FORMER FOOTBALL STAR GEORGE WEAH IS LIBERIA’S PRESIDENT-ELECT

George Opong Weah, Liberia's President-Elect.

Former football star, George Opong Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change, CDC, has been declared winner of the Liberia’s rerun elections. He defeated the incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai of Unity Party, UP, in an election that was keenly contested in the October 10th first round, to emerge winner.

Weah clinched 12 of the 15 counties across the country of 4.6 million people with 2.1 million registered voters. His opponent, 73-year-old Joseph Boakai, who has been the country's Vice President under incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirlief for the last 12 years, got only two counties to vote for him.

Following his victory, Weah took to his twitter handle (@GeorgeWeahOff) to thank Liberians for electing their choice through a popular mandate, saying he plans to liberate the country.

On Boxing Day, after casting his ballot in Monrovia, the country’s capital, he had spoken to kjournalists covering the election, exuding confidence at the polls. “It is with deep emotion that I want to thank you, the Liberian people, for honoring me with your vote today. It is a great hope.” 

The 51 year-old former AC Milan striker thus becomes the 25th president of the country.