With 98.1 per cent of the votes counted and Weah leading by 61.5 per cent, the Liberia National Elections Commission declared him the winner of the run-off. It is now left for Weah to build on the 12 years of peace and stability bequeathed to the country by outgoing President Sirleaf. Fresh from retirement as a footballer, Weah had his first shot at the presidency in 2005 and led in the first round of voting, just as he did during the last election. Weah was determined to use his senatorial election victory as a stepping stone to the ultimate diadem. The man who will soon be addressed as President Weah collaborated with musicians to produce records to lift the mood of his people during the Ebola Virus outbreak.

Source: Punch December 30, 2017 23:03 UTC