Liberia's President George Weah gracefully accepts defeat in closely contested run-off election
Liberia's President George Weah gracefully acknowledges defeat in closely contested run-off election, displaying strong sportsmanship and commitment to democratic values
Following a competitive run-off election, Liberian President George Weah has gracefully accepted his defeat to opposition candidate Joseph Boakai. The former soccer icon reached out to Boakai immediately after the provisional results were announced by the country's National Elections Commission (NEC) on Friday.
With the majority of ballots tallied, the country's electoral commission declared Boakai, a 78-year-old ex-vice president of Liberia, as the winner with 51% of the vote.
Weah, in a national address, stated: "Although the results announced tonight are not yet official, they suggest that Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai holds an insurmountable lead. Consequently, I recently conversed with President-elect Joseph N. Boakai to extend my congratulations for his triumph."
"Tonight, as we celebrate the outcome, let us also acknowledge that the real victors of this election are the citizens of Liberia," he proclaimed.
President Weah, elected in 2018, will conclude his term in January.
A run-off election was initiated after Weah, aged 57, won the earlier October poll with a narrow margin of only 7,000 votes over his political opponent, Boakai. However, he failed to meet the necessary 50% threshold to secure an immediate victory. Weah aimed to secure a second six-year term in office after a turbulent first tenure marred by corruption scandals and accusations of mismanagement.
He has received recognition for his prompt concession, guaranteeing a smooth transition of power - a notable achievement within Liberia's vulnerable democracy, which has endured civil war and the assassinations of previous leaders.
Additionally, there has been a series of coup attempts in West and Central Africa in the past few years.
Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, was one of the first to congratulate the newly elected President while praising Weah's exceptional leadership, unwavering patriotism, and statesmanship. According to a statement from the Nigerian presidency, Weah has shattered the belief that peaceful transitions of power are impossible in West Africa.
