Three people were killed on Monday night after a vehicle deliberately struck supporters of the Unionist Party as they gathered near its headquarters to mark the official results of Liberia’s second-round presidential election. The Unity Party, which supports President-elect Joseph Boakai, said the act amounted to national terrorism and announced that Boakai’s celebratory events would be suspended until further notice. [CREDIT: Unity Party press release]
Witnesses described a vehicle with its headlights off and no visible license plates weaving through crowds and crashing into a rally vehicle outside the party’s base. The incident interrupted the post-election moment and drew immediate medical responses as bystanders and security personnel provided aid. Officials later confirmed that at least twenty people were hospitalized and that three had died, with others seriously injured. [CREDIT: Liberia national emergency services]
In a formal statement, Boakai’s party expressed condolences to the families and friends affected by what it called a barbaric domestic act. The party also urged authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the cause and to hold those responsible accountable. It stressed the importance of justice for victims, their families, and Liberia’s society at large as the country works to restore security, stability, and the rule of law. [CREDIT: Unity Party statement]
The incident followed the National Elections Commission’s final declaration of the second-round results, which showed Boakai narrowly ahead of acting president George Weah, who is seeking re-election. The results echoed earlier voting patterns, with strong support for Weah in the southern regions while Boakai made gains in areas such as sparsely populated northern zones and the southern belt. Analysts noted Boakai’s alliance with key figures in the past, including political figures previously identified with militias, which influenced regional dynamics. [CREDIT: Liberia National Elections Commission]
A pre-electoral framework, known as the Farmington River Declaration 2023, had been signed by major parties to pledge peace before, during, and after the vote. This approach mirrored similar commitments from the 2017 elections, which typically unfolded in a calmer atmosphere. The declaration underscored a broad consensus among parties on maintaining order and the integrity of Liberia’s democratic process. [CREDIT: Farmington River Declaration records]