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United States Persistent For Liberian Lawmakers To Address Corruption

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PHOTO: Ambassador McCarthy (third from left) with U.S. Embassy staff and visiting delegation

The United States remains persistent in its call on members of the Liberian Senate “to address perceptions of corruption in the legislature and to ensure that investments made in Liberia’s peace, security and development are sustained.”

American Ambassador to Liberia, Michael McCarthy reiterated the US on Monday, when he hosted a meeting with top leaders of the Liberian Senate facilitated with Liberian Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Kemayah.

Recently, the US Embassy in Monrovia condemned the Senate’s elections of former Liberian warlord, Prince Y. Johnson as Chairman of its Committee on Defense, Security and Intelligence who was recommended for prosecution by the TRC for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Liberia’s 14 years civil war. The Americans also condemned the appointment of Cllr. Varney Sherman as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, who was linked to bribery and corruption by the US Treasury Department.

The US said the move by the Senate sends a signal that the Senate was condoning impunity and not committed to fighting corruption.

Below is full text the press release issued by the US Embassy:

PRESS RELEASE

Monrovia, Liberia – On June 1, U.S. Ambassador Michael McCarthy hosted a meeting facilitated by his excellency Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Liberian Senate, represented by four members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The Senators included the honorable James Biney, Chair; the honorable Conmany Wesseh, Co-Chair; the honorable Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, member; and the honorable Augustine Chea, member.  U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Alyson Grunder, Senior Defense Official Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Alden, USAID Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks, and USAID Democracy, Rights and Governance Director April O’Neill also attended the meeting.

The discussion was frank and cordial, focused on issues of good governance, transparency, and accountability.  Ambassador McCarthy emphasized the close and enduring friendship between the United States and Liberia, and the importance of dialogue to promote mutual understanding.

He urged the Senators to address perceptions of corruption in the legislature and to ensure that investments made in Liberia’s peace, security and development are sustained.

For their part, the Senate Committee members expressed deep appreciation for the meeting and reassured the U.S. Embassy representatives of the Senate’s preparedness to work on their concerns and other matters for the promotion of good governance and strengthened relations between our two countries.

Foreign Minister Kemayah underscored that the objective of the meeting was to further advance the partnership and friendship between the United States and Liberia and especially, the relationship between the U.S. Embassy and the Liberian Senate, in furtherance of stronger bilateral ties.

 

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