To Ensure Accountability for Manipulating October Polls…US Govt Issues New Visa Restriction Policy
Liberia-September 28, 2023: The US government has issued new Visa Restrictions to those believed to be responsible for undermining democracy in Liberia as part of the October 10 Polls.
The policy issuance was made in a statement issued on Thursday September 28, 2023 in Monrovia.
The US is a traditional Ally of Liberia.
According to the US Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Health, the new visa restrictions policy is intended to support and advance democracy in Liberia and around the world.
The new policy is under section 212(a)(3)(c) of the immigration and Nationality act.
Health noted that the policy targets those who will be involved in manipulating or rigging of the electoral process; use of violence to prevent people from exercising their rights to freedoms of association and peaceful assembly. “The use of measures designed to proverb political parties, voters, civil society, or the media from disseminating their views or engaging in any other activity designed to improperly influence to outcome of an election. Certain family members of such persons may also be subject to these elections”.
Health added that the policy is not targeted at the Liberian people or the government of Liberia but specific individuals.
“The decision to impose visa restrictions reflects the commitment of the United States to support Liberians aspirations to have free fair and peaceful elections that democratic the will of the people and strengthen democracy and the rule of law.
He committed the US government’s renewed efforts to promoting accountability for those who undermine democratic values, particularly in Liberia.
Similarly, the new visa restriction policy was recently issued in Freetown Sierra Leone following their elections.
