By Bill W. Cooper
Former President George Weah has publicly criticized President Joseph Boakai, accusing him of surrounding himself with individuals he described as “gangsters” who are allegedly undermining the rule of law, thus contributing to the deterioration of governance in Liberia.
Weah, a former international football star turned politician, further expressed deep concern over the current state of affairs in Liberia, particularly regarding the rule of law, public safety and the economy, among others.
Speaking in an interview on Kings 88.5 FM in Monrovia, the former president, who served from 2018 until the end of his term in 2023, asserted, “We are witnessing a troubling trend that we never saw over the past 18 years in our country, under this Boakai administration.”
He alleged, “AB, this current administration is surrounded by individuals who do not respect the laws of our land. They are gangsters, and their actions are making life harder for the average Liberian within their first year of leadership. We cannot allow this to continue.”
However, Weah, who was defeated by President Boakai during the November 14, 2023, Presidential runoff election, comments come at a time when Liberia is facing significant challenges, including crime rates, economic instability, and widespread public discontent.
Many citizens have expressed frustration over the government’s inability to address these issues effectively after one year in power, with many feeling that the former president’s remarks resonate with a populace that is increasingly disillusioned with the political elite.
Joseph Boakai, who succeeded Weah in January 2024, has and is continuing to face mounting pressure since taking office, as his administration has been criticized for its perceived poor handling of various issues, including corruption, unemployment, public safety and ongoing House of Representatives leadership impasse, among others.
According to Weah, the country under President Boakai has further deteriorated economically and politically, and said, “We left a peaceful country with a stable economy even though we had our challenges.”
“But see today, just in one year of the Boakai’s administration, the country is very hard while the crime rate is increasing by the day. No respect for the rule of law and the Constitution of the country. These gangsters are only focused on looting while our people continue to suffer,” Weah noted.
“But like I said in my last interview, our country is seriously in need of leadership. A leader who will lead by example and put the interests of the people first, not those who are only looking out for themselves,” he said.
“And this is the reason why I made it public that I will be on the ballot in 2029 because my people deserve a better life; a life full of dignity, prosperity and hope, and once given another chance, we will not disappoint our people,” he added.
Meanwhile, the former president’s allegations of gangsterism within the government have added a new layer of confusion to the already tense political atmosphere, owing to the fact that Liberia has a long history of political violence, bad governance and corruption.
The former president’s use of the term “gangsters” is particularly striking, as it might evoke memories of the country’s tumultuous past, marked by civil wars and the rise of warlords who exploited the political system for personal gains.
But Weah, at the same time, called for unity among Liberians, urging citizens to hold their leaders accountable, and cautioned, “We must come together as a nation and demand better from those in power. The future of Liberia depends on our ability to stand up against corruption and injustice.”
