The suspense is at its peak and the wait is insufferable. And for good purpose: On November 14 final yr, Liberia’s two presidential candidates, George Weah and Joseph Boakai, have been nonetheless tied on the finish of the second spherical of the presidential election, which mobilized some 240 1000’s of voters participated within the voting. A return match between the previous glory days of African soccer and a veteran of Liberian politics, the match was already shut primarily based on first-round outcomes, however that did not show these predictions incorrect. In truth, the 78-year-old veteran Boakai has already left his mark on the face of the one African Ballon d’Or in a troublesome and decisive matchup, and he’s very near attaining this feat. A minimum of, that is the impression given by the primary (nonetheless partial) outcomes of the second spherical. These give opponents a really brief lead over the outgoing president. In truth, in response to Nationwide Electoral Fee information launched on November 15, out of a complete of 5,890 votes forged and 1,315 polling stations counted, Joseph Boakai obtained 50.71% of the votes, with George George Weah obtained 49.29% of the vote. Will Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the previous Vice President who virtually performed her final card, create a shock? It is too early to say that. However one other would say it would not look good for Mr. George. Particularly for the reason that soccer star would not appear to have the help of a number of the guys who misplaced within the first spherical. In truth, we recall that Edward Appleton, who was third on the finish of the primary spherical, and two different candidates out of the six candidates who have been first, referred to as for voting for Boakai within the second spherical .

Whether or not Boakai or Weah wins, this election is a mirrored image of the vitality of Liberia’s democracy

Nevertheless, with the halo of being the one African to win the Ballon d’Or for his books, and the truth that he was as soon as a baby of the slums of Monrovia, George Weah’s spectacular election victory over Boakai in 2017 gave him There was lots of hope. However the individuals’s kids have been clearly disenchanted. He has been notably criticized for failing to ship on marketing campaign guarantees and for being out of contact with the realities of fellow residents affected by the excessive price of residing. Corruption, unemployment, and many others. In a rustic lengthy stricken by civil conflict and the Ebola epidemic, President Weah failed to supply concrete solutions to those ills. However whether or not Boakai or Weah wins, this election is a mirrored image of the vitality of Liberia’s democracy. Particularly for the reason that outgoing president has simply been sidelined by his challenger. It’s definitely an virtually uncommon truth in Africa that, as they are saying, we don’t set up elections to lose them. Nonetheless, we should pay tribute to the republican perspective of each candidates, which has to this point contributed to the peaceable conduct of the elections. That is their contribution. Their heightened sense of duty will come into play once more after the presidential verdict to stop Liberia from slipping again into a brand new disaster following the civil conflict, which nonetheless bears scars to today.

Siaka Cisse