MONROVIA, LIBERIA – In a statement on Saturday, August 17, 2024, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, Liberia’s former Vice President, expressed her deep concern over the removal of Ambassador Juli Endee from her longstanding role as Liberia’s Cultural Ambassador. The former Vice President described the decision as troubling and a sign of growing intolerance within the current government under President Joseph N. Boakai.
Reflecting on her recent experience with Ambassador Endee, Howard-Taylor recounted how she invited the cultural icon to join her at the dedication of the City of Hope facilities in Marshall City on August 14, 2024. “I was grateful that she accepted the invitation, bringing her warmth and joy to the event, and adding a profound sense of honor to the occasion in support of H.E. Clar Marie Weah,” Howard-Taylor said. She added that the news of Endee’s removal shortly after her participation in the event was “deeply saddening.”
Juli Endee, who served as Liberia’s Cultural Ambassador for 30 years, was removed from her position by President Boakai. Endee first rose to the prestigious role in 1994 during the Liberian Civil War, becoming a symbol of national unity and cultural pride. Her tenure, which spanned three decades, made her the longest-serving Cultural Ambassador in the history of the nation.
Reports suggest that her removal may have been linked to her appearance at the City of Hope dedication event, which was attended by Howard-Taylor and First Lady Clar Marie Weah. This alleged connection prompted the former Vice President to speak out against what she perceives as divisive policies under the current administration. “This situation reflects a growing intolerance within the government, undermining the very fabric of our nation. We are meant to be one nation, one people, with one destiny,” Howard-Taylor remarked.
She further called on President Boakai to take swift action to heal the nation’s divisions. “Mr. President, it is time to honor that mandate and bridge the divide that is threatening to tear our nation apart,” she concluded, urging the government to prioritize national reconciliation and peace.
In the wake of Endee’s removal, President Boakai announced the appointment of Kekura M. Kamara, also known as “Malawala Balawala,” as the new Arts & Culture Ambassador at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism. Kamara, a well-known cultural figure, will now step into the role vacated by Endee, marking the end of an era in Liberian cultural history.
The former Vice President’s statement has sparked significant public discussion, with many reflecting on the contributions of Ambassador Juli Endee to Liberia’s cultural heritage and the potential implications of her removal on national unity.
