Liberia’s 2005 Elections

Eligibility of Contestants for Elective Offices in Liberia’s 2005 Elections

The United States is very disturbed by the announcement by Liberian Labor Minister Supuwood that he would run for elected office this year. His candidacy violates the August 18, 2003 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which states clearly that former combatants designated by the CPA would not be allowed to run for office in the October 2005 elections. The United States will not recognize the candidacies of such designated individuals.

The United States and the international community have invested too much in the peace process in Liberia to ignore this challenge to the CPA, to the electoral process, and to the authority of the National Elections Commission (NEC). The United States joins the Economic Community of West African States in calling upon the National Transitional Government of Liberia and all Liberians to work with the NEC to ensure that the electoral process conforms to the letter and spirit of the CPA.

2005/141 Released on February 4, 2005

Press Statement Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC February 4, 2005