Abstract
The article examines the Presidential elections in Liberia on the eve of 2018 in the broad context of general political processes in Africa and a common trend of strengthening authoritarianism. An analysis is conducted of the ethnic, economic and social political causes of the electoral outcome as well as general tracks of political development in Liberia and West Africa during the decade of so-called "emerging democracy". Crucial fractions and driving forces inside the Liberian political acumen are outlined along with their respective key problems and traits. An assessment is made of successes and failures in democratic state building in the past decade as well as future prospects for such policies. Special attention is drawn to the political return of forces that have lost the civil war of 1989-2003 as well as current shifts in the Liberian ruling elite. A comparison is made of the outgoing regime policies marked by clanship and close ties to the global financial institutions and the victorious opposition unified by social agenda and not limited by rigid ethnic allegiances with regards to the third political parties, tribal, religious, social and economic problems. A specific question is addressed regarding why the former ruling Unity Party was unable to work out succession mechanisms for the outgoing president Sirleaf in the wake of her two terms in office in spite of the backing received from the West, when forces will become the support base for the new president and what is Liberian future in the broad African framework.
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