LIBERIA – Anti-American sentiments have flared up on a pro-government radio station in Monrovia this morning, urging Liberians to come out in full and protest against U.S.Ambassador, Michael McCarthy for allegedly disparaging the George Weah Government.
The callers on Bana FM 98.5, a station owned by ruling party lawmaker, Abu Bernard Kamara, accused the United States Ambassador of allegedly meddling in Liberian politics; and being against the George Weah Government; while wanting to install the standard bearer of the opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC), Mr. Alexander Cummings as president of Liberia.
The host of the show, Winston Blyden, portrayed Ambassador McCarthy as an opponent of the Weah Government who accused Nathaniel McGill, Bill Twehway, and Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus of fraud without any evidence.
The majority of the callers on the show lambasted Ambassador McCarthy for what they called “Interference in Liberia politics.”
They called Ambassador McCarthy a “Trouble Maker” whom they alleged came to Liberia to instigate confusion.
“We will force him out of Liberia. We will come out in full to demonstrate against him because we are tired of the threat posed by this American Ambassador Michael McCarthy”, said another caller.
Another caller urged Ambassador McCarthy to get out of Liberia. “Go back to your country, we do not want you here”, said another, with others using derogatory comments about the Ambassador.
He celebrates evil things about the Weah Government, noted another pro-government caller, adding, “He will not come here and try to cause problems in Liberia”
We do not want war here, another said while accusing the ambassador of wanting to cause confusion in the country. “We have an Ambassador in the US, he doesn’t get involved with US politics, so why should the Ambassador of America here always melt into our country.”
We are not protesting against America, we are going out to protest against Ambassador McCarthy, pointed out a caller who wants Liberians to tell Americans to stay away from Liberian politics.
The callers are angry because Ambassador McCarthy yesterday urged institutions and individuals not to violate the Global Magnitsky Sanctions placed on three former Weah officials. The host of the show, Winston Blyden said the sanctions placed on McGill, Twehway, and Cephus got no basis because the allegations against the three have not been proven by the United States, adding that all are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Another caller referred to the Ambassador as a “Terrorist and Boko Haram” who must be treated as such.
The callers pledged to give President Weah another term, even if the Americans don’t like it.
“I blamed the opposition for always going to the US Embassy for solution; so the ambassador thinks he has the solution. We will organize our protest to force him out of Liberia. He’s a troublemaker who was forced out of South Africa”, another participant on the show insinuated. They did not state the date of their purported protest.
They also accused the U.S. official of always calling the press to disparage the Liberian government.
Some of the callers even suggested that the Chinese Government was doing well for Liberia more than the Americans whom they also accused of being responsible for the civil wars that destroyed the country and caused the death of hundreds.
We will do everything to stop Mr. McCarthy from influencing the 2023 elections in favor of ANC’Cummings, according to another caller.
Some callers on the radio station praised Mr. Abraham Wion, the station manager of another pro-government radio, Freedom FM, for allegedly initiating the campaign against the Ambassador and the American Government. They said they will support Wion’s action against the Ambassador, without detailing the action.
The host of the show would summarily shut any caller who would defend the Ambassador or disagreement with his style of moderating the program.
This is the first time in several years, a Liberian radio station has aired strong anti-American sentiments. The Bana FM anti-American program seems to be well organized and well orchestrated.
We heard that kind of rehetoric in the late 80s.
There you going again the few handfuls of Liberians are yet covering up for a criminal and corrupt regime. Thanks to the People of the United States of America for all being there for us. We are blessed to have you always there for the ordinary Liberian people.