Thousands protest in Liberia against corruption, economic decline

Thousands protest in Liberia against corruption, economic decline
Thousands protest in Liberia against corruption, economic decline

Thousands of Liberians demonstrated in the streets of the capital, Monrovia, on Friday June 8th to denounce the corruption and economic decline that many blame on their president, George Weah.

On the contrary of the wild celebrations that welcomed Weah's victory in 2017, crowds of protestors bearing signs calling Weah a "traitor" amassed near the president's official residence.

Anti-Weahprotestors chanted slogans that decry economy brought to a standstill whichinflates poverty and expressed their outrage against the country loss of $100million in afresh printed bank notes designated for the central bank.

"Weah is notgoverning our state the right way," said Ishmael Hassan, who voted forWeah in 2017 but has since become disillusioned. "The economic situationin our country is going down the drain."

Liberia's economywas hit hard by a 2014-16 Ebola outbreak that killed thousands, low prices forits chief exports, iron ore and rubber, and declining foreign aid.

A petitiondistributed by the protest's organizers on Friday blamed the administration ofwasting public funds, violating press freedoms, and failing to adequately fundhealth and education programs.

The petitionaccuses Weah himself of building "scores of luxury homes" after hedeclined to publicly announce his assets.

"I supportedthis government, but the way things are going, we want to save the state,"said protestor Bob Blue.

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