Liberia’s presidential election on Tuesday sees 19 candidates vying to replace President George Weah, who is seeking a second term
If it goes to a second round of voting, three stand out as possible rivals to Weah, a former international football star who in 2017 won more than 61 percent in the second round. His election victory then sparked high hopes of change in one of the countries on the planet still reeling from civil war and disease. Weah had spent the previous decade building political credibility, including three years in the Senate, to match his sporting icon status. Today, the 57-year-old is campaigning hard to convince Liberians he can still improve their lives.
Between 1989 and 2003, the conflicts in the West African nation left more than 250,000 people dead.
The main political parties have pledged a peaceful vote, but the recent killing of three people in clashes between supporters of the two main political parties has fuelled fears of a return to violence.
The European Union, the African Union, the West African bloc ECOWAS and the United States have deployed observers, in a region hit by a string of recent coups.
Vice president to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from 2006 to 2018 and losing candidate in the final round of voting in 2017,Joseph Boakai,78 is among the frontrunners for the presidency.forging and alliance with former warlord and senator Prince Johnson,He has said that any vote cheating or manipulation will lead to “the end of this country”. Boakia pledged to restore the country’s image, develop infrastructure and improve life for the poorest in Liberia.
But corruption is not a key concern for George Mobo, in Monrovia’s West Point slum. “Look at African countries and tell me which country is not corrupt,” the 30-year-old said. Education, peace and creating jobs are his top priorities.
Along with Boakai, Weah’s main rivals are former Coca-Cola executive and philanthropist Alexander Cummings and human rights lawyer Tiawan Gongloe. The results they secure could be decisive in the run-off.
