Repairing the Damage: President Weah Holds Breakfast Meeting With U.S. Ambassador McCarthy at Rehab Residence
President Weah's meeting with U.S. Ambassador McCarthy at his private residence in Rehab is viewed as an opportunity for him to assure the U.S Government of his administration's commitment to fight corruption.
PAYNESVILLE – K-news has gathered that President George Manneh Weah has held a breakfast meeting with United States Ambassador Michael McCarthy at his residence in Rehab, Paynesville outside of Monrovia.
The meeting, which was held ahead of President Weah’s trip to Todee in continuation of the second leg of his county’s tour, was the first face-to face meeting with Ambassador McCarthy after three of the President’s top officials in government were slapped with sanction by the U.S. Treasury Department and their subsequent suspension by the President.
Although detail has not emerged on what was said the during meeting on Saturday, August 20, the pair meeting has been viewed by pundits and observers as a move by the President to make amend amid the ‘huge embarrassment’ hanging over his administration by assuring the United States Government of his government’s commitment to fight corruption.
The meeting also comes amid increasing pressure on President Weah to totally disengage with the three disgraced officials including his closest aide, the Minister of State for President Affairs Nathaniel McGill who also serves as his Chief of Staff, Liberia Solicitor General Cllr. Syrenius Cephus and the Managing Director of the National Port Authority, Bill Twehway by firing them.
Presidential hopeful Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe has threatened to launch a campaign in calling on U.S. President Joe Biden to withdraw his invitation to the Liberian leader if he fails to give his disgraced officials their marching order.
Ambassador McCarthy, who does not mince his words in holding the Weah-led government’s feet to the fire to curb corruption, expressed hope that President Weah will respond appropriately in the wake of the sanctions against his officials.
Addressing the Liberian media at the US Embassy on Monday following the announcement of the sanctions, the U.S. Envoy said, although it is not his position to tell the Liberian leader what to do, he expects the President to do the right things.
“I would never tell a president who is elected by the people what to do but I think the President knows what the best moves will be… I’m sure this will get the attention of the President. In some ways, this offers new tools and impetus to make good decisions for the country.”
