President Boakai’s maiden international trip as Liberia’s leader is stirring discontent among Liberians, who are questioning the allocation of US$1.8 million from the country’s coffers for a excursion perceived as lacking in substantive outcomes. The president’s itinerary, including attendance at a purportedly low-grade conference and a meeting with Kosovo’s president, has drawn anger for its perceived lack of strategic value to Liberia’s development aspirations.
Critics have lambasted the expenditure of public funds on a delegation trip that appears to prioritize ceremonial engagements over meaningful diplomatic or economic gains. The meeting with Kosovo’s president, in particular, has raised eyebrows, with skeptics arguing that Kosovo lacks the capacity to offer tangible assistance to Liberia’s development agenda.
Additionally, a meeting between President Boakai and Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Secretary of State for African Affairs, has failed to impress observers. While touted by Boakai’s supporters as an opportunity to promote economic development, an official statement from the US government indicated that the meeting was informal, focusing on the president’s achievements in his first 100 days in office and Liberia’s commitment to establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court.
The contrast between Boakai’s current trip and his pre-inauguration visit to the US is stark. During the earlier trip, the president engaged with key stakeholders from the Department of State, World Bank, and the United Nations, facilitated by Senator Amara Konneh. However, strained relations with the senator appear to have hindered Boakai’s ability to secure high-level meetings in the US, Liberia’s primary ally.
While President Biden has not signaled an intention to meet with President Boakai, the invitation extended to Kenyan President William Ruto to visit the White House next week underscores the challenges faced by the Liberian leader in garnering international support for his development agenda.
Meanwhile, Malawi’s President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, attending the same US-Africa Summit, successfully secured funding from a European company to invest in Malawi’s agricultural sector, highlighting the missed opportunities for Liberia.
The disappointment among Liberians is compounded by President Boakai’s election on the premise of his purported connections and networks to advance the country’s development agenda. However, the perceived lack of strategic engagements and tangible outcomes from his international trip has raised questions about his understanding of geopolitics and his ability to deliver on his promises to the Liberian people.
