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Liberia’s ruling party expels outgoing president Sirleaf

| Updated: January 16, 2018 10:57:34


Ellen Johnson Sirleaf attends a news conference at the Presidential Palace in Monrovia, Liberia, Oct 12, 2017. (Reuters) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf attends a news conference at the Presidential Palace in Monrovia, Liberia, Oct 12, 2017. (Reuters)

Liberia's outgoing president has been expelled from her own party, for allegedly failing to support its candidate to succeed her.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is accused of encouraging people to vote against her vice-president, Joseph Boakai.

Former footballer George Weah won the presidential elections in December, defeating Boakai, reports BBC.

Sirleaf, who is a Nobel Peace Prize winner and Africa's first elected woman president, could not stand again.

A spokesman for the governing Unity Party said Sirleaf had violated the party's constitution as she was seen campaigning with Weah, who was running under the Coalition for Democratic Change banner.

Sirleaf has not yet commented.

Weah will be sworn in later this month. It will be the first smooth transfer of power since 1944 in Liberia, which was founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century.

Sirleaf gained popularity at home and abroad for helping to bring stability to her country after years of civil war.

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