The general elections in Liberia are slated for October, and President George Weah has pledged to make sure they are free of violence, credible, transparent, and inclusive.

He made the pledge on Wednesday in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, at a celebration of the nation’s 176th year of independence under the banner of “Giving our People Hope for a Violence Free, Fair, Transparent, Inclusive and Credible Elections.”

Weah reiterated his promises to protect and preserve the peaceful democracy of Liberia by saying that the theme for this year’s commemoration was of special relevance given that it came shortly after the country’s preparations for elections.

He said: “Today, we have a collective duty to uphold and defend our constitution and I pledge to do that with all my ability.

“The theme of this year’s celebration is also a reminder to do our duty to country and to God.

“And I reiterate my commitments to preserving the peace of the country which has been sustained since the singing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on Aug. 18, 2003 in Accra, Ghana.

“The presidential and general elections will be credible, reflect the voice of the people of Liberia, and will meet international and national standards.”

Weah also admonished politicians contesting for various positions to follow suit in ensuring peaceful polls in their various counties, putting the interest of the people first before theirs.

He thanked Liberian citizens for their resilience and commitment to the sustained peace in the country.

President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, who was a special guest of the Liberian President and honoured with a Liberian National Award, congratulated the government and people of Liberia on the occasion of their independence and their adherence to the Accra commitment.

Akufo-Addo said that it gives him great excitement to see the fruition of the Accra Agreement which was a commitment to the peace in Liberia by all factions after the brutal civil war.

Akufo-Addo pledged the commitment of ECOWAS to supporting Liberia in achieving peaceful, credible and transparent elections.

President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, who also bagged a Liberian National Award, greeted the country on their independence celebration, urging them to remain united as it remains essential to recording another peaceful democratic transition.

Also present at the event was the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis, representative of the ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmtyro Kuleba among other dignitaries.