During his tour of the United States, Vice President Jeremiah Koung has encountered an unwelcome reception from members of the Liberian diaspora who have protested against him.
During his visit, VP Koung attended a town hall meeting hosted by the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) and the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania (LAP).
The purpose of the event was to foster discussion on peace, security, governance, and national development. However, tensions quickly escalated when some attendees displayed signs and shouted anti-government slogans, accusing the Unity Party-led government of failing to fulfill its campaign promises.
The vice president, visibly upset by the outbursts, faced intense criticism as attendees voiced their frustrations regarding human rights violations, poor leadership, and unfulfilled commitments.
“You are a murderer!” shouted one demonstrator. Another added, “We need justice for the Kinjor massacre.” A third protester demanded, “We need justice for the killing of motorcyclists.” Witnesses reported a mood of despair and anger, with demonstrators calling for accountability and justice.
As the hostility grew, it became apparent that the dissatisfaction was not limited to specific grievances but reflected a broader discontent with the Boakai-Koung government.
This atmosphere indicates a widening gap between the Liberian government and its citizens, both domestically and internationally, especially regarding justice, governance, and accountability.
As of now, neither the Vice President’s office nor ULAA nor LAP has issued any statements regarding the incident. The 10th Powering Africa Summit, which took place from March 6-7, was part of VP Koung’s first official visit to the United States.
The summit is an important forum for enhancing energy cooperation between the United States and Africa.
