Monrovia — Former President George Weah has declared his intention to contest the 2029 presidential elections, signaling a political comeback just two years after conceding a narrow defeat to President Joseph Boakai.
By Selma Lomax | [email protected]
Speaking Saturday before a throng of energized supporters at a major Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) rally in Monrovia, Weah promised a return to power, launching what he described as the party’s political revival. “We are reorganizing. We are preparing. We are coming back,” he proclaimed to loud applause. “By the power vested in me as Standard Bearer, I hereby declare the due payment process officially launched!”
The rally, marked by chants of “CDC Munya!” and waves of blue, red, and white, kicked off the CDC’s nationwide due payment campaign — an early move to rebuild its grassroots machinery. For Weah, this was more than a symbolic gesture. To many, it was a statement of intent, a signal to his loyal base and rivals alike that he is not ready to fade from the national stage.
Emphasizing the peaceful nature of his 2023 concession, Weah framed his political ethos around democracy and patriotism: “I chose peace over conflict. I chose the Constitution over chaos. I chose democracy over division.”
Why a Weah Comeback could be possible
To his supporters, Weah still represents something few Liberian politicians do —hope for the underrepresented. His charisma and connection with low-income and rural communities remain potent political tools. Despite criticisms of his presidency, many ordinary Liberians continue to view him as accessible and relatable, a leader who rose from poverty and understands their plight.
That personal narrative — combined with his enduring popularity in urban strongholds like Montserrado — makes him a formidable contender in any election.
Adding to that is the CDC’s current grip on the Legislature. With a majority in both houses, the party holds institutional power that can help shape the political climate ahead of 2029. And while the Joseph Boakai-led Unity Party has promised a more technocratic style of governance, the administration’s decision to dismiss over a thousand public sector employees has caused public resentment — especially among regions that heavily supported the ruling party.
Political analysts believe such moves could open the door for the CDC to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction and return to power with a renewed message.
Why a Weah comeback could fall short
But beneath the loud chants and political optimism, serious challenges lie ahead for Weah and the CDC. Most glaring is the unraveling of the very coalition that brought him to power in 2017.
The CDC, once a tripartite political force, now stands alone. Both the National Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Liberia People Democratic Party (LPDP), crucial partners in the coalition, have broken away, citing marginalization and disrespect.
At a recent LPDP homecoming ceremony, party chairman Moses Y. Kollie criticized the treatment of his party under the CDC and called for its political rebirth, naming former House Speaker J. Alex Tyler as its “political father.”
NPP Chairman Atty. George Sylvester Mulbah echoed similar frustrations, stating that his party would never again enter a coalition that lacked mutual respect.
The implications of this fracture are profound. In 2017, the strength of the CDC alliance was rooted in regional and political diversity. Without the LPDP and NPP, Weah’s electoral map becomes narrower, and his campaign would need to compensate for the loss of these influential blocs.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in Lofa County. During the 2023 elections, Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah helped the CDC capture 40 percent of the vote in a region traditionally dominated by the Unity Party. Fallah’s recent expulsion from the CDC, however, raises serious concerns about the party’s future performance in the county. Fallah’s political network and influence —particularly among Lofa’s swing communities — could now shift in favor of the ruling party or other emerging forces.
The situation worsens with the departure of Mulbah Morlu, the CDC’s former chairman and longtime political organizer.
Widely respected among party militants and nicknamed “The Doctore,” Morlu played an instrumental role in building and maintaining the CDC’s base over nearly two decades. From leading campaign tours to restructuring the party in the wake of major defections, Morlu was a constant presence behind the CDC’s resilience.
His departure not only strips the party of a critical strategist, but also threatens its internal cohesion at a time when unity is essential. For many within the party, Morlu wasn’t just a chairman — he was the ideological glue that kept the CDC machine running, especially in tough electoral battles like the one in 2017.
Political analysts warn that without the organizational skills of Morlu and the mobilizing strength of Fallah, the CDC could find itself struggling in key battlegrounds.
Even in Montserrado County, the party’s stronghold, there are signs of shifting allegiances. In 2014, Weah won the senatorial election with 99,226 votes. Yet in 2020, Fallah — though ultimately unsuccessful — surpassed Weah’s total, securing over 120,000 votes. That number now stands as a symbol of internal power redistribution within the CDC, one that the party may not fully control without resolving its internal disputes.
While Weah’s message of redemption may resonate with frustrated voters, the political terrain he once conquered has changed. The CDC no longer commands the same coalition power it did in 2017. Its internal divisions are now public and consequential. And the opposition, particularly the Unity Party, may not be caught off guard by a returning Weah.
Still, in Liberian politics, the unexpected often becomes reality. Weah’s resilience, star power, and connection to the people are advantages that should not be underestimated. But whether those advantages can outweigh the loss of key political allies, internal unity, and coalition strength remains the defining question of his 2029 comeback bid.
