Liberians had been waiting for many years. Some said that it was like an independence day. They had been longing for a free, democratic, fair and transparent election for a long time.”

Liberia has been stricken by civil war for the last 15 years resulting in thousands of deaths and leaving the country in total destruction. People were very enthusiastic about the elections and hoped for a better future for their country.

“No matter who will be the winner, Liberians are already the winner”, commented one of the refugees in the camp. (Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won the elections, to become the first woman president in Africa!)

Source: Arnoldus Nota