LIBERIA – On one of his pre-campaign trails, disgraced former minister of state, Nathaniel F. McGill has praised President George Weah for the support given him in his quest to contest for a senatorial seat in Margibi County.
Speaking to a cross-section of citizens of Margibi County today, McGill said, “I want to thank my big brother, President George Weah, for his continued support to me in these activities. Had it not been for his support, I would not be here.”
McGill said “As you are aware, the president wants to see your area developed. That’s why he has given me his support”
Political pundits say McGill’s comment is a clear indictment of the Liberian leader; that despite McGill being sanctioned by the United States Government, he continued to do business with him, in defiance of the United States sanction.
Two of the three recently sanctioned former Weah officials- Nathaniel McGill and Bill Tweahway continued to put up a defiance posture, through their continued political campaigns to influence the citizens of Margibi and Rivercess respectively to vote for them as senators in 2023.
Meanwhile, as if it was a coincidence, United States Ambassador to Liberia, today warned against doing business with the sanctioned former Officials.
Ambassador Michael McCarthy at a press round table said, “it was three months ago, almost to the day, that I announced to you in this room the Treasury Department’s Global Magnitsky sanctions of Nathaniel McGill, Bill Twehway, and Syrenius Cephus. I think it’s important to draw our attention back to the Treasury Department’s statement, specifically its notification that persons that engage in certain transactions with these sanctioned individuals may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to enforcement action.”
Furthermore, Ambassador McCarthy said, “unless an exception applies, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant transaction for any of the individuals or entities could be subject to U.S. sanctions.”
The Ambassador said this applies not only to those who transact with these three individuals but also with the other two individuals sanctioned under Global Magnitsky in recent years: Senator Prince Y. Johnson and Senator Varney Sherman.”
McGill’s statement of President Weah’s support for him, and the Liberian leader’s political relationship with Price Y. Johnson, could draw him into the political firing line of the United Government for violating the Global Magnitsky Sanctions.
