Liberia/Presidential 2023: After a Six-Year Term, George Weah Makes Way for His Rival Joseph Boakai
After a six (06)-year term in power, outgoing President George Weah hands over the presidential seat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai. The defeated candidate accepted his defeat and congratulated his successor on Friday evening, following the announcement of mid-term results from the second round of the presidential election.
According to results released on Friday, November 17, by the electoral commission, with votes counted from over 99% of polling stations, 78-year-old Joseph Boakai amassed 50.89% of the votes against 49.11% for George Weah. According to the outgoing president, there’s already a significant gap in the percentage of votes that he cannot bridge.
Thus, congratulating the new elected leader is the best course of action according to the outgoing president. Joseph Boakai held a little over 28.000 votes ahead after counting 1.6 million ballots. Approximately 2.4 million Liberians were eligible to vote on Tuesday, November 14, according to figures published on the electoral commission’s website.
The publication of the final results, eagerly awaited by Liberians, is expected in the coming days. Mr. Boakai has pledged to develop infrastructure, attract investors and tourists, and improve living conditions for the population.
