-Jewel Howard Taylor sworn in as Vice President
By our Reporter
Watched by at least eight African Presidents and two former Presidents along with a crowd of over 35,000, international football icon-turned politician George Manneh Weah on Monday took the oath of office as Liberia’s 24th President at the main stadium outside Monrovia.
The oath was administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Francis Korkpor by mid-day local time, marking the first peaceful transfer of power in 73 years from one elected President to another elected President.
Weah of the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) won a convincing victory in the December 26, 2017 presidential runoff election, winning 14 of Liberia’s 15 counties against outgoing Vice President Joseph Boakai of the former ruling Unity Party (UP).
Taking the oath in a white traditional gown, Weah pledged to uphold, protect and defend the constitution of Liberia, something that was immediately followed by a 21-gun salute.
Shortly after taking the oath of office, the flag of Liberia was then lowered put in a box by troops under the command of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Major Gen. Daniel Ziahkahn who presented it to outgoing President Sirleaf and Commander-In-Chief of the AFL.
A new flag was later unveiled, presented to the new President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces by the Chief of Staff and later hoisted by the AFL honour guard.
Shortly thereafter, outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf swapped seats with the new President, taking his seat in the presidential chair for the next six years.
Later the newly inaugurated President and Commander_In_Chief of the armed forces flanked by the AFL Chief of Staff inspected troops on the ground of the stadium and taking the salute.
Weah’s running mate, former Senator Jewel Howard Taylor was also sworn in as Liberia’s first elected female Vice President. Jewel is ex-wife of jailed former Liberian President Charles Taylor.
In attendance at the stadium named after slain Liberian President Samuel Kanyon Doe were the Presidents of Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Senegal, Guinea, Togo and Burkina Faso and Mali.
Also present at Liberia’s historic inauguration are former Nigerian President Olusegun Obansanjo and Jerry Rawlings, the former President of Ghana.
Egyptian Preside Sisi was represented by his Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, a number of people are being treated in hospitals in Monrovia after being injured in a stampede.
Health Ministry authorities say some of them got serious injuries, while others fainted as hundreds of people tried to make their way into the already overcrowded stadium.