By S. Siapha Mulbah
Liberia’s most celebrated football star, James Salinsa Debbah, has joined the reelection quest of his playmate, now President of the country, George Manneh Weah.
Joining the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), on Saturday September 2, 2023, Debbah said Weah has delivered on the majority of his promises to the Liberian people in his first term, and will achieve more if the time is extended.
The duo played football together for the senior national team and keep the rivalry between Liberia’s major two traditional clubs, the Majestic Sports Association’s Invincible Eleven and Mighty Barrolle.
After their time on the pitch, with recognition and achievement, the two football icons moved into Liberian politics, with a continuation of the rivalry at the initial stage.
Over the weekend in Paynesville, James Debbah announced his involvement into the door-to-door campaign process for the Movement for Economic Empowerment, to reelect his playmate at the top of the Liberian Executive Branch of Government.
According to him, the crucial October 10 Elections called him to the realization that Liberians need to think in the direction of retaining the Weah-Taylor administration.
He said his move to the camp of the president is in shared ideology with the political leader of the MOVEE and Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Dee-Maxwell Kemayah.
“We reaffirm our commitment to reelect President George Manneh Weah and build a stronger tide with people of the same values and common interests,” said Debbah.
At the same time, Debbah intimated his contemplation to get on board the Movement for Economic Empowerment as his new political home, going into the ensuing elections and onwards.
For his part, the National Chairperson for the Movement for Economic Empowerment, Robert Sammy, welcomed the decision of Debbah and his supporters, calling on others to join the campaign.
Sammy said the reelection of Weah being a must for the country, the new recruit is going to work alongside the leadership of MOVEE, which is a constituent party of the Coalition for Democratic Change.
He explained that the humble beginnings of the Liberia leader and other national state actors is identical to Debbah’s and the ordinary masses’, which is a clear manifestation to have the president of the country reelected.
