Renowned Liberian cultural icon and public commentator Miatta Fahnbulleh has offered a sharp, unvarnished assessment of the legacies of two former presidents, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George M. Weah, in a wide‑ranging interview.
On former President Sirleaf, she said, “Her lasting legacy will be that she unleashed George Weah on us. That is the legacy I give to Mrs. Sirleaf.” Madam Fahnbulleh disclosed that former President Sirleaf literally held up Weah’s hand as the successor. “We didn’t have the capabilities of printing extra ballots and those little things that happened in African politics,” Madam Fahnbulleh said.
Madam Fahnbulleh at the same time, acknowledged Weah’s legendary status in sports but argued that football excellence does not automatically prepare one for high office. She added, “He is a fantastic football player. But where I come from, we did not see footballers as national political leaders. They should stick to their profession. George Weah is an Abedi Pelé, could you imagine Abedi Pelé for President? He is not a politician.”
Describing Weah’s time in office in a stark term, Fahnbulleh stressed, “He was a disaster for the country. Go to Liberia now, they will tell you. He had absolutely no interest in governance; he was just happy to be President, enjoying himself, doing the booga dance, drinking and partying. How do you expect a footballer to read a 530‑page budget? They did not even bother him with those things because he could not deal with it.”
Madam Fahnbulleh clarified that her view was rooted in performance, not personal malice adding, “It is not damning; it is just the truth. I even have sympathy for George because I know his limitations.”
