False! The EU not supporting Boakai Presidency in run-off

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Claim: An online media platform, Afric Daily Newspaper, in its Oct. 30, 2023 publication, reports that the European Union and member states support the presidential bid of opposition candidate Joseph Boakai.

Verdict: False! The newspaper would not provide evidence for its publication. According to its editor, the article was randomly received through his email for publication. Also, the EU, on Oct. 31, 2023 released a disclaimer to the story.

Full Text 

Liberia is expected to conduct a run-off election on Nov. 14, 2023. The polls will be held between two of the 20 Presidential Candidates in the 2023 General Presidential and Representatives Elections. The candidates are incumbent George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and former Vice President Joseph Boakai of the opposition Unity Party.

Ahead of the run-off, there have been rumours that the International Community might influence the elections because of its connections and support to Liberia.

As a result, on Oct 30, the Afric Daily Newspaper published an article on its website, claiming Development Partners prefer the Boakai Presidency and want the incumbent out.

“Multiple sources within the European Union and Development Partners prefer a Boakai’s Presidency, want George M. Weah out,” the report stated.

According to the media report, the alleged EU action is based on the increased corruption exhibited in the last six years under President George Weah’s Administration.

“Highly credible sources have divulged that many European countries believe that the Weah government is corrosively corrupt and profoundly inept to govern Liberia any longer. This opinion is essentially formed on the basis that most of the funding or grants the European Union and development partners have given to Liberia over the last five to six years of the Weah presidency have either been grossly siphoned or, in other instances, badly mismanaged.”

The article has raised serious concerns, as some people write in support of the claim. However, others fear the alleged EU action can alter the country’s fragile peace. These issues led DUBAWA to fact-check the assertion.

Verification

DUBAWA contacted the publisher of the Newspaper, Joseph Tumbey, who could not provide evidence for the published article. According to Mr Tumbey, the article was randomly sent to him by mail for publication. When asked for the email address for further verification, the publisher said he had lost track of the email address.

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Also, the European Union and Member States, on Oct. 31, 2023, through its official Facebook page, released a disclaimer to the Afric Daily Newspaper publication. The European Union and Member States reported that the media report has no foundation. The Union charged all parties and citizens to be responsible in order to maintain peaceful co-existence.

“The quotes that are circulating in the press and social media referring to alleged comments by EU and Member State diplomats about who should be the next President are without foundation. All parties and citizens have a responsibility for the peaceful conduct of the upcoming elections. The media has a responsibility to act with integrity and professionalism by fact-checking its stories,” The EU press release stated.

Conclusion

The evidence gathered from our fact-check proves that the claim about EU’s preference for presidential candidate Boakai is false.