George Weah

==Presidency (2018–2024)==
[[File:George Weah 2019 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|President Weah in 2019]]

Weah was sworn in as president on 22 January 2018, making him the fourth youngest-serving president in Africa,<ref name="Listwand">{{cite news |title=Top 10 youngest serving presidents in Africa, 2018 |url=https://listwand.com/2018/01/top-10-youngest-presidents-in-africa-updated/ |agency=Listwand |date=3 October 2018|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003125007/https://listwand.com/2018/01/top-10-youngest-presidents-in-africa-updated/|url-status=dead}}</ref> marking Liberia's first democratic transition in 74 years.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news |title=George Weah sworn in as Liberia's president |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42773165 |website=BBC News |date=22 March 2018}}</ref> He cited fighting corruption, reforming the economy, combating illiteracy and improving life conditions as the main targets of his presidency.<ref name="BBC News"/> Two other world class African strikers, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o, attended the inauguration.<ref>{{cite news |title=George Weah sworn in as president of Liberia |url=https://en.as.com/en/2018/01/22/football/1516648087_302622.html |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=As |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415152324/https://en.as.com/en/2018/01/22/football/1516648087_302622.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He is also the first professional footballer to become president.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

===Economic policy===
After winning 2017 election, Weah promised a Pro-Poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity, saying that this will benefit not just the poor, but all Liberians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Finding Economic Solution: President George Manneh Weah commits to implementation of National Dialogue Recommendations {{!}} United Nations in Liberia |url=https://liberia.un.org/en/21164-finding-economic-solution-president-george-manneh-weah-commits-implementation-national,%20https://liberia.un.org/en/21164-finding-economic-solution-president-george-manneh-weah-commits-implementation-national |access-date=18 July 2023 |publisher=United Nations}}</ref>

Since Weah took office in January 2018, the Liberian dollar has dropped by a third against the US dollar. In 2019 inflation went as high as 28%. It made many Liberians to worry which led protests called "Save the State" in Monrovia and in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2019 |title=Liberians are worried their country is sliding into economic uncertainty under president Weah |url=https://qz.com/africa/1629355/liberias-george-weah-is-struggling-with-a-sinking-economy |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=Quartz}}</ref>

In September 2019, Weah attended the National Economic Dialogue (NED), seeking solutions amidst Liberia's economic crisis. A host of organisations rallied to develop a comprehensive program aimed at bolstering Liberia's economy. Weah urged Liberians to use the Dialogue as a national platform to craft strategies and offer workable solutions for the crisis. The forum yielded several recommendations, some of which are listed below:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Finding Economic Solution: President George Manneh Weah commits to implementation of National Dialogue Recommendations |publisher=United Nations |url=https://liberia.un.org/en/21164-finding-economic-solution-president-george-manneh-weah-commits-implementation-national|access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref>

* Review of recommendations of the TRC including the establishment of economic and war crimes court
* Printing of new currency
* Broad-based review of the national custom code
* Recapitalization of the Central Bank of Liberia
* Review of domestic and external debts
* Practical agriculture programs, peace and national reconciliation

During his second year in office, Weah and his administration witnessed a deterioration in the economy, with inflation reaching 30%. This economic downturn, coupled with payment delays, triggered protests against which the police employed tear gas and water cannons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rouse |first=Lucinda |title=Liberians grow wary of George Weah as economic woes deepen |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/1/28/liberians-grow-wary-of-george-weah-as-economic-woes-deepen |access-date=18 July 2023 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

During his fourth State of the Nation address, President Weah presented a series of proposed economic policies and legislative reforms, aiming to address the worsening economic conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2021 |title=Liberian economy front and centre of Weah's state of the nation speech |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20210126-liberian-economy-front-and-centre-of-weah-s-state-of-the-nation-speech-africa-politics-growth-coronavirus |access-date=18 July 2023 |publisher=Radio France Internationale}}</ref>

Since Weah came to power, Liberia's unemployment rate has increased from 3% in 2017 to 4.1%. The Liberian economy grew 1–5% in the first five years of his administration (2018–2022), which is less than in the first four years of his predecessor Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (2006–2009).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karweaye |first=S. |title=Liberia: Weah's Failure of Leadership |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/liberia-weahs-failure-leadership |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=liberianobserver.com}}</ref>

===Domestic policy===
{{Copy edit section|date=November 2023}}
On 29 January 2018, in his first annual message to the national legislature, he reduced his salary and other benefits by 25% with immediate effect. "With the assessment that I gave you earlier of the poor condition of our economy, I believe that it is appropriate that we should all make sacrifices in the interest of our country. According to Article 60 of the [[Constitution of Liberia]], the salaries of the President and the Vice President are established by the [[Legislature of Liberia]], and cannot be increased or reduced during the period for which they are elected. However, in view of the very rapidly deteriorating situation of the economy, I am informing you today, with immediate effect, that I will reduce my salary and benefits by 25% and give the proceeds back to the Consolidated Fund for allocation and appropriation as they see fit."<ref>[http://www.emansion.gov.lr/2press.php?news_id=4347&related=7&pg=sp President Weah Delivers Maiden State of the Nation; Assures 25% Cut in Salary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811022706/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/2press.php?news_id=4347&related=7&pg=sp |date=11 August 2018 }}, ''Libgov''. Retrieved, 29 January 2018</ref>

On 29 January 2018, Weah announced he would seek constitutional changes to allow people of "non-Negro" descent to be citizens and allow foreigners to own land. He called the present situation "racist and inappropriate".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42871741 |title=Weah to scrap 'racist' citizenship law |year=2018 |website=BBC News|access-date=30 January 2018}}</ref>

[[File:2018 July 4 Celebration (2).jpg|thumb|Weah at a 4 July celebration 2018.]]

On 12 September 2020, he declared a national emergency over sexual violence in the country, pledging to create a special prosecutor for rape, a national sex offender registry, and a national task force to tackle the issue.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 September 2020 |title=Liberia declares rape a national emergency after spike in cases |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/12/liberia-declares-rape-a-national-emergency-after-spike-in-cases |access-date=16 June 2022 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> He further announced a 2 million dollar emergency fund, part of which was used to purchase DNA-testing equipment for forensic identification of perpetrators.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 December 2021 |title=Liberia: One Year Since President Weah Declared Rape a National Emergency Activists Say Nothing Has Changed |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/front-slider/liberia-one-year-since-president-weah-declared-rape-a-national-emergency-activists-say-nothing-has-changed/ |first=Mae |last=Azango |access-date=16 June 2022 |work=FrontPage Africa}}</ref> However, as of March 2022, the DNA-testing equipment had yet to be made functional.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 March 2022 |title=Women Legislative Caucus Calls for functional DNA Machines amid Increase in Rape Case |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/gender-issues/women-legislative-caucus-calls-for-functional-dna-machines-amid-increase-in-rape-case/ |first=Gerald C. |last=Koinyeneh |access-date=16 June 2022 |work=FrontPage Africa}}</ref> As well, the special prosecutor had yet to be appointed, the sex offender registry had yet to be implemented, and specialised gender-based violence courts had only been implemented in three of the sixteen Liberian counties.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 June 2022 |title=Has Liberia's 'feminist' president forgotten his promise to tackle rape? |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/liberia-president-george-weah-rape-impunity/ |first=Bettie K. |last=Johnson-Mbayo |access-date=16 June 2022 |work=openDemocracy}}</ref>

Weah signed a drug bill into law which passed by the Legislature after months. The law aimed to regulate, restrict, control, limit, or eradicate the illegal export and importation as well as the flagrant use, abuse, and proliferation of narcotics within the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=President Weah Signs Drugs Bill into Law {{!}} The Executive Mansion |url=https://www.emansion.gov.lr/media/press-release/president-weah-signs-drugs-bill-law |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=www.emansion.gov.lr}}</ref>

Months before the [[2023 Liberian general election|2023 election]], he accepted the endorsement of the [[Bassa people (Liberia)|Bassa people]] for re-election. They did this because he had competence and passion to develop Liberia which is what they claim.<ref>{{Cite web |title=President Weah Accepts Bassa People's Reelection Endorsement {{!}} The Executive Mansion |url=https://www.emansion.gov.lr/media/press-release/president-weah-accepts-bassa-peoples-reelection-endorsement |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=www.emansion.gov.lr}}</ref>

Under his presidency Liberia has made improvements to education and also constructed and renovated schools to make sure children have better education and environment.<ref name="Admin">{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=5 June 2023 |title=George Weah's Political leadership impact on Liberia |url=https://www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk/56331-2/ |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=African Leadership Magazine}}</ref>

===Healthcare===
Healthcare in Liberia improved since he became president in 2018. His administration invested into healthcare, infrastructure, and medical equipment. President Weah faced various facets, including the construction of clinics and hospitals. He also deployed many medics to many poor and underserved areas of the country. He built health insurance programs and Liberia's first dialysis center as well.<ref> [https://www.afro.who.int/countries/liberia/news/president-weah-commissions-liberias-first-national-dialysis-center-and-names-it-honour-his President Weah commissions Liberia’s first National Dialysis Center and names it in honour of his predecessor] [[World Health Organization]] March 7, 2022 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315125929/https://www.afro.who.int/countries/liberia/news/president-weah-commissions-liberias-first-national-dialysis-center-and-names-it-honour-his|date=March 15, 2022}} </ref> <ref name="Admin"/>{{copy edit inline|date=November 2023}}

===Foreign policy===
Upon his election to office, Weah first made an official visit in Senegal to meet with President [[Macky Sall]], to "strengthen the bond between the two countries". On 21 February 2018, Weah made his first official visit outside Africa, to France, meeting French President [[Emmanuel Macron]]. The meeting focused on improving the relationship between France and Liberia and also sought French help for a sports development project in Africa. The meeting was also attended by Didier Drogba, [[Kylian Mbappé]] and [[FIFA]] president [[Gianni Infantino]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://amp.parismatch.com/Actu/Politique/Macron-recoit-Weah-a-l-Elysee-en-presence-de-Drogba-et-Mbappe-1465295 |title=Macron reçoit Weah à l'Elysée en présence de Drogba et Mbappé |year=2018 |work=Paris Match|access-date=21 February 2018 |language=FR}}</ref>
On 25 May 2018, following a meeting with President Weah, the Liberian Football Association president Musa Bility announced that Liberia would vote for the [[Canada–Mexico–United States 2026 FIFA World Cup bid|Canada–Mexico–United States World Cup bid]], breaking ranks with the rest of Africa, who were voting for the [[Morocco 2026 FIFA World Cup bid|Moroccan bid]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Piers |title=Liberia to vote against Morocco's 2026 World Cup bid |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44247560 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref>

He made a visit to China to congratulate [[Xi Jinping]] on his re-election. President Weah said he looked forward to further cementing the strong ties that exist between both countries since establishment between both nations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 June 2023 |title=Pres. Weah Congratulates Pres. Xi on His Reelection {{!}} The Executive Mansion |url=https://www.emansion.gov.lr/media/press-release/pres-weah-congratulates-pres-xi-his-reelection |access-date=18 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611173518/https://www.emansion.gov.lr/media/press-release/pres-weah-congratulates-pres-xi-his-reelection |archive-date=11 June 2023 }}</ref>

[[File:Reuven Rivlin with George Mena Wah, February 2019 (8308).jpg|thumb|Weah with [[Reuven Rivlin]] in Israel.]]

In July 2023, he met with Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] to discuss topics of cementing ties, trade, cooperation on international affairs, peace, and security.<ref>{{Cite web |title=President Weah Holds Bilateral Meeting With Israeli Leaders {{!}} The Executive Mansion |url=https://www.emansion.gov.lr/media/press-release/president-weah-holds-bilateral-meeting-israeli-leaders |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=www.emansion.gov.lr}}</ref>

===Criticism===
{{Further|2019–2020 Liberian protests}}

As President, Weah has come under criticism for inciting violence on opposition candidates including [[Telia Urey]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rodney |first1=Sieh |title=We Couldn't Get Out |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/politics/liberia-we-couldnt-get-out-telia-urey-on-how-she-escaped-death-in-district-15-attack/ |work=FrontPageAfrica |date=18 August 2019}}</ref> On 15 August 2022, three senior members of Weah's cabinet were sanctioned by the United States for alleged corruption.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/george-weah-government-and-politics-c602d2dab6b91daaada07ea58db67437 |title=Senior Liberian officials hit with U.S. financial sanctions |publisher=AP News |date=15 August 2022 |accessdate=17 August 2022}}</ref>

===Song===
On 25 March 2020, the Liberian president recorded his song with the local group The Rabbis, the text of which was written by himself. In this song "He invites the Liberian and African population to stand up by all means against this virus <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[SARS-CoV-2]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> which is causing damage around the world."<ref>{{cite web |last=Cochimau |first=Houngbadji |date=9 April 2020 |title=Liberia: l'émouvante chanson du président George Weah contre la Covid-19 (vidéo) |url=https://beninwebtv.com/2020/04/liberia-lemouvante-chanson-du-president-george-weah-contre-la-covid-19-video/|access-date=10 April 2020 |website=BENIN WEB TV |language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=www.20min.ch |first=www 20minutes ch, 20 Minutes, 20 Min |title=La chanson de George Weah contre le Covid-19 |url=https://www.20min.ch/ro/sports/football/story/20002404|access-date=10 April 2020 |website=20 Minutes |date=April 2020 |language=fr}}</ref><blockquote>"It could be your mother, it could be your dad, your brothers or your sisters. Let's all stand together to fight this dirty virus"-an extract from President Weah's song on a [[reggae]] rhythm. The majority of people in Liberia do not have internet or Facebook access, but radio is a popular and very accessible form of entertainment in the African country.. The song would be played on various stations across the country to properly broadcast the message, according to the president's spokesperson.<ref name="francetvinfo.fr">{{cite web |date=2020-03-26 |title=Liberia : le président George Weah chante contre le coronavirus |url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/afrique/societe-africaine/liberia-le-president-george-weah-chante-contre-le-coronavirus_3885653.html|access-date=2020-04-10 |website=Franceinfo |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=George Weah chante contre le coronavirus – Foot – Coronavirus |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/George-weah-chante-contre-le-coronavirus/1123858|access-date=2020-04-10 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr}}</ref></blockquote> Weah had already recorded a song against [[Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia|Ebola]].<ref name="francetvinfo.fr" />