Monrovia – Leader of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) George Weah says he resigned his post of Liberia’s peace ambassador because he did not want to fall in conflict with the Code of Conduct.
Report Henry Karmo – [email protected]
Prior to his resignation in November 2014, there were speculations that his office was not being supported by the Government as there was a posture of non-cooperation between his office and the President’s, especially after he declared his intention to contest the senatorial elections.
The President’s son – Robert Sirleaf – was also contesting the senatorial seat of Montserrado County.
However, Weah said he received a check from the government to carry out a project under this office but returned the check upon his resignation.
The CDC presidential candidate failed to disclose the amount on the check and to who to it was returned.
“I resigned as a Peace Ambassador because of the Code of Conduct.”
“I took back check of the project I was to undertake and I did that because the check wasn’t mine it was the Liberian people’s money.”
“There are some elements on radio everyday defaming my character – don’t listen to them.”
Weah provided the details on his resignation last Sunday when his presidential candidacy was endorsed by the Liberian Fula Community who thinks he has supported peace in Liberia.
His role as Peace Ambassador was to lead reconciliation which forms part of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s National Vision 2030.
Upon his resignation in 2014, Weah embarked on the Montserrado County Senatorial race which saw him becoming one of two senators of Montserrado.
Though Weah did not disclose details leading to his resignation at the time, there were reports of him engaging in unsuccessful deals to sell his Senatorial bid to the President’s son in exchange for one of the country’s oil blocks and access to cash.
In a critique of his appointment as peace ambassador, former Auditor General John Morlu wrote, “After the 2011 elections, I advised George Weah and George Solo for us to focus on business so that they would not have to live at the financial mercy of the Sirleaf’s regime. It fell on deaf ears!
Mr. Weah and Mr. Solo held multiple discussions with Robert Sirleaf and his team to trade the Senatorial seat in exchange for cash and access to some oil block but it seems Mr. Solo just overplayed his hands, trying to out-fox his political leader.
“This is the unfortunate problem in the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC): Political Leaders Trading Places, while the interest of the rank-and-file are undermined.”
“In all of this, where is the commitment to principle?”
Morlu has also been a staunch critic of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf-led regime, often flagging corruption in government.
Endorsement By Fula Community
In their endorsement comment, the Fula community described Weah as a philanthropist, a peace maker, someone who believes in developing Liberia and a unifier.
Like he has done in recent time, Weah could not complete his statement without throwing jibes at Vice President Joseph Boakai whom he accused of having nothing to show for the over forty years of public service.
Weah said his wave of attacks on the Unity Party standard bearer, and not on others wanting to become President is because he sees those in the opposition as allies who have one objective to retire VP Boakai and his Unity Party.
Contrary to his vice standard bearer who has earlier opted for Liberia to be changed to a Christian State the CDC Political leader said he is a religiously tolerant person who will work and accord everyone the right to practice his or her religion.
“I have been a Muslim, I attended the English and Arabic School; I adopted Islam and I am a Christian today and in no way or shape I will alienate Muslims. The same love I have for Christians is the same I have for the Muslims.”
Creating a middle class
Weah comes in no comparison with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in terms of qualification and experience.
But she has for the past twelve years of her Presidency struggled to stabilize the economy and provide jobs. Weah has promised to create a middle class society in his tenure.
“I want to create a middle class where every child will go to the University of his Choice; every child will go to the hospital even if you don’t have money and every employee will afford to buy a car.”
“I want to create a middle class that is missing,” Weah added.
Like many other politicians, Weah says his government will prioritize agriculture and food self-sufficiency.
Over the weekend, Senator George Weah received several endorsements from various organizations. It all started on Saturday at the 72nd Barracks in Paynesville where he was endorsed by scores of university students under the banner: “National University Students of Liberia.”
Additionally, he was endorsed by two other organizations on Sunday.
The first endorsement took place at the CWA’s auditorium and it was organized by members of the Fula ethnic group under the banner “JAMA’A for Weah presidency.”
Later on during the day, Senator Weah headed to district 17, precisely to the Red Hill community field where he was endorsed this time by another group called (MOWEP).