By Bill W. Cooper
The United States Government, through its Chargé d’Affaires to Liberia, Catherine Rodriguez, has made a significant announcement, imposing lifelong bans on all sanctioned Liberian officials from entering America.
In regard to the U.S Government’s stance on corruption, Madam Rodriguez declared that all Liberian officials who have been sanctioned by the U.S. State Department of Treasury will face a lifelong ban on entering the U.S.
On Friday, December 8, 2023, the U.S. Government sanctioned Monrovia City Mayor, Jefferson Koijee, using the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and authorities under Section 7031(c) for Visa restrictions over his alleged involvement into human rights abuses and corruption.
Also, on Monday, December 11, 2023, the U.S. Government, pursuant to Section 7031(c), also sanctioned Finance Minister, Samuel Tweah; Pro-Tempore, Albert Chie, and Margibi County Senator, Emmanuel Nuquay, for their involvement in significant corruption by abusing their public positions through soliciting, accepting, and offering bribes to manipulate legislative processes and public funding, including legislative reporting and mining sector activity.
The U.S, through its release issued late Monday night, also stated, “”As part of this action, their immediate family members are also designated, including their spouses, Delecia Berry Tweah, Abigail Chie, and Ruthtoria Brown Nuquay, and Tweah and Nuquay’s minor children.”
It can be recalled that prior to the sanctioning of these key government officials, the U.S Government in 2022, also imposed sanctions on former Minister of State, Nathaniel McGill; former Solicitor General, Sayma Syrenius Cephus, and former National Port Authority Managing Director, Bill Twehway, for their involvement in corruption as well.
The U.S said, “Through their corruption, these officials have undermined democracy in Liberia for their own personal benefit, and Treasury’s designations today demonstrate that the United States remains committed to holding corrupt actors accountable, and to the continued support of the Liberian people.”
In its statement, the Treasury Department added that corruption has been a challenge for Liberia’s democracy and its economy, robbing the Liberian people of funds for public services, empowering illicit actors, and destroying the rule of law.
Also, Nimba County Senator, Prince Johnson, sanctioned in December of 2021, was accused by the US government of engaging in large-scale corruption, a pay-for-play scheme with government ministries and organizations for personal enrichment.
Also, Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Varney Sherman, was also sanctioned in 2019 for allegedly paying judges to decide cases in his favor, as well as facilitating payments to Liberian politicians to support the impeachment of a judge who had ruled against him.
But with the latest batch of sanctions imposed, Chargé d’Affaires Rodriguez, at a press conference yesterday in Monrovia, said that the decision underscores the US’s commitment to holding accountable those who engage in activities of corruption and human rights abuses globally.
She stressed, “So, for those individuals who have been sanctioned by the U.S Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control under the Global Magnitsky, they and their families will no longer be able to utilize the U.S. banking system, and they and their families will have a lifetime ban on visiting the U.S.”
“For those also sanctioned by the U.S. Department of State under Section 7031(c), they and their families will have a lifelong ban from entering the United States,” the U.S. envoy asserted.
7031© provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign officials have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States.
According to her, corruption doesn’t only affect one’s life today, but also threatens their family’s future, indicating that the world is a global marketplace and Liberia, like other countries in the world, must compete for new business opportunities, for foreign assistance, and for international financing.
This, she maintained, that the fortunes of all Liberians are squandered when government corruption becomes a factor in its decision making, and wondered, “So, what can you do about it?”
“The problem can seem intractable. Corruption has been around for thousands of years and exists in every society, including the United States. It’s not the fact that corruption exists that’s important, but rather, what you do about it.
We are uplifted to hear that dealing with the pernicious issue of corruption is one of your incoming government’s priorities. Liberia should make it easier for regular citizens and honest government workers to report fraud and corruption,” she added.
Chargé d’Affaires Rodriguez also pledged her country’s fullest support in buttressing government efforts in the fight against corruption throughout Liberia through technical assistance and guidance.
She emphasized, “As one of your oldest and strongest partners in the international community, as an employer of hundreds of Liberians, and as one of your largest international donors, we are committed to the best for Liberia.”
