Former soccer player George Weah was sworn in as Liberia's president Monday. This marks the country's first peaceful transfer of power in more than 70 years.
Weah replaces Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first elected female president. She served two six-year terms, but her administration was caught up in corruption scandals.
Weah's story from the pitch to the presidency sounds like a movie. He grew up in the slums of Monrovia, Liberia's capital. His soccer skills got the attention of the world's largest clubs, and he played for teams like Paris-St. Germain and AC Milan.
Weah then made a quick ascension up the political ladder. He spent three years in Liberia's Senate, and last month he beat the country's vice president in a presidential election runoff.
Weah has promised to fight government corruption and gradually build up the country's struggling economy.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
