The doors are opened

The United States Department of State has assured President George Weah that the U.S. wants to be a part of his success and asked that he keeps the line between Monrovia and Washington opened.

The Department of State Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Mr. Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., who led a high-level American delegation at President Weah’s Rehab Road residence in Paynesville on Tuesday, 23 January along with other foreign diplomats, including Ghanaian President, Nana Ado Dankwa Akufo-Addo, extended best greetings on behalf of President Donald Trump and further congratulated President Weah on his election as President of Liberia, while acknowledging the enormous challenges that lie ahead, but assured him of the United States’ unflinching commitment to Liberia.

Mr. Shannon intimated that even during the period of Government shutdown in the U.S., President Trump ensured that the trip to Liberia was fully realized. He said the U.S. delegation is committed to ensuring that President Weah visits Washington and promised to work with the State Department and the White House to make it happen.

We acknowledge the presence and commitments expressed by Ghanaian President Nana Ado Dankwa Akufo-Addo and other diplomats at that occasion including, U.S. Ambassador Christine Elders, Chinese Ambassador, Zhang Yue, and the Special Envoy of Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, among others, but take keen interest in the assurances coming from Washington for several historic reasons.

It is a known fact that Liberia remains a strong traditional ally of America, and it is important that relations between the two countries are kept in the warmest spirit at all times irrespective of change of leadership on either side. While Liberia needs the cooperation and support of other world powers such as China, Japan, Europe and the rest of Asia as well as Africa, relations with America is key in setting the pace with the rest of the world.

President Weah should take advantage of the signal coming from Washington to position himself on the stage of global politics in order to drive his government development agenda and Liberia’s interest. Good standing with the United States will go a long way in not just opening many windows of opportunities, but keeping Liberia as a stable member of the comity of nations.

We believe strongly that the sooner the modalities for President Weah to visit Washington are finalized by the Department of State the better it will be for both countries in strengthening bilateral cooperation and economic trade.

Like the Health Minister of China Madame Li Dequan observed, China believes that under the leadership of President Weah, the Liberian people will prosper, giving the turnout at his inauguration. We share similar optimism and believe most well-meaning do, because writings on the wall clearly indicate that there are huge goodwill out there that this government should pursue with very aggressive spirit.

The world has so many competing attentions, so when the doors are open for us, we must walk in and make our case in the convincing language we can. It is in our common interest as a nation to do so.