Weah, from savior to traitor?

-"We want [Liberians] to see hope in the future." -President-elect Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

-"I am President of this country, whether you like it or not, it will not change." -George Weah, loser of the presidential runoff and formerly well-respected citizen.

Looks like Liberians made the right choice.

I used to hold Weah in high regard, someone who used his status as the world's most famous Liberian to the benefit of his countrymen. It's tragic to see that beneficience now used to hold the country hostage.

African and international leaders need to make Weah accept that unpleasant fact that he lost fair and square. Sulk if he wants, but he must be made to understand that holding Liberia to ransom for his own personal ambitions or those of his entourage is completely unacceptable. If that means the threat of an international travel ban or freezing of assets, then so be it. Liberians have suffered enough at the hands of egomaniacs and their thugs.

I won't call Weah a traitor just yet. I'll give him time to reflect on the lunacy of the course of action his cabal seem intent on pursuing. But he'd better return to sanity sooner, rather than later.

Update: a reader pointed out that Weah openly called for revolution. In a country as fragile as Liberia, maybe that is traitor material.


Update 2: After much international condemnation, Weah has finally dropped his legal challenge to Johnson-Sirleaf's election. He said he wouldn't stand in the way of the president-elect's inauguration but, troublingly, will not drop claims of being cheated.