U.S. Ambassador McCarthy Out! President Biden Nominates New Ambassador to Liberia – Latest Liberian News
MONROVIA – President Joe Biden has nominated Mark Christopher Toner as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Liberia.
If confirmed, Torner will replace the tough talking Michael McCarthy who has served since January 22, 2021.
The New Ambassador-designate
Ambassador Mark Christopher Toner, according to the White House, is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as the Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France. Previously, Toner was a Senior Advisor at the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe and a Senior Faculty Advisor at the National Defense University.
Earlier, Toner held positions as the State Department’s Deputy Spokesperson, Acting Spokesperson, and as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of European Affairs. He has also served as the Director of Press Operations in the Bureau of Public Affairs and Director of Press and Public Affairs in the Bureau of European Affairs.
Toner was also Spokesperson at the U.S. Mission to NATO in Brussels, Belgium. Prior to joining the State Department, Toner served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia, West Africa. He earned his Bachelor’s from the University of Notre Dame and his Master’s from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. He speaks French and Polish.
Ambassador McCarthy was nominated by President Donald Trump to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Liberia on June 2, 2020. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 18, 2020.
Ambassador McCarthy is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor. Previously, he served as Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General, Johannesburg, South Africa. He has also served as the Director of the Office of Retirement in the Bureau of Human Resources in the State Department and the Deputy Chief of Mission for Embassy Juba in South Sudan.
The new Ambassador-designate, Mark Christopher Toner, according to the White House’s website, is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as the Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France.
Previously, Toner was a Senior Advisor at the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe and a Senior Faculty Advisor at the National Defense University.
Earlier, Toner held positions as the State Department’s Deputy Spokesperson, Acting Spokesperson, and as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of European Affairs. He has also served as the Director of Press Operations in the Bureau of Public Affairs and Director of Press and Public Affairs in the Bureau of European Affairs.
Toner was also Spokesperson at the U.S. Mission to NATO in Brussels, Belgium. Prior to joining the State Department, Toner served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia, West Africa. He earned his Bachelor’s from the University of Notre Dame and his Master’s from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. He speaks French and Polish.
Amb. McCarthy’s legacy
While the outgoing Ambassador’s term in Liberia is a bit short, as compared to some of his predecessor, he is leaving with a strong legacy. True to his words during his confirmation at the U.S. Senate to take up assignment in Liberia, he was vocal in speaking against corruption and other ills in the Liberian Government.
He would be remembered by Liberians for his strong stance against corruption and his unapologetic criticisms of ills in the Liberian government.
Under his reign, three of Liberian top officials were hit with U.S. sanctions, leading them to their subsequent resignation.
The announcement of his successor comes following a visit by President George Weah to the CIA headquarters in Washington DC. While the purpose of the President’s unprecedented visit has been shielded from the press, there are speculations it is centered on sensitive U.S. national security matters.
The Weah-led administration was hard hit with three 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.
