Dr. Elizabeth M. Gaye-Kamara, a concerned Liberian residing in the United States, is urging the U.S. government to reconsider the $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant that was approved for Liberia in December 2024. Her call to action is driven by the alarming human rights violations highlighted in the latest U.S. State Department Human Rights reports.
The report outlines serious human rights concerns, including credible accounts of arbitrary or unlawful killings, torture or cruel and degrading treatment, arbitrary arrests or detentions, and significant restrictions on freedom of expression and media. It also mentions threats and violence against journalists, censorship, human trafficking, and systematic limitations on workers’ rights to associate freely.
Dr. Gaye-Kamara argues that a government that engages in such egregious acts is likely to be riddled with corruption, as evidenced by the numerous corruption cases reported daily. She warns that before U.S. taxpayer money is funneled into Liberia especially under a government led by a party known for its corruption—there must be a commitment to addressing these fundamental human rights abuses and tackling the systemic corruption that has plagued the nation.
The MCC is a U.S.-based development agency that provides grants to countries demonstrating good governance, economic freedom, and investment in their people. The potential impact of this grant is significant, as it is expected to promote infrastructure development, improve energy access, and drive economic transformation in Liberia.