20 December 2007
Developments in Liberia's diplomatic circle are unusually shrouded in secrecy thereby granting that realm a semblance of consistent harmony to project the nation's image. At least, this is the orthodox perspective that governs personnel in the foreign service.
But recent news from Liberia's mission in Washington DC, speak of a jittery atmosphere between the key diplomat and his press attaché over matters with the import of shifting loyalty from the state to that of its enemies.
While the allegations and counter actions are fireballing in the U.S, the Liberian government has already thrown in the wrenches by relieving the subordinate officer. But where does this leave the right to be heard before imposing appropriate penalties is what observers are asking.
The Analyst presents the side of the press attaché and the swift action by the government in this piece.
"I'm constrained to go public on a very serious issue which has a far reaching negative effect on my reputation that I have built in several years during my dedicated services to my country and people".
Many will want to say that I have no reason to go public because I am a government official serving abroad and I am supposed to keep everything secret except if it poses danger to my life.
"I want to inform the public that my function, reputation and tenure at the embassy of Liberia has continuously been harassed intimidated, made vulnerable, and exposed to danger by endless allegations by Amb. Charles Minor without any proof, that I Samuel Abu have been in the regular habit of giving out sensitive and confidential information to the enemies of the government of Liberia".
He even went on to specifically on Monday, December 17, 2007, accuse me of espionage; and that information reaching him reveals that I've been "providing confidential information of our embassy to FrontpageAfrica" - a website news magazine.
Amb. Charles Minor further said he will ensure that I am recalled to Monrovia for investigation. His threat followed a recent publication on FrontpageAfrica of a letter allegedly written by First Secretary Christopher Nippy to him ( Ambassador Minor), allegedly accusing several prominent Liberians of planning to subvert our government.
"Even though I denied ever giving out any confidential embassy information to frontpage Africa, or any other person who he refers to as "enemy of the state, I believe his allegation is false, baseless and misleading, with no aorta of truth; and that it's intended to expose my life to danger, and put me at loggerheads with Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Information Minister Dr, Lawrence Bropleh (my Boss), and all others who have had the opportunity to appreciate my professional output.
As a patriotic Liberian, and a Christian, my loyalty and responsibility to the government and people of Liberia, through the leadership of Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, are completely unwavering, and I will engage in nothing that will jeopardize the confidence of this administration, nor will I side with anyone who does not support the democracy that is prevailing in our country.
"I was also informed by some of my sources that last evening, Ambassador Minor, First Secretary Christopher Nippy, two officers of the US Homeland Security, and another Liberian man only known as Godfrey Smallwood, alleged to be an in-law of Ambassador Minor were spotted together seeking information on my whereabouts.
"I learned later that they intend to use every available at their disposal to influence the removal of my immunities so that they can have the security secretly arrest me for drafting among the next group of deportees to be taken to Monrovia, so that I will be incarcerated and prosecuted for espionage.
Also, in their efforts to at all costs get at me, I was called today from Monrovia by my siblings, to inform me that some strange men visited our house to ask for information on me.
"They told me the people were asking information on my parents, my background and my children. But they were informed that I have been assigned to Washington DC since nearly three years ago, and that if they wanted information on me they should contact me at the Liberia embassy in Washington DC.
Amb. Minor again in August this year (2007) called me into his office and accused me of collaborating with, and giving Embassy information to the "enemies of the Liberian government". He did not tell me his information sources, nor did he tell me who he refers to as enemies of the government.
But this allegation followed my interaction two days earlier with a former school mate and now a businessman in Monrovia, Mr. Theophilus Bettie, who had made a brief stop over at the embassy.
Amb. Minor's informants secretly recorded Mr. Bettie's vehicle License plate number and gave it to him, branding Mr. Bettie as one of the state enemies that came to collect secret government information from me.
As a consequence, Ambassador Minor instructed me to turn over my copy of the Embassy's electronic key, so that I will only have access to the facility when other staff members are present. As a diplomat, I was denied access to the Embassy at will.
To further dehumanize me, Ambassador Minor also unilaterally stopped the payment of my monthly rental allowance which the embassy is to pay to me as instructed by the President.
I consider this as a sinister plan designed to implicate me in a fake coup plot with an attempt to eliminate me and my family, thereby undermining the peaceful course of our democratic process. Judging from the Liberian security that I know, I am afraid to avail myself of the pending danger spearheaded by Ambassador Minor and Christopher Nippy directed at me.
As a young journalist, having worked as a producer for the Independent ELCM (now Radio Veritas), operated by the Catholic Church of Liberia, and also Editor for the Independent Star Radio, and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, in Liberia, I found it an obligation to contribute to a National calling to serve our embassy in Washington, DC as Public Affairs Counselor, with the view of improving the image of our country, disdained by fifteen years of senseless conflict.
Little did I know that my contribution to this worthy cause will be reciprocated by such a sinister design under the command of Ambassador Minor to expose me and my family to danger and hardship through his dubious allegations that have no basis and truth.
It can be recalled in August 2007 that I made representation to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism through Dr. Lawrence Bropleh, the Minister; of the harassment, intimidation and suppression directed at me by Ambassador Minor, which include but not limited to; the illegal and indefinite cancellation of my monthly rental allowance approved by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; also the withdrawal of my privileges to access my office at will; and the institution of a surveillance on my movement, since his treacherous design began.
It is important to exercise that my records at ELCM Community Radio (Radio Veritas), Star Radio and the Ministry of Information, can give a bear testimony of my performance and commitment to duty. Additionally, as a journalist and one who supports pluralistic democracy, I have never and will never support or endorse any illegal arms struggle for political gains.
This is why I am strongly shock that Ambassador Minor will align me with so-called enemies of the government which is tantamount to a charge that carries a death penalty under Liberian law.
For Ambassador Minor to accuse me of a treasonable offense, it has all probabilities to expose me to the dangers of the overzealous supporters and security apparatus of the Liberian government as done to others similarly situated.
Based on the foregoing, I have decided to bring the matter to the public and the international community to protect my life and my family in Liberia, because I have done no wrong to be subjected to this inhumane treatment.
I know nothing about any coup plot and going to Monrovia in the wake of this allegation will definitely expose me to pain, sufferings and torture as was allegedly being suffered by those who are already in detention and undergoing trial for alleged subversive attempts.
Finally I want to go on record to inform you that Ambassador Minor is not more nationalistic than me. We were all appointed by the government of Liberia, and he cannot continue harassing and intimidating me with threats that I am giving out information to the enemies of the state.
I do not know who he calls the "enemies of the state", nor can he prove or bring forth any one who works with Frontpage Africa to attest that I ever gave any information to them apart from press releases which are also supplied to all other media institutions.
He only wants to use his authority to make false statements against me, instead of addressing whether he and Christopher Nippy manufactured the names of prominent Liberians to implicate them in an alleged coup plot so that President Sirleaf will know that they are working.
Meanwhile, the government of Liberia says it has with immediate effect recalled and subsequently relieved Mr. Samuel Z. Abu of his post as Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs at the Liberian embassy in Washington DC.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Information quoted Minister Laurence Bropleh as saying that Mr. Abu who was recalled several months ago by the Ministry for consultation and a new assignment, remained in the United States after he sought permission for a medical leave.
The Ministry has the statutory responsibility to coordinate the programs of all press attaches' assigned to Liberian diplomatic and consular missions abroad.
According a release signed by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Bropleh states that the government wishes to emphatically state that Mr. Abu is not an enemy of the state nor is he being sought after for prosecution by the government.
The government thanks Mr. Samuel Z. Abu for his service to the Liberian people and wishes him well in his future endeavors.
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