By Festus Poquie
In a maiden telephone call from Washington, the United States government has told President Joseph Boakai what he must do to attract businesses and companies to invest in Liberia.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ Tuesday direct phone call to President Boakai Sets good governance and other democratic tenants as conditions for investment in the West African country’s economy.
The Vice President welcomed Liberia’s free and fair elections and peaceful transfer of power, and highlighted Liberia’s commitment to democracy as an example for the region and the world,, a statement published on the White House website said.
“The Vice President and President Boakai discussed the importance of good governance and how it is essential for prosperity, and they agreed to work together to strengthen democracy in West Africa.
“The Vice President also underscored rule of law and transparency as fundamental elements needed to increase U.S. private sector investment in Liberia, and reiterated the U.S. government focus on facilitating private sector investment in Africa, including the $8 billion in commitments announced during the Vice President’s March 2023 visit to the continent.
“The Vice President and President Boakai expressed their shared commitment to global peace and stability, including freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and the Vice President recognized Liberia’s contribution to global security, including its transition from a country hosting UN peacekeeping operations to providing UN peacekeepers around the world.”
US authorities’ position on the pursuit of good governance and transparency comes on the heels of the Boakai’s administration systematic attack on the country’s governance structure.
President Joseph Boakai is mirroring governance errors made by his predecessor that contributed to poor donor confidence, international disapproval and the eventual collapse of the Coalition for Democratic Change government.
Just like Weah, the Boakai administration is destroying what the European Union calls one of the bedrock reforms of Liberia’s post-conflict era, by pushing for the removal of tenure from all positions in the executive branch of government.
