In a dramatic turn of events at the inauguration ceremony in Monrovia, Liberia, Joseph Boakai, the newly sworn-in President, faced a health scare as he was unable to complete his inauguration speech. The 79-year-old, who recently secured victory in a runoff election, began to exhibit signs of distress approximately 30 minutes into his speech.
As President Boakai struggled to speak, he was surrounded by his aides and members of the Executive Protective Service, who quickly came to his assistance. The distressing scene forced the ceremony to come to an abrupt end, with President Boakai unable to continue his address.
Despite this unexpected health setback, Joseph Boakai was officially sworn in as the oldest president in Liberia’s history. Rumours about his health had circulated before the ceremony, and concerns had been raised regarding his age and stamina during the election campaign. Nonetheless, his team had dismissed these criticisms.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that can arise during high-stakes public events, underscoring the importance of presidential health and preparedness for such occasions. The well-being of Liberia’s new leader will undoubtedly be a topic of concern and scrutiny in the days ahead.
President Boakai starts to feel unwell around 3:18:10
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