By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on Nathaniel McGill, the Chief of Staff to the Liberian President, George Weah over allegations bordering on his involvement in official corruption.
Others sanctioned include, Liberia’s Chief Prosecutor Sayma Syrenius Cephus and Bill Twehway, the Managing Director of the National Port Authority.
The US says the trio have through their actions undermined democracy in their country for their own selfish gains.
“Through their corruption these officials have undermined democracy in Liberia for their own personal benefit,” Brian Nelson, Treasury’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement.
The designations “demonstrate that the United States remains committed to holding corrupt actors accountable and to the continued support of the Liberian people,” he said.
McGill, Cephus and Twehway are being designated as foreign government officials who allegedly engaged in corruption including the misappropriation of state assets, taking private assets for personal gain, or bribery, according to the statement.
The sanctions entail that all property and interests in property of the three officials domiciled in the United States must be blocked and reported to Treasury.
Also, anyone engaging in transactions with the officials may be subject to sanctions themselves, the statement said.
