King of football eyes up presidency

George Weah is clearly a busy man. He owns a restaurant and a supermarket in the United States and property in several African countries. He is also a goodwill ambassador for Unicef. His visiting card, printed on both sides, is testimony to his many interests, sporting no fewer than five phone numbers.

In a distinguished football career Weah played for Chelsea, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Marseille. We caught up with him on a brief visit for a benefit match at Marseille to mark the end of his professional career. If he becomes president of Liberia in October, he will have less time for football.

In common with several dozen other candidates, he hopes to succeed businessman Gyude Bryant, who took over at the head of a transitional government after the signing of a peace settlement in August 2003. The civil war in Liberia lasted some 14 years, killing 150,000 people and displacing a million others, one-third of the population. Liberia was Africa's first republic, set up in 1847 by freed slaves from the US, but today it is on its knees. With various UN trade sanctions still in force, more than half the population survives on less than 50 cents a day and unemployment stands at 80%. When asked what prompted his interest in politics, Weah says he is above all "a Liberian who loves his country". His bid for the presidency comes in response to a "call from the people". On November 25 last year, tens of thousands of people chanting his name turned out to escort him from the airport to the centre of the capital, Monrovia. The former striker sees himself as a "symbol of peace and unity between communities", but is reluctant to go into much detail about his political platform until the start of the campaign in April. Snappily dressed in a dark grey suit and matching tie, with a gold ring and finely crafted jewellery, he simply lists his priorities: "Solidarity, peace, education and health." He adds that God is on his side and quotes John F Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country." Since returning to Liberia he has had plenty to do, setting up a party, the Congress for Democratic Change, and winning the support of several citizen groups. He can also count on a TV channel and two radio stations that he owns. His backers are promising a spectacular campaign, with talk of appearances by Nelson Mandela and a string of celebrities. His opponents have queried his ability to run the country, emphasising that he left school early to play football. Weah is unimpressed: "I don't think you need an education to realise people don't have access to drinking water and electricity, or that the streets are wrecked. As for all these 'educated' politicians, what have they done for the country in 150 years? What have they given the people? Nothing! They're in no position to preach about education." Weah's career in professional football has been a political education in itself. In 1987 Samuel K Doe, then the Liberian head of state, refused to let him play in the Ivory Coast. So instead he transferred to a team in Cameroon. From there he moved to Monaco, but not without lengthy wrangling over commissions between the club and the Liberian ambassador. Late in 1989, 18 months after his arrival on the Riviera, the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), led by Charles Taylor, started a rebellion in the northeast of the country that sparked the civil war. Meanwhile Weah notched up goals, distinctions and riches, culminating in 1995, when he was named Fifa World Player of the Year. He is the only African to have been named World and European Footballer of the Year. At home he came to be known as Mr George, a frequent benefactor of hospitals, schools and the university. In 1994 Unicef enlisted him to promote a vaccination campaign. Three years later it appointed him goodwill ambassador. Work on HIV/Aids prevention and child soldiers followed. He also helped to promote football at home, buying jerseys and balls for the national team, paying their travel expenses out of his own pocket and settling the federation's debts. Thanks to his good offices, several of his compatriots, notably James Debbah and Joe Nagbe, now play for clubs overseas. On several occasions Weah used his status to press for an end to the killing in Liberia. In 1995 he turned his acceptance speech for the African Player of the Year award into a plea for peace. A year later he penned a similar appeal in the Italian daily Tuttosport. In a subsequent interview he called for an international peacekeeping force. Coincidence or not, his house in Monrovia was firebombed by NPFL supporters. But ultimately his wishes came true and a UN force of 15,000 arrived in 2003. According to Weah, "Everyone is glad of their presence." His close friends are not surprised at his entry into politics. Bernard Lama, a former France goalkeeper, says: "It's his destiny. We used to talk about it ages ago [when they bothplayed for Paris Saint-Germain]. He dreamed of taking power in Liberia. For me it was French Guyana." The news that he was running for president came as a shock in Liberia's circles of power. Weah enjoys a level of popularity that would make any politician green with envy. "He can count on the support of a huge number of people," says Zoom Dosso, the Radio France International correspondent in Monrovia. But he adds: "Half his supporters are young people, many of whom are not old enough to vote. He is nevertheless a candidate to be reckoned with ... because Weah has always helped the poor, whereas the others just make speeches." Mary Cahill, at Unicef headquarters, agrees: "George, who was born into a poor family, is also seen as the only Liberian to have become a millionaire through honest work." Corruption has plagued the country for years, and voters are particularly wary of politicians. This no doubt explains why several other parties tried to enrol Weah, offering him the vice-presidential ticket. He declined. As he explains: "If someone can be vice-president, they might just as well be president. It takes the same skills. The same people now say I'm not up to governing, whereas I was good enough to be vice-president!" Another criticism voiced by his opponents is his fluctuating religious allegiances. He was born a Christian and converted to Islam in 1989, under the influence of his manager. He reverted to Christianity in 1995 shortly after the death of his grandmother, who brought him up with a dozen brothers and cousins. "If I'm elected," Weah promises, "I'll be a father and brother to all our people." Even Taylor? "I don't have a problem with Taylor," he replies. "I've forgiven the people who burned down my house. I'm a child of Mandela." He concludes that what matters is to "forget and rebuild". If he wins the presidency, his first job will be installing running water and electricity across Liberia. His staff are already looking for potential contractors in Europe and the US. And if he fails, he can resume his work for Unicef, which he will set aside during the campaign. He could also take care of his 17-year-old son, George jr, who is perfecting his soccer skills in Milan. Says his proud father: "He's a good player. But he could be better still." Le Monde