Liberia ruling party expels president for not supporting VP

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter hosts an honor cordon for Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the Pentagon Feb. 25, 2015. (DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Hurt/Released) (Photo By Sean Hurt – https://www.flickr.com/photos/secdef/16664343682/, CC BY 2.0)

MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia’s outgoing governing party says it has voted to expel President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf because of her alleged decision not to support her vice-president in the latest presidential poll.

Unity Party’s assistant secretary-general for press and public affairs, Mohammed Ali, said Sirleaf was expelled for violating the party’s constitution. He said Sirleaf is accused of sending people to campaign against the party.

Vice-President Joseph Boakai, who served as Sirleaf’s deputy for 12 years, lost the Dec. 26 runoff elections to former international soccer star George Weah.

Ali added that the president was also seen campaigning with Weah. He said Boakai supports the decision to expel Sirleaf Johnson.

Sirleaf’s press secretary Jerolinmek Piah and Information Minister Eugene Nagbe told The Associated Press late Saturday the president will react later.