George Weah warns of democratic decline and judicial weaponization

Former Liberian President George Weah has issued strong warnings regarding democratic decline and the potential for authoritarianism within the region. During his return to Monrovia, Weah accused the administration of President Joseph Boakai of conducting “political witch-hunts” and weaponizing the judicial system to target opposition figures, including former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor and former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah.

Weah has called for mass mobilization and defiance from the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), stating that the opposition will use all legal and constitutional avenues to resist what he describes as a “tyrannical attempt” to undermine democracy. He characterized the current government's anti-corruption efforts as a coordinated effort to score political points rather than impartial justice.

In a keynote address at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, Weah expanded his critique to a broader continental warning. He stated that “a tyrant with a certificate of return, is still a tyrant,” arguing that elected leaders can undermine democracy by weakening the legislature and compromising judicial independence. He urged legal professionals to remain vigilant in protecting constitutional rights and maintaining the separation of powers.