As outgoing President George M. Weah and Jewell Howard-Taylor hand over the mantle of state power to incoming President Joseph N. Boakai and Jeremiah K. Koung today, Liberians are patting themselves for a successful transition of power and the aura of democratic values the nation now carries.
Amidst a tough and acrimonious election that ended in a runoff, today’s inauguration is a testament to the will of the Liberian people who fought civil war for about 14 unbroken years that led to the death of about 250,000 people.
Saywah Bleh, a small business man watching the inaugural church service at the Effort Baptis Church yesterday, was awed when he saw former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in attendance; “wow, our democracy is maturing to the extent that we have three living former presidents that we can be proud of in one way or another” he noted.
This moment the nation is relishing today was made possible by the willingness of outgoing President George M. Weah to seize the moment and let democracy reign, although many in his ruling CDC party did not quite agree with him.
Today, as Liberia plays host to several world leaders, their representatives and other dignitaries, it’s befitting to note that this nation is anchoring democracy and gradually taking its place in Africa and the world at large.
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