His Excellency President George Manneh Weah on Monday, December 11, 2023 returned from the 64th ECOWAS Heads of State Summit in Abuja, Nigeria—the last that he attends as President of the Republic of Liberia. At the Summit, President Weah, as a mark of friendship and solidarity, invited all the ECOWAS Heads of State to grant him the honor of attending the inauguration ceremony on January 22, 2024 to witness his handing over of power to His Excellency President-Elect, Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.
President Weah said it is his hope that the smooth transition of power in Liberia will resonate throughout the ECOWAS region, as they seek to galvanize efforts in attaining enduring peace and democracy in the subregion. He pleaded with them to accord the President-elect, Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr., the same high level of support that he has been fortunate to receive from them during his tenure as President of Liberia.
He said he was proud to say that his administration has fulfilled its promise to have a peaceful, transparent, free, fair, inclusive and credible elections, and this has been acknowledged by all stakeholders.
“Following a hard-fought campaign and two rounds of polling, my rival, former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, won the elections. I have since conveyed my congratulations and wished him every success as the next leader of Liberia,” President Weah told the ECOWAS gathering.
President Weah said, “My party may have lost these elections, but the true victors, the true winners are the people of Liberia, who have made their leadership choices of their own free will. The Liberian people have spoken, and we have heard their voices. As is often said, and I quote, ‘The Voice of the People, is the Voice of God.’
“In my view, these elections have re-affirmed our democratic credentials as a nation, and our continuing success as a post-conflict country. This should be seen as a positive and significant accomplishment not only for Liberia, but for our West African region in particular, and Africa in general.”
In closing, President Weah said, “Although I take leave of you today with mixed feelings because there is still much left to achieve, I am proud of the significant progress that has been made in our region. In this regard, let me take this opportunity to reiterate that Liberia remains committed to being a champion for peace and democracy in Africa.”
President Weah received a standing ovation from the ECOWAS Heads of State for his commitment to smooth transfer of political power following his conceding to President-elect Joseph N. Boakai in the October 10, 2023 presidential and legislative election.
The leaders stood for several minutes in applause to Weah prior to the formal commencement of the 64th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which opened on Sunday, December 10 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria.
