TheCable

George, Weah, retired footballer, has been sworn in as the 24th president of the Republic of Liberia.

Weah took his oath of office at exactly noon inside the 35,000 capacity Samuel Kanyon Doe sports complex in Monrovia, capital of the country.

At least eight African presidents witnessed the inauguration.

President Muhammadu Buhari was represented by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

The inauguration threw the people of Liberia into wild jubilation as the last peaceful transfer of power between two democratically elected presidents took place in Liberia in 1944, when President Edwin Barclay was replaced by William Tubman.

Weah entered politics after retiring from football in 2002 and run for the presidency in 2005 losing to Sirleaf.

Many Liberians regard the 51-year-old as a hero for his incredible rags-to-riches tale. He was born in a slum in Monrovia, but found fame in international football.

Weah has promised to eradicate corruption in the country of four million people and bolster the weak economy.