16 Aug 2017

AULOL, ECOWAS AND UNMIL JOINT STATEMENT: CONCERN WITH THE FALLOUT BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE SUPREME COURT OVER PROPOSED IMPEACHEMENT PROCEEDINGS

UNMIL/PR/1608-17

Wednesday, 16 August 2017

MONROVIA – The African Union Liaison Office in Liberia (AULOL), the Office of the Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), note with grave concern the tensions between the Legislature and the Judiciary over attempts to initiate impeachment proceedings by the House of Representatives against three Supreme Court Judges, and the ‘stay order’ on the impeachment proceedings by the Supreme Court. We also note the press statement from the Executive Mansion on this matter.

Over the past 13 years since the end of civil war, Liberia has made tremendous strides in strengthening its institutions and in building a strong and vibrant democracy. While fully respecting the sovereignty of Liberia and its institutions, the AULOL, ECOWAS and UNMIL call upon the Legislative, Judicial and Executive branches of Government to work in a coordinated and mutually supportive way and to spare no effort in finding an amicable and immediate solution to this dispute in the interest of all the Liberian people who are looking forward to peaceful elections in a violence-free atmosphere.

The AULOL, ECOWAS and UNMIL would like to remind all branches and institutions of Government to respect the letters and spirit of the Constitution and abide by the laws of the Republic of Liberia in compliance with international best practices and promotion of good governance. We call upon all stakeholders to prioritize national interest as the country moves toward the final phase of peaceful, fair, participatory and transparent elections, and the transition to a new Government in 2018. We furthermore urge all political parties to reaffirm their love of country and their commitment to violence-free elections as agreed in the Farmington River Declaration.

We assure all Liberians of our continuous support towards maintaining stability, ensuring sustainable peace and facilitating development in Liberia. To these ends, the AULOL, ECOWAS and UNMIL will continue to follow developments closely and support all efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation.

unmil-_press_release-1608-17.doc