Following Reports of His Replacement, Amb. McCarthy Says He is “not Leaving Liberia Anytime Soon”

Monrovia- United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael A. McCarthy says he is still maintaining his post until the newly nominated Ambassador is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, which may not happen anytime soon.

On 27, the White House on its website revealed President Joe Biden’s “intent to nominate” three people “to serve as key leaders in his administration”. Key among them is U.S. current Ambassador to Liberia Michael A. McCarthy.

The U.S. leader who has continuously voiced out the States’ stance against corruption in the Country will be replaced by Mark Christopher Toner, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Liberia if confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

However, addressing a team of journalists at the U.S. embassy in Liberia on Tuesday, McCarthy said he will continue to serve until the process leading to his replacement is successfully done.

“I am not planning of leaving anytime soon, my successor has been nominated, and that is the start of a long process, we don’t know when the new ambassador will come, but I will be here for the time being”, McCarthy said.

The move to replace the U.S ambassador is coming just after President George Weah was invited to Langley, the CIA global headquarters- US Spy Agency in Washington, when three officials of his government had been sanctioned months ago, on August 15, 2022, by the United States Treasury under the Global Magnitsky Act.

Despite a report that the Liberian Leader’s visit seems unusual, undiplomatic and historic, political pundits believe that Pres. Weah used the occasion to report Amb. MaCathy to the U.S. government.

Under his reign, three of Liberian top officials were hit with U.S. sanctions under the Magnitsky Act affecting three officials (now ex-officials) of the Weah administration and two Senators.

The Liberian government has constantly termed these sanctions as maneuverings of the members of the opposition bloc.