Brief Reminiscence
The scheduled date for the Liberia Election Day is October 10, 2023. The distance can be expressed as a proximity of 96 hours, 5760 in minutes, 345600 seconds, or 4 days.
On October 11, a day following the current year’s elections, marks the precise duration of 6 years since the preceding Liberian election took place on October 11, 2017, thereby instating George Weah, a prominent soccer player, as the President of Liberia.
Joseph Boakai, the former Vice President who held office from 2006 to 2018 under President Sirleaf’s tenure, had a close defeat to Weah in the 2017 election. Boakai emerges as the primary contender to Weah amidst a field of about 20 other candidates vying for the presidency. Weah participated in the electoral competition against Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2005, ultimately experiencing defeat as Sirleaf emerged victorious and assumed the historic role of becoming Africa’s first female president.
Footballer Weah, the Taylors and PYJ
“I don’t want somebody to come and kill me because of my popularity,” 36 years old George Weah feared Charles Taylor regime.
What Liberians know about Weah before his presidency: footballer with the best titles, a 3 times African player of the year, World Best, European Best, FIFA World Player of the Year 1995, Ballon d’Or winner.
He got 18 years of Professional Soccer player credentials, resigned 2002 from football just around the time Lone Star nearly qualified for the World Cup and Lone Star team had performed also poorly at the African Cup of Nations.
Weah returned to Liberia finally to permanently reside in 2003 immediately after President Taylor left office. Was there any beef between he and President Taylor? It probably looks like.
Liberian soccer Legend Mr. George Weah accused the then, President Taylor and his government in 2002 for targeting him and he feared for his life in his motherland. Weah vowed returning to Liberia on the precondition if there was change of [Charles Taylor] government.
Weah, who was 35 years old by then said: “I don’t want somebody to come and kill me because of my popularity.” Weah expressed fear of death doing the regime of Charles Taylor.
Weah further lamented, “They’ve repossessed my shops. It is not safe; I don’t want something to happen to me before my children grow up…if something happens (to me), some people will cry for a week. But after that, it is my children who will suffer.”
One could have expected that the apprehension articulated by the renowned football figure Weah regarding one of the numerous atrocities committed by Taylor’s oppressive government would have effectively severed his ties with Taylor’s dominant authority, supporters, loyalists, and other perpetrators of human rights abuses.
Weah and CDC would make the “Mother of Taylor Gruesome Revolution”, Taylor wife, Jewel Howard Taylor as his running mate in the 2017 election bragged positively about Prince Yormie Johnson, the ex-warlord turned senator who has been labeled a kingmaker for backing the victor, President Sirleaf in the 2005 and 2011 Presidential elections.
Weah reportedly had a telephonic conversion with former President Taylor, while in prison in the Hague, which was reportedly facilitated by Jewel Taylor. During the 2017 elections campaign, Vice-Presidential candidate Jewel Taylor openly declared and vowed to “put Taylor Agenda back on the table,” if Congress of Democratic (CDC) win, and she allegedly helped facilitated Taylor telephonic conversation lives on speaker, while Taylor austerely warned, mobilized, and encouraged NPPians to follow the direction of his wife Jewel and vote his agenda.
PY Johnson has decided to part ways with Weah’s faction in the forthcoming elections. He pledged his support to Weah during the 2017 Election. He provided his support to Ellen throughout the elections held in 2005 and 2011. Senator Johnson attributed his non-endorsement of Weah prior to the October 10 elections to the administration’s pervasive corruption, extra judicial killing, establishment of Naco’s state by the government, the enduring hardships and suffering experienced by civilians, and multiple of other concerns.
Following his departure from the CDC and subsequent endorsement of Joseph Boakai, he has become the subject of criticism and attack by the Weah administration. Senator Johnson has held the position of Senator since 2005. He has earned the moniker of “kingmaker” due to his notable capacity to secure electoral support that leads to victory in elections. In the preceding three presidential elections, namely 2005, 2011, and 2017, Johnson’s endorsement of a political party during the subsequent round of voting has significantly contributed to the acquisition of a substantial number of votes from Nimba, hence playing a pivotal role in securing the presidency for former President Ellen and President George Weah .
PYJ is good for Weah and Ellen, but not for JNB, for Boakai he is everything evil for Weah and CDC government. he is a saint. This is the inference of President Weah and the CDC.
Sober Honest Reason Weah was Voted for
Those who voted for Weah, aren’t being blame for voting for Weah in 2017. They followed their guts. They came out with the decision solely for a single reason, whether reasonable or poor judgment, it was their decision and choice.
What is the primary rationale behind their decision? They expressed personal admiration for football player Weah. They displayed a high level of enthusiasm and elation in response to his exceptional soccer performance, adept dribbling techniques, notable capabilities on the soccer field, widespread recognition inside Liberia and beyond because of sports.
He got all the best and renowned accolades in soccer. His splendid performances on the soccer pitches primarily wooed voters decisions making. Popular charismatic footballer and entertainer all combined traits that meanly propelled their decisions making to elect Weah.
Did he produce and sing music doing his soccer day? Oh yes, he did. Is he continuing singing in his presidency? Surely, he is. He is singing, dancing, and producing music very often to the extent that local musicians fear that they are now competing with the President and is getting difficult for their music to be bought.
Competing with the president who is head of government is not an easy challenge for the local musicians. Poor and hungry citizens barely have the strength and happiness he and his family, friends, partisans, and officials in government always play and dance to his loads of music.
While citizens struggling to survive, the singing and dancing footballer and singing president continues to do his craft with no thought of providing solutions to the hardships engulfing the citizens.
“That music I will eat and fill my stomach with? I haven’t taken pay for several months, can’t afford paying rent, feeding my malnourished children, and sending them to school. My family and I are suffering too much! I don’t listen to his music it means nothing to me,” Mamonzen Gibbons lamented to WAS.
For Weah it is just him. You like him or not it is just him. He reportedly told his supporters at an occasion, that it is only the opposition who complaining about him, not his CDC support base. He said his supporters knew he was football player and entertainer and they put him into power. Not sure if they had any inkling, he would be a pastor for his church he built after he won the presidency. According to a government source, it is required for cabinet members in his government to attend the church whenever Pastor President Weah delivers a sermon on a Sunday.
The footballer, George Weah, founded the Junior Professional Football Club, which unfortunately faced managerial challenges and subsequently ceased operations prior to his assumption of the presidency. Did he revive the team subsequently? Nope.
Despite possessing a plethora of accolades and a wealth of experience as a footballer, footballer Weah exhibited a lack of proficiency and managerial skill in overseeing a modest football club. However, it is perplexing that Weah was afterwards entrusted with the responsibility of managing a staggering population of around 4.797 million individuals, together with the vast resources of a whole nation.
George Solo a confidant of Weah, who later parted ways with him because he felt Weah betrayed the cause of helping to liberate Liberia and Liberian people from the dungeon of un-development and extreme hardship which they established the CDC, indicated Weah was very brook to the extent that he had only $30,000 in his account when he retired from professional soccer in 2002.
The initial enthusiasm surrounding Weah soccer skills has waned, and citizens are now facing the harsh realities of Weah being a President . Unemployment rates remain alarmingly high, with a significant portion of the youth population succumbing to drug abuse, particularly KUSH. The government’s “harmonization policy” has severely impacted the financial well-being of civil servants, leading to considerable hardships. Additionally, the exchange rate continues to rise dramatically, while the prices of gas and transportation have reached exorbitant levels. Unfulfilled promises, instances of extrajudicial killings, and numerous other issues further compound the challenges faced by the citizens.
Liberia is not a soccer pitch that Weah will dribble and scores more goals. Liberia is a country that needs delivery, not from joker footballer. The football enthusiasts’ voters got the message and undoubtedly learnt their lesson: Liberia is not a soccer pitch. Politics is different from soccer and soccer player Weah can’t deliver Liberia and Liberians.
Weah Home before and doing his Presidency
Considering the numerous accolades garnered by Weah during his illustrious 18-year football career, one might expect him to have utilized his personal money or contacts to construct soccer stadiums and football academies. These establishments would serve as platforms for nurturing and training aspiring young players who view him as an iconic figure and football luminary. By doing so, Weah could contribute to the development of future professional players, similar to the endeavors undertaken by other retired African football professionals.
The SKD stadium, constructed by the late President Doe in the 1980s, continues to serve as the primary football pitch utilized by the current administration led by a former professional football player who now holds the position of president. According to reports, the stadium is currently deemed unfit for hosting international matches due to unresolved maintenance concerns. Has former footballer and President Weah oversee the construction of any modern football stadiums capable of hosting international games?
Former President Doe played a significant role in endorsing and financially supporting Weah during his career as a professional soccer player. Weah himself acknowledged Doe’s assistance by stating in 2002:
“Doe was comfortable with my popularity. So, he helped me a lot to build up a team – but Taylor doesn’t want to accept the fact that I am popular. He’s jealous. He thinks I want to be president.”
Ask Doe wife, Nancy Doe how she is crying nearly everyday to get justice. Despite prevailing in the legal proceedings, the government led by George Weah has failed to comply with the ECOWAS’ court decision to grant her the requested relief.
The Lone Star team is currently facing difficulties due to insufficient support and the absence of an effective sports development program implemented by the government. As a result of the limited support from the Liberian Government, the Lone Star team has not been able to secure any championships during the tenure of President Weah, a renowned footballer with numerous accolades in Africa and globally.
George Weah’s decision to undertake a modern housing project upon assuming the presidency can be interpreted as a response to his dissatisfaction with the outdated and unattractive appearance of his previous residence on 9th street.
Within a mere three months of his presidency, Weah opted to demolish and reconstruct his entire 9th street house, allegedly utilizing funds provided by Liberian taxpayers. The renovated dwelling now bears attractive resemblance to the homes of retired professional African footballers, a transformation that reportedly came at the expense of the financial resources and well-being of impoverished Liberians.
It was rumored he never took former players who came to visit him form Africa or the rest of the word to his then old 9 street house whenever they came for visits. According to a popular rumor Weah took them to the hotels, because his home did not represent his status with all the money he earned player soccer.
Weah’s Past Anti-Corruption Advocacy
Weah advocated against corruption, most times in the past. In November 2009, George Weah attended the U.S. chapter of the CDC meeting held on the campus of the University of Maryland. Weah, in one of his anti-graft advocacies, unleashed barrage of criticism about corruption in President Sirleaf government and accused the president of constant recycling of corrupt public officials to different positions without prosecution.
“The president wants to deal with corruption, but she is not accepting to deal with those people that are corrupt. So, where somebody is corrupt, and the president takes the person from one position to another, the problem is going to exist,” Weah maintained.
Weah blast Sirleaf’s government for appointing former National Election Commission chairperson, Cllr. Frances Johnson-Morris, as head of the government Anti-Corruption Commission.
Weah: “Who is the boss of the Anti-Corruption Bureau? It is the same person that they charged for corruption. When we try to weed out corruption, we should be very honest in doing it. How can you put people that people know they’re corrupt into a bureau that will address those issues?”
Cllr. Francis Johnson Morris Allision five-year’s tenure at the National Elections Commission expired in September 2013. She and Weah somewhat beef goes far back 2005, when she presided as head of National Elections Commission (NEC). CDC and Weah claimed she robbed the party of elections victory, which ushered in Africa first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Unconfirmed though about the authenticity of Weah claim, that probably prompted him to accused Mrs. Allision of corruption, he would later say CDC played it low not seeking remedial action at the Supreme Court for “peace’s sake.” His critics contended, it was best to test the judicial independence and credibility of the judicial system.
Corruption “King Kong”
President Weah, who strongly criticized former President Sirleaf for her perceived lack of determination in combating corruption, has been labeled by the suffering Liberian population as the embodiment of corruption, often referred to as corruption “King Kong.”
He has not done anything meaningful on anti-graft. Despite expectation from angry Liberians that President Weah would take concrete action of dismissing and prosecuting corrupt officials, he keeps them in power for his entire 6 years term.
The government led by President Weah was unable to account for a sum of 15.5 billion Liberian dollars, equivalent to $104 million and £82 million, upon the arrival of newly printed currency at the Freeport of Liberia.
The lingering impact of the purported mismanagement and embezzlement of a $25 million cash infusion into the Liberian economy in 2019 continues to be felt by the citizens of Liberia.
According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of 2022, Liberia has been classified as one of the countries with a low level of effectiveness in combating corruption. Among the 180 countries assessed, Liberia was positioned at 142nd place.
The involvement of Liberian government officials Nathaniel McGill, Sayma Syrenius Cephus, and Bill Twehway in continuous public corruption led to their designation by the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on August 15, 2022.
On August 15,2022, the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Liberian government officials Nathaniel McGill, Sayma Syrenius Cephus, and Bill Twehway for their involvement in ongoing public corruption. Insect the sanction link.
Through their corruption these officials have undermined democracy in Liberia for their own personal benefit,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “Treasury’s designations today demonstrate that the United States remains committed to holding corrupt actors accountable and to the continued support of the Liberian people. “Nelson maintained.
The Liberian government, under pressure from civil society organizations, relieved all individuals of their positions. However, it is worth noting that no subsequent investigation or prosecution took place. These individuals, despite their removal, still maintain a strong level of trust and connection with President Weah. Additionally, it is important to mention that McGill is currently vying for a Senatorial seat in the upcoming October 10 election.
Weah is reportedly funding McGill’s campaign. Some of CDC officials are against McGill contesting amid US sanction, but the president oversees the team, credible source told West African Standards.
Senator Prince Y Johnson was also sanctioned by the US in 2021 for “Pay-for-Play” funding government ministries and organizations for personal enrichment
Extra Judicial Killing in Weah Government
The current administration under President Weah has witnessed a significant number of homicides across the country. Additionally, the extensive 18-year professional football career of former footballer Weah is now being intertwined with reportedly with this context.
Emmanuel Barten Nyeswua, the Director General of the Liberia Internal Audit Agency, along with Albert Peters, Gifty Lama, and George F. Fanbutu, who were associated with the Liberia Revenue Authority, experienced untimely deaths within a span of eight days. These individuals were reportedly engaged in the auditing of government accounts in Liberia, specifically investigating allegations of financial misappropriation. Nyeswua’s demise was attributed to a fall, while the remaining individuals were involved in fatal car accidents. The unfortunate sequence of events unfolded between October 3rd and October 10th, 2020.
The 2022 Human Rights Report on Liberia, published by the United States Government, has made allegations against the Liberian government regarding instances of extra-judicial killing. The report highlights various significant human rights concerns, including but not limited to credible accounts of unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings, as well as instances of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment perpetrated by the government.
Kush and Liberian Youth
Based on the findings of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Liberia exhibits a notable prevalence of drug consumption within the West African region, with cannabis and heroin emerging as the substances most utilized.
The survey additionally indicates a higher incidence of drug usage among those aged 15 to 35, particularly among males who have a greater propensity for drug use compared to their female counterparts.
According to the report, the repercussions of abuse are substantial and wide-ranging. These consequences encompass criminal behavior, the erosion of societal norms, and the deterioration of individuals’ and communities’ quality of life. Such outcomes can exert a notable influence on a nation’s workforce productivity.
In his World Day Message delivered approximately two months ago, Boakai expressed his commitment to combat drug trafficking and utilize appropriate measures if elected. He emphasized the significance of the decision that individuals would make on October 10, stating that it would have far-reaching consequences in their lifetime. Boakai further urged the public to remain watchful and assured them that assistance is forthcoming to rescue the younger generation and society as a whole from the detrimental effects of substance abuse, particularly the use of “kush” and the associated epidemic.
Boakai additionally asserts that the Weah administration’s lackadaisical approach towards the drug problem exemplifies their disregard for one of the most pressing challenges faced by Liberians today, as they have not formulated any strategies to tackle it. They fail to perceive it with the same urgency as most Liberians do, who view it as a matter of national emergency. Consequently, a shift in national leadership is imperative and should be pursued promptly. We must regard our votes to rectify this perilous trajectory, safeguarding the well-being of our children and ensuring their future.
Boakai further asserted that the recent confiscation of drugs valued at 100 million United States Dollars, followed by a protracted trial and the unexplained departure of all individuals who were tried and subsequently acquitted, serves as evidence of Liberia’s increasing susceptibility to the narcotics trade. This situation highlights the country’s vulnerability to the detrimental effects of large-scale criminal activities perpetrated by international organizations.
In a collaborative effort with the United Nations and many partners, President George Weah initiated a program last year with a budget of US$13 million. The primary objective of this initiative is to offer rehabilitation services, skills training, social integration, and career prospects to individuals struggling with substance abuse throughout the nation.
Since the inception of the program in the previous year, the execution has shown to be ineffective, as the number of drug users has continued to rise and drug cartels have managed to evade significant consequences.
Unfulfilled Promises
A NAYMOTE assessment report early this year indicates that Weah, in his development manifesto after winning the 2017 election had promised to provide greater income security to one million Liberians and reduce absolute poverty by 23 percent across 5 out of 6 regions, but much has not been done to reel the country from high unemployment and extreme poverty.
“Out of a total of 292 promises tracked during the assessment, only 24 promises (8%) have been fully implemented by the government over the last five years,” Naymote, one of the country’s most revered civil society organizations, said in a report, titled the President Meter project. “The findings of this assessment show that President Weah and his government have yet to implement nearly two-thirds of the promises they have made to the people of Liberia.”
“Numerous promises have been made, over the years, on poverty reduction, infrastructural development, social service delivery, rule of law, government accountability, and decentralization, among others,” the report added. “[But] 177 promises, which nearly two-thirds of all promises were identified as ‘not started because the government had not commenced work on their implementation.”
Currently, about 2.3 million Liberians are unable to meet their basic food and non-food needs — with poverty being higher in rural areas — home to 71.7 percent of the poor compared to 68 percent of the total population, the IMF report said.
Conclusion
The enthusiasm of voters towards soccer in relation to politics has diminished. Voters, having undergone a six-year period of examination, has come to the realization that Liberia cannot be likened to a football field, and that the dynamics of politics differ significantly from those of soccer. Most voters who elected Weah in 2017 have now encountered a disconcerting reality over the course of the past six years. This reality entails the observation that Weah’s actions and decisions primarily serve his own personal advancement, often at the expense of the impoverished citizens of Liberia, as well as the misallocation of public funds and resources.
Many individuals have come to the realization that Weah advent to the presidency was merely intended to redeem himself from previous financial mismanagement, accrued from his years as a professional soccer player.
Upon assuming power, his focus shifted towards personal gain rather than addressing the needs of the electorate. The improvement of healthcare, job creation, de-harmonization, quality of life, educational reform, transportation infrastructure, corruption reduction, and prevention of extrajudicial killings were not prioritized.
Weah, a former footballer, sought the presidency to acquire what he had not obtained during his 18-year career. Within three months of assuming office, he replaced his old residence on 9th Street with a new modern home and constructed 47 -luxurious estate. It is important to know that Weah only undertook these renovations and construction projects after assuming the presidency in 2018, despite having permanently resided in Liberia since 2003. Liberian voters have expressed their determination to vote wisely October 10, 2023.
