IPNEWS: Renowned Liberian musician, cultural icon and human rights advocate Miatta Fahnbulleh has come under strong criticism over recent accusation that former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, was responsible for the political rise of George Manneh Weah, whose six-year administration she described as “a disaster” for Liberia.
Speaking in an interview over the weekend in Accra, Ghana, Fahnbulleh argued that Sirleaf’s most consequential political legacy was endorsing Weah ahead of the 2017 presidential election, a move she believes ultimately ushered him into the country’s highest office.
“Her lasting legacy will be that she unleashed George Weah on us. That’s the legacy I give to Mrs. Sirleaf,” Fahnbulleh declared.
According to her, Sirleaf’s public support gave Weah the political momentum needed to secure the presidency, effectively presenting him to Liberians as her preferred successor following the end of her constitutional tenure.
Fahnbulleh criticized Weah’s six-year presidency, describing his administration as a failure that left lasting consequences for the country.
“He was a disaster for the country,” she said, emphasizing that her criticism was based on his stewardship of the nation rather than any personal grievance.
She acknowledged Weah’s international success as a football icon, but questioned his suitability for national leadership, arguing that sporting excellence does not necessarily translate into the ability to govern.
“He’s a fantastic football player, but we didn’t see football players as national political leaders. They should stick to their professions,” she said.
She further alleged that Weah lacked both the interest and the capacity to effectively govern, claiming he appeared more interested in occupying the presidency than fulfilling the responsibilities attached to the office.
“He had absolutely no interest in governance, in governing people. He was just happy to be president, enjoying himself,” Fahnbulleh asserted.
Fahnbulleh also questioned Weah’s ability to grapple with the technical demands of public administration, citing the preparation and review of national budget documents as an example of the complexities of governing.
“The man was a football player. How do you expect him to come and read a 530-page budget? They don’t even bother him with those kinds of issues because he could not deal with them,” she said.
In the aftermath of her statement, several prominent Liberians and partisans of the Congress for Democratic Change have blasted Madam Fahnbulleh’s statement.
Nimba County Representative Musa Hassan Bility blasted the Liberian musical icon and activist Miatta Fahnbulleh, accusing her comments about former President George Weah of reflecting a troubling form of “class elitism”.
Representative Musa Bility, who serves as the political leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), directly pushed back against Fahnbulleh’s narrative, framing her remarks as social prejudice rather than objective political analysis.
Bility noted that while criticizing a leader’s policy performance is fair, dismissing someone solely based on their professional background is a criticism of social class and background.
He emphasized that successful world leaders have emerged from various sectors, including sports, business, teaching, and agriculture, and that leadership is not the exclusive property of career politicians or an educated elite.
Bility asserted that millions of ordinary Liberians voted for George Weah because he rose from humble beginnings and understood their struggles. He added that whether one agrees with the voters or not, their democratic decision deserves respect.
For his part, CDC Keff Hassan narrates the hate of Madam Fahnbulleh towards former President Weah, Hassan stated that “This is why Miata Fahnbulleh hates King George. President George Weah was attending a high-level meeting with business executives in Sierra Leone in the 1990s when a loud commotion occurred outside the building.
A member of his security team informed him that a woman wanted to see him. President Weah stepped outside and recognized her, saying, “Oh, Miatta Fahnbulleh, it’s you.” She told him she wanted to speak with him. President Weah replied that he was in the middle of an important meeting, joked with her by saying he loved her music, and told her he would speak with her after the meeting.
Miatta reportedly responded, “Seniority is better than title,” became upset, and left. Apparently, she had gone there seeking financial assistance, and from that day on, she held resentment toward President Weah.
