Ambassador McCarthy Frowns on Liberians in Diaspora for Using Media to Instigate Violence at Home- Latest Liberian News
MONROVIA – The United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael A. McCarthy has expressed dismay over some Liberians in the U.S. he said that are bent on using the media to instigate violence at home leading to this year’s elections.
Amb. McCarthy said these Liberians in the U.S. are motivated by disruption and desire to break down trust in Liberian institutions without caring what damage they cause, and when questioned by law enforcement, they do not have evidence to back up their claims.
“While responsible critical observation from the Liberian diaspora can be healthy, some cowardly media personalities and political personalities have intentionally disseminated rumors or misinformation into Liberia’s political environment from the safety of their studios and offices in the U.S,” he said.
The statement from the U.S. is coming days after Cllr. Jerome Verdier, former chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) accused Monrovia Mayor Jefferson Koijee of masterminding the killing of former Chief Justice Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott’s daughter in Brewerville, the outskirts of Monrovia.
In the wake of the attack against the former Chief Justice, Cllr. Verdier, appearing on local radio (Spoon FM), accused Mayor Koijee of sending Varlee Talleh, an employee of the Monrovia City Corporation to commit the crime.
However, when questioned by the police, Cllr. Verdier said he was only given a lead but had no evidence to the allegations he leveled.
In another development, Ambassador McCarthy has lauded the Government of Liberia for progress made in the fight against Female genital mutilation (FGM) but stressed the need to pass proposed anti-FGM legislation in the Country.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to “all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or another injury to the body. In Liberia, the prevalence of FGM is 31.8 percent which calls for serious action, according to the World Bank 2022 statistic.
However, addressing a team of reporters at the embassy in Monrovia on Tuesday, Amb. McCarthy said the government has gone beyond lip service in fighting FGM in the country but more needs to be done.
“I wanted to congratulate the Weah administration, the traditional leaders, the religious leaders, the women’s support group, UN women, and UNDP for going far beyond lip service, to take coordinated action to preserve the Sande while fighting the scourge of FGM,” Amb. McCarthy who was out of the country during the observance of International Women’s day stated.
He said the UN through its Women’s Goodwill Ambassador ending FGM and Child Marriage believes that the practice of FGM in Liberia may be eliminated, but underscored the need for more political will.
“I implore the legislature to add to the incredible momentum by passing proposed anti-FGM legislation immediately. Is it not fitting that as the oldest Republic in Africa, Liberia should abolish this terrible practice that is so harmful to half the population?” he asked.
Last year, House Deputy Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa submitted a bill entitled, “An Act Prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation of 2022″, which was voted upon and forwarded to the Committees on Internal Affairs Judiciary, and Gender Equity, Child Development, and Social Services.
Also, during the observance of the International Day of Zero tolerance for FGM, the Chairperson of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia (NACCEL), Chief Zanzan Karwor banned the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Liberia.
In his declaration, he called on chiefs and elders to share the message around the country- a move that was greatly welcomed by the international community.
