BUCHANAN, Liberia: In a schoolroom in Liberia, young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 take turns illustrating their deepest fears as they prepare to vote for the first time.
Among their drawings, one depicts a man on the ground, tears streaming down his face, while a neighbour brandishes a weapon, a portrayal of the haunting fear of a return to violence in a nation scarred by successive civil wars.
Between 1989 and 2003, Liberia endured back-to-back civil conflicts that claimed the lives of over 250,000 people, leaving deep emotional wounds that still persist.
As Liberia approaches presidential and parliamentary elections, the main political parties have pledged a peaceful process. However, recent clashes resulting in three fatalities have amplified concerns about potential violence during the elections.
Nehemiah Jallah, 24, is leading a workshop aimed at promoting peace. He urges the young audience to steer clear of any form of violence, emphasizing the devastating consequences it can bring, such as destroyed buildings and innocent lives lost. He implores them to vote peacefully and preserve Liberia’s hard-won peace.
The first-time voters engage in lively discussions about how to respond to allegations of election fraud and cheating. Posters on the room’s walls advocate for non-violence, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Liberia from violence and resolving election disputes through the legal system.
More than 60 percent of Liberia’s population is under 25 years old, making them a target for political manipulation, according to Lawrence Sergbou, a youth activist. He highlights the horrors of Liberia’s past, where child soldiers were used in the civil wars, and stresses that violence only hinders development and hope.
Despite two decades of relative peace, the specter of conflict still looms, fueled by the presence of former warlords in the political landscape. One of them, Prince Johnson, has threatened a popular uprising if the elections are manipulated, aligning with presidential candidate Joseph Boakai, who warns of dire consequences for any vote manipulation.
President George Weah, running for a second term, has promised peaceful, fair, and credible elections. All parties participating in the polls pledged to avoid violence and resolve electoral disputes through legal channels under the auspices of the United Nations and ECOWAS in April.
