MONROVIA – Bomi County Senator Sando Johnson has called on the Government of the United States of America to reject the Letters of Credence of Mr. George S. W. Patten, Sr. as Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States.
Report by Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]
According to the Senator, Mr. Patten was not commissioned in conformity with the laws of Liberia.
Senator Johnson told FrontPageAfrica, “I am calling on the US government to reject his Letters of Credence because it was illegally done. The Senate is on recess and did not do confirmation. So, I want the US government to reject his Letters of Credence.
“The President secretly did the commissioning; we are not going to allow ourselves in 2019 to be rubber stamp. We will make sure the Senate regains its status by gaining the public trust. What they did is illegal.”
Maryland County J. Gblebo Brown also told FrontPageAfrica that the issue is of concern to the Senate as the leadership was meeting on the issue.
According to Article 54 of the 1986 Constitution, “The President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Senate, appoint and commission
a cabinet ministers, deputy and assistant cabinet ministers;
b ambassadors, ministers, consuls; and
c the Chief Justice and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and judges of subordinate courts;
d superintendents, other county officials and officials of other political sub-divisions;
e members of the military from the rank of lieutenant of its equivalent and above;
and f marshals, deputy marshals, and sheriffs.
All efforts exerted by FrontPageAfrica to get comments from the Presidential Press Secretary on the issue proved futile.
According to a December 31, 2018 Executive Mansion release President Weah commissioned Mr. Patten, urging him to work towards strengthening and sustaining the long-cherished relationship between the two countries.
The President used the occasion to hail Liberia’s traditional diplomatic relations with the United States of America (USA) – a relationship spanning for nearly a century and four scores.
The Executive Mansion press release: “President Weah urged Ambassador Patten to uphold the confidence reposed in him by diligently ensuring that Liberia and the United states continue to enjoy their longstanding diplomatic relations.
The Liberian leader also mandated Ambassador Patten to use his presence in the United States to explore opportunities that would benefit his country and people.
In response, Ambassador George S. W. Patten, Sr. thanked President Weah for the opportunity afforded him to serve the people of Liberia. He assured President Weah that he would do all in his powers and from his long diplomatic experience not only to foster good relations with the United States but also promote Liberia’s image abroad.”