Liberia, Aug. 25 -- Former Liberian President George Manneh Weah has delivered a forceful warning against the erosion of democratic institutions in Africa, cautioning that leaders who come to power through elections can still become authoritarian if they undermine the judiciary, weaken legislatures and suppress institutional checks on executive power.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Weah made the remarks Sunday, August 23, while delivering the keynote address at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, under the theme "Beyond Limits."

Addressing lawyers, judges, government officials and other dignitaries, the former Liberian leader argued...