Liberians choose new president as Sirleaf steps aside

What you need to know:

  • Sirleaf will step down after 12 years at the helm of Africa's first republic, whose back-to-back civil wars (1989-2003) and Ebola crisis (2014-16) have stunted growth and left Liberia among the world's poorest nations.
  • Twenty candidates are vying to replace Sirleaf, with footballing icon George Weah, incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai, longtime opposition figure Charles Brumskine and soft drinks millionaire Alexander Cummings considered front-runners.