Liberians home and abroad are celebrating the peaceful election of former football star George Weah as the country’s 25th president.
Mr. Weah has obtained significant percentage of votes cast in Tuesday’s presidential run-off poll between him and the current vice president Joseph Boakai.
Tearful George Weah wins Liberian election pic.twitter.com/3XxGdyeeMJ
— AFP news agency (@AFP) December 29, 2017
Mr Weah’s supporters have been celebrating in the capital Monrovia since news of his victory emerged.
Weah supporters celebrate election victory in Liberia pic.twitter.com/CvSNU3pjrG
— AFP news agency (@AFP) December 29, 2017
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
Obtaining over 60 percent of votes, he is take over from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf next month when the tenure of Africa’s first female president ends.
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
Turn out for Tuesday’s poll was low in an election that had over two million eligible voters.
Weah, 53 failed on two different attempts to become president of the West African nation which was plagued by civil war for decades.
Mr Boakai was hoping to go a step further to become president after serving as Liberia’s vice-president for 12 years.
Mr. Weah was considered the favorite going into the run-off poll after receiving the backing of other opposition political parties.
There have been reactions across the world to Weah’s victory.
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
A good time to reflect on just how good George Weah was on the pitch through a man who stunningly good himself. pic.twitter.com/HtQlp0vtL8
— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) December 28, 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
Congratulations President George Weah on your election. All of the best my brother to you and The #Liberian people. God bless @GeorgeWeahOff pic.twitter.com/ZMqJZTF4JS
— Kalusha Bwalya (@KalushaPBwalya) December 28, 2017
Source: Africafeeds.com