As the year 2026 begins, Liberians and partners of Liberia await the third “Annual Message” or State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the National Legislature of Liberia, which is expected to be delivered by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai before the end of January, outlining national progress, as well as challenges like poverty, the economy, and drugs.
By Gabriel I.H. Williams, contributing writer
On the international front, the United States, Liberia’s most important historical and bilateral partner, has just announced that Liberia is among dozens of countries around the world placed on a new U.S. visa suspension list, following the outbreak of the U.S.-Venezuela crisis.
Liberians and the international community await President Boakai’s annual message to gauge the direction the country is headed. Accordingly, the stakes could not be higher, as there are very urgent national and international developments that require the government to tread very carefully in dealing with them. Any wrong move (poor decisions or missteps) in dealing with the issues noted below could be the beginning of serious trouble for Boakai’s government and Liberia as a whole going forward.
Among the top trending national issues that could become a serious political liability for the Boakai administration is the marital saga involving the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard N. Koon, and the Senior Political Advisor to the President, Madam MacDella Cooper. Koon’s marital saga has deepened amid media reports that the matter is now “sub judice” (in court). According to media reports, a woman claiming to be the legally married wife of Speaker Koon has filed a US $3.5 million civil lawsuit against Madam Cooper for unlawfully interfering in a legally intact marriage, as Madam Cooper is publicly presenting herself as another woman’s spouse.
In the wake of media reports about the saga of Speaker Koon, there can be little question that he also faces possible allegations of incest under Liberian laws, and US immigration fraud by admitting in a statement to marrying his biological sister, who was in the U.S. military, in order to obtain legal America immigration status.
In view of the foregoing, the world is watching with bated breath to see how this year’s SONA will be held under the gavel of Speaker Koon, who took the position amid a very contentious political fight, which led to the removal of Counsellor Fonati Koffa as Speaker.
It also remains to be seen as to how President Boakai will address the silicious affairs involving his Senior Political Advisor, the gorgeous, elegant and eloquent Madam Cooper – who announced herself as the new spouse of Speaker Koon a few weeks ago.
On the international front, the U.S, announcement of visa suspension to Liberia and reports that people of Liberian descent and other foreign nationalities are enduring a clampdown by authorities in some parts of the United States are very concerning.
Liberia must move very cautiously in what is being seen as the final unraveling of the post World War Two order that was grounded on adherence to international law, following the outbreak of the U.S.-Venezuela crisis. The world was plunged in a state of shock and disbelief when it was reported that by authorization of President Donald Trump, the U.S. military had arrested Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in an audacious raid in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on January 3, 2026. According to media reports, the Venezuelan leader was captured and brought to the U.S. to face charges of narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and weapons possession. The U.S. took the action notwithstanding the fact that Maduro was the sitting president of a sovereign country, who is entitled to immunity from arrest and prosecution under international law.
The U.S. operation to capture President Maduro has been highly controversial, with international law experts and a growing chorus of world leaders, including African leaders, condemning it as a violation of the UN Charter and Venezuelan sovereignty. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the highest global decision making body, convened an emergency session on January 5th to discuss the escalating political situation in Venezuela, following the capture and detention of President Maduro and his wife by the U.S.
During the emergency session, Liberia and two other African countries currently serving as non-permanent members of the UNSC, which styled themselves as the “A3,” issued a statement on behalf of the African group, warning that the unfolding events pose serious risks to Venezuela’s internal stability and to regional and international peace and security. The joint statement on behalf of the “A3”, which includes the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia, was eloquently delivered by Ambassador Lewis G. Brown, Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
As Liberia’s ascendency to the UNSC coincided with the U.S.-Venezuela crisis that could have grave consequences for international peace, security, and commerce, the Boakai government should foster a foreign policy that will not put Liberia at odds with the nuclear powers in the emerging multi-polar world.
In this light, any pronouncements or actions by the Liberian government regarding the Venezuelan crisis that is negatively perceived in Washington could lead to retaliatory actions. Judging from its history in dealing with other countries, the administration of Trump – who is regarded to be a transactional person – could impose sanctions, suspension of assistance, and other measures against Liberia if Boakai’s government is not seen as a partner.
The Boakai administration must also maintain a balancing act regarding Liberia’s bilateral relationships with the two other global dominant nuclear powers, especially China.
In view of the foregoing, President Boakai must move swiftly to assemble a foreign policy think tank, which should include not just Liberian Foreign Ministry officials and diplomats, but a few seasoned personalities with background in international affairs and diplomacy, in order to establish a foreign policy framework that would be relevant for the current multi-polar world.
Finally, as Liberians and the international community await President Boakai’s SONA, Liberians are also waiting to see when the President will shake up his government in the new year to replace poorly performing officials, who have been in office since 2024. Given the performance of the government over the past two years and growing negative public perceptions, it goes without saying that 2026 will be a make or break year for the Boakai administration.
It must also be noted that the government deserves commendation for progress in infrastructural development like road and electricity expansion in the country, including Liberia’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
However, much is left to be desired in terms of the fight against corruption and inefficiency in government, not to talk about limited budgetary support to seriously improve health and education in the war-ravaged country, especially for the overwhelming majority of the population who do not have the means to seek advanced medical treatment or education abroad.
As reflected by various media reports, the ongoing debates related to the national budget have exposed many shortcomings regarding how public resources are allocated and expended, amid allegations that the national budget is being used by certain government officials to siphon public money. It is possible that some officials in the Boakai government are not using the national budget to raise money to fund their respective 2029 presidential campaigns.
The problem could be the failure of the government to present the 2026 national budget to the Liberian people in line with a communications strategy that would better inform and educate the public. That’s what you call managing public expectations, which the government has failed to do on many issues, such as the “Yellow Machine” scandal, and the increasingly questionable villa construction project in Foya, Lofa County, estimated to cost more than $10 million.
Parting note to the new Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Hon. Samuel Stevquoah: reform the President’s office before it is too late, as you will also bear responsibility!
About the Author: Gabriel I.H. Williams is a Liberian journalist, author, and former diplomat to the United States. He has also served as a journalism scholar at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA. He can be reached at [email protected].
