Liberia's new president Joseph Boakai on Monday (Jan 22) froze on the podium as he was delivering his inauguration speech. In the visuals from the outdoor inauguration ceremony,&nbsp;Boakai could be seen facing a challenge to continue his speech and paused in between.&nbsp;The 79-year-old president paused twice due to the sweltering heat. Ultimately the ceremony had to be cut short.

Later, in a statement, his office said that the president experienced heat exhaustion during his inauguration speech in the capital, Monrovia. His aides assisted him in leaving the podium.

The president's office released a statement on Monday (Jan 22) reassuring that Boakai had suffered from heat exhaustion and had since been declared "perfectly fine" by doctors.

He has swiftly "resumed" his regular work, according to the statement.

"We see hard times, we see dysfunctioning... we see corruption in high and low places. And (it's) in these and similar conditions that we have come to the rescue," Boakai said following the heat exhaustion.

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🇱🇷‼️🚨 80-year-old Liberian President Joseph Boakai fainted and felt ill right during his inauguration: 
 
“The inauguration ceremony of President Joseph Boakai was temporarily stopped because the head of Liberia suffered a heatstroke during his speech. 
 
After the incident, the… <a href="https://t.co/FVdpfPJFq3">pic.twitter.com/FVdpfPJFq3</a>
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/1749526106561019987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Boakai, a seasoned politician who narrowly defeated former football star George Weah in a runoff election in November, faced criticism&nbsp;about his age and energy during the election campaign.

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Boakai previously served as vice president from 2006 to 2018 and held the position of minister of agriculture.

<h2>Boakai's age concerns&nbsp;</h2>

Prior to the election, Boakai dismissed concerns about his health, asserting that "age should be a blessing to this country".

He portrayed himself as "a man who is old, wise, sound",&nbsp;and "committed to the cause of the country".

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He has also served as vice-president in Nobel Peace Prize-winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's government until 2018. Boakai contested the presidency under the United Party (UP).

Despite being mocked by critics as "Sleepy Joe," the 79-year-old Joseph Boakai has been inaugurated as Liberia's oldest-ever president.

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He secured a victory with the help of a former rebel commander. Liberia continues to struggle with high levels of poverty and unemployment.&nbsp;Corruption also remains a challenge in Liberia, impacting various sectors.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Liberia's new president Joseph Boakai on Monday (Jan 22) froze on the podium as he was delivering his inauguration speech. In the visuals from the outdoor inauguration ceremony, Boakai could be seen facing a challenge to continue his speech and paused in between.

Liberia's new president Joseph Boakai on Monday (Jan 22) froze on the podium as he was delivering his inauguration speech. In the visuals from the outdoor inauguration ceremony, Boakai could be seen facing a challenge to continue his speech and paused in between. The 79-year-old president paused twice due to the sweltering heat. Ultimately the ceremony had to be cut short. Later, in a statement, his office said that the president experienced heat exhaustion during his inauguration speech in the capital, Monrovia. His aides assisted him in leaving the podium. The president's office released a statement on Monday (Jan 22) reassuring that Boakai had suffered from heat exhaustion and had since been declared "perfectly fine" by doctors. He has swiftly "resumed" his regular work, according to the statement. "We see hard times, we see dysfunctioning... we see corruption in high and low places. And (it's) in these and similar conditions that we have come to the rescue," Boakai said following the heat exhaustion. 🇱🇷‼️🚨 80-year-old Liberian President Joseph Boakai fainted and felt ill right during his inauguration: “The inauguration ceremony of President Joseph Boakai was temporarily stopped because the head of Liberia suffered a heatstroke during his speech. After the incident, the… pic.twitter.com/FVdpfPJFq3 — Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) January 22, 2024 × Boakai, a seasoned politician who narrowly defeated former football star George Weah in a runoff election in November, faced criticism about his age and energy during the election campaign. Also Read | US and UK conduct fresh series of air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen Boakai previously served as vice president from 2006 to 2018 and held the position of minister of agriculture. Boakai's age concerns Prior to the election, Boakai dismissed concerns about his health, asserting that "age should be a blessing to this country". He portrayed himself as "a man who is old, wise, sound", and "committed to the cause of the country". Also Read | Eight shot dead in Chicago suburbs, authorities say suspect 'armed and dangerous' He has also served as vice-president in Nobel Peace Prize-winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's government until 2018. Boakai contested the presidency under the United Party (UP). Despite being mocked by critics as "Sleepy Joe," the 79-year-old Joseph Boakai has been inaugurated as Liberia's oldest-ever president. Watch | Chinese vessel heads towards Maldives, concerns India × He secured a victory with the help of a former rebel commander. Liberia continues to struggle with high levels of poverty and unemployment. Corruption also remains a challenge in Liberia, impacting various sectors. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH | Liberia's President Joseph Boakai freezes at inauguration speech

Liberian president George Weah concedes defeat to opposition leader and his arch-rival Joseph Boakai in a closely fought electoral battle. The election result ends Weah's presidency marred by serious allegations of grafting in 2017.

Liberia elections: Joseph Boakai set to lead Liberia as President

Liberia elections 2023: George Weah's tenure marred by grafting charges

Liberia went to the polls on Tuesday for a presidential election that voters hope will mark country&#39;s first democratic transfer of power in over seven decades, despite it being tarnished by allegations of fraud.

Former world footballer of the year George Weah is squaring up against vice president Joseph Boakai, with both men promising a break with a heritage of poverty and corruption in a country where most citizens have no reliable electricity or clean drinking water.

They are bidding to succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in a run-off vote delayed for over a month after Boakai and third-placed Charles Brumskine of the Liberty Party alleged widespread fraud in

October&#39;s first-round vote, a challenge that the Supreme Court rejected this month.

There were no early reports of violence as voting proceeded under sunny skies in the capital Monrovia, with polling stations opening at 0800 GMT and election agents telling Reuters first indications pointed to a lower turnout than in the first round.

&quot;It is great day for Liberia - a test day for democracy,&quot; said Boakai after casting his vote in Paynesville. &quot;We will accept the results provided they meet all the standards.&quot;

Johnson Sirleaf&#39;s 12-year rule cemented peace in the West African country after the civil war ended in 2003, and brought in much-needed aid.

But critics, including much of the country&#39;s youth, said her administration was marred by corruption and that she did little to raise most Liberians out of dire poverty.&nbsp;

Liberia was also racked by the Ebola crisis, which killed thousands in the country between 2014 and 2016, while a drop in iron ore prices since 2014 has dented export revenues.&nbsp;

Tuesday&#39;s poll follows a month of political tensions fuelled by claims that the first-round poll was rigged in Weah&#39;s favour.

Weah, world footballer of the year in 1995, won with 38 percent versus Boakai&#39;s 29 percent.&nbsp;

&quot;I voted George Weah because I believe that he will do better for me and my country. I want change,&quot; said Miama Kamara, a 32-year-old businesswoman, before casting her ballot in the capital.&nbsp;

Boakai&#39;s ruling Unity Party had accused Johnson Sirleaf, who is herself a member of the party, of interfering in the October vote by holding private meetings with election magistrates.

Boakai has found it harder to convince voters that he will bring change, given that he worked alongside Johnson Sirleaf for 12 years.

Weah, by contrast, has won the hearts of mostly young Liberians through his star performances for Europe&#39;s biggest football teams in the 1990s.&nbsp;

His arrival at a polling station in Paynesville was met with cheers by a crowd of supporters.&nbsp;

&quot;My focus now is to win,&quot; he told reporters. &quot;From there, I am going to get on the drawing board with my team and then we&#39;ll put a plan together to move our country forward.&quot;&nbsp;

Some however are wary of Weah`s lack of political experience, education and concrete policy.

&quot;Boakai understands diplomacy,&quot; said McArthur Nuah Kermah, a school registrar in Paynesville. &quot;Weah is not experienced and doesn`t know the workings of government.&quot;

Liberia went to polls on Tuesday for a presidential election that voters hope will mark country's first democratic transfer of power in over seven decades

Liberia went to the polls on Tuesday for a presidential election that voters hope will mark country's first democratic transfer of power in over seven decades, despite it being tarnished by allegations of fraud. Former world footballer of the year George Weah is squaring up against vice president Joseph Boakai, with both men promising a break with a heritage of poverty and corruption in a country where most citizens have no reliable electricity or clean drinking water. They are bidding to succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in a run-off vote delayed for over a month after Boakai and third-placed Charles Brumskine of the Liberty Party alleged widespread fraud in October's first-round vote, a challenge that the Supreme Court rejected this month. There were no early reports of violence as voting proceeded under sunny skies in the capital Monrovia, with polling stations opening at 0800 GMT and election agents telling Reuters first indications pointed to a lower turnout than in the first round. "It is great day for Liberia - a test day for democracy," said Boakai after casting his vote in Paynesville. "We will accept the results provided they meet all the standards." Johnson Sirleaf's 12-year rule cemented peace in the West African country after the civil war ended in 2003, and brought in much-needed aid. But critics, including much of the country's youth, said her administration was marred by corruption and that she did little to raise most Liberians out of dire poverty. Liberia was also racked by the Ebola crisis, which killed thousands in the country between 2014 and 2016, while a drop in iron ore prices since 2014 has dented export revenues. Tuesday's poll follows a month of political tensions fuelled by claims that the first-round poll was rigged in Weah's favour. Weah, world footballer of the year in 1995, won with 38 percent versus Boakai's 29 percent. "I voted George Weah because I believe that he will do better for me and my country. I want change," said Miama Kamara, a 32-year-old businesswoman, before casting her ballot in the capital. Boakai's ruling Unity Party had accused Johnson Sirleaf, who is herself a member of the party, of interfering in the October vote by holding private meetings with election magistrates. Boakai has found it harder to convince voters that he will bring change, given that he worked alongside Johnson Sirleaf for 12 years. Weah, by contrast, has won the hearts of mostly young Liberians through his star performances for Europe's biggest football teams in the 1990s. His arrival at a polling station in Paynesville was met with cheers by a crowd of supporters. "My focus now is to win," he told reporters. "From there, I am going to get on the drawing board with my team and then we'll put a plan together to move our country forward." Some however are wary of Weah`s lack of political experience, education and concrete policy. "Boakai understands diplomacy," said McArthur Nuah Kermah, a school registrar in Paynesville. "Weah is not experienced and doesn`t know the workings of government."

Liberians head to polls in historic, delayed election

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WATCH | Liberia's President Joseph Boakai freezes at inauguration speech

Liberia elections: Joseph Boakai set to lead Liberia as President

Liberia elections 2023: George Weah's tenure marred by grafting charges

Liberians head to polls in historic, delayed election