Ex-Footballer George Weah Wins Liberia Vote

Johannesburg, MINA – Congratulations have been pouring in for Liberia’s president-elect – and former football star – George Weah, SPA reported.

The former footballer beat his challenger, Vice President Joseph Boakai, in a run-off election held Tuesday, having so far won 61.5 percent of votes counted, with full results expected later Friday.

Weah, 51, is regarded as a hero by many Liberians for his incredible rags to riches tale

He was born in a slum in Monrovia but found fame in international football.

President-elect Weah on Saturday declared the country open to investment and pledged to tackle entrenched corruption, in his first speech to the nation since decisively winning an election this week.

He also urged Liberians overseas – whose remittances account for over a quarter of national GDP – to return home, calling for national unity in a country that was devastated by civil war from 1989 to 2003 and remains riven by divisions based on ethnicity, class and political affiliation. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)