MONROVIA – During his six years as President of Africa’s oldest Republic, having taken over the reign of leadership from the continent’s first female president, George Manneh Weah found himself facing an uphill barrage of criticisms from detractors who questioned his leadership acumen, a situation which did not help with the mounting cries from the opposition community angling for his democratic ouster from Day One. But today, less than a year since relinquishing power to his main rival Joseph Nyuma Boakai and his Unity Party collaboration of political parties, Weah’s common touch with the commoners seems not to have diminished one bit, evidenced by the rousing reception he continues to command everywhere he goes. Could this reaction from the people be projected into something positive for Weah come 2029 when the Joseph Nyuma Boakai administration shall have been truly tried and tested in line with fulfilling its development agenda commitment to the Liberian people? The Analyst investigates.
From the celebration of his birthday this year where Liberians from walks of life, especially residents of impoverished slum communities in the Liberian capital; to his recent return to the country when he appeared on Ashmun Street over the weekend to attend a funeral service, former President Weah seems to once again be hugging the political limelight as the citizens are leaving no stones unturned in declaring their admiration for a man that they believe has the potential to return to power ala America’s Donald J. Trump and defy all odds.
“Some analysts dwell solely on President Weah’s star power as the reason he’s loved so much by ordinary people. They fail, however, to consider his common touch. George Weah particularly feels at home amongst the downtrodden. He lightens up when he’s with his people, and the feeling is mutual!
“This is why his first set of actions as president (and his national policy) was driven by his intense yearning to help poor communities, such as the roads in Doe Community, housing units in the slums, sports parks in previously deserted parts of the capital, plus allowing poor families send their kids to get higher education free of charge.
“People are fully aware of his intentions toward them. They were overwhelmed with lies; but have now seen in such a short time the marked contrast between the administrations: while one was focused on policies specifically intended to ameliorate the lives of the poor, the other is principally about job acquisition and regaining their lost fortunes. The mistake will be corrected!”
One could easily dismiss such self-serving statements as law and gospel, coming from former President Weah’s Special Assistant Sekou Kalasco Damaro, but the voices of majority downtrodden Liberians also matter.
“I watched some of these videos and just laughed. Liberians are very deep. Many of you will stand along the streets and corners in deep regret for a long time. You thought you were doing those snitches and pretended to former President Weah. Now you got the change you voted for and wanted. Let’s wait again for the next voting year. You will now decide and take the best decision,” a concerned Liberian remarked on social media upon viewing the phenomenal postelection reception that former President Weah continues to receive across the country.
“You never miss a well until it runs dry, but this well of President George M.Weah still has the water life in him and the people are crying to drink that water,” another Liberian said.
“Mr. George Manneh Weah seems to be the Donald Trumps of Liberia. His return to the presidency is very certain and unstoppable in 2029,” another citizen predicted.
“The people are tired of lies. One year of the Boakai Unity Party, you cannot see anything. President Weah one year, we saw community roads being built. The only thing we can see is corruption. Back to power Weah. Nothing has changed,” lamented another aggrieved citizen.
“The citizens are crying for a return to Egypt because the Rescue Mission seems to be no different from past corrupt regimes. We came to power to change the old way of doing business, but we are no different from those we criticized. The Old Man is surrounded by people with a don’t-care attitude. They believe that six years is 12 years. But like Weah, we will get a rude awakening in 2029. I am not saying the Liberian people might choose Weah or CDC over the Unity Party, but anything can happen,” a Rescue Mission ardent supporter stated surprisingly.