By: Julius Konton
Liberia’s opposition Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) has formally endorsed former President George Manneh Weah as its presidential candidate for the country’s 2029 General and Presidential Elections, pledging what it described as “unreserved and uncompromising support” while announcing plans for a nationwide political mobilization campaign.
The endorsement, contained in a statement issued by the party’s National Executive Committee and signed by National Secretary General Jeremiah Edison Paye and approved by National Chairman Prince G. Mehn, follows President Weah’s public declaration that he intends to seek another term in office after serving as Liberia’s 25th President from 2018 to 2024.
MOVEE described Weah’s decision to contest the 2029 elections as a response to what it called growing public demand for experienced leadership, national reconciliation, economic recovery, peace, and adherence to the rule of law.
The party also reaffirmed its longstanding political alliance with the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), recalling that it endorsed Weah during the 2017 presidential runoff election, in which he defeated then-Vice President Joseph Boakai with approximately 61.5% of the vote, before again supporting his re-election bid in the 2023 elections, which he narrowly lost in a runoff to Boakai by less than one percentage point.
According to Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC), Boakai secured about 50.64% of the runoff vote compared with Weah’s 49.36%, making it one of the closest presidential contests in Liberia’s post-war democratic history.
MOVEE announced that its Political Leader and Standard Bearer, Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah Sr., has directed the party to begin extensive political mobilization across Liberia’s 15 counties, targeting districts, cities, towns, and communities in coordination with the CDC and other constituent parties.
Party leaders said the campaign would focus on grassroots engagement ahead of the 2029 elections, emphasizing voter outreach, coalition-building, and support for CDC senatorial and representative candidates.
Repeatedly echoing its campaign slogan, MOVEE declared that a “2029 Weah Comeback Is Irreversible and Unstoppable,” presenting the phrase as the party’s central political message for the coming electoral cycle.
In its statement, MOVEE criticized the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, accusing the government of presiding over economic hardship, corruption, political persecution, abuse of power, insecurity, illegal drug trafficking, and weak governance.
These allegations reflect the opposition party’s political position.
The Boakai administration has consistently defended its record, citing ongoing governance reforms, anti-corruption initiatives, infrastructure development, and economic recovery measures as part of its national development agenda.
Beyond politics, MOVEE said it intends to continue implementing community empowerment initiatives under the Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah Sr.
Women Empowerment and Vocational Skills Training Program, which the party says provides free vocational training and skills development opportunities for young people and women across Liberia.
According to MOVEE, the initiative is designed to promote entrepreneurship, economic self-reliance, and grassroots development while complementing the party’s broader political agenda.
MOVEE has remained one of the constituent parties within the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) since the coalition’s formation ahead of the 2017 elections.
The coalition, led by George Weah, ended 12 years of rule by the Unity Party, which had governed Liberia under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from 2006 to 2018.
Although the CDC lost power following the closely contested 2023 presidential election, the coalition remains Liberia’s largest opposition political bloc and is expected to play a significant role in shaping the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2029 elections.
Liberia’s next presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for 2029, when voters will elect a president, members of the House of Representatives, and a portion of the Senate in accordance with the country’s constitutional electoral cycle.
With MOVEE’s endorsement now formally announced, George Weah has secured the backing of one of the CDC alliance’s constituent parties as opposition forces begin positioning themselves years ahead of what is expected to become another highly competitive presidential race.
The statement concluded with a call for MOVEE members, supporters, and “all well-meaning Liberians” to unite behind George Weah’s presidential candidacy and CDC legislative candidates, expressing confidence that the coalition can return to power in 2029.
