George Weah

===2005 presidential bid===
Following the end of the [[Second Liberian Civil War]], Weah announced his intention to run for [[President of Liberia]] in the [[2005 Liberian general election|2005 election]], forming the [[Congress for Democratic Change]] to back his candidacy. While Weah was a popular figure in Liberia, opponents cited his lack of formal education as a handicap to his ability to lead the country, in contrast with his [[Harvard University|Harvard]]-educated opponent, [[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]]. Analysts also noted Weah's lack of experience, calling him a "[[Babes in the Wood|babe-in-the-woods]]", while Sirleaf had served as minister of finance in the [[William Tolbert]] administration in the 1970s and had held positions at [[Citibank]], the [[World Bank]] and the United Nations. Weah's eligibility to run for presidency was also called into question as it was reported that he had become a French citizen in his footballing career at Paris Saint-Germain, but these complaints were rebuffed by the electoral commission in court and Weah was allowed to proceed.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4403120.stm |title=Profile: George Weah |website=BBC News |date=11 November 2005|access-date=27 December 2017}}</ref>

Weah obtained a plurality of votes in the first round of voting on 11 October, garnering 28.3% of the vote. This qualified him to compete in a run-off election against Sirleaf, the second placed candidate. However, he lost the run-off to Sirleaf on 8 November, garnering only 40.6% to 59.4% for Sirleaf. Weah alleged that the election had been rigged through voter intimidation and ballot tampering, and many of his supporters protested the results in the streets of Monrovia. However, after assurances that the vote was fair, several prominent African leaders called on Weah's supporters to accept the result with grace and dignity, and Sirleaf became president. The [[African Union]] had characterised the election as "peaceful, transparent, and fair".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4433844.stm |website=BBC News |title=African leaders hail Liberia poll |date=13 November 2005}}</ref>

Weah's lack of education became a campaign issue. He has been highly critical of those who say he is not fit to govern: "With all their education and experience, they have governed this nation for hundreds of years. They have never done anything for the nation." He initially claimed to have a BA degree in sport management from [[Parkwood University]] in London; however, this is an unaccredited [[diploma mill]], which awards certificates without requiring study.<ref>{{cite news |title=George Weah in Diploma-Mill Scandal |first=David |last=Goldenberg |newspaper=Gelf Magazine |date=22 April 2005 |url=http://www.gelfmagazine.com/mt/archives/george_weah_in_diplomamill_scandal.html}}</ref> Weah then pursued a degree in business administration at [[DeVry University]] in Miami.<ref>[http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2007-06-19-voa9-66717302.html?textmode=0 Liberia's George Weah to Seek a College Degree.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104182700/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2007-06-19-voa9-66717302.html?textmode=0 |date=4 January 2011 }} ''[[Voice of America]]''. 19 June 2007. Retrieved 30 November 2009</ref><ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-08-11-428543297_x.htm George Weah gets educated in quest for election.] ''[[USA Today]]''. 11 August 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010</ref>
{{wikinews|Liberia: Former football striker George Weah wins presidential election}}