Former football star George Manneh Weah has won Liberia’s presidential runoff election by over 60% of the vote to succeed Africa’s first democratically elected female president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Senator Weah won by 61.5% beating Vice President Joseph Boakai who garnered 38.5% votes out of the 98.1% votes counted, National Elections Commission Chairman Jerome Korkoyah announced on Thursday evening in the capital Monrovia.
In a very emotional post on his Twitter page on Thursday, December 28th, President Weah thanked his fellow Liberians for granting him the mantle of leadership.
My fellow Liberians, I deeply feel the emotion of all the nation. I measure the importance and the responsibility of the immense task which I embrace today. Change is on.
— George Weah (@GeorgeWeahOff) December 28, 2017
Several African leaders took to their Twitter pages to congratulate the newly elected Liberian President.
Warm congratulations to George Oppong Weah on his decisive victory in Liberia’s peaceful presidential run-off, thus becoming the next President of the Republic of Liberia. Vice President Boakai is also to be commended for the maturity of his campaign.
— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) December 29, 2017
My very warmest congratulations to President-elect @GeorgeWeahOff. His excellence and persistence have now won him the leadership of his people. Kenya sends its very best wishes to him and his administration. We look forward to closer ties in the years ahead. Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/YZgaET8Kgh
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) December 28, 2017
Congratulations to @GeorgeWeahOff, most likely President elect of Liberia. His talents have made him an exceptional footballer and will certainly make him a Great Statesman. He’s an inspiration for Burundi and for Africa. https://t.co/RbHXHUjF9R
— Pierre Nkurunziza (@pnkurunziza) December 28, 2017
Congratulations Mr George Weah on winning the Liberian Presidential election. Wishing you and Liberian people all the best. Greetings from Burkina Faso. RK
— Roch M. C. KABORE (@rochkaborepf) December 29, 2017
Congratulations president-elect @GeorgeWeahOff. #Somalia wishes you success in your endeavors. We look forward to close cooperation and partnership. #Liberia
— Villa Somalia (@TheVillaSomalia) December 29, 2017
French President, Emmanuel Macron also extended his warmest congratulations to him.
Congratulations to Mister George for this election! Great moment for Liberia!
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 29, 2017
Congratulatory messages from the football fraternity also poured in after it was officially confirmed the former FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or winner is the new President of Liberia.
It is indeed!!!!!! Félicitations Mr Georges https://t.co/SuHWhyX6Sy
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) December 27, 2017
Congratulations to the Red&Black legend George Weah on becoming the new President of Liberia! ?? pic.twitter.com/gnL84ARc39
— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 29, 2017
? George Weah. Le meilleur buteur de l’#UCL #LdC 1994/95 – seul Ballon d’Or africain – sera président du Liberia, son pays, à partir du 22 janvier! ? pic.twitter.com/gigByL78Td
— L’UEFA (@UEFAcom_fr) December 28, 2017
We knew George Weah way before he became President-elect of Liberia ?? ???
Congrats to the PSG and world football legend on the latest chapter of his brilliant career!!! pic.twitter.com/19sYefLzZg
— PSG English (@PSG_English) December 28, 2017
Congratulations President Weah !!
Félicitations président Weah !!
?????? pic.twitter.com/i2u8pcV7EB
— Yaya Touré (@YayaToure) December 29, 2017
With a renewed sense of hope and optimism, excited Liberians took to the streets to celebrate the historic victory.
George Weah elected as the new president of #Liberia. His supporters celebrate across the country. pic.twitter.com/HrmNRwQdN4
— Guido Mastrangelo (@GuidoGma) December 28, 2017
Below are photos of the mood in Liberia after George Weah was declared the winner of the December 26 runoff elections.
