En n’ayant récolté que 38,5 % des voix, le vice-président sortant a été largement battu par George Weah. Ce vendredi 29 décembre, il a appelé son adversaire pour le féliciter.
Moins de 24 heures après la proclamation des résultats provisoires par la commission électorale libérienne, Joseph Boakai a reconnu sa défaite à l’élection présidentielle, ce vendredi 29 décembre, dans un discours prononcé au siège de son parti (en bas de l’article).
« J’ai appelé l’ambassadeur George Manneh Weah de la coalition pour le changement démocratique (CDC) pour le féliciter pour sa victoire annoncée à l’élection présidentielle. Je lui ai aussi assuré de ma disponibilité pour l’aider dans toute tâche qui pourrait être bénéfique à notre pays », a-t-il solennellement déclaré.
« Moi, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, homme de paix et d’humilité, patriote, j’accepte solennellement les résultats des élections tels qu’annoncés par la commission électorale », a-t-il poursuivi, appelant à la réconciliation et la paix dans le pays. Avec cette déclaration, le vice-président sortant du pays semble écarter la possibilité de nouveaux recours.
Pas de recours annoncés
Après le premier tour, Joseph Boakai s’était en effet associé à une procédure déposée devant la cour suprême par Charles Brumskine, le candidat arrivé troisième. Les deux hommes dénonçaient des fraudes commises pendant le premier tour et des irrégularités dans les listes électorales. Une procédure qui avait mené à un report du second tour de sept semaines.
Selon les résultats provisoires annoncés par la commission électorale libérienne le 28 décembre au soir, Joseph Boakai a recueilli 38,5 % des voix, contre 61,5 % pour son adversaire, George Weah. Vice-président du pays depuis 2005, il était à 73 ans le candidat du parti de l’Unité (UP), mais n’a pu compter sur le soutien d’Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, la chef d’État sortante, soupçonnée d’aider ses adversaires.
C o n c e s s I o n S T A T E M E N TDelivered byHonorable Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.Standard Bearer of the Unity Party & Vice President, Republic of LiberiaIn Acceptance of theResults of the 2017 Presidential Run-off Election********** National Headquarters of the Unity PartyCongo Town, LiberiaFriday, December 29, 2017Fellow Liberians;My Great Partisans;Auxiliary and other Support Groups;Executives and Members of Collaborating Political Parties;Well Wishers and People of Goodwill;Members of the Press:Let me start off by thanking all of you. I express my deepest gratitude to the peace-loving people of Liberia for their determination to quench their thirst for the consolidation of ourdemocratic entitlements.My deep appreciation and affection go to my Wife, Mrs. Kartumu Yarta Boakai, my childrenand relatives for enduring this tedious but worthy undertaking to the end. Indeed, I remain proud of you.To all Liberians who supported us, I say thank you. And to those who did not support us, Ialso say thank you. We all are passengers on this big Ship called Liberia; even though I willnot be the Captain of this Ship, it is my fervent desire that this Ship of State always sailssmoothly.More than a year ago, the Unity Party (UP) elected me as Standard Bearer in our national political contest. This was in addition to nearly 12 years of service as Vice President andseveral years in public and private service characterized by untainted stewardship to ournation.On December 26, in the midst of the joyful tides of Christmas and the celebration of the birthof our Lord, Liberians went to the polls in obedience to their civic responsibility. We notewith great pride the peaceful nature of the free expression of their will for national leadership.At this historic crossroad, let us remain cognizant of the extent to which elections are conflict- prone and have the potential to destroy nations, disintegrate families and undermine thesanctity of a nation. We are also quite aware of our nation’s current economic challenges.The history of our nation is characterized by some disturbing episodes of fraudulent electoral processes and the attendant consequences. Notable among them are the presidential elections
of 1927 and 1985, the outcomes of which were rejected, thereby engendering conflict whichoccasioned the loss of lives and a protracted fratricidal national conflict.I refuse to subject our nation to such an experience. I reject any temptation of imposing pain,hardship, agony, and uncertainty upon our people. My name will not be used as an excuse forone drop of human blood to be spilled in this country.My worth and ambition to serve will never push me to stoop low to violence. The truth of thematter is that what I was seeking was not power or title, but instead an opportunity to serve.My love for country is more profound and intrinsic than my desire for the presidency.As such, a while ago, I called Ambassador George Manneh Weah of the Coalition forDemocratic Change (CDC), to congratulate him on emerging as the winner in the presidentialcontest. I also availed myself to help him in any way he may find me useful to advance thegood of our country.My Compatriots, Friends;I have seen the good of our country and learned that there are many good people, and thatultimately good triumphs. Although we worked so assiduously for a different outcome thanwhat the results show, my faith, value and principles dictate that l respect the will of our people as announced by the National Elections Commission.I accordingly call on all of our supporters and well-wishers, from this day forward, to support peace and collectively join hands to continue to build our country, heal our wounds and serveour people with honesty as well as a renewed dedication and commitment.Let us put the election and the acrimony occasioned by it behind us and close ranks to pushthis nation to its rightful place within the comity of nations. I value all of you and hereby urgeyou to demonstrate that Liberia can be a better country. As I have so frequently urged, wemust subordinate our personal ambition and interests to the good of all and love for ourcountry.After years of serving as your Vice President, I appreciate the privilege of serving with utmostdedication and integrity. I so dearly cherish my service to this country and for that let meexpress my gratitude to the people of Liberia for according me that noble opportunity to servemy country.We know that our supporters in and out of Liberia are disappointed by the result of theelections. Let us however be consoled by the fact that we did collectively fight a good fight.We made personal sacrifices and demonstrated full commitment to the values we espoused.Speaker James Emmanuel Nuquay and I are grateful to all of you who gave your best, andyour all to this campaign. We make particular mention to the Chairman and members of theUnity Party, the National Campaign Team, Honorable Benoni Wilfred Urey and all heads andmembers of collaborating political parties, our auxiliaries, and our youth, women, elders, andthousands of supporters and well-wishers. It was a campaign for Liberia and you fought it sovery hard.Our gratitude also goes to all our international partners who stood by Liberia during this long
