Liberian President George Weah has gracefully accepted defeat, as results from the recent runoff vote indicated that opposition candidate Joseph Boakai was leading by over one percentage point. Election officials disclosed that, with 99.58 percent of the votes counted, Boakai secured 50.89% of the total, surpassing Weah’s 49.11%.
This marked a significant turnaround from the election six years ago, where Weah had defeated Boakai convincingly. Weah opted to deliver a concession speech even before the official results were declared, acknowledging the loss at a time when concerns about the state of democracy in West Africa have been mounting.
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In his address to the nation, Weah expressed, “The utmost respect for the democratic process that has defined our nation. The Liberian people have spoken, and we have heard their voice. I urge you to follow my example and accept the result of the elections. Our time will come again in 2029.” Weah acknowledged Boakai’s lead, recognizing it as insurmountable.
This concession comes against a backdrop of growing apprehensions about the stability of democracy in West Africa, with several military coups occurring in the region in recent years, including one in Gabon earlier this year following a presidential election.
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Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
