October 10, and November 14, 2023, were separate days eligible voters in Liberia had to reelect Mr. Weah or elect current President Boakai as the nation’s 25th President. At the climax of the November 14, 2023, runoff election, Weah had to step aside after current President Joseph Nyuma Boakai won with 50.64 percent of the vote, while he (Weah) accumulated 49.36 percent of the votes.
Boakai won with only a 20,567-vote margin. Weah had already conceded defeat days before the final results based on the results of more than 99.98 percent of the polling stations. President Boakai was inaugurated on January 22, 2024, and it’s been over 100days since his ascendancy to the Presidency. Howbeit, the immediate past president, George Weah is already convinced that President Boakai has proven to be unable to do better than he (Weah) did and he thinks Liberians made a severe mistake. This is because he believes President Boakai was never the change they (Liberians) wanted.
As President Boakai has repeatedly emphasized his stance against business as usual, former president George Weahbelieves that the President has portrayed the opposite. He rallied Liberians to wake up (Peacefully) against what he sees as wrongs that are being done by the president. “You need to wake up, those things are wrong. You wanted change (But) Boakaiwas not the change. Boakai was never the change. They never came for a change. What are they changing? To break the laws is what they are changing? Liberians are there that know that we were the right group. I’m not saying that things were roses, (No) but we fought for this country. In the midst of pandemic, Liberia shined among great nations.”
Weah: “The disrespect to our citizens is wrong. Respect the law. I did not bring tenure jobs. We met it. The Unity Party left it with us and we respected it so what’s going on? Is it that Boakaiis angry because during (Former President) Ellen’s time there were tenure jobs and he wants to break it because he was not happy? Is that what he’s saying to us?”
Furthermore, he said, “We are citizens of our country and we want peace. He (President Boakai) needs to remember that this is the same country when he was vice president and they treated him like an honorable person. He said it is not business as usual but it’s going to be more than business as usual. We all know. He’s not doing business as usual, he’s doing more than business as usual. Madam Sirleaf left Liberia’s leadership I relate to her, I respected her (And) she respected me, (and) we moved on. If we have ideas to share I walk to her and we speak because of this country. Everything he’s doing is wrong. Disrespecting leaders when he was respected, that is wrong. Boakai was not going to do anything.”
He expressed his willingness to partake in the pending presidential election if he is called by Liberians. “Anytime that the Liberian people need me, I will respond to their call because it is very important. The former President emphasized the importance of the CDC as a beacon of hope for thousands of Liberians who believe in its grassroots agenda, urging continued commitment to striving for a better Liberia. He acknowledged the large turnout at the event, despite his absence from the country and adverse weather conditions, as a sign of unwavering support for the party and its vision for a better future.
The ex-president also noted his gratitude and solidarity towards members of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and supporters of opposition political parties on the occasion of CDC Militant Day on Friday, June 28, 2024. “The CDC has been a way of life and a beacon of hope for thousands of Liberians who believe in our grassroots agenda. We can not afford to let down their hopes and aspirations. We therefore thank you for staying the course and for committing to continue striving for a better Liberia. Your gathering in such large numbers, notwithstanding our absence from the country and the extremely terrible weather, demonstrates your love for the institution and yearning for an alternative agenda.”
Weah commended the Chairman, Secretary General, and the entire Executive Committee of the CDC for organizing the Militant Day program to honor dedicated supporters of the party. He also thanked the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chair of the legislative Caucus of the CDC, and all partisans and supporters who braved heavy rain to demonstrate their love and loyalty to the party.
The former President assured that he would soon return to Liberia reinvigorated and ready to continue the fight for progress. He also expressed gratitude to leaders of other political parties for their presence at the program, highlighting the importance of opposition solidarity in advancing the interests of the Liberian people. Weah concluded by thanking all Liberians who are working towards peace and prosperity in the country and extended his blessings to all.
Also during the CDC Militant Day, House Speaker and member of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), J. Fonati Koffa, embraced the need for unity during a period of counter-revolution. Addressing party members, Koffa stated, “No successful revolution ever bypasses a counter-revolution; the Mighty Congress for Democratic Change is in a period of counter-revolution.” He stressed the need for unity among partisans during this challenging time, highlighting it as the most crucial aspect of the party.
Speaker Koffa acknowledged the strength of the party, attributing it to the unity among members and the guiding ideologies that have brought them to this point. He commended party members for their dedication and emphasized the importance of maintaining unity to navigate through the period of counter-revolution successfully. “The strength of our party lies right now in our unity and in the ideologues that have brought us here and in the forces that have kept us here and so today on the day that you have made memorable, you have stolen the show and stolen fair and square. Congratulations!” he said.
After the November 14, 2023, runoff election, former president Weah won praise from abroad for conceding and promoting a non-violent transition in a region marred by coups. “Liberians have once again demonstrated that democracy is alive in the ECOWAS region and that change is possible through peaceful means,” the Economic Community of West African States said in a statement.
Since the ascendancy of President Boakai to the Presidency, some Liberians have frowned on certain decisions he has taken, including what they see as witch-hunting of individuals in tenure positions, denying the former president access to the VIP lounge, and a few others.
The Tenure noise
On April 26, 2024, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai suspended with immediate effect Madam Edwina C. Zackpah, Mr. Israel Akinsanya, Mr. Zotawon D. Titus, Mr. James Gbarwea, and Mr. Osborne K. Diggs, Chairperson and Commissioners respectively of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority for allegations of questionable financial transactions and other malpractices at the LTA.
An Executive Mansion release disclosed that the President requested a comprehensive audit of the LTA by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to investigate the allegations at the Authority. He also urged the suspended officials to cooperate fully with the GAC as they undertake the investigation.
This came less than two days after the Supreme Court ruled that the President’s appointments to the LTA were invalid. Howbeit, the Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) don’t seem prepared to dance to the President’s tone, as WomenVoices has gathered that they are contemplating going legal with the government for the second time.
One of the suspended Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Commissioners, Mr. James Gbarwea, told WomenVoicesNewspaper later, “We will let everything be with the court as we continue with our work. We will take it to the court.” Like those from the LTA, we have been hinted that other suspended officials are considering legal redress as another option for them.
The suspension of officials from the LTA and other government institutions flared public outcry, as political pundits considered it a witch hunt. This argument was backed by the fact that the officials previously won the government at the Supreme Court of Liberia. Critics sais President Boakai proceeded awkwardly even though these decisions have been hailed by his (President Boakai) supporters.
Also on April 26, 2024, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., suspended, Mr. Garrison Yealue, Chairperson, and Madam Elizabeth Dorkin, Commissioner of the Governance Commission with immediate effect for activities inconsistent with the Act creating the institution. An Executive Mansion release said he further established a committee to investigate the matter and present a report, indicating his commitment to transparency and accountability. “President Boakai has asked the suspended officials to cooperate fully with the investigating team as this is in line with his commitment to fairness, accountability, and justice.” The report has not been made available.
Meanwhile, nothing influenced more criticisms than President Boakai’s decision to appoint individuals to the posts that are occupied by the suspended officials. Following the various suspensions, the Liberian Leader appointed Mr. Ambullah L. Kamara, Mrs. Angela Cassell Bush, Mr. Clarence K. Massaquoi, Mr. Ben A. Fofana, and Mr. Patrick Honnah as Acting Chairperson and Acting Commissioners respectively pending the finality of the General Auditing Commission’s audit. These are all individuals whose previous appointments were trashed by the Supreme Court
Week to the Commissioners’ suspension, the Supreme Court of Liberia revoked all of President Joseph Boakai’s nominations at the Governance Commission (GC), the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), and the National Identification Registry (NIR).
According to the High Court ruling, President Boakai wrongly proceeded to nominate people at unexpired tenure positions. The ruling intimated that the President does not have the power to nominate an Executive Director to the National Identification Registry rather it is the responsibility of the Board of the NIR.
Following the Court ruling, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., welcomed the decision by the Supreme Court. He also reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and will, therefore, honor the rulings of the High Court. An Executive Mansion release noted that President Boakai believes that strict adherence to the rule of law is fundamental to strengthening institutions and building a vibrant democracy.
However, he took a new trend a day after, with the suspension of those he was defeated by at the Supreme Court. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s decision doesn’t appear strange in Liberia’s body politics, as it was portrayed by the last two immediate ex-presidents of Liberia, especially in the case of the LTA. This has made many Liberians believe that Mr. Boakai is doing business as usual.
The VIP lounge
In February of this year, Former president George Weah, together with his wife, Madam Clar Weah, and entourage were reportedly denied usage of the newly furbished VIP Lounge at the Roberts International Airport, following following their return to the country after a long visit in Europe. This incident, purportedly under the instruction of higher-ups in the JNB’s government, made Liberians believe that the new government was leading on the wrong trajectory.
The VIP Lounge at the Roberts International Airport was refurbished and dedicated by George Weah in December of 2023, just weeks before his term as president came to an end. The unveiling of the upgraded facility, which was named in honor of the former first lady, Clare Marie Weah, was meant to symbolize a step towards modernization and improved services for high-profile visitors and dignitaries.
However, it was reported that upon their arrival at the Airport on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Mr. Weah and his entourage were directed to use the old VIP lounge instead of the new one.
In a Facebook post following their arrival at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), former presidential aid SekouKalasco disclosed that the former president was denied from using the new VIP lounge. He wrote: “Troubling sign! A call from the above denied President Weah of using the VIP Lounge!”
In response to the allegation, Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana noted via her official Facebook page that the information was untrue. She wrote: “Former President George Weah was never denied access to the VIP Lounge at the Airport! In fact, he was welcomed with open arms.”
However, former President George Weah along with his entourage, was vividly seen at the old VIP Lounge at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), upon their arrival and even till they exited the airport. Hours later, Madam Fofanaemphasized: “We have a government to run. We will not be in the business of responding to baseless propaganda! Liberia has 1 President and JNB is the Man! We will not be distracted!” It can be referenced that former president Weah refurbished and dedicated the Roberts International Airport (RIA) VIP Lounge in December of 2023, weeks before he departed from the presidency. He named it in honor of his wife, Mrs. Clar Marie Weah.
