Nick Smith

Joy and hope in Liberia as George Weah sworn in

Monrovia - Emiratesvoice

To the cheers of a crowd fired by his promise to bring them jobs and prosperity, former football star George Weah was sworn in as president of Liberia on Monday, completing the country's first transition between democratically-elected leaders in three generations. Weah, 51, takes over from Nobel laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who over 12 years steered the country away fromRead more

Weah sworn in as Liberian president, completes historic transition

Monrovia - Emiratesvoice

Former international football star George Weah was sworn in as Liberia’s new president on Monday, in the country’s first transition between democratically-elected leaders since 1944. Weah, 51, took over from Nobel laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who spent 12 years at the helm, steering the West African nation away from the trauma of a civil war.Read more

Liberians hopeful of first democratic handover since 1944

Monrovia - Emiratesvoice

Liberians were awaiting Wednesday the result of a presidential election they say represents far more than the choice of a successor to Africa's first elected female head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Sirleaf's predecessor Charles Taylor fled the country in 2003 with hopes of avoiding prosecution for funding rebel groups in neighbouring Sierra Leone, while two presidents who served prior to Taylor wereRead more

Liberians to choose new leader in delayed presidential vote

Monrovia - Emiratesvoice

Vote counting has begun in Liberia following a peaceful run-off election for a new president on Tuesday, pitting former international footballer George Weah against Vice-President Joseph Boakai. Voters have chosen a successor to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is stepping down after 12 years as Africa's first elected female head of state. Results are expected in a few days, in what wouldRead more

Liberian economy struggles as election crisis drags on

Monrovia - AFP

Businesses in Liberia's dual-currency economy are feeling the pinch as customers stay home and the exchange rate keeps climbing in the absence of a resolution to the country's disputed presidential election. "Nobody wants to buy, people are keeping their money," said Ruth Wollie, one of many female market traders who make up an important voting bloc for Liberian politicians. "ForRead more

Unity Party called for a logical legal conclusion as quickly

Monrovia - AFP

Liberia's ruling party on Sunday announced a formal complaint against the electoral commission over the outcome of the October 10 presidential poll, days before a runoff involving its candidate, Vice-President Joseph Boakai. A statement released by the Unity Party and two other parties called for "a logical legal conclusion as quickly as permissible under Liberian law," citing "widespread and systematicRead more

African Summit to be launched on July 3

Ethiopia - Emirates Voice

Twenty-four African leaders are expected to attend the 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union from July 3-4 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The information was given on Thursday by Meles Alem, spokesperson for Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) during which he also revealed that Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas is expectedRead more