Monrovia, Liberia – Samuel Tweah, Liberia’s finance minister, retaliates against the US administration for the visa restriction, claiming that it is an attempt to divert attention away from the CDC’s vocal opposition. Samuel Tweah, the Finance Minister who has been sanctioned, has described the sanctions as a ploy to divert attention away from the CDC’s efforts to create the strongest possible political opposition.
Minister Tweah claims that the reason for the proceedings against him is that he allegedly blocked American company HPX from using the train to undertake their investment in Guinea by way of Liberia, favouring Accelor Mittal Company instead.
The sanctioned minister made it clear that he has never had any influence over legislation, other government branches, or businesses.
He stated at a press conference on Thursday, December 14, 2023, that the actions taken against him and other CDC personnel are the result of certain well-placed U.S. government officials who have vowed to undermine the CDC, not the State Department’s foreign policy goals.
“I was told that I should hold off on endorsing ArcelorMittal’s third amendment until after the election in order to avoid sanctions. Based on this, I recommended to President Weah that he hand over control of the train discussions to the United States government, as an excessive amount of disinformation and propaganda was posing a threat to government officials. The president complied, and for a little while, the Americans attempted to reconcile HPX in order to come to an agreement on the multi-user rail system.
Minister Tweah stated that he and his family were found guilty without following the proper legal procedures, and he added that the false accusations and misinformation provided to a strong nation severely damaged their reputations throughout their lives.
The U.S. Department of State sanctioned Minister Tweah and two other legislators, Senators Albert Chie and Emmanuel Nuquay, on December 11, 2023. The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023, Section 7031(c), which authorises the imposition of the sanctions, emphasises the U.S. commitment to fighting corruption globally.
The spouse, Delecia Berry Tweah, and other members of the specified people’s immediate family were placed under visa restriction.
