08 November 2005

As Liberians voted today in the final round of the country's first democratic election after 14 years of conflict, ActionAid called on the new government and the international community to continue the work of building peace and democracy in Liberia.

In Monrovia, Roger Yates, head of ActionAid's international emergencies and conflict team said: "The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful and optimistic. People are completely focused on the future and not the past.

"People are saying they will accept the result and rally around whoever wins. They say ‘we are voting for Liberia’. The message to whoever wins is that people have voted for stability.

"The systems are working immaculately. Turnout has been about 50 per cent. People who did not vote in the first round are voting now because there are no long queues."

James Logan, ActionAid's Liberia country representative said: "Ordinary Liberians have great hope that their president will take the country forward to a peaceful future. Peacebuilding and transparency must be priorities for the new government."

Roger Yates added: "The president's task will be to lead the rebuilding of one of the world's poorest and most war-torn countries. Liberia's new leader must stand up for the poor and powerless, even though that will not always be the easiest thing to do. The international community must continue its support and help Liberia to consolidate its democracy following a successful election."