By Damien Glez
Liberian enamel are gnashing. President Weah is travelling overseas for a month and a half, specifically to encourage his son, who doesn’t even play for the Liberian group, on the World Cup…
“The World Cup shouldn’t be politicised,” say these against boycotting the present controversial match. This has not stopped Africans from scrutinising the Qatari visits of the continent’s political leaders and judging their appropriateness.
Ghana’s Nana Akufo Addo? He leads a nation that has certified for Qatar 2022. Rwanda’s Paul Kagame? He’s presently finishing up his continental obligations, heading up the New Partnership for Africa’s Improvement (NEPAD). Senegal’s Macky Sall? He’s each the president of the African Union and of a rustic that certified for the World Cup.
What concerning the president of Liberia? The previous footballer George Weah made his continent proud in 1995 by changing into the primary and solely African participant to obtain the Ballon d’Or (awarded by France Soccer journal to one of the best participant of the 12 months). The person who loves to make use of politico-sports metaphors is the visitor of honour of the Fédération Internationale de Soccer Affiliation (FIFA).
Rising discontent
The media couldn’t assist however discover that Weah’s keep in Qatar was additionally a household affair. Backstage at a match, the top of state was filmed hugging his son Timothy, who scored in opposition to Wales. Liberia, nevertheless, didn’t qualify for the finals of the match. For these much less linked to sports activities information, the colors worn by Tim’s mom indicated that their son was defending the flag of the US…
President Weah left his palace a month in the past, on 1 November, however doesn’t plan to return to the nation earlier than the tip of the World Cup on 18 December. The Senate had initially been knowledgeable of a keep that was to finish on 23 November after “a sequence of bilateral and multilateral conferences with counterparts and enterprise leaders”. Nonetheless, it was not till 18 November that senators had been knowledgeable that Justice Minister Frank Musa Dean could be managing the president’s enterprise, in session with the nation’s vice chairman, Jewel Howard Taylor.
There are those that contemplate the distant announcement of an extension of his absence to be significantly cavalier.
Will this go on till the tip of the soccer fiesta? It appears the Qatari journey takes up solely 9 days of the official schedule, which makes reference to the thirteenth version of the Peace and Sport Worldwide Discussion board in Monaco from 30 November to three December. President Weah is predicted to take part within the US-Africa Summit on 13 December.
Regardless of the locations, kind of familial, some have cited the supposed value of this 48-day journey for the state coffers, understanding that Weah has frequently been criticised for the frequency of his journeys overseas.
There are those that contemplate the distant announcement of an extension of his absence to be significantly cavalier. Even so, the president has responded that the interim administration of energy will likely be dealt with by way of “phone contact” with him. Presumably exterior of match time.
