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President Joseph Boakai celebrated his first independence anniversary in Monrovia on July 26 2024 since becoming President in January.
Liberia at 177 was a colourful event. The President was earlier received by Deputy Defence Minister, Dr Augustine Lamin, who welcomed the Commander in Chief to the Barclay Training Center (BTC) Military Barracks, with the hoisting of the Liberian National Flag and firing of a canon.
The President was then escorted along with the Chief of Army Staff, Brig Gen Davidson Forkeh to the Pass in Review.
The Armed Forces of Liberia, Liberia National Police, Liberia Fire Services, and Drug Enforcement Agency, among others, matched, colourfully, through the main streets of Monrovia to the Centennial Memorial Pavilion on Ashman Street for the Anniversary program.
During the anniversary program, a stir and a mild dram occurred.’
National Orator, Dr Robtel Pailey left, invitees at tge independence ceremony, right.
The independence anniversary was overshadowed by the US envoy and Charge’ D’Affairs in Liberia, Catherine Rodriguez, who walked out of the ceremony, due to a “ provocative “ speech by the national orator, Dr Robtel Pailey.
Her speech, titled “ A Radical Agenda for Re-imaging Liberia”, was an apparent attack on the US, challenging the benefits of the long-standing relations between the two countries.
Her speech also challenged the “outsized influence” of the US in the nation’s transitional justice system, stating further that the “special relations” are a “figment of one’s imagination”, amid occasional standing ovations.
The US envoy walked out to express her dismay at the comments.
The US website reacted further by saying that “the national orator expressed divisive rhetoric and unfounded accusations.”
The Liberian Ministry of Information responded, “The national orator is a private citizen of Liberia and she is entitled to her views, as enshrined in the constitution.
Liberia is the oldest African republic, populated with men and women with expressive views on issues of national and continental interests.