Weah believes he is ‘the future’

LIBERIANS are flocking to the presidential campaign of former soccer star George Weah, who has pledged to lead his war-scarred country to peace and development after decades of despots.

That’s despite the glowing CVs of his rivals. Sekou Conneh, a former rebel leader, helped drive corrupt former President Charles Taylor into exile, and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, served as Citibank vice president and was a World Bank official.

Weah was FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995.

“As I look in your faces tonight, I see that I am your future,” the 38-year-old former AC Milan striker said to boisterous fans as he launched his campaign with an all-night rally.

Weah says if he wins, his administration would focus on putting some 70,000 former combatants to work. He also says he would lower the presidential term limit from six years to four.

Weah is among 22 candidates running in the October 11 elections overseen by nearly 15,000 UN troops guarding a transition to democracy after the end of its 1989-2003 crisis.

Weah’s opponents, many with much longer records of public service, question if a man with only a high school education is capable of leading a nation of three million out of its troubles.

Weah, whose roots are in Monrovia’s slums, has a populist rejoinder: Liberians should look around at their crumbling roads, ruined government buildings and refugee camps and ask if the elite that held power for so long has the answers.

“Politicians have been up there and the masses have been down for many years. It is time for the masses to go up,” Weah said.

“With all their education and experience, they have governed this nation for hundreds of years. They have never done anything for the nation.”

In a deeply impoverished country where only about half of adults can read, his lack of advanced degrees may be a boon.

“Degree holders, where are you? Weah is already in the (presidential) mansion,” supporters chanted.

Freed American slaves resettled on Africa’s west coast founded Liberia in 1847. Their caste-based system of rule was overthrown in 1980 and Liberia suffered more than a decade of political unrest and wars. .

After international pressure forced leader Charles Taylor into exile in 2003, UN force was put in place.

Liberia’s caretaker, chairman Gyude Bryant, is to cede power to an elected president in January.

About 1.3 million Liberians have registered to vote, hoping they’re finally at the doorstep of lasting peace

Weah’s ascent from Monrovia’s slums to the heights of international soccer resonates with the aspirations of many Liberians, and they crave his leadership.

Others question if Weah’s soccer stardom makes him fit to run the country.

“This football legend, in my opinion, should not be misled into continuing his presidential bid,” said John Kehler, a 38-year-old university student.

“He’s quite inexperienced for the job. This is not a popularity contest.”