LIBERIA – The recent issuance of a writ of arrest by the Monrovia City Court for former Minister of Finance and Development Planning Samuel D. Tweah Jr. and four others has burnt a fierce response. Charged with economic sabotage, theft, and illegal disbursement of public funds, Tweah released a vehement statement on Monday, July 29, 2024, entitled, “The Witch-hunt Has Officially Commenced.”
In his statement, Tweah launched a blistering critique of the current Unity Party (UP) government. “My fellow Liberians, partisans, friends, and family: today a politically motivated witch-hunt has been officially launched against my person, calling for my arrest,” he declared. Tweah detailed a series of accusations he has faced over the past six years, describing them as “falsely devilish” and designed to “besmirch my reputation and derail my political institution.”
Tweah recounted various scandals that have plagued his tenure, including the so-called $25 million mop-up exercise and the $16 billion Liberian dollar saga. He labeled these allegations as mere propaganda and fabrications, asserting that they were intended to undermine his political standing. His statement reflects deep frustration with what he perceives as continuous and unfounded attacks on his character and legacy.
Furthermore, Tweah accused the Unity Party of hypocrisy and corruption. He pointed to a recent report alleging that the UP government sanctioned the payment of US$8 million of Liberia’s reserve money to SIB bank to fund the UP campaign. This accusation, he argued, highlights the current administration’s duplicity and attempts to divert attention from its own scandals. Tweah suggested that this financial maneuver was a blatant misuse of public funds for political gain.
Tweah did not stop at financial misconduct. He criticized the Unity Party for ignoring audit reports that detail the mismanagement of the Liberian Treasury during its 12-year rule. These reports, he contended, have been overlooked while the current administration focuses on persecuting former officials of the CDC. This selective attention, he argued, is indicative of a broader strategy to weaken the opposition and consolidate power.
Adding to his criticisms, Tweah highlighted the Boakai administration’s declining public approval ratings. He attributed this to the administration’s perceived failures over the past six months. According to Tweah, the Unity Party has been ineffective in addressing the country’s pressing issues, which has led to growing public discontent. He portrayed the current charges against him as a desperate attempt to shift the public’s focus away from the administration’s shortcomings.
In a bold assertion of his innocence and determination, Tweah vowed to fight the charges with the help of his legal team. “I stand ready to defeat this witch-hunt and vindicate my reputation through the justice system,” he proclaimed. His confidence in emerging victorious underscores his belief that the allegations against him are baseless and politically motivated.
Tweah concluded his statement with a call for unity and fairness. “In the end, I will emerge stronger, and my enemies will be put to shame! May we all work for a fairer and better Liberia!” he declared. This appeal to a higher sense of justice and national improvement resonates with his supporters and aims to rally them against what he perceives as unjust persecution.
The statement from Samuel D. Tweah Jr. underscores the high stakes and intense political rivalry in Liberia. Both the CDC and the Unity Party accuse each other of corruption and political manipulation. As Tweah and his co-accused navigate the legal challenges ahead, the political landscape in Liberia is likely to become even more contentious, with each side vying for public support and legitimacy.
