Liberia's High-Stakes Elections: Tensions Flare as Citizens Head to the Polls

Liberia is currently holding significant presidential and parliamentary elections on Tuesday. These elections mark the first since the departure of a United Nations mission in 2018, which played a crucial role in maintaining peace for over ten years in a nation deeply affected by two devastating civil wars.

In addition to enduring a 14-year civil war that tragically claimed the lives of 250,000 individuals before it concluded in 2003, Liberia has also faced the challenges of dealing with epidemics such as the Covid-19 pandemic and a deadly Ebola outbreak in 2014, resulting in the loss of over 4,000 lives.

Incumbent President George Weah, a renowned former football icon, is aiming for a second six-year term in office following a tumultuous initial tenure marred by corruption scandals and claims of mismanagement.

According to the World Bank, poverty prevails in Liberia, with an estimated half of the nation's population living on less than $2 per day.

George Weah, Liberia's president-elect and former football star, makes a gesture during a friendly football match between his team, Weah All Stars, and the Armed Forces of Liberia team on January 20, 2018, in Monrovia. This match took place just two days before his inauguration. / AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO(Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images)

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Over 60% of Liberia's population, which stands at 5.4 million, is under the age of 25. However, there is a significant problem of youth unemployment in the country, with some of these young individuals having been former child soldiers during the civil war. Currently, there are nineteen candidates vying to replace Weah, who is a member of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) party. Yet, Weah is set to have a challenging rematch against former Vice President Joseph Boakai from the main opposition Unity Party (UP).

Tensions escalated between the two parties' supporters prior to the elections, as reported by Liberia's police on Facebook. Consequently, the country's electoral commission confirmed that there were casualties and property damage. Seif Magango, a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office in Liberia, disclosed that two people were confirmed dead and 20 others sustained injuries during the violent confrontations.

In their previous encounter at the polls in 2017, Weah, the sole African recipient of the esteemed Ballon d'Or award in football, emerged victorious over Boakai in a runoff election, securing over 60% of the ballots. Neither Weah, aged 57, nor Boakai, who will turn 79 next month, succeeded in attaining a majority of votes in the initial round of voting.

Boakai conceded defeat after an unsuccessful legal challenge.

Correcting a mistake

Boakai informed CNN that his younger followers are currently yearning for change.

"Liberians are longing for a shift. The young people on the streets are confessing to me that they erred (by voting for Weah in 2017) and are determined to rectify their error... Wherever I go, they plead for forgiveness, admitting their mistake," he expressed.

"This time around, Weah is quite aware that his popularity has dwindled and that he has no chance in this election," Boakai added.

Joseph Boakai speaks during his campaign rally at the Soul Clinic Community, outside Monrovia, Liberia, on August 26, 2023.

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Approximately 2.4 million Liberians, primarily young individuals, are registered to participate in the upcoming election, widely considered to be a fierce competition between Weah and Boakai.

"Boakai is widely perceived as the future president, someone who will save Liberians from President Weah's alleged failures throughout his six-year term," explained Joel Cholo Brooks, the publisher of Global News Network Liberia.

Supporters of Weah firmly believe that he should be reelected in order to successfully finish the numerous projects that remain unfinished. Weah, prior to the elections, defended his administration's accomplishments by stating at a rally that his development achievements during the initial six years of his presidency are unparalleled in comparison to his predecessors, as stated in a presidential announcement.

He touted achievements in infrastructure and noted his governments introduction of tuition-free education at Liberias public universities.

On August 17, 2023, President George Weah delivers a speech to the loyal followers of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change during a rally held in Pipeline, Paynesville, near Monrovia, Liberia.

"I am superior to all of them," declared Weah, referring to his adversaries during a recent gathering. "As a dedicated developer, my efforts are geared towards the progress of our nation," he emphasized in his plea for votes.

Weah faced backlash in the previous year when he spent nearly two months abroad, specifically in Qatar, to support his American son playing for the United States in the FIFA World Cup.

Liberia's finance minister, Samuel Tweah, stated that the president was eligible to receive a daily allowance worth $2,000 for his trip. However, he did not reveal the entire expense incurred during Weah's 48-day tour, which has been referred to as the longest undertaken by a Liberian leader in recent times by local media.

Boakai, Weah's primary opponent, accused the government of corruption right from the beginning, claiming that their actions are solely driven by personal interests. He further informed CNN of his intentions to reduce government expenditures and address the mismanagement of limited public funds if elected.

Weah's campaign manager, Eugene Nagbe, informed CNN that President Weah has taken active measures to combat corruption within Liberia's institutions. He highlighted the establishment of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, along with granting it independent authority to prosecute individuals found guilty of corruption.

Corruption allegations

Analysts are not convinced Weah has done enough to dispel corruption hanging over his government.

According to Brooks, the president's efforts to combat corruption have been unsuccessful. He also noted that several of the president's officials who faced corruption allegations have not been brought to justice. As a matter of fact, last year, the US imposed sanctions on three individuals who are close associates of President Weah, with the accusation that they were involved in continuous corruption within Liberia's public sector.

McGill, Sayma Syrenius Cephus, the chief prosecutor of Liberia during that period, and Bill Twehway, who served as the head of the country's National Port Authority, were alleged by the US Treasury Department to have engaged in acts of bribery, misappropriation of government funds, and manipulation of government contracts for personal enrichment.

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The trio stepped down from their roles, yet no charges were pressed against them, despite the public's demand for their legal action.

"Even though the US government sanctioned two individuals for their involvement in significant corruption, the president has embraced them by permitting their candidacy in the Liberian parliament," expressed Brooks.

McGill and Twehway have been nominated by Weah's CDC party and are now candidates for the country's senate. CNN was informed by Weah's campaign manager that there are no laws in Liberia that prohibit them from running for office. The manager also mentioned that the government is currently waiting for evidence from the US to proceed with potential prosecutions.

Since Weah assumed office in 2018, Liberia's Corruption Perception Index score has drastically declined, experiencing a 22-point drop over a span of five years, which currently positions the country at 142nd place. Transparency International compiles this index to assess the extent of corruption within the public sector across 180 nations.

Acknowledging the noteworthy decline in our ranking on the TI index, it is important to highlight that the perception of corruption remains prevalent. However, it is crucial to recognize the determined efforts made by the president in combating corruption," stated Nagbe.

A unique election

Oscar Bloh, head of ECC, Liberias largest election observation group, told CNN this election is different from previous polls in the country.

"This election holds great significance in comparison to previous elections due to two major shifts. Firstly, it marks the inaugural implementation of a biometric voter registration system, replacing the traditional manual approach. Secondly, it marks a departure from relying on external security provided by the UN mission that was previously stationed in Liberia, putting the responsibility of security solely on Liberias security agencies," he further highlighted.

UNMIL, the United Nations peacekeeping force, successfully concluded its mission of fostering peace and stability in Liberia and withdrew from the country in 2018.

In addition, Bloh expressed concern regarding the delayed commencement of poll officials' training, which only commenced a few days before the elections.

According to Henry Flomo, a representative from the electoral commission, everything is on track, as mandated by law. Flomo also mentioned that the Supreme Court has specified that the posting of the voter roll should occur at least two days before the polling day. However, he did not provide any explanation for the delay in the training of election officials.

The polls are set to commence at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, following the local time, and will conclude at 6:00 p.m. As per legal obligations, the election authority must announce the victor within two weeks of the voting conclusion.

For a candidate to be elected as president, they must secure over 50% of the overall votes. In the event that no candidate achieves an absolute majority in the initial round of voting, a runoff election will be conducted after a two-week interval.

Bloh says a runoff is likely this time around.

"Its unlikely that any of the candidates will win outright during the first round," he told CNN.