Leymah Gbowee: My thoughts on Liberia’s elections

• By Leymah R. Gbowee

I have been thinking about October 10, 2023—the day we, Liberians, head to the polls to elect our representatives, senators, and president.
I have been quietly watching as campaigns unfold, and these are just a few of my observations. There are active attempts to:
Sell the unsellable
Defend the indefensible
Excuse for the inexcusable
Use failed systems and structures as benchmarks of success

The jostle for power is incoherent for participants and observers alike. It rests on clueless attempts to discredit rather than efforts to exemplify trustworthy leadership. With personalities as the primary focus, insults and toxicity have overrun the country, as allies of yesterday have become sworn enemies.

The list of displaced priorities and the confusion therein seems endless. However, we Liberians have three significant tasks amidst the chaos:
1. Pay attention to what the candidates are offering us.
2. Set aside violence as a campaign tool
3. WE MUST ALL CAST OUR VOTES! – Apathy is not an option

Remember, Liberia is all we have—Let’s keep the PEACE.

• Mrs. Leymah Gbowee is a Nobel Peace Prize Winner and writes for National Daily Newspaper