Liberia’s president-elect cancels victory celebrations after vehicle rams into crowd, killing 3
Posted November 21, 2023 6:02 am.
Last Updated November 21, 2023 5:26 pm.
MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — Liberian President-elect Joseph Boakai ‘s party announced Tuesday it was cancelling all remaining victory celebrations, a day after authorities said a driver sped into a crowd killing at least three people and injuring 17 others.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends affected by this devastating, wicked, and barbaric act of domestic terrorism, leading to loss of precious lives,” Boakai’s Unity Party said in a statement.
“We urge the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the cause and hold those responsible accountable,” it added.
Authorities say the driver of a jeep without license plates switched off the lights of the vehicle and willfully struck a gathering of Unity Party supporters who were celebrating the final results of the Nov. 14 runoff presidential election.
According to the National Elections Commission, Boakai won with 50.64% of the second round balloting while incumbent President George Weah took 49.36%.
Weah already conceded defeat several days earlier based on the release of provisional results, and urged his supporters to respect the vote’s outcome. ____
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Mark M. Mengonfia, The Associated Press
