outgoing president, George Weah, facing veteran Joseph Boakai

Liberians are called to the polls on Tuesday, November 14, to say whether they return former football glory George Weah, with his criticized record, to the presidency, or whether they prefer veteran Joseph Boakai despite his age. This second round of the presidential election promises to be close between the two candidates, already opposed in 2017, when Mr. Weah won with more than 61% of the votes. Mr. Weah, 57, and Mr. Boakai, 78, came neck and neck in the first round on October 10, with just over 43% and a lead of 7,126 votes for the outgoing president.

Beyond the choice of the person who will lead this poor country of 5 million inhabitants, in search of peace and development after years of conflict and the Ebola epidemic, one of the issues is the peaceful and regular voting and acceptance of the results. This election is the first organized without the presence of the United Nations mission in Liberia, created in 2003 (and left in 2018) to guarantee peace after the civil wars which left more than 250,000 dead between 1989 and 2003 and whose memory remains vivid. For the UN, the election “undoubtedly represents a crucial step in the consolidation of peace and democracy in Liberia and the region”.

More than 2.4 million voters are invited to vote, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., between an incumbent who remains popular among young people but must defend a criticized record, and an old hand who was from 2006 to 2018 the vice -president of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, first woman elected head of state in Africa. Mr. Boakai has held a multitude of positions within the State or the private sector, but his age is considered a handicap. The electoral commission has fifteen days to publish the results, but the matter could take less time, says one of its officials, Samuel Cole.

Between the two rounds, the two camps mainly consisted of obtaining the support of the voters of the 18 other candidates, none of whom reached 3%. The third in the first round, Edward Appleton, and two others of the six leading candidates called to vote for Mr. Boakai. The participation rate could also be an important factor, told AFP Lawrence Yealue, director for Liberia of Accountability Lab, a network for good governance. He predicts a lower rate than the record of October 10 (78.86%), because the vote will not be coupled this time with the parliamentary elections.

Gun attack

Mr. Weah retains his aura as the only African to be awarded the Golden Ball, the most prestigious individual award in football. The former kid from the slums of Monrovia has the image of an approachable and peaceful man. He claims his action in favor of education, the electrification of homes, the construction of roads and hospitals. He promises to continue to work for the development of one of the poorest countries on the planet.

Mr. Weah led the country through the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis. His detractors accuse him of not having kept his promises. They accuse him of being out of touch with the realities of his fellow citizens, who are struggling with rising prices and shortages. More than a fifth of Liberia’s population lives on less than $2.15 a day, according to the World Bank.

Mr. Boakai, who blames the outgoing president for the worsening of corruption known to be endemic, promises to develop infrastructure, attract investors and tourists, and improve the lives of the poorest. He has forged alliances with local barons, including former warlord and senator Prince Johnson, who supported Mr. Weah six years ago.

Clashes during the campaign left several dead and raised fears of post-election violence. Mr. Boakai on Sunday reported attacks and abuses against his camp, including one with firearms on Friday against a convoy carrying Prince Johnson and vice-presidential candidate Jeremiah Kpan Koung. Seven people were reportedly injured.

Mr. Boakai’s camp also denounced irregularities during the first round. International observers, deployed in large numbers, welcomed the smooth running of the election, in a region where democracy has been shaken by a succession of coups d’état. The campaign was also marked by misinformation. The United States, Liberia’s important partner, has warned that it is exploring the possibility of restricting the issuance of visas against people “guilty or complicit in actions undermining democracy”.