LIBERIA is abuzz with political fervour as more than 2.4 million citizens cast their ballots on Tuesday to choose the nation’s next president and members of the legislature. The presidential race is heating up, with a diverse array of candidates vying for the country’s top office. Here’s a closer look at the major contenders in the 2023 Liberian presidential election.
George Weah: seeking re-election
Incumbent President George Weah, representing the Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC), is determined to secure a second six-year term. Weah, who assumed office in 2017, is confident in his ability to secure an outright victory in the first round of elections.
Running alongside Weah is Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, the former spouse of ex-president Charles Taylor, currently serving a 50-year sentence for crimes against humanity in a British prison. Weah’s tenure has seen notable achievements, including the implementation of a free tuition scheme for undergraduates at public universities since 2018. His administration has also subsidised the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 9th and 12th graders in public schools.
In addition to improving education access, the government has expanded electricity availability while reducing costs. However, critics have voiced concerns over widespread corruption and economic challenges, which triggered protests in December of the previous year and in June 2019. In his manifesto, Weah pledges to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses through a compulsory social health insurance scheme, offer off-the-grid solar energy to public hospitals and secondary schools, and foster sustainable jobs by formalising artisanal and small-scale mining activities.
Joseph Boakai: the experienced contender
Former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, representing the Unity Party (UP), brings decades of experience to his presidential bid. Boakai, aged 78, served as Liberia’s minister of agriculture from 1983 to 1985 and as vice president from 2006 to 2018 under President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
Boakai’s candidacy is boosted by an alliance with the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), founded by former warlord-turned-senator Prince Johnson. The alliance has led to Jeremiah Koung, an MDR senator, becoming Boakai’s running mate. Both Johnson and Koung wield significant influence in Nimba, Liberia’s second most populous county.
Boakai, who previously faced off against Weah in the 2017 elections, is emphasising agriculture, promising to boost domestic rice production and establish agricultural machinery hubs. His infrastructure plans include paving highways connecting county capitals and those linking Liberia to other nations to enhance cross-border trade. Boakai also aims to create a specialised court to expedite corruption and economic crime cases while supporting recycling programmes to generate renewable energy.
Alexander Cummings: the businessman turned politician
Businessman Alexander Cummings, running under the Collaborating Political Party (CPP) banner, is no stranger to Liberian politics. In the 2017 presidential race, he finished fifth, and this year, he’s back with a clear focus on economic diversification.
Cummings, aged 57, previously served as the head of Coca-Cola’s African subsidiary and as its global chief administrative officer. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in addressing the spread of HIV/AIDS through the establishment of Coca-Cola’s Africa Foundation. In 2011, he received Liberia’s highest national honour, the Humane Order of African Redemption.
His campaign centres on diversifying Liberia’s economy. Cummings vows to establish a $20 million empowerment fund to support women, youth-owned businesses, and farmers within his first 100 days if elected. He also plans to freeze existing tax and regulations for review, aiming to create a more business-friendly environment. Additionally, he advocates for a ‘buy Liberian’ policy to boost indigenous businesses.
Cummings also supports the establishment of a war crimes court to prosecute key figures from Liberia’s civil wars of 1989-1997 and 1999-2003.
As Liberians head to the polls, the nation’s future is at a critical juncture, with each candidate offering distinct visions for Liberia’s growth and prosperity. The outcome of this election will undoubtedly shape the nation’s path in the years to come.
