Violence erupted at the close of Liberian President George Weah’s re-election campaign, with scuffles breaking out between his supporters and opposition members during a parade in the capital, Monrovia. At least five men were reported injured, some with significant head injuries. Supporters of Weah’s Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and members of the opposition ALCOP threw stones at each other, leading to police firing tear gas.
Despite pledges of peaceful polls from the main political parties, concerns about electoral violence have grown following clashes last month that resulted in three deaths. Liberia experienced back-to-back civil wars from 1989 to 2003, leaving over 250,000 people dead.
Peace and development are top priorities for voters as they prepare for the first round of voting on Tuesday. To win, a candidate must secure at least 50% plus one of the votes cast. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the top two parties will proceed to a runoff election decided by a simple majority.
Weah, facing 19 presidential candidates, held a large rally in the capital for the final act of his campaign, emphasizing the importance of preserving peace for development. Critics argue that Weah has not fulfilled his promises of job creation and investment in education.