Ambassadorial-level meeting of the UN Peacebuilding Commission on Elections in Liberia

Check Against Delivery

Thank you, Madam Chair, for convening this meeting shortly before the general elections in October in Liberia.

I thank the ministers and other briefers for their statements and the information shared on the efforts to sustain peace during the election in Liberia. In a context where some countries in West Africa experience military coups and undemocratic practices, Denmark commends Liberia’s determination to stay on a democratic and peaceful path.

Allow me to highlight three points regarding women's political participation and civic space:

Firstly, we welcome the multiple initiatives taken to promote the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and youth in the Liberian electoral process, such as the Women’s Situation Room and the Youth situation room. It is also positive that a memorandum of understanding was signed by 26 parties committing them to a 30 percent gender quota. It would be encouraging to see the Farmington River Declaration be fully implemented and the New Elections Law containing a mandatory 30 percent quota be passed as law before the next elections along with measures to counter disinformation campaigns.

We commend the signing of the Violence against Women in Elections and Politics Protocol by 29 of the 42 political parties. We encourage the remaining political parties, coalitions and alliances to sign it.

Secondly, civil society organisations  are key partners in a successful democratic process, both before, during and after the elections. In Liberia, they continue to raise awareness on rights and inclusion in electoral processes. Civil society organisations play an important role in preventing violence and we encourage all parties to support a safe and enabling environement for their important work.

Thirdly, prevention of violence during elections is not a one-off event – it is a continuous process of fostering a peaceful, just and inclusive society. We encourage that the Peacebuilding Commission uses its convening power to facilitate exchange of lessons learned on sustain peace during elections across geographic contexts.

We look forward to following the first elections without the presence of the United Nations Mission to Liberia. We look forward to congratulating the next democratically elected president of Liberia.

I thank you.