Liberia's president calls for peace as campaigns begin

Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is urging peaceful elections as candidates begin campaigning to replace the Nobel Peace Prize winner who has led the West African country through the Ebola crisis and recovery from civil war.

Among those running in the October 10 election are her vice president and two of the men she faced during Liberia's last vote in 2011.

In a radio broadcast late on Monday, the 78-year-old Sirleaf urged political leaders to put Liberia first and control the emotions of their supporters.

"We hold them as political leaders who seek the highest office of our land to act with dignity and responsibility that befits that office to live up to their commitments to ensure violence-free elections," she said.

SOURCE: NEWS24