Liberia: George Weah wins presidential runoff election December 28 /update 15

Event

Former soccer player George Weah (Coalition for Democratic Change party) has won the Liberian presidential runoff election, defeating Vice President Joseph Boakai (ruling Unity Party). On Thursday, December 28, the Liberian National Elections Commission (NEC) announced that Weah had received 61.5 percent of the December 26 runoff vote, with 98.1 percent of the ballots counted. Associated gatherings and protests, and a consequent heightened security presence and traffic disruptions, are expected in Liberia, particularly in the capital Monrovia, in the coming hours and days.

Context

George Weah will replace current President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who has served two complete terms and is expected to step down from office on January 18.

The second round of voting was initially scheduled for November 7. However, the Liberty Party filed a formal complaint with the NEC in late October, followed by the ruling Unity Party and the All Liberian Party, demanding that the October 10 vote be annulled. The second round was postponed while the commission investigated the claims of fraud, which were eventually discarded.

Advice

Individuals present in Liberia are advised to monitor local news and to avoid any political rallies or protests, as violence may flare up without warning.