In Liberia's upcoming Nov. 14 runoff vote, President George Weah, the former international soccer star, will once again go head-to-head with challenger Joseph Boakai. The election, as declared by Liberia's National Elections Commission, marks the closest runoff since the nation's back-to-back civil wars. Weah secured 43.83% of the initial vote, falling short of an absolute majority, while Boakai led with 43.44% in a competitive field of contenders.
This rematch follows their 2017 face-off, where Weah emerged victorious, promising to uplift Liberia from a low-income to a middle-income nation. However, critics argue he hasn't fulfilled key campaign promises or provided justice for civil war victims. Boakai, who previously served as vice president under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, advocates for rescuing Liberia from what he terms Weah's failed leadership. It's a pivotal moment for Liberia, echoing the hopes and challenges of its past while shaping its future.