- Title: Weah sworn in as Liberia president, vows to end corruption
- Date: 22nd January 2018
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA, GEORGE WEAH, SAYING: "I firmly believe that the overwhelming mandate that I received from the Liberian people is a mandate to end corruption in public service. I promise to deliver on this mandate." WEAH, SIRLEAF AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DESCENDING FROM INAUGURATION STAGE SOLDIERS STANDING ON GRASS BY RED CARPET SALUTING VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS TAKING DOWN LIBERIAN FLAG IN FRONT OF CROWD, MEDIA FILMING SIRLEAF HANDING FLAG TO MILITARY OFFICER, WEAH HANDING FLAG TO MILITARY OFFICER / OFFICER PASSING FLAG TO COMMANDER OF TROOPS
- Embargoed: 5th February 2018 16:46
- Keywords: George Weah Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf swearing in inauguration corruption corrupt officials
- Location: MONROVIA, LIBERIA
- City: MONROVIA, LIBERIA
- Country: Liberia
- Topics: Government/Politics,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0057Z72XC7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:George Weah, the former international soccer star who won the presidency of Liberia in December, promised a crackdown on endemic corruption as he was sworn in on Monday (January 22).
Weah, 51, said he had been given an "overwhelming" mandate to end corruption in Liberia and said he wanted to narrow the gap between the rich and poor.
Growing up in the slums of Monrovia to become one of Africa's greatest footballers, Weah played for top-flight European teams including AC Milan and Paris St Germain.
He succeeds Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia and Africa's first female elected head of state, who took power 12 years ago. She is credited with shoring up peace after a bloody civil conflict, but criticised for failing to tackle elite graft or do much to lift Liberians out of poverty.
Founded by freed American slaves, Liberia is Africa's oldest modern republic. But it has been plagued by years of unrest and bloodshed, including two civil wars in the 1980s and 90s that were notorious for their brutality and use of child soldiers. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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