– Weah uncertain about his participation in the next presidential election
By Jerromie S. Walters
A little over a month after being venerated globally for his decision to concede defeat in a crucial presidential runoff election,
Liberia’s outgoing President George Weah has again shocked the world, as he appears not certain about his participation in Liberia’s next presidential election.
He believes by 2029, he will be close to his retirement age and it is not his desire to grow old in politics. This decision has left many Liberians and political analysts speculating on the reasons behind his unexpected statement, especially when he earlier encouraged his supporters to join him in preparing for the next presidential election.
“I can not perform certain duties when I’m old, and what you are talking about, I’m 57 now, our retirement age is 65, I’m 57 now, six years from now, I will be 63 and I can not work for two years, so the best thing to do is to promote peace.”
President Weah made the disclosure Sunday, January 14, 2024, at his Folky Klon Jlaleh family fellowship Church in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
Going forward, he believes he should remain more engaged in promoting peace than struggling for state power even at his retirement stage. Weah: “I can guarantee you that it’s one time, one time because I have broken undisputed records.” The outgoing Liberian Leader used the occasion to Inform the congregations about his possible withdrawal from the political landscape of Liberia.
As he says, Weah’s statement could be seen as a sign of his desire to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders and allow for fresh perspectives and ideas to shape the future of Liberia.
Weah, a former international football star, was elected as Liberia’s president in 2017, bringing hope and optimism to a country that had been ravaged by years of civil war and economic instability. His victory was seen as a symbol of change and a fresh start for Liberia.
During his presidency, Weah implemented several policies aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Liberians. He focused on infrastructure development, education, and healthcare, and made efforts to attract foreign investment to boost the country’s economy. However, his tenure has not been without challenges and criticism.
One of the major criticisms of Weah’s presidency has been the slow progress in addressing the country’s deep-rooted corruption and improving governance. Despite promises to tackle corruption head-on, many Liberians feel that not enough has been done to hold officials accountable and ensure transparency in government operations. This has led to disillusionment among some of Weah’s supporters who had hoped for more significant changes.
Another factor that may have influenced Weah’s decision to withdraw from politics is the country’s struggling economy. Liberia has been hit hard by the global economic downturn, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country’s high unemployment rate and rising inflation have put immense pressure on Weah’s administration to deliver on its promises of economic prosperity.
Weah’s uncertainty about not participating in the next election raises questions about the future of the ruling party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). As the party’s leader, Weah’s departure may create a leadership vacuum and potentially lead to internal power struggles within the party. It remains to be seen who will emerge as the next presidential candidate for the CDC comes 2029 and whether they will be able to maintain the party’s popularity and support.
