Ex-soccer star, George Weah, sworn in as President of Liberia

AP | Ex-soccer star George Weah was sworn into office Monday as Liberia’s new president, taking over leadership of this post-war, West African nation from Africa’s first female president.

The 51-year-old, who was FIFA’s 1995 player of the year, won the runoff vote on December 26 against the outgoing vice president.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf served for 2 terms, lifting Liberia from the destruction of back-to-back civil wars that ended before her tenure.

Weah, stood at the podium amid tens of thousands of cheering Liberians, taking the oath of office around midday on Monday.

Weah, who has run for the presidency before but is relatively new to national politics, inherits a weak economy along with poor health and educational sectors.

Liberians held prayer services for 48 hours leading up to Monday’s inauguration of Weah, who served 3 years in the senate more than a decade after retiring from a glittering international soccer career in which he played in France, Italy, the U.K and elsewhere.

Many of Weah’s critics are still skeptical about his ability to deliver in a country that is faced with youth unemployment and other challenges.
His running mate, Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, has political experience that surpasses his. She was married to the nation’s former leader Charles Taylor during his time in power. After they divorced, she was elected senator in 2005, building a political career in her own right.

In the lead-up to the inauguration, Weah played in a pre-inaugural exhibition soccer match Saturday, featuring his Weah All Stars team, which was comprised of his former national teammates. Weah scored the first of 2 goals against Liberian army’s soccer team.

“Her Excellency Madam Ellen (Johnson Sirleaf) will be bringing down the flag, while I raise the flag; it is a new day for Liberia,” Weah said of Monday’s activities. “It is a smooth transition, no-one (is) running around the streets,” he said.

Weah said he was happy about the calm that has characterized the transition process so far.
“This tells you that we came from a war to peace,” he said.

Thousands of people thronged the field early Monday to get a chance to see the new president sworn in.

Weah’s new administration should launch a “self-sufficiency in food program” to boost agriculture and tackle the problem of unemployment, said James Mulbah, an agricultural extension expert.
“Any country that does not feed itself, you are at the mercy of those that will feed you, that has been the problem in this country and it has continued to exist,” he said.

Liberians should not see Weah as “a magician” who can solve all Liberia’s problems alone, said Florence G. Dukuly , a public administrator. “We have to help him make it.” She added.

The Weah administration was urged to ensure “continuation of the programs that have been put in place by the outgoing administration so that we remain on the path of development,” said Julia Duncan-Cassell, former Gender, Children and Social Protection minister.

The stadium’s playing pitch was been transformed into a huge, raised platform from where guests were entertained by live performances. The nation’s red, white and blue colors adorned the VIP block of the field, and giant-sized portraits of Weah and Taylor are planted along the perimeters.

Young supporters of Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change party carried out a national clean-up ahead of the ceremony.
“We are all overwhelmed with joy,” said Janjay Jacobs, a former midfielder and now coach who played soccer with Weah on Saturday. He said Weah can bring growth and development to Liberia.

“He has been a very inspirational person, very much motivating, never gives up in any situation,” Jacobs said. “If all odds are against him, he still stands up for what he believes in.”