By: Frank P. Martin
MONROVIA: The Head of United States (US) High-Profiled Delegation, representing American President, Joseph Biden, to the inauguration of Liberia’s new President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has assured America’s support for the Liberian Nation.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who is also United States Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), reaffirmed the United States Government “unwavering Support” to the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for continued development and improved democracy that promotes good governance, rule of law and accountability.
She served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2013 to 2017 and former US Ambassador to Liberia from 2008 to 2012.
“We are committed to supporting Liberia, especially this government, in addressing various issues that it would be facing in the coming years as it sets priorities to govern the state and its people. I don’t know what the plans of the new administration are so I can’t make absolute commitment, but I will commit to you that we will support this administration, addressing Liberia’s immense economic issues and helping the country to move forward,” Ambassador Greenfield told OK FM, a local radio station, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
Ambassador Greenfield named the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), amongst other US development organizations that would be used to channel support to Liberia, under the Presidency of Boakai.
“You know that USAID is one of the largest donors and support to Liberia. It is not just something that is ascribed to this administration. It has commitment that was made for many years. When I was Ambassador here, we gave many millions of dollars to Liberia to continue its improvement. And we will continue to do that,” the top American diplomat emphasized.
Asked as to whether the US government played any role in removing former President George Manneh Weah from power through the ballot box, Ambassador Greenfield responded in the negative.
However, she clarified that the United States government did not play any role in Weah’s defeat to President Boakai in the 2023 Presidential elections.
“We didn’t play any role in the political process in Liberia. Liberian people voted and they chose the person of their choice,” she disclosed.
Ambassador Greenfield reiterated the United States’ firmed stance against corruption.
Drawing on her previous role as the U.S. Ambassador, she emphasized, “Corruption is a cancer, and the United States consistently speaks out against it, not only in Liberia but globally.
Minimizing corruption is crucial to ensuring progress in areas like education, health, and infrastructure for ordinary citizens.”
With a notable rise in designations of former government officials for American sanctions, following Weah’s defeat in November, 2023, Ambassador Greenfield said the designations have no connection to strangulating politically the erstwhile CDC-led Government.
In December last year, the U.S. Department of State sanctioned some officials of the Weah-led government , including Samuel Tweah, former Minister of Finance and Development Planning; and Grand Kru Senator Albert Tugbe Chie, former President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate; Margibi County Senator Emmanuel Nuquay.
The sanctions were imposed under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023, highlighting the U.S. commitment to combating corruption on a global scale.
The sanctions come as a response to allegations that Tweah, Chie, and Nuquay abused their public positions by soliciting, accepting, and offering bribes to manipulate legislative processes and public funding, including activities in the mining sector.
The immediate family members of the designated individuals, including spouses Delecia Berry Tweah, Abigail Chie, and Ruthtoria Brown Nuquay, as well as Tweah and Nuquay’s minor children, were also included in the sanctions. All of the accused officials have denied any wrongdoing.
Interestingly, Ambassador Greenfield said the government of the United States didn’t sanction any institution or the Liberian Government but individuals who “violated US laws” and they were designated to face the wraths of their actions individually.
“We have not sanctioned Liberia’s government but individuals who went against US laws. We are reviewing and monitoring people designated for sanctions. And there is possibility for one to be removed from the sanction list but he or she most merits it,” the top American Diplomat stressed.
Ambassador Greenfield was among several world leaders, who graced the induction of Liberia’s 26th President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Monday January, 22, 2024.
She led US five persons delegation to the inauguration following President Biden announced on Friday, 19 January, his Presidential Delegation to attend the Inauguration of President Boakai in Monrovia.
Members of the Presidential Delegation included Ms. Catherine Rodriguez, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy Monrovia, The Honorable Stephen K. Benjamin, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement, The White House, The Honorable Isobel Coleman, Deputy Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development The Honorable Judd Devermont, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council, The White House.
