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The race heats up for Liberia's presidency

Liberia

As Liberia heads to the polls later this year the battle to succeed president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf rages.

The race includes among others four main competitors who are in line to succeed the president in October. Among them is the country’s vice president.

“The difference is that other candidates are seeking for power. Maybe they have money and they want power, Joe Boakai is looking for opportunity to give back to this country, knowing where he comes from,“said Liberian Vice-

While another is a technocrat, having worked for global soft drinks company Coca-Cola.

“I have a very good chance to win this election. You know it’s pretty much an opened field that the incumbent President is not running, which I think makes a difference,” said Alexander Cummings, former VP Coca-Cola

Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is throwing her weight behind her deputy.

“I will support Vice President Boakai in all his endeavours according to how he set his program to become president I will give him the fullest support, but he will get it the same way I got it.”

In the run is also a former war lord former football ace George Weah.

About 2 million people are registered to vote.

Sirleaf’s successor will have to ensure the peace and prosperity of a country still marked by 14 years of a bloody civil war, and rebuild a nation that is till battling the effects of the Ebola epidemic.

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