Good Afternoon! When I was confirmed as Ambassador to Liberia, I had great hopes for focusing on commercial work, ramping up foreign investment in Liberia. That was not meant to be. Thank you for coming today to discuss a serious topic that I care deeply about because it is endangering Liberia’s future.

Liberia deserves high praise in 2022 for courageously standing up for human rights on the international stage. The media environment in Liberia today serves as an enviable model of liberty and free speech. But nineteen years after the end of the civil war and seven years after the rebirth of Liberia following the Ebola Virus epidemic, Liberia still lists as one of the ten poorest countries on the globe.

When a newborn child fails to achieve standard growth benchmarks, doctors call that a “failure to thrive”. In the United States, the Legislative Branch and the Executive Branch agree 100% on Liberia policy – they are both calling for action on the primary cause of Liberia’s “failure to thrive” – a long-term infestation of rampant and pervasive corruption.

Corruption steals from the poorest, it blunts or negates the impact of all of our development projects, it defeats initiatives before they are even launched, and it raises risk and uncertainty to drive away foreign investment. I would like to remind you of President Weah’s inaugural speech in 2017 when he stated, “It is my belief that the most effective way to directly impact the poor, and to narrow the gap between the rich and poor is to ensure that public resources do not end up in the pockets of government officials.

I further believe [he said] that the overwhelming mandate I have received from the Liberian people is a mandate to end corruption in the public service. I promise to deliver on this mandate.” This morning in Washington, D.C., the United States Secretary of the Treasury placed sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on three Government of Liberia officials: Minister of State Nathaniel McGill, National Port Authority Director Bill Twehway, and Solicitor General Syrenius Cephus. After a rigorous inter-agency investigation, the Treasury Department determined that these three officials engaged in corrupt acts, and they are now subject to U.S. financial sanctions and visa restrictions. This is a decision that the United States Government does not take lightly because corruption is not a light topic. As Treasury Secretary Yellen put it, “Corrupt acts take resources from citizens, undermine public trust, and threaten the progress of those who fight for democracy.”

But allow me to clarify some points before we proceed:

• Corruption exists in the United States. Corruption has existed in Liberia for at least 200 years.
• These are sanctions against individuals, not against the country, the party, or this administration. Today, these three Executive Branch officials are being singled out.
• The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, or GloMag, has only existed since 2017, so no previous Government of Liberia administrations could have had individuals sanctioned under GloMag.
• Today’s announcement does not exclude others from potential future sanctions. Of course, full accountability in Liberia can only come from Liberians themselves.

Recognizing corruption’s ability to corrode democracy, on June 3, 2021, President Biden established the fight against corruption as a core U.S. national security interest, stating “Corruption threatens United States national security, economic equity, global anti-poverty and development efforts, and democracy itself.” Today’s actions are one of a series of actions taken to combat corruption in line with the U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption.

In addition, today’s announcement is in line with the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, announced by Secretary Blinken during his recent visit to South Africa. In that strategy, two of the four main objectives touch on the effort to reduce corruption: First, our goal to Foster Openness and Open Societies, which includes promoting government transparency and accountability; and second, to Deliver Democratic and Security Dividends, which includes backing civil society, empowering marginalized groups, and defending free and fair elections. Corruption undermines these and other goals.

The United States stands with all Liberians against corruption, and I want to highlight some of our efforts in this effort.

• Since 2005, the State Department has committed more than $150 million to promote good governance and accountability in Liberia through our support of civilian security and justice sector programs. This funding enabled the Liberian National Police to develop a complaints and commendations system for the public to report good and bad policing and provided anti-corruption signage for courtrooms throughout Liberia.
• In July, the U.S. Embassy sponsored ten Liberian judges and prosecutors to attend high-level anti-corruption training at our West Africa Regional Training Center in Accra, Ghana.
• From 2015-2020, through the Legal Professional Development and Anti-Corruption Program, USAID provided support to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) that helped build the capacity and strengthen the professionalism of LACC investigators and prevention officers.
• Through the Revenue Generation for Governance and Growth Activity, USAID supported the introduction of e-filing and mobile payment platforms at the Liberia Revenue Authority. By minimizing contacts between tax officials and taxpayers, these initiatives reduced corruption risks and increased domestic resources.
• Our Embassy and USAID provide training to Liberian journalists and media organizations to disseminate accurate information, promote government accountability, and conduct in-depth reporting that can shine a light on corruption.
• USAID is working with Liberian civil society organizations to advocate for reforms that enhance transparency and accountability.

These examples are just a short list of the many activities we are undertaking in Liberia to counter corruption.

However, what we have found – and the reason we are here today – is that Liberia’s government leadership has too often acted in a way that erodes the effectiveness of these anticorruption efforts, rather than acting as true partners and bolstering these efforts. The worsening corruption situation has resulted in a greater number of U.S. officials publicly calling out Liberia.

– In her remarks at the national bicentennial celebration here in Monrovia on February 14, 2022, then Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council Dana Banks said “Too many of Liberia’s leaders have chosen their own personal short-term gain over the long-term benefit of their country. The expectation, sometimes, is that the United States and the rest of the international community will step in to solve Liberia’s long-term problems. So let me be clear [she said]. The United States is a proud and dedicated partner and friend of Liberia. But ultimately, only the Liberian Government and the Liberian people can tackle corruption, fight for accountability and transparency, and move this country forward.”

– Ambassador to the United Nations and former Ambassador to Liberia Linda Thomas-Greenfield in a March 31, 2022, Wilson Center forum, stated that “Corruption is an act of robbery, plain and simple. It’s cancer in our societies. It is the government stealing from the people of Liberia, from the mouths of children…. Corruption is a democracy killer, and we cannot have that in a place like Liberia, which we’re counting on as a bulwark for Africa’s democracy. To me [she said], this is the most pressing, it’s the most forward-looking challenge facing Liberia today. And it is, frankly, one that we need to work on. And it’s frankly up to the leadership of Liberia to fix. Only Liberia’s leaders, with the backing of and pressure from the people of Liberia, can create the environment of transparency and accountability the country needs.”

– To those statements, I would only add that in recent years corruption has worsened to the point that it is now the dominant issue in a bilateral relationship that would otherwise show far more promise.

And the reason why our Treasury Department has designated Minister of State Nathaniel McGill, National Port Authority Director Bill Twehway, and Solicitor General Syrenius Cephus is because these individuals have been directly contributing to this problem. Rather than seeking ways to fight corruption for the betterment of Liberia, these individuals have consistently advanced corruption within this government, to the detriment of Liberia and all Liberians.

It is my hope that those Liberians who have been victimized by the corrupt activities of these individuals will take a small measure of comfort that we are helping to hold them accountable.

It is my hope that those who today are being victimized by the corrupt activities of these and other individuals will feel empowered to peacefully stand up to that corruption and say, “no more.” It is my hope that Liberians do not view these sanctions as punishment for the country, but rather view them for what they are: an opportunity to chart a new course.

The U.S. government has taken this extraordinary step because extraordinary steps are necessary to tackle the cancer of corruption in Liberia. But ultimately it will be up to Liberians and Liberian leaders to take full advantage of this opportunity and to make the kind of fundamental changes that perhaps are more possible now because of these sanctions than they were yesterday. As they say in Latin, carpe diem: seize the day! Do not let this opportunity slip by and allow a return to the status quo.

As the Department of State Spokesperson said in his statement today, “These designations reflect our commitment to implementing the United States Strategy on Countering Corruption, and it is our hope that they will help Liberia chart a different course forward.”

I urge Liberia’s leaders to put the nation before themselves in this effort to lay the groundwork for better days to come for Liberia’s future generations. The United States is a proud partner of Liberia and one of its oldest friends. Today I assure you, from one old friend to another, America stands ready to support Liberia in this endeavor. Thank you for your time ladies and gentlemen!