–Liberians Express Frustration over Pres. Weah’s 48-Day, Prolonged Travels Abroad
IPNEWS: On November 1, 2022, President George Weah through a communication to Senate President Pro-Tempore, Albert Chie, in keeping with the Constitution informed that he would be out of the country from November 1-23, 2022, to attend:
- The 14th Edition of the MEDays Forum in Tangier, Morocco; from November 1-6, 2022;
- The 27th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCC COP27) in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt from; November 6-9, 2022;
- The 8th Edition of the Paris Peace Forum in Paris, France; November 9-15 November 2022; and
- The opening of the FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar, from November 15-23, 2023
On November 18, 2022, President Weah again wrote Senate President Pro-Tempore, Albert Chie, seeking an extension for his prolonged trips abroad.
The President’s Communication stated four points that prompted the extension: The letter said despite the President’s previous November 1, 2022 communication to the National Legislature that had earlier informed them about him going abroad from November 1-23, 2022, it was now of necessity to extend is stay due to other official engagements that require his travel to Monaco, France and to the United States of America as follows:
- The 5th Edition of the Paris Peace Forum which I attended in Paris, France was extended from November 15 to November 18, 2022, thereby necessitating and adjustment in my attendance as a Guest of Honor of FIFA at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar from November 18, 2022 to November 30, 2022;
- I have been invited to attend the 13th Edition of the Peace and Sports International Forum in Monaco, France as Guest of Honor from November 30, 2022 to December 3, 2022;
- Therefore, I will travel to the United States of America, where I will hold meetings with various business and political leaders of that country from December 4, 2022 to December 12, 2022, and;
- The Joe R. Biden Africa Leaders’ Summit (United States – Africa Leaders’ Summit) scheduled to be held in Washington DC from December 13, 20222 to December 15, 2022; and will return to Liberia on December 18, 2022.
Liberians Express Frustration over the President’s Prolonged Stay Abroad
On Monday, November 29, 2022 a cross section of Liberians while speaking on the popular night time SPOON Talk Show expressed frustration over the prolonged stay of President George Weah abroad having departed the country on November 1, 2022 leading to a return date of December 18, 2022, thus making it exactly 48 days the Liberian leader will be out of the country at the expense of Liberian taxpayers’ dollars.
In a cross sampling of views at the ELWA Junction in Paynesville, a group of petit traders, who spoke with SPOON Network decried what they called “Nonstop Lies” being exhibited by the Office of the Liberian leader and his government officials who have deliberately ignored the plights of Liberians but rather choose to defend the prolonged travels of President George Weah, who is currently in Doha, Qatar and set to depart today to Monaco, France for another engagement, according to a last minute extension sent to Senator Pro-Tempore Albert Chie.
According to Presidential Press Secretary, Isaac Solo Kelgbeh, while in Monaco, President Weah will meet the Prince of Monaco and address the Sports for Development Forum.
Following his engagement with the King of Monaco, President Weah will head to the United States of America on December 3, 2022 for Joe Biden’s African Summit for the last leg of his prolonged stay abroad.
But as far as the petit traders at the ELWA Junction and other Liberians were concerned during the interview, while they are not against their leader traveling abroad to seek international assistance they are not happy with the prolonged travel, which has caused the Liberian government hundreds of thousands of United States Dollars amid a challenging and tough Liberian economy, where civil servants are owed salaries, the education and health sectors are underfunded, lack of basic social services, a very poor business climate, among others.
“Every time our president travels abroad his Office through the Press Secretary or his Deputy will always tell Liberians his travels cost the Liberian government nothing as those who invite him always take care of his travel and accommodation expenses. I wonder they think we are fools? How can a Liberian president travel abroad then you tell us that the Liberia government is not funding it, so who provides traveling per diems, benefits and incidentals for the President and his usual huge delegation,” the petit traders asked.
The petit traders noted how disheartening it was for President Weah to think of himself first and foremost because thinking about Liberians who voted him to state power. “The President only cares for himself and his government officials who always travel with him. There are lot of issues unattended to in the country but our president chose to stay all those days abroad in the name of attending conferences for the sake of Liberia. We are tired with ‘nonstop lies’, from the government, including Minister Samuel Tweah who failed to tell the Liberian people how much government has spent on the entire trip of the president for the 48 days. Can you imagine Tweah only said the President is entitled to U$2,000 per day as incidental allowance and if you multiply that by 48 days, the President along received US$96,000 for traveling allowances. Come to think about other members of his delegation, the per diem, incidental allowances, hotel accommodation, air travel in some instances, the Liberian government must have allotted hundreds of thousands of United States dollars or if not a million dollars or more for the President and his delegation to travel to all those countries he went to,” the petit traders lamented.
Also the petit traders frowned on President Weah’s constant stay in Qatar just to watch World Cup games while leaving burning issues that affect the country unattended. “The president told Liberians he was invited to Qatar by FIFA, but all we see on television is the President sitting in stadiums watching almost all of the games that are being played. It is understandable that he had to watch his son, Timothy Weah, play for his country USA, but we saw him watching Brazil and Switzerland game and others. So who is paying for all those days that he is staying in Qatar,” the aggrieved petit traders asked.
However, it can be recalled the Commissioner of the Maritime Authority, Eugene Lenn Nagbe in a recent interview with SPOON Talk from Tangier in Morocco disclosed that the organizers of the 14th Edition of the Tangier MEDays Forum provided private jet for the President and his delegation, while at the same time the reason the President and government chose for him to remain abroad for all those international conferences, forums and summits is intended to cut down cost, stating it would have caused the Liberian government more money for the President to return to Liberia after every trip, with only one or two days interval for the other conferences.
Commissioner Nagbe said the Liberian government had to act smart to save money on the president’s marathon travels abroad.
Recently, River Gee County Senator Conmany Wesseh disclosed that his kinsmen in his country speaking on various talk shows disclosed that President Weah was tired with the presidency that is why he chose to stay 48 days abroad while there are issues at home that need his attention.
Senator Wesseh added his voice when he said, “the president is suffering from fatigue just five years into his six-year term, and it is clear indication that he is already tired with running the country.”
Apart from those petit traders at ELWA Junction, the people of River Gee County as well as Senator Conmany Wesseh, many Liberians call daily on various radio talks shows to decry President Weah’s prolonged stay abroad which according to them has caused the Liberian several hundreds of thousands of the United States dollars at the detriment of Liberians.
Meanwhile, IPNEWS has chronicled President Weah’s trip since he departed Liberia on November 1, 2022 and what he has been doing and what is the expected outcome of his marathon trips abroad. See below the chronology:
A Chronology of President Weah’s 48 Days Travels Abroad
On October 31, 2022, the Executive Mansion reported to the Liberian people and foreign residents that President George Weah had received an official Invitation from the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, to attend and address the 14th Edition of the MEDays Forum in Tangier, Kingdom of Morocco.
According to an Executive Mansion statement posted on its website, the 14th Edition was set to bring together over 5000 participants, including world leaders, creating an opportunity to discuss the main geopolitical, economic and social issues facing the planet, including the war in Ukraine, conflicts and instability in Africa, tensions in the Indo-Pacific, food and energy crises, inflation, and climate change. President Weah was expected to be joined by 200 renowned speakers at that Forum.
Participants included other African and world leaders, members of government, business leaders, investors, researchers, journalists and entrepreneurs from across the globe.
The forum was scheduled to run from November 2-5, 2022 under the theme “From Crisis to Crisis: Towards a New World Order?” The MEDays forum is dubbed the African Davos. The MEDays Forum it was reported was set to contain more than 50 sessions and round tables, debates and interactions, while the MEDays Investments Summit will also expected to be launched.
The Executive Mansion then disclosed that the President would depart Liberia on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 to honor the invitation and explore opportunities for Liberia.
Weah Departs Liberia and Arrives in Morocco
On November 1, 2022, President George Weah and delegation departed Liberia via the Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Margibi County in the morning hours and arrived the same day in the evening hours at the Ibn Battouta International Airport in the city of Tangier in Morocco.
The Executive Mansion press statement did not release the names of the President’s official delegation but there were public speculations that he had traveled with a huge delegation at the expense of Liberian tax payers. IPNEWS could not independently confirm the speculations regarding the number of people that formed the President’s delegation to Tangier in Morocco. He was scheduled to the Forum on Wednesday, November 2, 2022.
The Liberian Chief Executive was also expected to hold series of bilateral and multilateral meetings with his counterparts and business executives including the President of Cape Verde, King of Morocco and the President of the Amadeus Institute, organizer of MEDays International Forum.
President Weah Pushes Liberia’s Investment Case at MEDays Forum in Morocco
On Wednesday, November 2, 2022, the Executive Mansion through a statement reported that President George Weah addressed the 14th Edition of the MEDays Forum in Tangier, where he used the occasion in their words “using one stone to kill two birds” to encourage investors to utilize the virgin nature of Liberia’s investment climate to engage in profitable business ventures of mutual benefit. The Liberian president is said to have sold Liberia’s amiable investment opportunities in a bid to attract potential investors.
President Weah Calls for Increased Global Cooperation in Combating Pandemics and Conflicts
On the same Thursday, November 3, 2022 in Tangier, Morocco President Weah underscored the different challenges confronting the world order and called for an all-involving, and unfailing global action in combating these terrible threats and challenges.
President Weah named HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19, Monkey Pox, as well as natural disasters caused by climate change, and wars and rumors of war, and the threat of nuclear war as global challenges threatening human survival and peace.
Addressing world leaders the Liberian Leader said on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, that it’s an imperative for nations to work together towards global cooperation, trust and peaceful coexistence, which is the focus and foundation of the Forum.
President Weah Gets Commitment from Tanger Med Port for NPA Transformation
On the same Thursday, November 3, 2022, the Executive Mansion reported that President Weah got the first dividend of his visit to Morocco as the Tanger Med Port Authority has agreed to provide training and technical support to the National Port Authority (NPA).
Mr. Hassan Abkari, Managing Director of Tanger Med Port Authority, during the tour of his port facilities told President Weah and delegation that the Tanger Port was interested in investing in the Liberian port industry. The Tanger Med Port is one of the largest ports in the world.
In addition to providing training and technical support to NPA, the Tanger Med Port Authority also promised to revamp and develop the port of Greenville in Sinoe County.
President Weah’s Morocco Trip Bags another Dividend—This Time US$50 Million Commitment from Hungary
On Friday, November 4, 2022, the Executive Mansion also reported that President Weah while in Tangier in Morocco acknowledged with gratitude the approval of US$50m by the Government of Hungary, not only for undertaking investment ventures in Liberia but also for scholarships intended for the young people of Liberia.
On the margins of the MEDays International Peace Forum in Tangier, the Foreign Minister of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, paid a courtesy call on President Weah Friday, November 4, 2022 to announce the good news of his country’s approval of US$50 million Export Credit Facility for investment in Liberia, the Executive Mansion said.
President Weah Meets Cape Verdean Counterpart; Stresses Exigency of Peace in West Africa
On Saturday, November 5, 2022 the Executive Mansion also reported that President George Weah urged ECOWAS member states to seek and abide by the tenets of democracy. He reiterated Liberia, Cape Verde and the rest of West Africa should follow his continuous quest and call of seeking peace in Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso.
President Weah also said Liberia and Cape Verde have many bilateral and multilateral interests which need to be explored for the common good of the people of both countries and ECOWAS as a whole.
President Pereira Neves thanked the Liberian president for the reception accorded him and stressed the need for enhanced relationships between the two countries.
He promised to work with the Liberian Leader to ensure there’s a Cape Verde airliner flies to Liberia. The President trip to Tangier, Morocco ended and departed for Egypt to attend the COP27
President Addresses COP27 Tuesday in Egypt
On Sunday, 6th November 2022, the Executive Mansion also released a statement in which it said
President Weah addressed global leaders including governments, civil Society organizations, industries and finance at the 27th Conference of Parties dubbed COP27 in Egypt.
The United Nations Global Climate Change Conference kicked off on November, 6, 2022 at the Tonino Lamborghini International Convention Center in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, President Weah took to the podium with a succinct message to global leaders attending the conference.
The African Champion for Climate Change, Dr. Weah is expected to call on the conference delegates and the entire Conference of Parties (COP) to put previous promises into practice now in order to achieve a zero-carbon future for everyone.
President Weah arrived in Egypt on Sunday, November 6, 2022 for the COP27 conference that took place from November 6-18 in Sharm el-Sheikh.
“Imbalance between High, Low Emitters Still Remains High”, President Weah Calls COP27 to Attention
On Wednesday, November 9, 2022, the Executive Mansion through another press statement reported that President George Weah warned world leaders that met in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, that the inequity and imbalance between high and low emitters in the climate change architecture still remain high, and that the financial flows also remain disproportionate and unfair to emitting countries.
The President especially called attention to those significant carbon capture capability, and those countries that are expected to reserve their forest without commensurate benefit to the populations.
He however noted that there is still hope and confidence to mitigate and devastating effects of global climate change, something he stressed can only be achieved if the world acted together.
He spoke Tuesday, November 8, 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh at the Conference of Parties 27th Edition dubbed COP27, the President called on all parties to recommit, re-focus and live up to previous commitments made at COP26 to meet the target of 1.5 degrees Centigrade by 2030.
President Weah called on world leaders to stand by the decisions and commitments that were made at COP27 conference in Egypt to avert a global catastrophe noting, “Together can implement and make our one world a better place.”
President Weah Arrives in France for Paris Peace Forum, Holds Bilateral Discussion with President Macron on the Margins
On Wednesday, November 9, 2022 once again the Executive Mansion issued a press release stating that on a chain of international duties, President George Weah departed the Arab Republic of Egypt on November 9, 2022 and in Paris, France to attend the 5th Edition of the Paris Peace Forum.
The President’s Office said his Paris trip afforded him the opportunity to attend the renowned Paris Peace Forum which serves as a platform upon which state and non-state actors engage in transnational cooperation for collective action.
At the same time, on the margins of the forum, President Weah it is reported held a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, as well as held discussions with other world and business leaders. The Paris Peace Forum kicked off on November 11, 2022 and ended on November 15, 2022.
Pres. Weah Arrives in Doha, Qatar
On Friday, November 18, the Office of President George Weah through an Executive Mansion press release reported that the Liberian leader arrived in Doha, Qatar on the same day following his departure from Egypt where he attended the COP27 Conference.
The release said President Weah arrived in Doha via Paris, where he participated in the Paris Peace Forum, advocating for Liberia’s development and growth. The Liberian Chief Executive, along with 26 other presidents, is in Qatar as a guest of the Qatari Government and the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).
The President, a former FIFA’s Balon d’Or and former Qatar 2022 World Cup Bid Ambassador is expected to hold bilateral and multilateral meetings with the Emir of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar. The Liberian Leader will also meet with the Chief Executive Officers of Qatar Foundation, Aspire Zone Foundation, Chairman of Al-Qamra Holdings, among others, the release concluded.
Pres. Weah, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim in Doha -Qatar Commits to Funding Phase II of Lofa Road Pavement, Other Projects in Sports, Aviation and Health
On Sunday, November 27, 2022 the Executive Mansion informed the People of Liberia that President George Weah and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met Sunday November 27, 2022 for a bilateral discussion on the sidelines of the FIFA 2022 World Cup being hosted by Qatar.
During the bilateral meeting held on November 27, 2022 in Doha, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani committed more funding for the Second Phase of the pavement of Gbarnga – Mendikorma Highway Project (Lofa Road).
The Emir made the commitment following President Weah’s request during the meeting. President Weah described the Lofa Road as a “critical national infrastructure”.
Qatar, through the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), contributed to the ongoing works.
In addition to committing to funding Phase II of the Lofa Road, the Emir also agreed to assist the Liberian Government in meeting her development goals as enshrined in the Pro Poor Agenda Prosperity and Development (PAPD), the Executive Mansion release stated.
The Liberian Chief Executive among other things requested for cooperation and investment opportunities between Liberia and Qatar in the areas of aviation, education, agriculture, forestry, health, road development, energy, low cost housing and infrastructure sectors as well as manufacturing.
As a result of the President’s requests, the Emir agreed and promised to send a delegation from the Government and Qatari Business community to visit Liberia early 2023.
He thanked President Weah for supporting Qatar in the race to host the world cup a decade ago.
President Weah extended an invitation to His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to visit Liberia saying, “ I am with the strongest conviction that an exchange of State Visits between Your Highness and me is very important as we work towards further strengthening Liberia – Qatar relations.”
The two leaders agreed that modalities for the visit will be worked out through diplomatic channels.
On the margins of the World Cup, President Weah Press Secretary Isaac Solo Kelgbeh told Liberians that the President is having engagements with partners and the business community in Qatar including a planned bilateral meeting with His Highness, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani before his departure to Monaco on November 29, 2022.
President Weah’s Monaco Trip
According to Presidential Press Secretary Isaac Solo Kelgbeh, while in Monaco, President Weah will meet the Prince of Monaco and address the Sports for Development Forum.
Following his engagement with the King of Monaco, President Weah will head to the United States of America on December 3, 2022 for Joe Biden’s African Summit.
President Weah’s Trip to the United States for the Joe Biden Africa Leaders’ Summit
Presidential Press Secretary Isaac Solo Kelgbeh stated on his official Facebook Page that the President will land in Miami, Florida for meetings with some American Investors who are interested in exploring Liberia’s cordial and virgin business environment.
At the end of those engagements, the President then heads to New York for a couple of meetings, including a meeting with the Head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Achim Steiner. During that meeting, it is hoped that Liberia and the UNDP will finalize arrangements for community-driven initiatives, Press Secretary Kelgbeh says.
And on December 13-15, 2022 comes the Biden Africa Summit. In addition to the summit, President Weah is expected to hold bilateral and multilateral meetings with Joseph R. Biden and other leaders attending the Biden African Forum—another nightmarish experience Liberia’s frustrated opposition cannot afford to watch.
“Liberians are assured that as the President continues his international engagements, his beloved country, Liberia, reigns prominently on his mind and that he would spend every second of his time to scout for and bring back benefits, as is often characteristic of his travels, for the people of Liberia,” Press Secretary Kelgbeh iterated.
