Monrovia – Vice President Jeremiah Koung has encountered an unfriendly reception throughout his go to to the United States, the place he was met with protests from segments of the Liberian diaspora.
By Francis Boayue, [email protected]
As a part of his go to, VP Koung attended a city corridor assembly organized by the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania (LAP) and the Union of Liberian Associations within the Americas (ULAA). The occasion was supposed to foster dialogue on nationwide improvement, governance, peace, and safety. However, tensions shortly escalated as some attendees held placards and chanted anti-government slogans, accusing the Unity Party-led administration of failing to meet its marketing campaign guarantees.
“You are a murderer!” one protester shouted.
“We need justice for the Kinjor massacre!” one other added.
“We need justice for the killing of motorcyclists!” a 3rd protester yelled.
The Vice President, visibly unsettled by the backlash, confronted intense criticism as attendees voiced frustrations over allegations of human rights abuses, poor governance, and unkept guarantees. Eyewitnesses described an environment of anger and disappointment, with protesters calling for justice and accountability.
As tensions mounted, it grew to become clear that the discontent went past the particular grievances raised, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with the Boakai-Koung administration. The incident highlights a rising rift between the Liberian authorities and its residents each at dwelling and overseas, notably on problems with justice, governance, and accountability.
Neither LAP, ULAA, nor the Vice President’s workplace has issued an announcement relating to the incident.
VP Koung’s journey to the U.S. marks his first official go to and contains participation within the tenth Powering Africa Summit, held from March 6-7. The summit serves as a premier platform for advancing U.S.-Africa vitality partnerships.