… Describe Liberia’s democratic transition a strong message to Africa
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
Ahead of today’s inauguration, former US ambassador to Liberia, and now prominent representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, Linda Thomas Greenfield has described Liberia’s democratic transition as as a strong message for democracy in Africa.
“For Liberia to have a strong election and such a smooth transition of power, it sends a strong message across the continent on how strong the democracy is here.”
Linda Thomas Greenfield who arrived at the Robert International Airport on Sunday, January 21, 2024, is spearheading the delegation representing the president of the United States – Joe Biden at the inauguration of Liberia’s twenty-fifth president, Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
Speaking to scores of Journalists following her arrival at the newly dedicated Clair Marie Weah executive lodge, the US diplomat intimated that the US is a favorite for Liberia’s democratic transition.
“It reached us where we are in strong favor because we can see several countries in West Africa backsliding from democracy and we experienced many coups in this region.
She further called for a collective effort to strengthen Liberia’s fragile democracy.
“Liberia is fragile and democracy is not easy, but we will work towards it to improve over and over and over again. so, I am delighted to be here to see this country transition from one democratic elected president to another.”
Meanwhile, the former US ambassador to Liberia averred that the United States government will continue to speak against corrupt practices in government anywhere.
Describing corruption as a cancer that takes away hope and education from ordinary citizens.
“Corruption is a crime and it keeps countries from driving forward. It takes education, hope, and infrastructure away from ordinary citizens. It is a cancer that the United States has been consistently and strongly speaking against.”
At the same time, she described her presence in Liberia as a homecoming return that brings her a lot of memories.
“I am so glad to be back in Liberia, representing the president of the United States at your inauguration. This is really a homecoming return for me. I have served here before as ambassador back in 2008 to 2012, but actually started in 1978 as student growing up in Lofa county, when president-elect Joseph Boakai gave me the name Siah.”
