Joseph Boakai, 79, was officially sworn in as Liberia’s new president on Monday, following his narrow victory in the November run-off election against incumbent George Weah. Boakai secured 50.64 percent of the vote, edging out the former football star and 1995 Ballon d’Or winner Weah, who garnered 49.36 percent. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Liberian parliament in the capital, Monrovia, at 10:00 am local time (10:00 GMT), with numerous foreign leaders and diplomatic representatives in attendance.

Boakai, with over four decades of political experience, takes office with significant expectations on his shoulders. His tenure as vice president from 2006 to 2018 under Liberia’s first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, provided him with a wealth of experience in governance, though his political career faced a setback when he lost to Weah in the 2017 election. Now, as the new president, Boakai inherits a country grappling with entrenched issues of poverty, corruption, and economic inequality, which he has vowed to address during his six-year term.
Despite his political experience, Boakai’s age has raised concerns among critics, with some referring to him as “Sleepy Joe” due to his perceived sluggishness. During his inauguration speech, Boakai encountered difficulties, pausing twice while delivering his remarks before being helped off the podium by his aides. The presidency later issued a statement explaining that the president had suffered from heat exhaustion during the outdoor ceremony but was “perfectly fine” following medical checks. The statement further assured the public that Boakai had resumed his regular activities and was scheduled to meet with the President of Ghana and other dignitaries later in the day.

Boakai’s leadership comes at a time of heightened tension and a divided electorate, with Weah’s supporters expressing dissatisfaction with the result. The new president’s administration will face immense pressure to tackle long-standing issues such as systemic corruption, inadequate public services, and an underdeveloped economy. Additionally, Boakai’s challenge will be to heal the rifts caused by a highly contentious election and to build an inclusive government that can address the pressing needs of Liberia’s citizens.
Liberia’s future under Boakai’s leadership will depend on his ability to navigate these complex challenges and fulfill his promises to improve the country’s socio-economic landscape.