NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Office of former Liberian President George Manneh Weah has dismissed as “completely false and misleading” widespread social media claims that he contacted Emmanuel Macron to intervene in the ongoing border dispute between Liberia and Guinea.
The clarification, issued in a statement signed by Chief of Staff Eugene Lenn Nagbe, comes amid a flurry of online praise from supporters who alleged that the former president had leveraged his international connections to help de-escalate tensions.
By: Staff Writer
“While the former president is deeply concerned about the matter and wishes for a speedy and amicable resolution, he is aware that the foreign policy of the country is administered by the sitting government,” the statement emphasized, firmly rejecting any suggestion of direct diplomatic engagement.
Despite the denial, several supporters of Mr. Weah, particularly from the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), had earlier taken to social media to applaud what they believed was his intervention.
One supporter, Keff Hassan, wrote: “Thank you, President Weah, for engaging with world leaders to immediately resolve the conflict between Guinea and Liberia. You are the true leader of this country.”
Similarly, J. Jefferson Chesson posted: “Thank you H.E President George Manneh Weah for talking to the President of Guinea your friend Emmanuel Macron to intervene and conclude the Liberia and Guinea border crisis. You’re a true selfless leader and a father. May God bless you.”
Another prominent voice, former Deputy Minister Isaac Doe, shared an even more elaborate claim, stating: “Hands clap for President George Weah! … Thanks for using your connections, yet again to help solve Liberia’s most pressing problem… When I received three missed calls and returned it from someone with direct knowledge of President Weah’s intervention through his friend, the President of France for mediation efforts into the Guinea-Liberia border dispute, I felt so pleased…”
Screemshot of Doe, Hassan, and Chesson Posts
However, following the official rebuttal from Mr. Weah’s office, Mr. Doe publicly retracted his statement and apologized for spreading misinformation.
“I graciously accept wrong when I am wrong… my information was based on an account of ‘someone with direct knowledge’ and I hold it that the information was inaccurate,” he wrote, commending the former president’s office for issuing a timely clarification.
Mr. Doe added that acknowledging mistakes is a mark of responsibility, stating, “We are never too big to be wrong. Once we are wrong, we take responsibility of it.”
As of the time of publication, neither Keff Hassan nor Mr. Chesson who previously served as an assistant minister under the Weah administration had issued any public apology or correction regarding their posts.
The Office of former President Weah urged the public to rely on credible and official sources for information, especially on sensitive national matters, and warned against the spread of false and malicious rumors.
The situation highlights the growing influence and risks of social media narratives in shaping public perception around critical national issues, including the ongoing Liberia–Guinea border tensions, where diplomatic channels remain key to ensuring peace and stability in the region.
