By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has, for the first time since leaving office, publicly indicated her willingness to provide counsel to President Joseph Boakai—once he formally seeks engagement with his predecessors.
Speaking recently during a visit to the Clar Weah City of Hope Foundation, Sirleaf emphasized that while she remains in communication with both Boakai and former President George Weah, she does not interfere in their decision-making.
“I have been in communication and continue to be in communication with President Boakai, and I have always been in communication with President Weah,” Sirleaf said.
“I do not call them to question the decisions they make, and I don’t think that’s my role. Maybe one of these days, when President Boakai himself is ready, he will call the two former presidents and say what he thinks, and we will want to give a suggestion, give an idea, give a comment.”
Her remarks suggest a posture of restraint but also underscore the potential value of institutional memory and continuity in Liberia’s governance. Signaling openness to dialogue, Sirleaf positioned herself and Weah as resources for Boakai’s administration, should he choose to draw on their experience.
The comments were made during her tour of the City of Hope, an initiative spearheaded by former First Lady Clar Weah.
The foundation provides free education and serves as a residential school for disadvantaged girls. Sirleaf described the visit as “inspiring,” commending the confidence and preparedness of the pupils she interacted with. She observed classroom lessons, engaged directly with students, and praised the quality of instruction.
“I was impressed by the confidence and preparedness of the pupils,” she noted, highlighting the project’s role in empowering young women through education.
However, Sirleaf also raised concerns about the financial sustainability of the initiative. She disclosed that she had been informed the infrastructure costs exceed $4 million.
The Clar Hope Foundation remains at the center of a legal dispute with the government. The administration of President Joseph Boakai is pushing to seize the foundation’s assets, claiming state resources may have been used in the construction of the City of Hope complex. The Clar Hope Foundation has repeatedly denied those allegations.
A trial judge in Monrovia is scheduled this month to consider a motion related to a request from the government’s Asset Recovery Taskforce seeking documents tied to the construction of the foundation’s complex.
The foundation has asked the court to dismiss or limit the scope of that request; the taskforce maintains the inquiry is part of its efforts to recover public assets.
