Former Liberian President George Weah has warned African leaders against using democratic elections as a pathway to authoritarian rule, saying elected officials can still become tyrants if they undermine democratic institutions.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Weah urged African leaders to respect the rule of law and protect democratic institutions.
The former Liberian leader said threats to democracy do not only come from military coups or defeated politicians refusing to accept election results.
He warned that leaders who win power through free and fair elections could gradually adopt authoritarian practices by weakening the judiciary and turning the legislature into an institution that merely supports the executive.
“A tyrant with a certificate of return is still a tyrant,” Weah said.
Weah Recalls Conceding Election Defeat
The former football star also reflected on his decision to concede defeat during Liberia’s 2023 presidential election.
Weah said he congratulated his successor before the final results had been formally announced because he believed the will of the people should take priority over the ambition of any individual.
He said his decision demonstrated his commitment to democratic principles and the peaceful transfer of power.
According to Weah, democracy cannot survive when political leaders place personal interests above the choices made by voters.
Lawyers Must Defend Democracy
Weah also called on members of the legal profession to serve as a strong defence against executive overreach.
He stressed that elections alone are not enough to sustain democracy, arguing that strong and independent institutions are equally important.
“Democracy does not survive on the strength of elections alone,” he said, noting that institutions must remain strong enough to prevent the abuse of power.
The former president particularly emphasised the importance of an independent judiciary, saying court decisions should be respected without political interference.
He criticised situations where judicial funding and operations are controlled by the same executive authorities that courts may be required to hold accountable.
‘Institutions Must Remain Independent’
Weah urged lawyers and other professionals to protect the independence of democratic institutions across Africa.
He said a functioning democracy requires courts that can make decisions freely, legislatures capable of checking executive power and leaders willing to accept constitutional limits.
The 2026 NBA Conference, themed “Beyond Limits,” brings together legal professionals and other stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the rule of law, governance and democracy.
Weah’s remarks came amid renewed discussions across Africa over democratic governance, executive power and the need to strengthen institutions that protect citizens’ rights.
