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Tag: liberia

  • Weah, Liberian president-elect set for thanksgiving in The Synagogue

    Liberian President-elect, George Weah is set to pay another visit to The Synagogue Church of All Nations. According to sources,, the visit of the president-elect is to thank God over his victory in the run-off election that led to his emergence as the Liberian President.

    It will be recalled that the 51-year old President-elect had visited the church and had attended one of the church’s Sunday service accompanied by former Liberian Warlord and presently a Senator in that country, Prince Yormie Johnson in October, last year. Weah’s visit to the Synagogue was said to have been facilitated by Johnson who was a member of the church during his stay in Nigeria.

    During the visit, Prophet Joshua was quoted at the time that, Weah’s visit was to pray for an ideal candidate for the country to emerge. “My brother is here today because he loves his country. He is not here to impose himself. What does God say about his country, Liberia? What is God’s opinion? That is why he is here.

    “We are not herbalists or witch doctors, we are people of God. God’s choice is our choice. We cannot pray against God’s will,” Prophet Joshua said.

    Weah is said to have had a special session with the Founder of the Synagogue, Prophet Joshua who assured him of victory in the November 7 rescheduled run-off election.

    The former World Footballer of the year faced incumbent Vice President, Joseph Boakai in the runoff poll.

    In the result released shortly after the election, Liberia’s National Election Commission (NEC) said Weah had polled 61.5 percent while his opponent polled 38.5 percent of the total 98.1 declared. The president-elect had topped the first round of voting in October, last year with 38.4 percent of the votes but was unable to win 50 percent necessary to avoid a runoff. Boakai came second with 28.8 percent.

    Weal is not the first African leader to visit the church. Tanzanian President, John Magufuli, late Ghanaian President, John Atta Mills, former President of Malawi, Joyce Banda, among others, had at one time or the other visited The Synagogue.

  • George Weah invites Arsene Wenger to inauguration as president of Liberia

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told the BBC that he has been invited by the new Liberia president George Weah to his inauguration later this month.

    Wenger was Weah’s manager at French side Monaco between 1988 and 1992 but he is not sure he will able to attend.

    “I have been invited by George to come to the day where he will be the President,” he said.

    “I believe I will be busy but if I am suspended (for his comments on referees) I will have time to go.”

    Wenger is facing a Football Association disciplinary hearing for various comments he made about referees in recent weeks.

    The Arsenal boss admits he still finds it hard to believe what Weah has achieved.

    “The life of this guy is a real film. It is unbelievable. It can make a fantastic film,” said an excited Wenger.

    “I remember when I saw him the first time at Monaco, coming in a bit lost, not knowing anybody, not being rated by anybody as a player and becoming the best player in the world in 1995 and today becoming the president of his country.

    Wenger also recalled the passion and love Weah had for Liberia.

    “I went with George during the period when there was war in Liberia and I have seen how much he suffered for his country,” Wenger added.

    “That was the thing which was continuous in his country, the love for his country and for his people.

    “Today when I look back I see him crying when war was on in Liberia so it’s a happy story.

    “I wish he has a happy presidency and I would like to say this guy is an example for everybody who plays football today.”

    Weah won a presidential run off poll last month beating Joseph Boakai with more than 60% of the vote.

    He will succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president.

    BBC Sports

  • Weah pledges grassroots social transformation

    Liberia’s President-elect, George Weah, has declared that social transformation especially at the grassroots would be the “singular mission and focus’’ of his administration.

    Weah made the promise while delivering his victory speech at his party’s headquarters in Monrovia on Saturday.

    He pledged to improve the lives of ordinary Liberians through the instrumentality of pro-poor governance.

    He also promised to tackle corruption, which is a big issue in the country, and improve the business environment to attract investments.

    “I declare publicly today that transforming the lives of all Liberians is the singular mission and focus of my presidency.

    “Over the next few days, we will assemble the government that is committed to fighting for the ideas that inspired our campaign, and dedicated to delivering for the Liberian people.

    “Those chosen to serve will and must be dedicated to the ideas of grassroots social transformation.

    “Partisans looking to cheat the Liberian people through the menace of corruption will have no place in my administration,’’ he declared.

    Weah thanked outgoing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for sustaining peace in Liberia over the last 12 years, and for her commitment to the first democratic transfer of power in 73 years.

    He said his administration would build on the institutional gains made by Sirleeaf, but quickly assured that change would be made where necessary.

    The president-elect said the country was open and ready for business, calling on investors, partners and Liberians in the Diaspora to join hands with his administration to build the economy.

    “We will work to relax constraints to private investment, strengthen the business, legal and regulatory environment, and protect business profits,’’ he said.

    Weah extended a hand of fellowship to his rival in the just-concluded presidential runoff election and outgoing Vice President Joseph Boakai, saying he will be counting on his advice and contributions.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that expectations are high especially among young Liberians, his support base, for job creation and poverty reduction.

    While he was delivering the address from the party’s conference room, a crowd of singing and dancing youths gathered outside the building.

    They held placards and banners bearing inscriptions such as “CDC will support agriculture’’.

    Thirty-four-old Lawrence Menden, an IT professional, said he had no doubt in the ability of Weah to “take Liberia out of the woods’’.

    “Some people do not believe that Ambassador Weah has what it takes to perform as President, but they should wait and see; the man will surprise them,’’ he said.

     

  • Liberia: George Weah postpones victory speech

    An overwhelming crowd of supporters and sound-system malfunctioning forced Liberia’s President-elect, George Weah, to postpone his victory speech on Friday night.

    Weah was billed to formally accept his election at his Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) headquarters in Monrovia at 6.30 p.m., an hour after his declaration as President-elect.

    Immediately after the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced the final results of the presidential runoff polls and pronounced him elected, the city erupted in jubilation again.

    Thousands of young people poured out from different parts of Monrovia and adjoining towns, and headed to the CDC headquarters located on the only road linking the capital.

    Soon, a mammoth crowd of ecstatic supporters filled the expansive premises where they sang and danced to music supplied by a disc jockey.

    It was a carnival of sort outside as an overspill of supporters sang and danced along the road, resulting in a heavy gridlock on both sides.

    Similar scenes played out in other parts of the city. Monrovia, was literally on standstill for Weah, a man of the people.

    When the president-elect finally arrived at 8.42 p.m. in company with his wife, Clar, and the Vice President-elect, Jewel Howard-Taylor, the crowd went out of control.

    Efforts by the CDC youth leader, Jefferson Koijee, and security men to manage the situation proved abortive as the sea of heads pressed towards the stage where the dignitaries sat.

    Two women fainted due to suffocation, and were lifted on to the stage where they later got revived.

    “We are thirsty, we want water,’’ a section of the crowd chorused, interrupting the National Chairman of CDC Campaign, Mr Toga McIntosh, who was delivering his speech.

    The sound system was not helping matters either, as it kept malfunctioning probably due to suffocation too.

    When the president-elect rose from his seat to calm the situation, the crowd went wilder in euphoria, chanting “George Weah, George Weah’’.

    At this stage, Weah made a hand gesture to announce the postponement of the event till Saturday.

    “What you are witnessing here today is a demonstration of the love and hope that the long-suffering people of Liberia have in Ambassador Weah.

    “We can’t help celebrating like this,’’ said Peter Konty, a supporter, who returned home on foot like this reporter following the gridlock.

  • Buhari congratulates Liberia’s President-elect, George Weah

    …commends Sirleaf for ensuring credible election

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday congratulated Mr. George Weah on his election as the next President of Liberia.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President commended Liberians for the peaceful conduct of the election.

    He also lauded the outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for ensuring credible election.

    He described the election as another plus on Africa’s democratic scoreboard.

    The statement read, “On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari warmly congratulates Mr. George Weah on his election as the next President of the Republic of Liberia.

    “President Buhari also commends the Liberian people on the peaceful conduct of the historic presidential run-off election, stressing that ‘this is another plus on Africa’s democratic scoreboard.’

    “The President equally applauds the efforts of the National Election Commission of Liberia, as well as regional and international observers who have contributed immensely to the electoral process and the strengthening of post-conflict democracy in the West African country.

    “Describing Weah’s victory as an affirmation of the will of the Liberian people to remain united, peaceful and prosperous, President Buhari pledged Nigeria’s readiness to work with Liberia on issues of mutual interest at bilateral, regional and global levels for the benefit of citizens of both countries.

    “The Nigerian leader also commends outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, under whose 12-year watch Liberia had transformed from being a pariah state to a country doing remarkably well on many fronts such as, women and civil rights issue, peace building and consolidation, ECOWAS and the Mano River Union.

    “President Buhari also notes that President Sirleaf deserves special commendation for the statesmanship she has shown in ensuring free and fair elections that will pave the way for a peaceful transfer of political power from one democratically elected leader to another for the first time in 73 years.

    “Wishing President-elect Weah and Liberians a peaceful transition, he reassures them of Nigeria’s determination to sustain the current cordial relationship with Liberia.”

  • JUST IN: Former world footballer of the year, George Weah elected Liberia’s president

    The 1995 winner of the FIFA player of the year and Former Monaco player, George Weah, has emerged winner of the Presidential rerun elections in Liberia after winning 12 of the 15 counties in the west African country.

    The elated former footballer took to his Twitter account to announce his win thanking his supporters.

    The striker-turned politician becomes the 25th president of the country.

    “I am deeply grateful to my family, my friends, and my loyal supporters who contributed to our campaign during this extremely long election season,” Weah said on Twitter before the results were announced.

    However, the nation’s electoral umpire is yet to confirm/announce the overall winner of the election.

    Details later…

  • Liberia: Model of democracy in Africa – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan says Liberia is becoming a model of democracy in Africa and beyond, having attained “political stability’’.

    Jonathan told newsmen in the capital, Monrovia, during Tuesday’s presidential run-off election, that democracy had been institutionalised in Liberia.

    He spoke in his capacity as co-leader of the United States’ National Democratic Institute (NDI) International Elections Observation Mission to Liberia for the run-off polls.

    “Looking at the political history of Liberia, the country has passed through challenges.

    “They conducted elections and the President stayed for the complete two terms and this president is about handing over to another elected president.

    “That shows that Liberia is now politically stable to be a good example of democracy. Democracy is being institutionalised in Liberia.

    “It will help the country because it shows that the country is stable and it will attract foreign direct investors.

    “And for Africa, especially in the West African sub-region, it is a great achievement,’’ he said.

    The former Nigerian president said the Liberian situation would greatly inspire other African countries on the need to maintain stabiity.

    He added that the election would encourage African leaders to imbibe constitutional means in addressing political challenges.

    “When I was in office, we tried to make sure that we stabilised democracy across the ECOWAS states because (of) the issue of all kinds of unconstitutional government; we see that it is over in ECOWAS and Africa.

    “The Liberian situation will help us so much because it is another clear case of a country that has moved from some illegitimate government and crisis to an established and stable democracy.

    “This transition is critical because if we succeed, if Liberia succeeds, West Africa has succeeded, Africa has succeeded,’’ he said.

    Jonathan noted that a successful completion of the electoral process was of interest to Africa and the international community.

    Liberian voters have chosen a successor to outgoing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, whose 12-year tenure ends in January.

    Results of the delayed run-off election, due to be announced in three days, would determine the winner between ex-football superstar, Sen. George Weah and Vice President Joseph Boakai.

     

  • Voting commences in Liberia’s presidential run-off election

    Voting has begun in polling centres across Liberia as the West African country chooses its next president in a delayed presidential run-off election.

    The run-off is between former international football star, Sen. George Weah and incumbent Vice President, Mr Joseph Boakai.

    Weah won the first round of elections on Oct. 10 with 38 per cent of the total votes cast and was followed by Boakai who came second with 29 per cent.

    But, both men fell short of the 50 per cent plus one absolute majority vote required for a winner to emerge in the first round, hence the run-off.

    The winner will succeed outgoing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who is stepping down in January after completing her constitutional 12-year tenure of two terms of six years each.

    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent in Monrovia, the capital, reports that polls opened at exactly 8:00 GMT at centres visited.

    However, voter turnout was low at the centres compared to the Oct. 10 elections.

    NAN observed the presence of security personnel and at least three queue controllers at each of the centres.

    Oppong Wennah, a polling official, told NAN that the process had been smooth and fast, but said the turnout was low.

    A voter, Dillion Boakai, said he spent less than 20 minutes on queue to cast his vote unlike Oct. 10 when he managed to vote after six hours.

    Others who spoke said they had no problem with the run-off holding on Boxing Day, adding that it was the necessary price for a peaceful transition of power.

    This is first transition election since 1973 in a country that is recovering from over a decade of devastating civil war.

  • Liberia Run-off: Jonathan meets candidates, canvasses free, fair, credible elections

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has sued for peace and transparency in Tuesday’s presidential run-off election in Liberia.

    Jonathan, who is co-leading the United States’ National Democratic Institute (NDI) International Elections Observation Mission to the country, made the appeal in Monrovia.

    The former president spoke during separate meetings with the two contestants in the race – former FIFA World Football Player of the year, George Weah, and incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai.

    His media adviser, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, made public the meetings in a statement on Tuesday morning.

    While calling for a free and fair process in the Boxing Day poll, he advised the two presidential candidates to accept the result of the election in the interest of peace and stability in Liberia.

    Weah of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and Boakai of the ruling Unity Party (UP) are battling to succeed outgoing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, whose constitutional two terms in office end in January.

    Jonathan met with both men alongside former President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana, Hanna Tetteh, and other NDI leaders, according to Eze.

    He noted that the future of Liberia depended on the outcome of the run-off, urging Weah and Boakai to advise their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the election.

    “In any election, there are winners and losers. Only one presidential candidate will be declared winner.

    “The other should accept the election results to avoid a political crisis, especially if there are no good grounds to challenge the outcome,” he was quoted as saying.

    Jonathan equally called on the National Electoral Commission, security agencies and other stakeholders to be conscientious in playing their role to ensure a “peaceful, inclusive and transparent electoral process.’’

    “The economy of Liberia will benefit immensely from a positive and peaceful outcome as a free and fair process would go a long way in reassuring investors that the country is now safe for lasting investment.

    “If the election fails it means Liberia has failed, it also means that Liberia has failed West Africa and failed the entire Africa,’’ he said.

    The former president noted that Nigeria and other West African nations played vital roles in stabilising the nation, urging Liberians not to do anything that could jeopardise the post-war peace in the land.

    “ Although both candidates pointed out some lapses in the preparations, especially with the issue of the voter register, they, however, agreed to accept the outcome of the results.

    Speaking at the meeting, Weah reportedly said he was prepared to accept the outcome of the election.

    “If the Liberian people decide that the other side will have another twelve years in the Presidency, we will call and congratulate them.

    “But as I said, if the election is free and fair, we are going to win. This is because we have worked so hard and our people want the change which we are offering,” he said.

    Jonathan and other NDI team members also met with the chairman of NEC, Mr Jerome Korkoya, where he emphasised the need for a transparent, free and fair election.

     

  • Jonathan leads NDI Observation Mission to Liberia’s Presidential Re-run

    Jonathan leads NDI Observation Mission to Liberia’s Presidential Re-run

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan is due in Monrovia on Sunday as leader of the delegation of the United States National Democratic Institute (NDI) International Elections Observation Mission to Liberia’s presidential run-off polls, scheduled for December 26, (Boxing Day).

    The run-off election is being contested by the ruling Unity Party candidate and current Vice President, Joseph Nyumah Boakai, and the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) candidate, George Weah.

    The NDI delegation of 35 political and civic leaders, elections experts and regional specialists from 18 countries across Africa, Europe and North America comprises Atifete Jahjaga, former President of Kosovo; Hanna Tetteh, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana; and NDI regional director Dr, Christopher Fomunyoh.

    Jonathan’s Media Adviser, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, said Jonathan will be leading the delegation, alongside former President Jahjaga.

    Eze quoted Jonathan as saying he is “honoured to co-lead NDI’s international delegation to support transparent and peaceful elections in Liberia, especially given the close relationship Nigeria has always had with this country.”

    Former President Jonathan, who is also the Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation was initially invited as co-lead of the NDI team for the last October 10 presidential elections in Liberia but could not honour the invitation because of his earlier commitment to attend the 15th Rhodes Forum in Greece where he presented a paper on ‘Multi-Polarity and Dialogue in Regional and Global Development.’

    According to NDI, the election “represents a historic moment for Liberia, as the country will have the first opportunity for a peaceful transfer of power from one democratically-elected president to another. These polls would also mark the end of tenure for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female democratically-elected president in Africa.”

    NDI delegates have been meeting with the National Elections Commission, government officials, political leaders and civil society organizations, after which they will observe polling places on election day.

    NDI has organized more than 150 international election observer delegations in 62 countries and has established a reputation for impartiality and professionalism.