Carter Center Project Concludes in Liberia, LEON Marks Major Milestone in Independence
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON) has reached a major milestone in its evolution into an independent and self-sustaining civil society organization (CSO), solidifying its role in advancing democracy and good governance in Liberia.
By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr (231886458910)-edwin.genoway@frontpageafricaonline.com
This achievement comes as the Carter Center’s Democracy Program in Liberia prepares to wind down its “Strengthening Citizen Voices to Advance Electoral Reform and Democratic Governance” project by the end of 2024.
Launched in 2017, LEON has received crucial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), which partnered with The Carter Center to provide strategic guidance and technical assistance.
Over the past seven years, LEON has successfully transitioned from a coalition focused on election observation to a comprehensive governance monitoring entity, expanding its scope to include advocacy, policy research, and legislative monitoring.
LEON now boasts the institutional capacity necessary to operate without external dependency, enabling the organization to continue its work in advancing electoral reform and democratic governance. The organization is also prepared to join other leading Liberian CSOs in managing direct donor funding—a central goal of Sida’s localization initiative.
“Congratulations to LEON and its four founding network members—the Liberia Crusaders for Peace, the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, the National Union of Organizations for the Disabled, and the Federation of Liberian Youth,” The Carter Center said in a statement at a ceremony in Monrovia on November 26, 2024. “Together, they have made significant strides towards self-sufficiency, and we are proud to celebrate their success.”
During the ceremony, LEON’s Head of Secretariat, Augustine S.M. Tamba, presented the organization’s achievements since its inception and outlined future strategies. Tamba highlighted LEON’s ongoing commitment to Liberia’s democratic processes, noting that the network was officially registered as a legal institution in Liberia in November 2024.
“Since our establishment in 2017, LEON has made significant progress in strengthening Liberia’s democratic landscape,” Tamba said. “We now have the structures in place to sustain our work well into the future, with a strong focus on electoral observation, civic education, gender equality, and legislative monitoring.”
Catherine Rodriguez, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, spoke about the U.S. government’s commitment to Liberia’s development. She acknowledged the Swedish government’s support for the project and praised LEON for its role in building trust in Liberia’s electoral processes, especially during the 2023 general elections.
“The lessons learned from this initiative will enable local organizations like LEON to continue collaborating with international partners to support a representative and accountable government,” Rodriguez said. “The United States is committed to supporting Liberia’s continued development, and we look forward to further collaboration in the years ahead.”
Kerstin Jonsson Cissé, Head of Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Liberia, also lauded LEON’s progress, recalling Sida’s initial support for the network in 2017. She emphasized LEON’s key contributions to Liberia’s democratic development, including its use of the statistically-based observation methodology (SPO) during the 2023 elections—a first for Liberia.
“We all praised the elections for being peaceful and transparent, and I am confident that LEON and other observers played a critical role in ensuring this outcome,” Cissé said. “The SPO methodology was instrumental in making that happen, and it represents a significant leap forward in Liberia’s election observation practices.”
Despite the end of The Carter Center’s direct involvement, LEON intends to build on its work in areas such as public perception surveys, policy research, and advocacy. The organization will continue to focus on civic and voter education, gender equity, disability inclusion, and social media monitoring, ensuring that Liberia’s democratic processes remain transparent, inclusive, and accountable.
The event also featured remarks from dignitaries including representatives from the National Elections Commission, the United Nations Development Programme, and the European Union. They all congratulated LEON on its achievements and stressed the importance of continued national and international support for Liberia’s democracy.
In its closing remarks, The Carter Center expressed deep gratitude to Sida for its partnership over the past seven years, noting that the collaboration has been key in helping LEON reach its current level of professional organizational capacity.
“The journey of LEON is a testament to the potential of Liberian civil society to lead their own development and contribute meaningfully to the strengthening of democratic institutions,” The Carter Center stated. “We look forward to seeing LEON’s continued success and its ongoing role in shaping a stronger, more democratic Liberia.”
As LEON enters this new phase, it stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved through sustained international partnership and local leadership. The organization is poised to remain a central player in Liberia’s democratic development, ensuring that the nation’s governance structures are inclusive, transparent, and accountable to its people.
The post Carter Center Project Concludes in Liberia, LEON Marks Major Milestone in Independence appeared first on FrontPageAfrica.