MONROVIA, Liberia
Thousands gathered in Monrovia, Liberia's capital, on Sunday as opposition leader Joseph Boakai officially launched his campaign in anticipation of the upcoming October elections.
These elections are poised to
serve as a litmus test for the popularity of President George Weah, the former
football superstar, who is seeking re-election following a tumultuous first
term.
Supporters of the soft-spoken
Boakai, aged 78, who finished as the runner-up to Weah in the 2017 elections,
passionately braved the rain at a stadium. They danced, waved flags, and
fervently called for change.
Among the attendees were some
former Weah enthusiasts who have grown disillusioned with what they perceive as
his inability to elevate living standards or eradicate corruption in Liberia,
an impoverished West African nation that has endured a series of challenges
this century, including a civil war, a devastating Ebola outbreak, and
fluctuations in commodities prices.
"We had hoped that
President Weah would deliver on his promises of change, but alas, we've seen
nothing of the sort," remarked businesswoman Martha Gould. "We yearn
for a better future."
Weah ascended to power on a
wave of optimism, with many believing that the former world soccer player of
the year could bring about positive change despite his lack of political
experience. However, a string of scandals has marred his administration.
Last year, the United States
imposed sanctions on three officials, including Weah's chief of staff Nathaniel
McGill, for corruption allegations, including the alleged misappropriation of
state assets. Weah promptly dismissed these officials, who vehemently deny any
wrongdoing.
In 2018, a Liberian court
issued arrest warrants for over 30 former central bank officials in connection
with the disappearance of $104 million. An accounting error regarding fuel
supplies in state-run tanks left Liberia facing a gasoline shortage in 2020,
causing widespread panic at fuel stations.
Nonetheless, the question
remains whether Joseph Boakai and his Unity Party can reverse the tide.
President Weah continues to enjoy popularity across significant parts of the
country, and the economy experienced nearly 5% growth last year, primarily driven
by advances in agriculture and mining, as reported by the World Bank.
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