Former President George Weah has criticized President Joseph Boakai’s recent outreach on Unification Day, referring to the gesture as a “superficial political gimmick.”
The remarks come amid escalating tensions between the two leaders, who have maintained a contentious relationship since the close presidential election in October 2023, which Weah lost to Boakai by a narrow margin.
In a public statement released on May 14, Weah acknowledged receiving a missed call and text message from President Boakai, who aimed to wish him a happy Unification Day and encourage national unity. Weah noted that he had not communicated with Boakai since January 2024 and responded to the President’s message by reciprocating the holiday greetings.
However, Weah used the occasion to emphasize that “true unification” is grounded in respect for the rule of law and constitutional order, rather than fleeting political gestures. He urged Boakai to honor the democratic institutions established in Liberia and to respect both past and present political leaders as a pathway to genuine national reconciliation.
His statement reflects deepening divisions in Liberian politics, particularly following Boakai’s recent actions against former officials from Weah’s administration and the recent removal of Speaker Fonati Koffa, a prominent member of Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change.
