The United States designated three Liberian government officials for their involvement in public corruption.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the three officials undermined the integrity of Liberia’s democratic institutions, according to an Aug. 15 State Department news release.
“The United States is designating Liberian government officials Nathaniel McGill, minister of state for presidential affairs and chief of staff to President George Weah; Sayma Syrenius Cephus, the solicitor general and chief prosecutor of Liberia; and Bill Twehway, the managing director of the National Port Authority, for their involvement in ongoing public corruption in Liberia,” Price said in the release.
McGill reportedly used his position to undermine the integrity and independence of Liberia’s democratic institutions, the release reported. He subverted government priorities for personal gain. He built close relationships with criminal investigation suspects and got bribes from individuals in exchange for having their cases to be dropped.
Twehway reportedly corruptly used his position with the port authority to advance his own personal wealth and political agenda, according to the release.
The designations come via executive order 13818 which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. It targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world, the release reported.
“All three of these individuals have contributed to Liberia’s worsening corruption,” Price said in the release. “These designations reflect our commitment to implementing the United States Strategy on Countering Corruption and to partnering with the Liberian government and people to help the country chart a better course forward.”
