George Weah sworn in as president of Liberia
Ex-Premier League star replaces Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as head of state

Former Chelsea and Man City striker George Weah stepped out in front of a packed stadium today, 15 years after retiring from football - not to play a match, but to become the president of Liberia.
His inauguration this morning, following the departure of his predecessor, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, marks the first peaceful transfer from one elected president to another in the African state’s modern history.
“I promise to be the agent of positive change,” the 51-year-old told the crowd at the Samuel Doe stadium, less than ten miles from the poor Clara Town district of the capital city where he grew up.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Weah’s rise from humble beginnings resonated with younger voters keen to uproot the privileged elite who have dominated Liberian politics.
In the October elections, Weah “rode on a wave of support from young Liberians in the country where more than half of the population is under 35”, Bloomberg reports.
“This victory would not have been possible without the youth of this country, the women of this country who made their living selling in the market,” Weah said during his inaugural address. “This is your government.”
“Nobody doubts his ability to motivate and inspire,” says the BBC. “The unknown quantity is his capacity to administer effectively.”
Years of civil war followed by the ebola crisis of 2014-2016 have stunted Liberia’s economic growth, leading to knock-on effects for public services such as healthcare. Corruption remains stubbornly endemic.
Weah’s vice-presidential pick, senator Jewel Howard-Taylor, is the ex-wife of warlord Charles Taylor, now serving a 50-year sentence for war crimes at HMP Frankland in County Durham.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK Published
-
Romania's election rerun
The Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Russia's shadow war in Europe
Talking Point Steering clear of open conflict, Moscow is slowly ratcheting up the pressure on Nato rivals to see what it can get away with.
By The Week UK Published