Liberians Vote: George Weah and Joseph Boakai Compete in Elections

Liberians are preparing to vote in a highly contested presidential election, with former football star George Weah looking to secure a second term. Weah's main opponent is former Deputy President Joseph Boakai, who has campaigned under the slogan "Rescue," arguing that Liberia suffered during Weah's initial six years in office. However, Weah is confident in his chances, asserting that he has maintained stability and improved education in the country. Notably, this election will witness the participation of a new generation of voters born in a post-civil war Liberia. The civil war, which claimed the lives of an estimated 250,000 people, concluded two decades ago. Many Liberians are advocating for the establishment of a war crimes court, insisting that holding key figures accountable is crucial for justice and ending a culture of impunity. Weah has resisted this pressure, prioritizing development over prosecuting past crimes. Boakai, along with two other prominent candidates, businessman Alexander Cummings and human rights lawyer Tiawan Gongloe, has pledged to establish a court. Approximately 2.4 million individuals have registered to vote, and polls are set to open at 08:00 GMT. There are a total of 19 candidates, including two women, running against Weah, who succeeded Africa's first elected female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, at the end of her two terms in 2018. In addition to the presidential race, voters will also elect parliamentary representatives in Tuesday's election. Despite clashes between rival factions in the final days of the campaign, Liberia's main political parties have committed to maintaining peace during the polls. Election-related violence in September resulted in three casualties. Weah, a former FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995, entered politics after retiring from football. He won his first term in 2017 with 61% of the vote in a run-off against Boakai, who was Sirleaf's deputy. Analysts speculate that this might be the 78-year-old Boakai's final bid for the presidency. Weah's opponents have nicknamed him "Sleepy Joe" due to allegations of him dozing off during public events. Boakai has portrayed himself as an everyday, honest man from a humble background and has strongly criticized Weah's administration. He has pledged to enhance infrastructure, invest in agriculture, and boost tourism. Boakai has also accused Weah of insufficient efforts to combat corruption. Notably, in 2018, over 30 former central bank officials were issued arrest warrants by a Liberian court following the disappearance of $104m. Last year, Weah fired three senior officials, including his chief of staff, after they faced corruption sanctions imposed by the US government. They denied any wrongdoing. Weah refutes claims that he has failed to fulfill his 2017 campaign promises, highlighting significant progress made during his first term, such as introducing free university tuition. He has pledged to continue economic reforms, including job creation, if re-elected. According to the World Bank, Liberia's economy grew by almost 5% last year. However, the UN development agency reports that 52% of the population lives in poverty, with an additional 23% vulnerable to poverty. Notably, over 60% of Liberians are under the age of 25.