Liberians are voting in a fiercely contested presidential election, with former football star George Weah, 57, making a bid for a second term.

His main challenger is former Deputy President Joseph Boakai, 78. 

Mr Boakai has waged his campaign under the slogan “Rescue”, arguing that the West African state went downhill during Mr Weah’s first six years in office. 

But Mr Weah is confident of victory, saying that he has kept Liberia stable and has improved education.

This will be the first time that a generation of young voters, born in peace-time Liberia, will vote for a president. 

A brutal civil war, which killed an estimated 250,000 people, ended two decades ago.

Many Liberians are clamouring for the establishment of a war crimes court to bring to justice the key figures behind the conflict, saying failure to do so has created a culture of impunity. 

Mr Weah has so far resisted the pressure, saying that focusing on old crimes is not the best way to achieve development.

(BBC)