The Liberian Senate is seeking more clarity from United States Embassy in Monrovia over its recent press release that tends to cast doubts over the seriousness of that august body as a steward of Liberia’s defense and security.
“The Senate takes note of the concerns expressed on the election of Senator Johnson of Nimba as Chair of the Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence and veteran Affairs who is being accused of committing war crimes and retention of Senator Varney G. Sherman of Grand Cape Mount County, for an allegation of bribery and corruption, as chair of the Committee on Judiciary, Human rights, claims and petitions,” a release approved by the President Pro-tempore of that august body read.
Following the issuance of what many referred to as a ‘damming press statement’ in Monrovia, the Liberian Senate on Thursday reverted to Executive session in which according to our sources, some senators demanded Cllr. Varney Sherman of Grand Cape Mount County and Prince Johnson of Nimba County were asked to resign from their respective positions but that was a fruitless effort.
The US Embassy frowned on why the Liberian Senate would see fit to elevate Senator Prince Y. Johnson to a leadership role; particularly in the area in which he has done the country the most harm as well as Senator Sherman who has been sanctioned by the US Government Treasury Department.
But in a release signed by the Secretary of the Liberian Senate, J. Ngaborlor Singbeh, the Senate assured the US Embassy, other bilateral and multilateral partners that in no way does it support the commission of war crimes, human rights abuses, bribery, corruption, other domestic and intentional crimes as well as impunity.
“In furtherance of the prolonged and historic relationship between Liberia and the United States of America, the Senate will without delay seek the opportunity, through diplomatic channels to engage the US Embassy to seek clarity on its concerns; provide the necessary information on the matter and find a way to address these concerns,” the Liberian Senate replied.
The Senate states that it acknowledges the interest of the United States Government in its election conducted on Tuesday May 18, 2021 to fill six of the 12 vacant positions on its leadership as reflected in its statement issued on May 19, 2021.
It can be recalled that, the Liberian Senate under the gavel of Grand Kru County Senator, Albert Chie, elected Prince Johnson to head its Defense Committee following a spar with a member of that same body over the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.
The establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court craved for by Liberians is intended to prosecute all those who were involved in carnages that saw Liberians and foreign residents including Americans decimated which among other things, led to lots of human rights abuses in Liberia.
Sources placed at the Liberian Senate expressed frustration that since the ascendency of Grand Kru County Senator Albert Chie as President Pro-tempore, there has been no serious position taken on issues that arise concerning that body.
Lofa County Senator, Steve Zargo backed-off at the 11th hours of the election to support his colleague, Senator Johnson’s bid to head the committee.
In a press release issued on May 19, 2021, the United States Embassy termed Nimba County longest serving Senator as a ‘notorious warlord’ who does not deserve such integrity post.
The US government reminded that body regarding Senator Johnson’s gross human rights violations during Liberia’s civil wars which according to Embassy are well-documented.
The Embassy believes that electing Senator Johnsons to such post buttresses his continual efforts to protect himself from accountability, enrich his own coffers and sow division in the society.