BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Photographs
Joseph Boakai, left, and George Weah
The Gentleman Report
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Liberia’s President, George Weah, has conceded defeat to opposition candidate Joseph Boakai after a good run-off election.
Weah, a former football famous person, referred to as Boakai after the rustic’s Nationwide Elections Fee (NEC) launched provisional effects on Friday.
With just about all ballots counted, Boakai, a 78-year-old former vp of Liberia, gained 51% of the votes, the rustic’s electoral fee mentioned.
In an deal with to the country, Weah mentioned: “The consequences introduced this night, although now not ultimate, point out that Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai is in a lead that we can’t surpass. Subsequently, a couple of mins in the past, I spoke with President-elect Joseph N. Boakai to congratulate him on his victory.
“This night, as we recognize the effects, allow us to additionally acknowledge that the actual winners of those elections are the folk of Liberia,” he added.
President Weah used to be voted into place of business in 2018 and can step down in January.
A run-off used to be prompted when Weah, 57, secured a victory in an previous October ballot with a margin of simply 7,000 votes over his political rival, Boakai. On the other hand, he fell in need of the desired 50% threshold important to clinch an outright victory.
Weah used to be in search of reelection for a 2d six-year time period after a tumultuous first tenure tainted by means of corruption scandals and allegations of mismanagement.
He has been praised for right away conceding making sure, a relaxed switch of energy – an important milestone in Liberia’s fragile democracy, which has observed civil battle and former leaders killed in place of business.
There have additionally been a spate of coups in West and Central Africa in recent times.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu used to be some of the first to congratulate the brand new President-elect whilst additionally commending Weah’s “sterling instance, undiluted patriotism, and statesmanship. He has defied the stereotype that non violent transitions of energy are untenable in West Africa,” a remark from Nigeria’s presidency mentioned.
