Liberia: King George for President

George Weah, famed international footballer and well-known humanitarian, has won the initial vote in Liberia’s first fair election after 15 years of civil unrest.

However, without having won 50% of the vote, he will be facing the second place candidate Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in a runoff election November 8.

Nicknamed King George by his fans, Mr. Weah is commonly held to be one of the greatest athletes to come out of Africa.

The governing body for international soccer leagues, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), has awarded Weah numerous titles, naming him African Player of the Year three times, European Player of the year during his momentous stint for AC Milan, as well as the African Player of the Century. He has also been the World Player of the Year and won the FIFA Fair Play award in 1995 for his model character on and off the field.

ESPN also honored George Weah in 2004 with the prestigious Arthur Ashe Courage Award for his work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Africa.

Throughout his successful career in Europe he stayed committed to Liberia even during the violent reign of Charles Taylor, who ruled the country from 1997 until recently going into exile in Nigeria.

In their statement of commendation, ESPN said, “One of the most notable aspects of the Weah story… is the fact that despite the horrible atrocities committed against him by Taylor's followers (destroying his home, stealing his valued possessions and harming members of his extended family), Weah led the Liberian Men's National Soccer Team as coach, star player and sponsor.”

Is Love Enough?

Supporters and opponents alike applaud Weah for his love and commitment to Liberia and its people.

Some question his ability to run a country however, especially when at such a critical juncture.

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Weah’s opponent in the upcoming runoff, is a Harvard-educated economist and has worked in the Liberian government and the United Nations for decades. George Weah dropped out of high school to pursue his soccer career and has no political experience beyond his work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Many have questioned his lack of experience and education, but Weah has remained unfazed. Much of Liberia’s population is uneducated, and they identify with a champion like him who comes from the humblest of beginnings.

A Washington, D.C. based Liberian activist who wishes to remain anonymous says, “You could tell them anything about George Weah, and they won’t listen. They will say ‘I don’t care, I like him…’ Most of Liberia’s voters are ex-combatants. The war started when they were young and they have never been to school. They love Weah and they will elect him.”

Fully aware of the chord he strikes in his people, George Weah’s Vision Statement reads, “They need something to HOPE for and I think they need that HOPE for the future and so I must answer the calling of humanity—the call of a generation that is lost by no fault of their own.”

From a Barefoot Child to a Respected Leader

George Manneh Weah was born in one of the poorest areas of Monrovia (Liberia’s capital) in 1966. He grew up playing barefoot soccer with the other kids and eventually found his way into schools through soccer scholarships. He left high school early to play as a professional in Cameroon, then later moving to Europe.

He is a millionaire who has reportedly donated much money in Liberia to ease the suffering of the people, and that has won him the trust of Liberia’s poor who have watched countless officials pillage and embezzle over the years.

Some argue that Weah has also made money with his Liberian businesses, and that not all of his work has been as altruistic as he might portray it.

Nonetheless, the people love him, and come out in droves to support him. His rally on Oct. 8 brought together hundreds of thousands of Liberians.

What People are Saying

Dr. Michel Gbehe, Senior Member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Spokesman for the African Continent states in a letter of support to Weah, “After analysis it is you today George WEAH the only personality in Liberia able to direct this country and definitively bring back peace, stability and social cohesion for us.”

The anonymous Liberian activist in Washington DC says, “George Weah is not a humanitarian like people think, but the people will support him anyway…The most important thing is that it is a fair election.”

Even though many admire Weah and respect his contribution to Liberia, most of the posts in the open forum on www.liberia-connection.com support Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and criticize the mentality of electing someone based solely on their popularity, the same mentality (they argue) that lead to many of Liberia’s failed leaders.

It should be noted that these posts all come from Liberians living in America and Europe. Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, does not even have electricity; much of the population has never used a telephone, much less the Internet. In addition, most of Weah’s support comes from the poor and uneducated masses, while many in the educated class support Johnson-Sirleaf and the other candidates.

Thus, the web-posts do not reflect the views of Liberia’s electorate, however they are important in showing what Liberians educated in the developed world think about the current situation.

Following are some posts from the Liberia-connection web forum:

“I bet the countries of the world are just sitting there thinking we are the dumbest people on earth, and that we never learn from our mistakes. Even HUGE ones.” (A post in regards to electing someone based on personality rather than credentials)

“Those of us presently in the United States see on a daily basis how uneducated black men are treated in corporate America. They are looked at and treated as inferior… Imagine how they are going to look at Liberia if we make the mistake again of electing someone who isn't at a minimum on the same level as them.”

“We need someone who is a symbol of peace. George Weah represents this more than any other candidate.”

“I watch with excitement this entire election process and am grateful for one thing—our voices are being heard. We are participating in a fair and free election.”

The Liberians have a difficult choice ahead of them, but thankfully for them and the world, they finally have a chance to make that choice themselves, for better or for worse.

This election itself is a major step forward for the poor, West African Nation. What steps follow are up to the people and their choice of a leader.

Regardless of whether he wins next month, George Weah will always be an influential character in the African drama, serving as a role model for many of the continent’s youth.