Monrovia — In the wake of the 2024 National Oration delivered by Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey, which critiqued the United States' role in Liberia, former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah has called for a candid dialogue between the two nations. Tweah believes Dr. Pailey's speech, while undiplomatic to some, opens the door for necessary and honest discussions.
"Dr. Pailey has said what almost every Liberian statesman or politician ardently believes: that the United States has not lived up to its fair share of the bargain in its long-standing relations with Liberia," Tweah stated. "Whether or not this assertion is justified is not the issue. The issue is that from almost every perch of governance or high Liberian society, this argument appears a settled consensus."
Citing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report, Tweah noted, "In the decades since the United States began intervening in the fate of this small West African territory, it has alternately supported, exploited, welcomed, and abandoned Liberia and Liberians. While the relationship over time has been complex, during several key periods the United States' actions and omissions have led to disastrous results for Liberians."
Tweah emphasized that the core of Dr. Pailey's message is not new and has been echoed in various forms by Liberian officials, including Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe of Bomi County. He pointed out that the oration brought these sentiments to the forefront at a time when both Liberians and the international community were paying attention.
"Now that the genie is out of the bottle, what do Liberia and America do?" Tweah questioned. He proposed that instead of condemning or repudiating Dr. Pailey's critique, U.S. embassy officials should embrace the moment for a candid dialogue. "It would be more interesting for the current Chargé d'Affaires to seize on the debate and momentum spurred by the national oration and challenge Liberians or their officials as to the merits of this viewpoint," he advised.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
Tweah highlighted the need for strategic engagement, reflecting on past interactions between U.S. and Liberian officials. He recalled, "In private meetings, U.S. and Liberia officials should openly and frankly exchange without fear of reprisal. For example, McCarthy should have informed the CDC Government that Americans were contemplating sanctioning officials within the administration."
Pointing to the Boakai administration, Tweah urged the government to learn from previous failures of strategic engagement and propose new frameworks to avoid "gotchu' moments." He underscored the importance of addressing pressing issues with American counterparts, such as the establishment of a war crimes court, the quality and impact of U.S. aid, the influence of U.S. criticism on Liberian politics, and the disparity in visa durations compared to neighboring countries like Ghana.
"In this Robtel-inspired era of frank diplomatic exchanges, Liberian officials should be courageous to challenge their American counterparts on burning issues," Tweah asserted. He expressed hope that this new approach would prevent future diplomatic rifts and foster a more balanced and constructive relationship.
"Dr. Robtel Pailey is not a villain but only a brave messenger purveying a much-tabooed but silently widespread message," Tweah concluded. "In doing so, she may have inspired a Robtellian weltanschauung which may or should lead us all on the path to reframing the diplomatic rules of engagement between Liberia and the United States."
