From Footballer to Politician: How George Weah Has Fared in 5 Years as President of Liberia

• George Weah, who had a remarkable football career, was sworn in as the president of Liberia in 2018
• Desperate citizens wanted change after the 'traumatic' dispensation under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
• Now, it appears a number of Liberians are tired of the 1995 Ballon d'Or winner being in charge

Liberians yearned for a new government and wanted a radical change from what Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Unity Party had offered for 12 years.

After succeeding at the polls, The Congress for Democratic Change’s presidential candidate, George Weah and his running mate, Jewel Taylor were sworn in in January 2018.

Taylor was the former wife of the convicted warlord and former president, Charles Taylor.

It ushered in a new dispensation of hope, as Weah rode in on the promises of fighting corruption, reforming the economy, combating illiteracy, and improving living conditions.

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Weah's footprints in world football

The Ivorian remains the only African player to win the coveted Ballon d’Or and the FIFA Player of the Year award, claiming both of the prestigious prizes in 1995.

Weah is the first and only man to win the Africa Footballer Player of the Year and European Player of the Year Awards, achieving such a feat in a single year.

He won league titles in Liberia, France, and Italy. He led AC Milan to two Serie A titles and is a member of the club’s Hall of Fame.

Weah was lethal in front of goal, becoming the UEFA Champions League top scorer in the 1994-1995 season ahead of Romario and Hristo Stoichkov.

He left Milan in 2000 and moved to England. After two relatively unsuccessful stints with Chelsea and Manchester City, he played for Marseille and Al Jazira before finishing his career in 2003.

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Weah's career stats

Club football: 411 matches, 193 goals

National team: 61 matches, 22 goals

Weah switches to politics

The African idol had always shown interest in politics, likely through his father, who was a member of the Movement For Justice in Africa (MOJA).

Weah had an unsuccessful run at the Liberian presidency in 2005 against Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and again for vice-president on Winston Tubman’s ticket.

He told Daily Trust at the time:

“For my entire life so far, and my career, I’ve been following Liberian politics and I’ve been involved, even on the international scene. I’ve been actively advocating against the war that ravaged my country."

Weah commented on how he spoke out so sanity would return to the country.

"If you recall, I gave an interview to Forbes magazine then, in which I said for peace to return, the United Nations needed to come into the country. They came in, and I was involved in the disarmament process as well.”

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Weah was elected member of the Liberian Senate in 2014 and four years later, he was voted the president of the West African nation.

Five years of Weah’s Presidency

The Liberian constitution allows Weah to rule for six years and he is limited to two terms.

There are conflicting reports of life under his administration so far. A political leader of the Alternative National Congress, Alexander Benedict Cummings, said Liberia had become 'too dark and too dangerous'.

Aside from a lack of electricity - even at the airport - Liberia is said to be witnessing insecurity, runaway corruption, and unbearable and worsening economic hardships.

Corruption seems to have also grown, as newly printed bank notes amounting to $100 million were reported missing in May 2018.

The World Bank reports that only five per cent of roads in Liberia are paved, with others deemed impassable.

Weah and his Liberia promises

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After assuming office in 2018, one of the first aims of Weah was to help lift one million Liberians out of poverty. Through his links in Europe, the president secured a €27 million economic cooperation agreement with the EU.

He said the government is 'leaving no stone unturned' in actualising national development encapsulated in the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), aimed at giving power to the people through better education and healthcare and creating stronger possibilities for young people, especially girls and women.

Weah wants re-election

His first tenure will end in 2024 and the ex-international has indicated an interest in running for a second term.

In January, Weah said in his annual State of the Nation address, via Yahoo:

"My fellow citizens, I will be coming to you shortly to ask you to renew... for a second time the mandate that you gave me six years ago."

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Osimhen hails George Weah

Sports Brief also reported on Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen nearing Weah's record in the Serie A as he races to become Africa’s top scorer in the Italian league.

The 24-year-old striker, who moved to Napoli in the summer of 2020, has now scored 45 league goals for the Partenopei, just one shy of the Liberian legend's record.

Osimhen is set to overtake the record but stated the former Ballon d’Or winner and the current president remains one of the greatest players from the continent.