On Tuesday, the political stage in Liberia will take a new turn as the current Liberian President, George Weah, faces-off against seasoned politician, Joseph Boakai, in a closely contested presidential run-off election.
In the initial round of ballots in October, Weah, a former international footballer turned politician, edged past Boakai by a slender margin of 7,126 votes out of about two million Liberians that exercised their franchise. The competition between these political heavyweights echoed their engagement in the 2017 contest, wherein Weah emerged victorious, securing over 61% of the votes. However, in this current run-off, the scales have levelled out as both candidates sit at a near 43% support base.
At 57, President Weah still retains his robust popularity among the younger demographic. Conversely, Boakai, at 78, brings to the table years of political experience and acumen, having served as the vice-president under the superb administration of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from 2006 to 2018. Johnson Sirleaf made history as the first elected female African head of state, leaving behind her a legacy that Boakai has pledged to uphold and build upon.
Despite their differences, both Weah and Boakai share the common goal of hauling Liberia’s economy from the grips of poverty and placing it on the path towards middle-income status. Weah, who ascended to power in 2017, ran a campaign centred around a promise to fight poverty and fuel infrastructure development.
However, President Weah’s tenure has been clouded by allegations of him falling short on delivering on his key campaign promises, particularly on ensuring justice for victims of the country’s brutal civil wars. Nevertheless, he has striven to consolidate his power base by forming alliances with influential local leaders, most notably Senator Prince Johnson, a former warlord who wields significant influence in the northern province of Nimba.
On the other hand, Boakai, with his extensive tenure in state service and his links with the oil industry, is seen as a political veteran and a formidable challenger.
Yet, despite the democratic proceedings, anxieties run high across the nation as it has been twenty years since two horrifying civil wars, which claimed the lives of a quarter of a million Liberians, came to an end. The fear persists that the election’s outcome could trigger a resurgence of violence.
The results of this tightly contested run-off are expected to be published by the electoral commission within a period of 15 days. Whatever the outcome, the future of Liberia hangs in the balance, as it rests on the shoulders of the man who will occupy the top office for the next couple of years. As international observers keep a close watch, the democratic exercise in Liberia serves as an important testament to the nation’s resilience and continued journey towards peace and prosperity.
