Everything against ex-world footballer Weah: Liberia elects new president How the Israeli army could be so surprised

President and former world footballer George Weah (57) is hoping for a second term after defeating her vice-president Joseph Boakai in the second election of 2017 to succeed Nobel Prize winner Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. The 78-year-old Boakai is once again considered the most promising of 19 challengers to Weah, whose first term in office has left many Liberians dissatisfied.

About 2.5 million of the approximately 5.4 million Liberians are registered to vote. By midday, high turnout was reported in many parts of Liberia. Long lines formed in front of the polling stations in the early morning hours. The mood remained peaceful. If no candidate obtains an absolute majority, a second election will take place between the two most successful candidates.

In addition to the president, 73 representatives and 15 of the 30 senators will be newly elected. Polls close at 6:00 PM local time (8:00 PM CEST). Preliminary results are expected within a few days.

Many war criminals remain unpunished

The coastal state on the Atlantic Ocean is one of the poorest countries in the world, despite its reserves of gold, diamonds and iron ore. In addition to economic problems, many of the approximately 5.4 million Liberians are particularly affected by corruption and the slow processing of crimes from the two civil wars. About 250,000 people were killed between 1989 and 2003.

Johnson-Sirleaf, 84, the first woman to be elected president of Africa in 2005, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her work to bring peace to the country. Although she succeeded in rebuilding the country’s institutions, the Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations were not implemented. Most war criminals remain unpunished. Weah – representing the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) – had promised to establish the requested special war crimes court. But he hasn’t done it yet either.

Concerns about pre-election violence

The government of the popular former football star, who played for clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Chelsea FC, has also been linked to several corruption scandals. Weah’s main supporter, former rebel leader and current senator Prince Johnson, is now backing his challenger Boakai of the Unity Party (UP). Both promise new jobs and investments in the heavily indebted country’s infrastructure.

Violent clashes before elections in a democracy considered peaceful and stable despite numerous problems raised concerns. The UN human rights office expressed concern a few days before the elections over an incident that left two dead and 20 injured in clashes between CDC and UP supporters in late September. At least eight journalists were attacked. All parties had promised to work for peaceful elections. (sda/dpa)