Liberia President George Weah to run for re-election

The announcement comes amid mounting criticism of Weah, who is accused of being out of touch with the population facing rising prices and food shortages.

"My fellow citizens, I will be coming to you shortly to ask you to renew (...) for a second time the mandate that you gave me six years ago," Weah said.

The election is slated for 10th October. Weah came to power in 2018 after winning an October 2017 election.  The 56-year-old was absent from Liberia for more than a month late last year, prompting criticism.  He went abroad at the end of October for a string of political gatherings in numerous countries - and to watch his footballer son represent the United States at the World Cup in Qatar. The president was not until December seen in his homeland, where people have been battling soaring prices and shortages of basic goods.