On the move since November 1, Liberian President George Weah has been managing his country's affairs from a distance since… the World Cup in Qatar.
We see him regularly in the bays of the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille, to encourage the LOSC team where his son Timothy plays. It's hard to forget that George Weah, before becoming president of Liberia, was a great footballer. The Head of State has indeed evolved at Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco or even AC Milan. He was mostly the first African Ballon d'Or.
Yes but here it is. On the side of Liberia, the absence of Weah who attends several matches of his son, who holds American nationality, worries. How can a president spend time in the stadiums of a country that is not his own when the economic situation is catastrophic? “Today we live in a world plagued by chaos and insurmountable crises that threaten the very heart of the international order,” said the Liberian head of state at the beginning of November.
George Weah, currently the presidency of Liberia is not his priority. He's been telecommuting from Doha for 10 days to watch his son's matches.
— Mansour Loum⭐ (@Mansour_Loum) November 30, 2022
In Liberia, the announcement of the president's calendar caused controversy: the presidency announced trips abroad for about forty days. Gossips will say that George Weah has adapted his schedule to the World Cup of his son, who intends to encourage as long as possible. Supporters of the Liberian will recall that the latter is the guest of honor of the International Football Federation (Fifa).
The Vice-President and the Minister of Justice at the helm
And that has little to do with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, who came to support his selection. Or with Macky Sall, in Qatar to bring a message of support to the Lions of Terenga. Because Liberia is not qualified for the World Cup and his son Timothy preferred to play for the United States than for Liberia.
The absence of Weah in the country is much talked about, especially because his trips are expensive. Since November 1, the president has left his country. But before following the World Cup, he was first the guest of honor at the 14th edition of the MEDays Forum. After nine days in Qatar, Weah is expected to attend the Peace and Sports International Forum in Monaco, then the US-Africa Summit in Washington.
In fact, therefore, George Weah simply took advantage of his "series of bilateral and multilateral meetings with counterparts and business leaders" scheduled for November and December to have a good time in Qatar. In the meantime, it is the Minister of Justice, Frank Musa Dean, who manages current affairs, as well as the vice-president Jewel Howard-Taylor. In the entourage of the head of state, it is assured that Weah works on the telephone with his collaborators.