George Weah has been sworn in as president of Liberia on Monday afternoon.
The former Ballon d’Or winner took his oath of office inside the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia, in an event that had several African head of states and football stars present.
"I have spent many years of my life in stadiums, but today is a feeling like no other," Weah said.
“I have taken an oath before you and before almighty God. Rest assured I will not let you down.
“This victory would not have been possible without the youth of this country, the women of this country who made their living selling in the market.
"This is your government.”
(Ex)-president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf with George Weah before he was sworn in as Liberia's new leader today. Remember, this scene here is still rarer than a unicorn in many African countries that were peaceful when Liberia was being torn up by war 20 years ago. pic.twitter.com/KXgMRRgVh9
— Charles Onyango-Obbo (@cobbo3) January 22, 2018
Weah won Liberia's presidential election in December, after securing 12 of the 15 counties in the west African nation, thus, succeeding Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The 1995 Fifa Ballon d'Or winner and three-time African Player of the Year defeated 73-year-old Joseph Boakai to become the country’s 24th president.
Weah succeeds Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is the first elected female head of state in Africa.
This peaceful democratic transition of power represents the country's first in 47 years.