Senator Amara Konneh has responded to President Trump’s State of the Union remarks regarding USAID funding in Liberia. He criticized the negative portrayal of Liberia by Trump and Elon Musk, emphasizing that funds are routed through American contractors, not the Liberian government. Konneh calls for accountability on USAID spending and highlights the need for fair representation of Liberia compared to other nations receiving aid.
Senator Amara Konneh of Liberia has reacted strongly to U.S. President Trump’s comments in his State of the Union address, urging him and billionaire Elon Musk to stop portraying Liberia negatively. Konneh expressed his concerns on Facebook following Trump’s remarks regarding USAID funding for Liberia, particularly the $1.5 million spent on election monitoring, which he felt painted the country unfairly in a corrupt light.
Senator Konneh criticized Trump and Musk for suggesting that USAID’s expenditures in Liberia were indicative of mismanagement, arguing that these funds are not directly funneled through the Liberian government but through American contractors. He clarified the U.S. funding structure, stating, “U.S. funding in Liberia DOES NOT flow through our national budget. Rather, it is often channeled through companies based in Washington, D.C., Virginia, or Maryland.”
Reflecting on his experiences in the Liberian government, Konneh advocated for greater local ownership of development projects and noted that foreign contractors often dominate these efforts. Although he acknowledged the inherent need for transparency, he believes Liberia is being unfairly singled out compared to other nations receiving more substantial aid, many of which have poorer governance records.
He highlighted that, in comparison to other countries like Ethiopia—alluding to its significant U.S. aid despite its human rights issues—Liberia ranked lower in aid yet was receiving more scrutiny. Konneh enumerated several nations, including Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, that received far larger amounts of USAID funding, pointing to an inconsistency in how these countries are treated in discussions about aid corruption.
While recognizing the importance of the election monitoring funds, Konneh emphasized that the scrutiny on Liberia is disproportionate when comparing its corruption perceptions index rankings with those of other aid recipients. He called for a thorough audit of USAID spending in Liberia and urged the government to engage in a proactive dialogue with the U.S. Embassy regarding aid accountability, stressing that Liberia deserves to be viewed as a developing nation rather than a global outcast.
In conclusion, Senator Konneh highlighted the ongoing struggles of Liberia in its nation-building process and argued against the negative narratives surrounding the country, reaffirming that despite its challenges, Liberia is making much more significant strides than other nations receiving U.S. assistance. He stated, “We don’t deserve to be treated like a pariah when our efforts to be a credible state are far better than the largest recipients of U.S. foreign assistance.”
Senator Amara Konneh’s response to Trump’s State of the Union address emphasizes the need for a balanced portrayal of Liberia regarding USAID funding. He highlights inconsistencies in how different countries are scrutinized despite receiving more substantial aid. Konneh calls for accountability in how these funds are utilized and encourages collaboration with U.S. officials to project Liberia more positively on the international stage as it continues its development journey.
Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com
