Liberians are facing a severe rice shortage, with long queues forming to purchase the staple food amid rising prices and supply-chain disruptions exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. The price of rice has nearly doubled over six months, and the government, along with the UN, attributes the shortage to delayed shipments. The World Bank reports that over a fifth of Liberia's population lives on less than $2.15 per day. The UN World Food Programme confirms the shortage is due to delays in rice consignments and is impacted by the crisis in Ukraine. The Liberian commerce ministry has urged calm and discouraged panic-buying, promising that more supplies are en route and that the current stock will last until the next shipment arrives. Liberia, still recovering from civil wars and the Ebola crisis, faces high inflation and cash shortages, ranking low on the UN's Human Development Index, with a presidential election approaching in October 2023.

Gibril Massaquoi, a Sierra Leonean living in Finland, goes on trial for alleged war crimes during Liberia's civil war. The trial, a first of its kind, will partly take place in Liberia to hear from witnesses. Massaquoi faces charges of murder, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, with prosecutors seeking a life sentence. The case is significant as it may set a precedent for international accountability, with few convictions for the Liberian conflict to date. Massaquoi denies the charges, claiming he was involved in peace negotiations at the time.

Gibril Massaquoi, a Sierra Leonean residing in Finland, is on trial for alleged war crimes during Liberia's civil war, including murder, aggravated war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The trial, which began in Finland, will also take place in Liberia and Sierra Leone to hear from witnesses and visit crime sites. Massaquoi, known as 'Angel Gabriel,' denies the charges, claiming he was involved in peace negotiations at the time. Prosecutors seek a life sentence for atrocities committed between 1999 and 2003. The trial is seen as a significant step for international justice, with few convictions for the Liberian civil war crimes to date.

Liberian doctors, led by Jerry Brown, are applying their experience from the Ebola crisis to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the healthcare system's fragility and economic challenges, there is cautious optimism about handling the outbreak. Liberia has reactivated Ebola-era protocols and facilities, but faces obstacles such as insufficient medical equipment and public compliance with health restrictions. The country's economy is still recovering from civil wars and Ebola, with many living in poverty. President George Weah has declared a state of emergency and locked down Monrovia to combat the virus, which has seen 101 cases and eight fatalities so far.

Liberian President George Weah is facing protests in Monrovia over inflation and corruption, challenging his leadership on issues he campaigned on. The Council of Patriots, a coalition of various societal groups, is leading the protests with expectations of a large turnout and potential for violence or disruption. The UN's special envoy expressed concerns over the Liberian state's capacity to manage the protests. Economic hardships are highlighted by citizens' testimonies on the rising cost of living. The Central Bank of Liberia is under scrutiny for its handling of the currency, with past and present managers being criticized following scandals involving currency mismanagement. Weah has acknowledged the hardships and prioritized health, education, and roads, while also noting potential IMF aid that would require reforms and austerity.

Liberian President George Weah, who succeeded Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is seeking international aid to fulfill his promises of reducing poverty and improving living standards. Weah has cut his own salary, reduced rice prices, and secured 27 million euros from the European Commission. Liberia has also taken out loans totaling nearly $1 billion for infrastructure projects. Critics are concerned about the sustainability of these loans. The government aims to build 759 kilometers of paved roads to improve connectivity, especially during the rainy season.

Liberian President George Weah faces accusations of attempting to muzzle the media as a newspaper confronts a $1.8-million defamation case and a BBC journalist flees the country fearing reprisals. The Committee to Protect Journalists and the UN have expressed concerns over the use of libel lawsuits to intimidate journalists. Weah has reassured journalists of '200 percent freedom of expression' under his government, despite the Press Union of Liberia's alarm over increased threats and harassment of journalists.

George Weah, a former football star and the first African to win FIFA's World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or, has been elected president of Liberia after defeating Vice President Joseph Boakai. Weah, who is popular among the youth and the poor, has focused on education, job creation, and infrastructure in his political platform. Despite criticism for his vague political platform and being a high school dropout, many voters see Weah's rise from the slums to success as inspirational. Critics also question his choice of vice-presidential candidate, Jewel Howard-Taylor, and suggest he may be manipulated by outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Weah's son, Timothy, recently signed with Paris Saint-Germain, continuing the family's football legacy.

Liberia conducted a peaceful presidential run-off election between former footballer George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai. The election, which follows legal challenges from Boakai's party, is expected to result in the country's first democratic transition since 1944. Observers from the Liberia Elections Observation Network and the European Union praised the organization of the vote. The candidates have urged calm during the counting process, and the National Elections Commission has taken steps to ensure transparency. The winner will inherit an economy struggling with low commodity prices and a depreciating currency, and will face challenges such as poverty and corruption.

Liberia is poised for its first democratic transition of power from elected President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to a successor chosen in a recent vote, which has been praised for its smooth process. The second round of voting saw football legend and Senator George Weah face off against outgoing Vice President Joseph Boakai, with local media suggesting Weah is in the lead based on preliminary results. The country, which has not experienced a democratic transition since 1944, is still recovering from a brutal 14-year civil war and the Ebola epidemic. The final election results are awaited, and both candidates have urged their supporters to refrain from violence. The National Electoral Commission, under Jerome Korkoya, is the only body authorized to announce official results.

Liberia is set to conduct a presidential run-off vote between Vice President Joseph Boakai and former footballer George Weah, marking the first democratic transition since 1944. The run-off was delayed by seven weeks due to legal challenges by Boakai's Unity Party, alleging electoral fraud, which were dismissed by the Supreme Court. The election will decide the successor to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is stepping down after 12 years. Weah, who leads the Coalition for Democratic Change, is popular among the youth and has been endorsed by Prince Johnson. The candidates are campaigning on issues such as corruption and economic challenges, with Liberia's economy struggling due to low commodity prices and a depreciating currency.

Liberia's ruling Unity Party has filed a formal complaint against the National Elections Commission over alleged irregularities and fraud in the October 10 presidential election. The complaint, supported by the Liberty Party and All Liberian Party, accuses outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of interfering with the electoral process. The Unity Party's candidate, Vice-President Joseph Boakai, will face George Weah in a runoff vote on November 7. International observers had deemed the election largely credible, and the international community has called for a smooth democratic transition.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first female leader, is stepping down after 12 years as Liberia's president, leaving a legacy of peace but unfulfilled aspirations for women's political representation. Despite respect for her achievements, critics argue that the glass ceiling remains intact, with women underrepresented in the Senate and as candidates in the upcoming elections. Issues like teenage pregnancy, sexual violence, and literacy among women persist. MacDella Cooper, the only female presidential candidate, and others seek broader prosperity. Feminists Robtel Neajai Pailey and Korto Reeves Williams criticize Sirleaf's lack of support for women in politics, while Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor discusses the challenges women face in gaining political traction.