George Weah Announces Retirement from Politics
Liberia’s outgoing president, George Weah, has confirmed that he will not seek re-election after his recent defeat in the November polls by Joseph Boakai.
Weah, 57, addressed his future during a church gathering, citing his age and the upcoming presidential vote in 2029.
“I am 57 now, and our retirement age is 65. Six years from now, I will be 63, and I cannot work for two years,” Weah stated, emphasizing his reluctance to return to politics until reaching 90.
While not disclosing his future plans, Weah expressed a commitment to working for peace and prosperity in Liberia, one of the world’s poorest countries.
He gained recognition for gracefully conceding defeat, contributing to a non-violent transition in a region historically marked by coups.
Before his political career, Weah, a former international football star, achieved the distinction of being the only African to win the Ballon d’Or during his time as a striker for top-flight European teams.
The recently elected president, Joseph Boakai, 79, secured a narrow victory over Weah with a 50.64 percent vote share, winning by a margin of 20,567 ballots. Boakai is set to be inaugurated on January 22.
