MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Boakai administration is under intense scrutiny as Madam Mamaka Bility, Minister of State Without Portfolio, faces serious allegations over her connections to Guma Group of Companies, owned by South African businessman Robert Gumede, who is notorious for corruption. Bility, who serves as the “Liberia Representative” for Guma, is being criticized for a potential conflict of interest that threatens to undermine President Joseph Boakai’s government.
Former Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Commissioner John H.T. Stewart, a prominent supporter of President Boakai, has publicly condemned Bility’s dual roles. In a sharply worded commentary, Stewart highlighted Bility’s involvement with Guma, the company allegedly at the center of the controversial 285 “Yellow Machines” procurement.
“Behold, Behold! Mamaka Bility, a Country Representative of the company behind the Yellow Machines saga,” Stewart wrote. “In her position as Minister of State Without Portfolio, she has been the driving force behind this shady arrangement, which is a blatant conflict of interest. If President Boakai fails to act to remove such characters from his government, they will be his undoing, and he will have no one to blame but himself. His government could soon be featured in official U.S. State Department reports for corruption.”
Stewart emphasized the severity of the situation by pointing out that Bility has not publicly resigned from her post at Guma despite taking on a ministerial role. “There is no publicly available information indicating she resigned the post upon becoming Minister of State Without Portfolio. In any case, her links to this South African-based company cannot be denied. This company is also allegedly linked to corruption scandals in South Africa,” Stewart stated.
As a strong advocate for transparency and accountability, Stewart urged President Boakai to sever ties with Bility to protect his administration’s integrity. “I am sure President Boakai, knowing him as I do, abhors corruption. He must either part company with Madam Bility or prepare himself to go down into the mud with her. This is certainly no time for anything less than thinking Liberia, loving Liberia, and building Liberia. It is country first before friendship of whatever kind,” Stewart concluded.
The controversy is rooted in the Boakai administration’s acquisition of 285 pieces of heavy machinery meant to improve Liberia’s road infrastructure. During the administration’s first cabinet retreat in Monrovia in May, Madam Bility announced that the equipment, including “yellow machines” and trucks, had already been procured and were en route to Liberia. This declaration initially brought hope to many Liberians eager for better roads, but it has since sparked significant backlash, with growing demands for transparency regarding the procurement process and Bility’s involvement.
These revelations come at a critical time as Madam Bility is currently in the United States, attending the 124th National Black Business Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of President Boakai’s delegation. Her presence at this high-profile event, while facing serious allegations at home, further complicates the political dynamics for the Boakai administration.
As the situation continues to evolve, President Boakai’s response to these allegations will be crucial. With mounting calls for accountability and public trust on the line, how he handles this controversy could define his leadership and the future of his administration.
