Monrovia, Liberia – May 15, 2025
Liberia’s former President George Manneh Weah and current President Joseph Nyuma Boakai exchanged messages of goodwill during the commemoration of Unification Day on May 14, but underlying tensions over governance and rule of law surfaced in their respective public statements.
In a formal statement posted on social media, former President Weah extended Unification Day greetings to all Liberians and confirmed receiving a goodwill message from President Boakai via text following a missed call. “I responded to said message in return by also wishing him a Happy Unification Day,” Weah said.
However, the former President used the occasion to voice concerns over the state of governance under President Boakai. He stated that he had not spoken to Boakai since January 2024 and emphasized that “true unification is not based on superficial political gimmicks, but on the rule of law and constitutional order.” Weah called on the current administration to respect democratic institutions and uphold the dignity of both past and present political leaders.
In a contrasting narrative, the Executive Mansion released a message indicating that President Boakai had personally reached out to multiple national figures, including former Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Weah, as part of efforts to promote national unity. The statement noted that Boakai made “special goodwill telephone calls” to former leaders and also contacted major religious and traditional institutions to rally support for reconciliation and inclusion.
The differing tones between the two messages reveal a broader undercurrent in Liberia’s political climate. While President Boakai seeks to project an image of inclusivity and unity, former President Weah appears to be signaling dissatisfaction with what he perceives as political marginalization and disregard for legal norms.
As Liberia marked Unification Day—an occasion meant to reinforce national cohesion—these public statements underscore both the symbolic gestures of peace and the persistent challenges that continue to test the country’s democratic resilience.
