Liberia’s long history of political corruption leaves hasty generalizations and weird perceptions as the Chief Prosecutor of just anyone who works in the public sector and any ruling establishment for that matter. Every now and then, there are wild outcries and yelling all over the place about the existence of corruption in the public sector. While some of the ‘cry-wolf’ lamentations do have foundation in empirical studies, much of what is said about corruption is mere perception usually fanned by partisan politics and the psyche and trauma about corruption in the past. The Weah administration unfortunately bumped into this national attitude even when it was still in its puberty. What has not been done, as it was in the case of some political epochs is that the ‘corruption wolf-crying’ during this period has largely been without empirical bases, and a Western diplomatic alludes to the misfortune that has befallen the current establishment. As The Analyst reports, European Union Ambassador Laurent Delahouse has opined that all the noise about corruption in Liberia under the Weah administration is not backed by evidence—at least not yet.
In what appears to be wakeup call to critics of Liberia who often accuse President George Manneh Weah’s government over its probity credentials, main regarding alarms about corruption in the country, European Union Ambassador to Liberia, Mr. Laurent Delahouse, has posited that allegations of corruption are without evidence.
In times past, allegations about corruption in the public service were accompanied by exhibits rooted in empirical studies, including audit reports, that showed the extent and tray of graft and misuse of public resources.
That has hardly been the case in recent years as most allegations proffered by citizens and noncitizens lack firsthand, research backings.
Ambassador Delahouse speaking Monday, April 11, 2022 at a day-long Pro Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) Steering Committee Meeting at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town Ambassador Delahouse blasted diplomatic missions in Liberia that continue who, he said, continue to melt into the country’s politics, especially those who are alleging that Liberian government officials are corrupt.
He said no Ambassador or diplomat has the right to criticize the Liberian government on allegations of corruption, because they do not have any fact to prove their criticisms.
The meeting, organized by the Liberian government was intended to review the Pro Poor Agenda for Prosperity Development (PAPD), the government National Development plan which was formulated in 2018.
According to the European Union Ambassador, for anyone to link a government or an individual to corruption, there must be some empirical facts or evidence to authenticate their allegations.
He noted that there are set duties for Ambassadors and others who are on diplomatic missions in any country to execute and not to directly get involved with that country’s politics particularly without substantial evidence.
“What rights do Ambassadors or other diplomats have to accuse the Liberian government of corruption when we cannot prove any act of corruption, nor do we have anyone to identify as a corrupt person,” Ambassador Delahouse asserted during his remarks at the meeting.
The EU Ambassador made the assertions following a statement from the Swedish Ambassador to Liberia Urban Sjostrom, in which he called on the Weah led administration to use the fight against corruption, transparency and accountability as a tool for development in Liberia.
Meanwhile, President George Manneh Weah has vowed to resign as President of Liberia if his critics can prove that his government is corrupt because, according to him, the critics do not mean well for the Liberian people.
The Liberian leader’s statement was in apparent response to critics of his government, especially those who continue to blame the CDC led government for the reported mysterious deaths and disappearances of Liberians since his ascendency in 2018.
It can be recalled that the Weah led administration has come under serious criticism for the alleged mysterious deaths and disappearances of some Liberians since 2018.
Some of those who were allegedly killed mysteriously include Central Bank of Liberia employee Matthew Innis; Liberia Revenue Authority employees Albert Peters; Gifty Lamah and George Fanbutu, Former Director General of the Internal Audit Agency Emmanuel Nyenswah; the three men who reportedly got drown after being hired by the owner of St. Moses Funeral Home, and recent Princess Cooper among others.
Following the deaths of some of the aforementioned persons, President George Weah called on Liberians to install security cameras at their various homes, a statement which was greeted by a barrage of criticism from Liberians.
President Weah said: “When I talked about the installation of security cameras at our homes, people criticized me and said I was not serious, but it was intended to easily trace crimes”.
The Liberian leader wondered why people would think that the government is responsible for the deaths of innocent people in the country.
“I don’t understand why people will be accusing my government of killing its own citizens, when in fact we are more concerned about those happenings in our country” Pres. Weah added.
Several other diplomats addressing the PAPD Steering Committee Meeting include Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, the World Bank Resident Representative to Liberia and African Development Bank Country Representative among others.
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