Liberia - Review of U.S. Embassy CDA Rodriguez’s Press Conference

THE FOLLOW UP PRESS CONFERENCE of the Chargé d'Affaires Catherine Rodriguez of the United States Embassy near Monrovia to provide local clarity and restate the U.S. foreign policies towards Liberia with emphasis on the U.S. unwavering commitment to accountability, human rights, and the use of sanctions as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption is commendable.

HER REAFFIRMATION of the U.S. desires to remain a strong ally to Liberia is also commendable, especially as she referenced the long standing relationship and the unique characteristics that bind both nations since the 1800s. That the U.S. is one of the largest contributors to Liberia cannot be questioned. Also, the level of attachment Liberians in general have towards the U.S. cannot be questioned. We do go back a long way.

NOTWITHSTANDING, any sign of colonial and imperial tendencies in the power-relations of both countries in the 21st century is a reason for concern. So, whilst CDA Rodriguez perspective of sanctions as a “powerful tool” in the fight against corruption seems to be the foreign policy posture of the U.S. at the moment, it may not be the best diplomatic approach to curbing political challenges in the so-called traditional relationship that both countries share for close to 200 years. This might have a major short term impact or traction that seems beneficial to the country, but the long term and political residual effects are unhealthy in the current dispensation of international politics and diplomacy. Anti-french sentiments in formal francophone colonial countries like Mail, Burkina Faso, and Niger, is a classic example. Also, the gravitation of neo-Pan Africa nations towards the BRIC+ is another classic example.

IT IS WIRTH NOTING that her reference and acknowledgment of the fact that Liberia does have a foundational capacities relative to the presence of some major integrity institutions in country that could serve as partners in some of these policy need for action, and that these institutions have gone through some level of reform and strengthening over the last decade, should provide reasons for tactical realignment in how the U.S. foreign policies towards Liberia is directed to effect the desired change. Diplomatic bullying or strong-arm diplomacy is archaic to 21st century politics, and it has the propensity to undermine diplomatic relations. Diplomatic bullying or strong-arm diplomacy should only be used as a matter of last result, especially when all other other diplomatic pathways become inaccessible.

THERE IS A MOMENTOUS NEED for a repositioning of the U.S. perception of Liberia in the 21st century. There is a high degree of unconscious arrogance exhibited by a number of U.S. diplomats to Liberia over the last two decades, including from a sitting U.S. President, that if we were to be honest and bold to the fact at hand, cannot be refuted. It is very important to note that power-imbalance in a bilateral relationship must be consciously and consistently managed. The tendency to overstep legitimate boundaries are often high in such relationships. In the study of international diplomacy, speech and actions of a foreign diplomat must be managed with mutual respect, regardless the tensions on the margins of differences.

I THEREFORE STRONGLY CALL on the U.S. foreign policy experts and officials responsible for advising and executing the policy interests of the U.S. to recalibrate on how the U.S. engages Liberia. There is a need to be cognizant of the rules of cultural competence of policy makers, consideration of sovereignty, and the right of any people to fundamental freedoms for self-determination regardless the struggles of the various and numerous learning curves. The U.S. is not an exception to this experience as well. It is universal. Let me be clear, this doesn’t preclude the U.S. from restricting any individual or group of individuals from traveling to its sovereign soil, but lightly using sanctions as a means to a political end without exhausting all other available diplomatic options is a misstep in the context of unfolding events in this 21st century.

[Reference to CDA Catherine Rodriguez’s press conference:]

At today’s press roundtable, Chargé d'Affaires Catherine Rodriguez discussed the U.S. government’s unwavering commitment to accountability, human rights, and the use of sanctions as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption. In her remarks, CDA Rodriguez emphasized that the recent designations of Liberian government officials for public corruption are not an ongoing judicial process, but rather the result of "the officials’ individual actions, not those of a political party or the country itself." She also highlighted the brilliant work of Liberian change agents like Marc Kollie, who received the Anti-Corruption Champion award this year by Secretary Blinken.

Read her full remarks here: https://lr.usembassy.gov/charge-daffaires-catherine-rodriguezs-remarks-at-press-roundtable-december-12-2023/