22/01/2018
FOREIGN POLICY MISHAP?: PRES. WEAH THANKS USA, BUT WILL GO WITH EUROPE, LEAVES OUT ISRAEL
Liberian President George M. Weah is said to have had his first foreign policy mishap.
The Liberian leader, during his inaugural speech January 22, 2018, at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex, commended the United States of America for its past contributions to the West African State, but moved to say that he will foster a relationship with Europe.
According to a geopolitics expert who spoke to this paper via electronic mail on grounds of anonymity, move by the Liberian leader to foster a relationship with Europe and not further cement Liberia's longstanding bilateral relations with the US is a premature one.
The expert also noted that the Liberian leader, in his policy statement, made known that he will ensure friendship with China.
According to the geopolitical analyst, the President Weah failed to mention Israel.
The expert reminded that a relationship with Israel should never be taken lightly on both economic and political fronts.
The analyst said that President Weah must remember, not too long, in early December 2017, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed an agreement with the United States toincrease energy access in Africa and to reduce the continent’s electricity deficiency through innovative solutions.
The partnership was part of the $7 billion, five-year Power Africa project, started by the Obama administration. It’s aimed at creating 60 million new connections in Africa by 2030.
The expert also said Liberia's relationship with the US has seen a recent low since the election of Mr. Donald Trump as US president. He said White House has well noted jibes from former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
In late last year, then Liberia’s president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ordered a vote against the U.S. and Israel at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) because of her ‘apparent’ disdain for U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Sr. and an alleged ‘inducement’ from a ‘powerful’ Arab state. This is a historic mistake rooted in misjudgment, unsophisticated political and diplomatic skills, and short-sightedness.
President Sirleaf ordered her UN ambassador Lewis Brown, a non-career, and unprepared diplomat, to join forces with other nations in shaming and condemning the Jewish state of Israel and the U.S., two of Liberia’s traditional and historical allies. President Sirleaf’s ill-informed and premature action comes as the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly resisted U.S. warnings and voted Thursday to condemn President Donald J. Trump, Sr.’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv.
According to the expert, it is a policy mishap to pledge to go with Europe, instead of 'refurbishing' with Washington and requesting to sit with Tel Aviv to make amends.