I Give Up My Presidential Ambition – George Weah
The outgoing president of Liberia, George Weah, has declared that he’s lost intention of standing for election again.
Former international football player Weah,57, was elected president in 2017 but lost to Joseph Boakai in November polls. Boakai is scheduled to take office on January 22.
In a recording of his speech that AFP obtained, Weah discussed his future with members of the congregation at the church he visits outside of the capital, Monrovia, on Sunday. He made reference to his age in the 2029 presidential election.
I am currently 57 years old, and our retirement age is 65. In six years, I will be 63, and I won’t be able to work for two years,” he stated.
I won’t be forced into politics until I’m ninety years old, he said.
I am grateful to the Liberians who helped me become president, whether it was for the first time or for the 50th time—I promise it was only for this one time.”
President Weah stated he would strive for peace and prosperity in one of the world’s poorest nations, but he did not specify what he intended to do next.
In an area plagued by coups, he garnered credit for acquiescing and advocating for a peaceful transition.
President Weah was the only African to win the Ballon d’Or, football’s most coveted individual honor, while playing strike for elite European teams before going into politics.
The 79-year-old Boakai defeated Weah by a mere 20,567 votes, or 50.64 percent of the totalvote.
Source: AFP
