Why Liberia’s President Weah must go (democratically)
African ArgumentsOct 02, 2023
Liberia Presidential Election Likely Heading to Run-Off
The Facts
Following data released by Liberia's National Elections Commission, the West African nation country is set to enter a runoff presidential between President George Weah and former Vice President Joseph Boakai.
As of Oct. 16, Boakai sat ahead of Weah in the polls by 0.05% — leading with 43.70% (748,463) to 43.65% (747,578) with 92.82% of votes having been counted after Liberians went to the polls on Oct. 10. This comes after Boaki had trailed Weah for the past three days, down as much as 13,758 votes on Oct. 14.
The Spin
Narrative A
Following empty promises and an unsuccessful first term as president, it's time for Weah to go. A poor economy and unchecked corruption remain Liberia's primary concerns six years later, and Weah has only shown that he's not adept at finding solutions to these problems. As the threat of military coups continues to loom over many West African states, Liberia must use its democratic autonomy to vote for positive change instead of the status quo.
Narrative B
With a peaceful election process following a successful campaign, Weah has reaffirmed his continued commitment to driving Liberia forward. Meanwhile, Boakai's public displays hint at a candidate not ready to take the reigns of governance yet. Weah continues to be backed by first-time voters and the youth, which may prove pivotal for the incumbent president.