Daily bread

At intersections in Monrovia, many bread hawkers flock around the vehicles. I haven't seen bread dominating Liberian cuisine, but it's getting eaten by someone.

This announcement bridging the road is thanking Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first woman President and leader here from 2005 until 2017, for a peaceful transition to the new President, ex-footballer and the most famous Liberian abroad (except those who have been trialled for war crimes), George Weah. A female leader and a peaceful handing over of power are equally rare events in Africa. I've seen other billboards that thank the ex-President for twelve years of peace and development in Liberia.

Already views are divided on George Weah. Some are impressed by his refusal to bow to demands for special treatment, e.g. from some legislators requesting 40,000 dollars as resettlement costs for moving home. Others note the same cronyism of corrupt leaders, in filling influential positions with his key contacts. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf did steer the country away from any relapse into civil war, which is no mean feat in a place where there are many divided tribal groups occupying a relatively small nation, and raw wounds from conflict that had deliberately stoked animosity. Poverty, economic growth and infrastructure remain outrageously huge challenges in many parts of the country, even if during her time in charge, that Monrovia and surrounds can demonstrate a clear transformation and that the country has become more attractive for investment and aid.

Now that Ellen is relatively well respected for maintaining stability and promoting fairness, let's hope George can build on a sense of unity to promote human and economic development nationwide.