-Rep. Briggs Mensah pushes Boakai to ensure the recall of Catherine Rodriguize
By Jerromie S. Walters
Bong County District #6 (Salala) Representative Moima Briggs Mensah has reaffirmed her call to the President Joseph N. Boakai to communicate to the US Government for the recall Charge D’Affairs Catherine Rodriguize for what she characterized as “grossly disrespecting” Liberian Leaders and guests on its prestigious and most celebrated historic day.
Representative Briggs over the weekend rallied the President to communicate with the U.S. Government to recall Charge D’Affairs Catherine Rodriguez for what she considered her (Madam Rodriguez) disrespectful actions during Liberia’s independence celebration. The United States Charge D’Affairswalked out during the orator’s speech, following fiery comments regarding the U.S. and Liberia relations.
But in the opinion of Representative Briggs Mensah, the U.S. Diplomat’s action showed a lack of respect for Liberian leaders, culture, citizens, and values, as well as the three branches of government. Rep. Briggs Mensah expressed disappointment in Rodriguez’s behavior, stating that it was disrespectful to the country and its people. She emphasized the historical relationship between Liberia and America, noting that Liberians often show respect to American leaders. Walking out during such a significant event was seen as a sign of disrespect.
Also in what she termed as a “Rejoinder to statement on CDA departure at Liberia’s 177th Independence Day Celebration Program”, the female Lawmaker noted: “Regarding the response from the US Embassy defending the abrupt departure of delegation; Diplomats should conduct themselves with the highest standards of professional behavior during official functions and show respect for the host country’s President and other officials, traditions, and protocols.”
In response to the CDA action during the Independence Day Celebration, the United States Embassy near Monrovia said while acknowledging the right to freedom of speech, the Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) Rodriguez exercised her own right to disengage from remarks she found unacceptable.
The release, dated July 27, 2024, the Embassy referenced the historicity of the U.S. and Liberia relationship. “The U.S. has a long-standing commitment to supporting Liberia, providing foreign assistance that exceeds $163 million annually,” the statement read. This support is in addition to contributions made by the U.S. government to various international organizations that aid the Liberian people. Numerous American foundations, private citizens, and non-governmental organizations also actively contribute to the welfare and development of Liberia.
However, Representative Moima Briggs Mensah of Bong County District #6 had this to say a day later: “Even if they are displeased with something said or done at an event, they should handle the situation with discretion. The CDA publicly leaving Liberia’s 177thIndependence Day Celebration in the middle of the event– and effectively disrupting it – can be a breach of diplomatic protocol and could negatively affect bilateral relations too.”
She believes that “Any issues or concerns held by the CDA in relation to the Orator’s speech should have been addressed tactfully through appropriate diplomatic channels after the event, rather than during it.” She said, “Not only would this have helped maintain the dignity of the 177th Independence Day Program, but it would also have prevented this “viral moment” where the events of the day and other salient issues raised by the Orator have been completely overshadowed by the departure of the CDA and the other U.S. Embassy officials.”
Briggs-Mensah: “In addition, the Orator (Dr. Robtel NeajaiPailey who is a respected Liberian academic and relatively young woman in the early years of her academic career) now faces widespread condemnation from politicians and other powerful personalities who are rushing to defend the United States – one of the world’s most powerful countries – over a fellow Liberian, who has comparatively so little power.”
With this, she believes It is ironic that the U.S. Embassy cited “divisive rhetoric” as one of the main reasons for the unceremonious departure of US Mission Officials, considering that these actions have created a firestorm of divisive rhetoric among Liberians.
The female lawmaker said: “The U.S. Embassy’s complaint that the Orator made “unfounded accusations” against the United States is also deeply unfair. Dr. Neajai Pailey was not specific to development aid, for which we know that the U.S. is by far the largest contributor to Liberia’s development assistance. There is a huge body of academic research (going back some 60 years) which argues that U.S. foreign policy and economic practices have created and sustained a form of neocolonialism in Africa including Liberia.”
She argues with historical references: They argue that political independence did not translate into economic or ideological independence because Political interference contributed to devastating conflicts as part of the Cold War and perpetuated economic exploitation through the extraction of resources and wealth for the benefit of foreign/American business and markets. It also includes a school of thought that development aid fosters dependency rather than self-sufficiency, and illegitimate debts (such as those paid to corrupt regimes and never benefitted the people) stifle the country’s economic growth because resources are spent on debt repayment rather than development. Conditionalities have also been imposed on countries receiving loans and grants in line with neoliberal ideology (privatization, deregulation, trade liberalization, etc.) which guides US economic policy.”
Moreover, the Representative said, “These scholars argue that this has exacerbated poverty and inequality rather than fostering sustainable development. Considering the above, she says Dr. Neajai Pailey’s scholarly research falls within this academic tradition of critical development studies and is therefore expressing that view, which is hardly an “unfounded accusation”.
“Subsequent engagement in dialogue and debate around such a complex history as that of the United States and Liberia – considering the significant power imbalances between the two countries – would have been a much more dignified and democratic response to the Orator’s remarks. Democratic societies thrive on the free exchange of ideas, debate, and dissent. As a champion of democracy around the world, U.S. foreign missions should encourage this free exchange and engage productively with dissenting opinions.”
Scores of major political actors and ordinary Liberians have weighed in on Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey’s fiery statements about the U.S. and Liberia relationship during the 177th Independence Day celebration. Some have hailed her for what they termed as her “Boldness” while others have had opposite opinions.
In a statement over the weekend, Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh emphasized the enduring strength of the relationship between Liberia and the United States, while addressing the controversy surrounding the recent Independence Day speech delivered by the national orator. “The United States is our partner, our friend, and our ally. Truth be told, if not for the US, Liberia would not exist today. We would have been broken up and absorbed by colonial powers. Though the last to recognize our independence, as the Orator rightly stated, the United States was the protector of our independence, saving us from further annexation by the United Kingdom (Sierra Leone) and France (Cote d’Ivoire),” he noted in a writeup via his official Facebook page.
In a pointed response to Madam Pailey, Rev. J. Luther Tarpeh, National Chairman of the Unity Party, said the Orator’s Speech has embarrassed the President and the Unity Party (UP). “Your speech has embarrassed our President and the Unity Party.”
He expressed strong disapproval of her remarks regarding the United States’ role in Liberia’s challenges. “Madam Orator,” Tarpeh began, while your speech to national leaders and ordinary Liberians was convicting and created a sense of national consciousness and call to duty, your accusation against the United States of America for the backwardness of our country is simply embarrassing, offensive, distasteful and misleading especially when you provide no evidence to substantiate your claim.”
Tarpeh emphasized that Liberia has been a sovereign nation for 177 years, capable of determining its own destiny. We have been a sovereign country for 177 years for God’s sake, determining our own destiny as a people and as a country. “On the contrary, the United States has given us so much since 1862 but yet our past government officials chose to put personal interest above national interest.”
Like scores of its supporters earlier did, the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) also frowned on remarks made by Ms. Robtel Pailey, the 177 Independence Day Orator, about Liberia-U.S. relations during her speech celebrating Liberia’s National Independence Day. The CDC emphasized that the oration should have focused on themes of peace and prosperity rather than what they characterized as “divisive attacks”.
