CITES TOTAL DISRESPECT TO LIBERIA
Monrovia, Liberia -Representative Moima Briggs Mensah (District #6, Bong County) has requested President Joseph Boakai to quickly proclaim United States Chargé d’Affaires Catherine Rodriguez a persona non grata in light of her remarkable conduct at Liberia’s 177th Independence Anniversary.
The official event was held at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion on Ashmond Streets in Central Monrovia. Chargé d’Affaires Rodriguez withdrew in response to the Independence Day speaker’s “provocative” remarks condemning the United States.
Activist and scholar Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey asserted in her speech that the United States had stolen more from Liberia than it had given. “Let us not forget, the United States will always serve its own interests above all else,” Dr. Pailey remarked, drawing loud applause from the audience. “We will recognize that a reimagined Liberia can never be anyone’s’stepchild’ once we accept these truths.”
Representative Mensah suggested that President Boakai consider recalling Rodriguez from the US administration. She sought an explanation for President Boakai’s refusal and threatened to bring the matter before the plenary if he did not cooperate.
Rep. Mensah declared, “President Joseph Boakai has two choices: either he writes to America to recall their Chargé d’Affaires in the spirit of diplomacy, or he sends that woman back by tomorrow. If he does not take this stand, I will put a message on the floor stating that President Boakai will come and explain to us why he declined to request that the US government recall the Charge d’Affaires.”
She stressed, “It is unfortunate. To defend our nation, redeem our identity, and win back the respect that the departure of the Chargé d’Affaires has taken from us, I believe the President must act promptly.
The US Embassy, which claimed that Rodriguez’s departure was a response to remarks that divided the group and damaged its spirit, backed Rodriguez’s departure. “We should celebrate, be united, and have hope on Independence Day,” the Embassy said in a statement. When disparaging remarks and unfounded accusations are made during such an event, its purpose is compromised. In order to preserve the decorum and spirit of the event, the CDA made the thoughtful decision to depart.
Representative Mensah chastised Rodriguez’s behavior, pointing out that the speaker’s comments focused mostly on historical grievances and that Liberia needs to prioritize its own interests. Even just because this woman made us aware of how much we have always valued America, it is time we began to consider ourselves. Did she lie? The speaker asserted that everything we do is a carbon copy of the American flag, including our flag and constitution.
She questioned, “Why did she say that was different?” It is time for us to focus and evaluate ourselves, as she just said. Because of this, no matter how dire the circumstances, a Chargé d’Affaires will never forsake us in the face of people who continuously implore us to be tolerant, condemn us for being patriotic, insist that we honor our country, and always put their hands around us.
Representative Mensah expressed her deep disgust with the action, given the presence of President Boakai and other dignitaries, as well as the decision by the US Chargé d’Affaires and her team to exit the presentation.
She argued that this incident would affect relations between nations and could be seen as a diplomatic snub. “When Madam Chargé d’Affaires left our Independence Day celebration while our president, visiting presidents, Chief Justice, Speaker, all vice presidents, the Senate Pro-Tempore, and every Liberian citizen were seated, it was the most heinous and heartbreaking thing that happened.”
Representative Mensah emphasized the need of responding positively to criticism by citing previous charges made by US officials most notably, US Ambassador Michael McCarthy of Liberian MPs for enriching themselves at the expense of their compatriots’ lack of basic requirements.
Rep. Mensah said, “You are pitting us against Liberians, saying that we are not only interested in enriching ourselves but also in doing nothing for them.” Have we lost our cool? With whom of us did we speak? We should always take constructive criticism and make an effort to grow from it.
