The outgoing president of Liberia, George Weah, conceded Friday evening his defeat in Tuesday’s presidential election against opponent Joseph Boakai, in a speech on public radio, while the country awaits the publication of the total results of the vote.
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“ Tonight, the CDC (Mr. Weah’s party) lost the election but Liberia won. It’s time for elegance in victory “, declared George Weah, former football glory elected in 2017, in a speech on public radio. “ The results announced this evening, although not final, indicate that Boakai has a lead that we cannot make up. I spoke to President-elect Joseph Boakai to congratulate him on his victory “, said Mr. Weah.
The results published Friday by the electoral commission, after votes in more than 99% of offices, gave 50.89% to Joseph Boakai, 78, and 49.11% to Mr. Weah. Joseph Boakai had a lead of just over 28,000 votes after some 1.6 million ballots were counted. About 2.4 million Liberians were called to the polls on Tuesday, but no indication has been provided so far of participation.
Dozens of supporters of Joseph Boakai celebrated the results by dancing in front of one of his party offices in the Fiama district of Monrovia, noted the AFP correspondent.