Joseph Boakai takes oath as the President of Liberia

Joseph Boakai assumed the presidency of Liberia on Monday following his electoral victory over former football star George Weah.

Boakai, who is 79 years old, narrowly defeated Weah in the November run-off poll, securing 50.64 percent of the votes compared to Weah’s 49.36 percent.

The investiture ceremony took place in parliament and was attended by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Boakai brings with him four decades of political experience, having previously served as vice-president from 2006 to 2018 under Liberia’s first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. However, in the 2017 election, he was defeated by Weah.

While the November poll was peaceful, Liberia continues to face challenges such as corruption, widespread poverty, and a weak justice system, all of which have been exacerbated by years of civil war and an Ebola outbreak.

Additionally, the issue of impunity for crimes committed during the civil wars remains unresolved.