Ex-Footballer George Weah Wins Liberia Vote

Liberian President elect George Weah – Anadolu photo.

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.

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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)