Paynesville – Foreign Affairs Minister Dee Maxwell Saah Kemayah has exhorted members of the 41st Graduating Class of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary in Paynesville to use their pulpits to advocate for the prosecution of corrupt government officials.

By Willie N. Tokpah / 0777039231

Speaking over the weekend, Kemayah noted that such advocacy will prompt actions that deter those who may contemplate engaging in corrupt practices. He emphasized that this responsibility places the graduates in a position to protect and preserve the environment from corruption.

“I urge you to advocate for sustainable practices, promote environmental education, and work toward a greener Liberia,” Kemayah asserted.

“These challenges may seem overwhelming, but they are not insurmountable. You must remember that your theological education has prepared you for a time such as this, to analyze social structures through the lens of justice and compassion.”

He informed the graduates that their theological education extends beyond the walls of seminaries and churches, influencing every facet of life. Their stance against corruption, he believes, will contribute to bringing justice to the world.

However, Kemayah acknowledged that despite President Weah’s efforts in the fight against corruption, there are other vices indicative of corruption that require the church’s intervention.

Thus, he believes that as the “voice of the voiceless,” the graduates must muster the courage to champion the cause of marginalization and stand up against injustices.

Minister Kemayah cautioned the graduates to be mindful of their actions as they navigate the complexities of Liberian society and the church at large.

“You will not be walking this path alone; you are a community of theologians and society as a whole, ready to support and uplift one another.”

Simultaneously, Kemayah motivated the new theologians to embrace the power of collaboration, stating that lasting change in Liberia can be achieved through unity.

He emphasized that if they aspire to see a change in the world, they must be willing to stand in the gap and embark on a new journey armed with theological knowledge, using their faith as a guiding force to propel them forward and fuel their actions.

“As you venture into the world, remember to nurture your spiritual well-being. Take time for reflection, prayer, and meditation. Seek wisdom from the scriptures and draw inspiration from the teachings of great theologians who have walked before you,” Minister Kemayah advised.

The Liberian Foreign Minister, Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., will apparently return from Doha, the State of Qatar, with pleasant news for Liberia, as Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, reassured him of Qatar’s commitment to funding the second phase of the Lofa Road project, which will see continuation and completion of the pavement of the Lofa Road from Konia to Manikomah in Foya District, Lofa County.   

The meeting of the Senior Liberian Diplomat with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, which was held in the Grand Palace of the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, October 19, 2023, was more than just cordiality and fraternity. The Meeting between Foreign Minister Kemayah and Prime Minister Al-Thani was a strategic engagement, demonstrating how important the bilateral relations and cooperation are to both countries. The two senior diplomats talked about several ways to collaborate in areas, such as commerce, investment, cultural exchange, diplomacy, regional peace and security, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, health, education, sport development and international Peace and Security. Despite the physical separation of their two countries, both Foreign Minister Kemayah and Prime Al-Thani affirmed a shared commitment to fostering cooperation and development.

Foreign Minister Kemayah paid an official visit to Doha, Qatar as an official guest of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar, based on an invitation he received from his counterpart in Doha.

While in Doha, Foreign Minister Kemayah met and held discussions on both bilateral and regional levels with three top government officials of  the State of Qatar, including the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the Minister of State, H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, and Mr. Khalifa Jassim Al-Kuwari, the Director-General of the Qatar Fund for Development.

During a lunch reception hosted by H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz  Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State of the State of Qatar in honor of H.E. Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Al-Khulaifi and Foreign Minister Kemayah held extensive discussions centered on regional peace, security and stability in West Africa and international peace and security. Foreign Minister Kemayah and Dr. Al-Khulaifi agreed and committed to close ranks to further strengthen cooperation between Liberia and the State of Qatar aimed at enhancing and strengthening regional peace, security and stability in West Africa and the Sahel.

According to a dispatch from Doha, Foreign Minister Kemayah made use of his visit to follow-up on the commitment His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, The Emir of the Sate of Qatar made when he met with His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia in December 2022 when President Weah visited the Sate of Qatar.

“Your Excellency, on the bilateral front, let me use this opportunity to  on behalf of H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia and the Government and people of Liberia reiterate our profoundest gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, The Emir of the Sate of Qatar and the Government and People of Qatar for the commitment of His Highness, The Emir of the Sate of Qatar, to support phase two of the Lofa Road Project, made to H.E. President Dr. George Manneh Weah during the 2022 World Cup when our two leaders met”, Foreign Minister Kemayah said to Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.

In an affirmative response, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said,  the Government of Qatar remains committed to further strengthen bilateral ties with the Government and the People of Liberia, and to whatever support that Qatari Government has committed to. The Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister commended Liberia for its stance on democratic governance in the African subregion.

Besides the reassurance of the Qatari Government to fund the second phase of Lofa Road, the Director General of the Qatar Development Fund, Mr. Khalifa Jassim Al-Kuwari, acting on the directive of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, during a meeting with Minister Kemayah, accepted Foreign Minister Kemayah’s request for support to  ongoing reforms, which include policy framework, infrastructure/renovation, equipment, logistics, and human resource capacity development. Foreign Minister Kemayah’s request is in line with the reform process that he has embarked upon since his ascendancy to the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of the Republic of Liberia.

It is believed that Lofa Road is one of several signature projects of President Weah since his ascendancy to the Presidency in 2018. It can be recalled that the government of Qatar contributed funding for the first phase of the Lofa road that begins from Gbarnga, Bong County to Konia Town in the Zorzor District, Lofa County. The Lofa Road Project is a long stretch of roads running from Gbarnga, Bong County, to Manikomah in Lofa County.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kemayah and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Al-Thani also discussed broader issues of regional importance. Both Qatar and Liberia expressed a firm commitment to supporting democratic institutions and addressing humanitarian and development needs in conflict-affected areas. This shared aspiration for regional stability was a key point of convergence in the meeting.

Liberia and Qatar established diplomatic relations in 2009, but both countries opened embassies in one another’s capitals in 2011. Since then, Liberia and Qatar have had very strong ties on many fronts, including bilateral and multilateral levels.

Monrovia – Liberian Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwel Saah Kemayah has assured the European Union (EU) election observer delegation that Liberia, after three successive elections, is peaceful, and that the country can no longer return to its war days.

By: J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972) – websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

In a special meeting with the EU election observer delegation held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, EU Deputy Chief of Observer Jarek Domanski pondered what he termed the fragility of the state.

In a quick response, Foreign Minister Kemayah said the 14-year war is a lesson for every Liberian, adding that there is no way the country can revert to its ugly past.

“There isn’t anything of fragility in Liberia. We no longer wish to revisit the senseless 14-year civil war. We don’t want to do anything that will undermine our hard-earned peace. Members of the international community have invested immeasurable resources in our country, and lives of some of our international partners were lost because of the crisis. We no longer wish to experience such a crisis,” Liberia’s Foreign Minister said.

“We know what happened. My sister was killed, and I had to purchase her dead body. Do you know how it feels to purchase the dead body of your loved ones?” he asked.

According to Mr. Kemayah, no level of position in the government can lead a person to cause chaos in Liberia.

“Do you think we want to return to those dark days because of a position? Because someone wants to lead the country and not through the right way? Never!” he asserted.

Minister Kemayah added, “I am not saying this because I am in government. Even if I were out of government, with the experience and the countless number of people who died in my family and other families, no one wants war in Liberia.”

President Weah Envisages Peace

Minister Kemayah said President Weah, being a peace icon who has served in many capacities, like the UN Goodwill Ambassador and Liberia Peace Ambassador, will do everything to protect the more than two decades of peace in Liberia.

“The President envisions peace and will do nothing to disrupt it. This President, who was once a peace ambassador and personally assisted in disarming ex-combatants, will do nothing to jeopardize the peace,” he said.

Kemayah added, “In fact, he values peace more than the presidency. He cherishes peace more than the position of President of the Republic of Liberia because he knows that peace is for the entire nation, and when the nation is peaceful, he will be at peace.”

He said, “You all need to join ranks because the world is a global village, and we need peace. We are aware of the challenges we face. We have Ukraine to deal with, and we are aware of what is happening in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Gabon, and so we don’t want more countries added to that list. We cherish peace and won’t trade it for anything else.”

Liberian People Are Resolved to Give President Weah a Second Chance

Also, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said President Weah’s 2017 election record and his accomplishments during the six years show that the Liberian people are willing to support his re-election bid.

“The Liberian people are very much resolved to give His Excellency President Weah a resounding second term mandate.”

According to the Minister, the President will not disrupt the process because there isn’t any competition.

“The electorate is giving him the votes, so why would he disrupt the process of receiving those votes,” Minister Kemayah said.

He added, “Only a student who is not prepared to sit for an examination would want to burn down the school building where the exam will be conducted. But this student, if I may respectfully refer to the President, is overly prepared for the exam. Despite his thorough preparation, he continues to study and prepare for the exam until it is finally administered on October 10, 2023.”

We Have Nothing to Hide

EU Deputy Chief of Observer Mr. Domanski, at one point, disclosed that seven members of the European Parliament would be in the country to critically observe the election.

Kemayah responded sharply: “I heard you mention that seven members of the European Parliament will be here to observe the election? I wish we had all the members of the European Parliament because we have absolutely nothing to hide.”

He continued, “The campaign is not just two or three months before the election. The election isn’t just on Tuesday, October 10, this year. For the President, in line with his core values and principles, from the day of his inauguration to today and beyond, every day has been about the election. He has been working, and he continues to work.”

MONROVIA – Liberia’s Foreign Minister H.E. Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., has called on the United Nations to create a Trust Fund in order to cater to the victims of sexual exploitation and abuse of United Nations Uniform personnel in country of assignment.

According he to him, setting up the Trust Fund, will enable countries which empathize with the victims to contribute to that worthy endeavor at the level of the UN.

Foreign Minister Kemayah said the appropriate steps need to be taken in the implementation of victims’ rights approach for the resolution of the paternity and child maintenance claims related to children born as a result of sexual exploitation and abuse of personnel of the United Nations Mission in Liberia.

The Chief Liberian Diplomat made these remarks on Monday, August 21, 2023 when the UN Envoy, Madam Jane Connors, Assistant Secretary-General/ Victims’ Rights Advocate for the United Nations paid a courtesy call on him at his Foreign Ministry Office, on the Capitol Hill.

The Dean of the Cabinet recounted that the United Nations need to utilize the 2007 Resolution in order to hold uniform personnel accountable for act committed during their stay in the victims’ country, adding countries whose citizens committed sexual exploitation and abuse of UN personnel should ensure that their citizens account for acts they committed while serving in the UN Mission in Liberia. 

He then used the occasion to Welcome the UN Envoy on behalf of President George Manneh Weah and to convey a special message to the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for creating this position, which he said has a direct bearing on Liberia, because of the civil war in the Liberia. The Liberian Foreign Minister also indicated that Liberia has children who were born by Uniform personnel serving in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia during the country’s civil crisis. 

For her part, Madam Connors said the Office of the Victims’ Rights Advocate is to support victims of sexual exploitation and abuse who have children that were born of the misconduct of troopers who were serving under United Nations flag.

Madam Connors mentioned that the special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse is a new approach, stressing the United Nations will put the rights and dignity of victims at the forefront of its efforts to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Victims’ Rights Advocate, Ms. Connors said her office will support an integrated, strategic response to victim assistance in coordination with United Nations system actors working in Liberia with responsibility for assisting victims. She intoned that she will work closely with government institutions, civil society, national and legal human rights organizations to build networks of support to help ensure that the full effect of local laws, including remedies for victims, are brought to bear.