Monrovia — Depending on which side of the political divide you stand, you would either agree with, or dismiss as purely partisan, the thunderous applause Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf received upon announcing that she would contest next year's presidential election. Her pronouncement, made during her annual state of the Nation Address to parliament in January, has charged Liberia's political atmosphere.
Politicians and parties have started maneuvering in preparation for the election, which will test the country's new National Elections Commission (NEC). The body's only experience so far has been holding by-elections to fill vacant seats of deceased representatives and senators. The new commission is entirely Liberian managed, unlike during the last election, and has a new, American-funded U.S.$2 million complex from which to operate.
"We are also providing $17 million to build NEC's capacity to prepare for and carry out the 2011 elections, which will be, and must be, free and fair, open and transparent," said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S Ambassador to Liberia, recently. During each by-election that has been held, Thomas-Greenfield noted the victor had been "selected in a free and fair vote."
The front pages of newspapers and discussions on street corners now seem dominated by news of the coming presidential and general elections. All indications point to a tenacious contest when Africa's first female president will be challenged at the polls in October next year.
Views on Johnson Sirleaf's chances of success are mixed. Supporters point to the transformation - mainly in the areas of infrastructure development, good governance and job creation - that the country has seen during her presidency, which began just as Liberia was beginning to emerge from decades of conflict. Opponents characterize her performance as mediocre, saying there is much at stake and a lot more that can be done.
Johnson Sirleaf recently has taken a tougher stance on her deputies, dismissing those alleged to be involved in corruption, which is likely to be an issue in the coming elections.
Her latest ax fell on Dr. Joseph Kortoe, who until his dismissal served as the country's education minister. Ambulai Johnson, who was regarded as one of the president's confidants, was replaced at Internal Affairs.
And the former information minister, Laurence Bropleh, is up before the courts.
Opposition politicians have described the latest actions by the president as too little, too late, and their voices have become louder on radio talk shows as 2011 approaches.
The main actors in the coming elections remain largely the same as in 2005. They include the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Edwin Snowe; prominent businessman Musa Bility, who until now was viewed as a confidante of the president; Lewis Brown, former foreign minister; and D. Tuan Wleh-Mason, a businessman and diplomat. They have formed a new party to oppose Johnson Sirleaf.
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There are new contenders as well, including Senator Prince Johnson of Nimba County, who announced his intention to run for election minutes after President Johnson Sirleaf's January declaration. He described himself as being the real "formidable" force, a word that was used by the president to characterize her candidacy.
Senator Johnson was a rebel leader who is alleged to have captured and killed former president Samuel K. Doe during the civil war. His candidacy is not regarded as particularly significant, except in his stronghold in northeastern Nimba County. Some analysts have observed, however, that he could take away much-needed votes from Johnson Sirleaf in the county - Liberia's second most populous.
In the midst of the politicking, there is a general recognition that since Johnson Sirleaf remains a largely popular incumbent, defeating her at the polls will be an uphill battle. This may be why most of her opponents have sought an alliance with the soccer legend, George Weah, who is inexperienced but a crowd puller. He was defeated by Johnson Sirleaf only in the second round of the 2005 election.
Weah's presence on the campaign trail in last November's senatorial by-election in Montserrado, the most populous county and seat of the country's capital, Monrovia, was seen as a determining factor in the victory of the candidate he backed.
