Ex-President Weah says there is no bad blood between him and current Vice President Jeremiah Koung despite public criticism of his (Weah) shank hands with the Vice President at a mourning occasion.
By: Emmanuel Wise Jipoh
Monrovia, Liberia, December 4, 2024 – Former President George Weah clarifies here that he has no issue or personal hate for Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung despite publicly avoiding shaking hands with VP Koung last Thursday at the residence of fallen Senator Prince Yormie Johnson in Paynesville.
Former President Weah and his entourage had gone to the residence to sympathize with bereaved family members, including Mrs. Johnson, widow of the late senator, when the unpleasant scenario occurred that attracted public attention.
Upon arrival, the former President avoided shaking hands with the Vice President, who had gone to greet him and welcome him to the residence. Instead, he placed his right hand on his chest as a sign of acknowledgment without any physical or bodily interaction.
“I have nothing against Vice President Koung; he is my little brother. Kong was supposed to come and hug me when he saw me coming from out of my car, chest to chest”, Mr. Weah explains.
According to him, his action was not intended as an insult but rather as a mark of respect.
“I consider Vice President Koung a younger brother. When I arrived, I expected him to come closer for a hug. Instead, he extended his hand from a distance, and I responded with a hand over my chest – a gesture of greater respect,” he adds.
“Handshake is my liberty, and I have the right to my liberty to shake people’s hands and not to shake people’s hands”, Mr. Weah notes via mobile phone in his private Kings FM station.
The opposition leader’s rebuffing handshake from VP Koung has drawn speculation of discord between the two prominent personalities. Still, Mr. Weah reiterates he has no personal beef with Koung despite their political differences.
The late Sen. Johnson, who supported Mr. Weah and practically led him to the Presidency in 2017, fell out with the former President and instead supported current President Boakai in 2023. Koung, then the standard bearer of his NUDP party, emerged as Boakai’s running mate, a move that saw Weah lose the poll.
He conceded defeat while the results of the runoff election were being announced by the National Elections Commission, allowing a peaceful transition of power, much to the admiration of the International Community, including the U.N., A.U., ECOWAS, and the United States.
But Mr. Weah has been hugely criticized here for refusing a handshake with Vice President Koung, and social media has been flooded with public reactions.
Many criticized that the occasion, meant to mourn the death of a renowned politician and senator, did not warrant such posture from the former President. Editing by Jonathan Browne
