Vice President Jeremiah Koung described a tense interaction with former President George Weah during a visit to the late Senator Johnson’s home. Koung felt snubbed when Weah declined to shake his hand, raising concerns about lingering tensions from the 2023 elections. This incident illustrates the ongoing divisions in Liberia’s political landscape that may influence future relations as they approach the next election cycle.
In Gbarnga, Vice President Jeremiah Koung recounted a notable encounter with former President George Weah at the home of late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson. This visit, held shortly after Senator Johnson’s death, became tense as Vice President Koung found himself unexpectedly snubbed by Weah, particularly during a time for expressing condolences.
During an interview on the Closing Argument Platform, Vice President Koung revealed that upon arriving at Senator Johnson’s residence, he greeted others before attempting to welcome former President Weah. He stated, “As a sitting Vice President and small brother to him, I decided to walk to his car to welcome him… but he snubbed me.”
Koung initially thought Weah’s refusal to shake hands was due to health concerns; however, he was surprised to observe Weah engaging with other attendees. “…Former President Weah also declined to shake the hands of Kogar and Labor Minister Cooper Kruah,” he noted, highlighting the selective nature of the former president’s greetings.
The Vice President alluded to ongoing tensions that could date back to the 2023 presidential election, where he was the running mate for Unity Party candidate Joseph Boakai. He expressed, “If you’re hurt because of my support to the Unity Party… nothing can change this until the next election.”
Koung emphasized the need for Weah to move on and respect the current political landscape, stating, “If you still want to be president, wait for 2029 and stop being so hurt because I supported the Unity Party.”
This incident underscores the lingering division within Liberia’s political arena, especially in light of the recent election dynamics.
Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s account of his encounter with former President George Weah reveals the complexities and tensions within Liberian politics, particularly following the recent elections. Despite the opportunity for reconciliation, the emotional scars from political alignments persist, suggesting a challenging future as stakeholders navigate their relationships leading up to the next election in 2029.
Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com
