The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, visited Liberia from 9 to 12 October in the context of the 10 October general elections.

The Special Representative congratulates the Liberian people for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the general election of 10 October 2023.  The Special Representative wishes to commend the National Elections Commission and the security forces for their professionalism in the conduct of the elections.

Mr. Simão acknowledges the significant mobilization of enthusiastic and patriotic young men and women on polling day and calls for the continued engagement of the youth and women in political processes in Liberia.

As the counting and tallying of the results continues, Mr. Simão calls upon political actors to uphold their commitment to peaceful elections under the Farmington River Declaration.

In particular, the Special Representative urges all candidates to be patient and let the Electoral Commission conduct the electoral process in full compliance with the Constitution and laws in force in Liberia and to resolve any dispute through the established legal channels. He equally urges the National Elections Commission to pursue the tallying process in the same spirit of professionalism and transparency.

The Special Representative invites Liberians to continue in their efforts to consolidate democracy through credible, inclusive, and peaceful electoral processes in the country.