“What we did was to make sure that a member from my government was in charge which was accepted by the new government as they have to learn from us and work with us for a peaceful transition.”
President Johnson Sirleaf said the reason for setting up such transition team is to make sure that firstly, they create the avenue for continuity of governance so that the incoming government will be able to understand and see where her government did well and where they fell short so that President George Weah’s government will be able to improve those areas for the growth of Liberia.
“Secondly, the reason why we form such transition team is to make sure that we create a peaceful atmosphere that will help the new government achieve the successes it was voted into office for. After the elections, it offers lessons on how transparency and public trust in electoral institutions contribute to a peaceful transition of power.”
President Johnson Sirleaf said the transition team and report was to make sure that the state continues to run smoothly because all elections will have crises, moments of confusion, and points of contention. The key for a peaceful resolution lies in different stakeholders managing these events in an open, quick, and inclusive manner.
“The importance to sustaining peace of peace operations’ drawdown or “transition” periods is recognized in the twin peacebuilding and sustaining peace resolutions, which note the need for a “longer-term perspective required for sustaining peace being reflected in the formation, review and drawdown of peacekeeping operations and special political mission mandates.”
She said Liberia’s peaceful political transition holds lessons for other African states. It highlights four important conditions. First, the electoral management body must take concrete, visible steps to address perceptions or proven allegations of political bias.
Second, electoral data must be accessible to the wide variety of relevant stakeholders. Third, the electoral management body should maintain an open line of communication with traditional and social media outlets.
Finally, political leaders must choose words and actions that keep tense political environments from escalating. Together, these practices will bolster the credibility of the electoral process, enabling the candidates and general public to accept the results.
