Liberia’s infamously violent and curiously titled warlords of the last decade—General Fuck-Me-Quick, General Dragon Master, and General Butt Naked—are being replaced by a new cadre of democratically elected leaders. Liberia held elections three days ago, and with no candidate holding a clear majority, a second round of voting will commence in a few weeks. The two final candidates will probably be King George and the Iron Lady.
What is this, Dubya versus Lady Thatcher fighting to lead one of Africa’s failed states? No, just more creative nicknames for local leaders, a custom that appears to be a part of Liberia’s political culture. George Weah is the odds-on favorite, a former soccer star and multi millionaire with no experience in government and who is still in his thirties. His opponent is a Harvard-trained technocrat and former Finance Minister Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. The Iron Lady looks far more qualified and would be Africa’s first elected woman president, but incomplete vote tallies give Weah the lead with 26.6 percent; Johnson-Sirleaf follows with 16.7 percent, and two other candidates are tied for third with about 11 percent each.
Under Liberia’s election laws, the winner must have more than 50% of the votes. Once the final tally is in, a new election will be announced. Of course, a democratically elected leader won’t bring an end to Liberia’s many problems. But it’s a start.
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COMMENTS / 7 COMMENTS
ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » The Iron Lady Wins added these pithy words on Nov 15 05 at 12:37 pm[...] King George v.s. the Iron LadyStraight from the cookieHow Lady Curzon Saved the Rhino!Iron Chancellor?Boo!! [...]
Adamu added these pithy words on 15 Oct 05 at 4:07 amOK, Liberia is a fascinating country… Given the gusto that most Americans have for our system of govt, one would assume that another country founded on the exact same principles and model of government would be just as successful—WRONG!
Is that what led you to an interest in Liberian politics? Or was it just the crazy nicknames?
J.Kende added these pithy words on 15 Oct 05 at 6:28 amCan’t go wrong with the crazy nicknames. But I’d guess it’s more about how much Liberia tells us (or doesn’t) about the breaking point of social systems in the rest of the volatile region of West Africa. I mean, how can one not pay attention to it?
Curzon added these pithy words on 15 Oct 05 at 6:37 amLiberia’s interesting because it’s so crazy, but I suppose I have a guilty complex—the article “The Coming Anarchy” was about totally messed up African countries. Written in 1994, much of what Kaplan wrote came true…
As for Liberia, don’t be fooled by lovey-dovey US rhetoric—it was not founded by US slaves.
Lawrence Onu added these pithy words on 17 Oct 05 at 1:40 pmI’m not interested in your nicknames, really. I’m an African, and want to see Liberia restored to the path of peace and progress. If the two leading candidates, Geoge and Ellen, would accept my counsel, both should avoid a run-off and form a government. George is need to stabilize the country while Ellen will help restore economic growth.
Gerald Harmon added these pithy words on 17 Oct 05 at 1:53 pmThe so-called Iron Lady supported wars in Liberia, she is not neutral and I firmly believe that Weah, th great footballer who has been neutral person who beat her flat in the run-off
Lawrence Onu added these pithy words on 17 Oct 05 at 3:07 pmAs the Bible says, “there is time for everything.” A time for war and a time for peace. I believe that Liberia should be helped in every way possible to move forward. George Weah has become a ralllying point for the younger generation, most of who were probably involved in the civil war. But I’m not sure he has the experience to steer the country back to the path of socio-economic prosperity. He needs the balancing experience of people like Ellen. Whoever was involved in the war, this should a time of reconciliation, although that cannot be gotten at the expense of truth and justice.
