Sen. Konneh Fires Back at Trump and Musk, Accuses Them of Smearing Liberia in USAID Scandal

A scathing new statement from Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh has ignited a firestorm of controversy regarding the role of the United States in Liberian development assistance.  In an impassioned letter released to the public following President Donald Trump's recent address to Congress, Senator Konneh condemned both Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk for their portrayal of Liberia in the ongoing USAID debate. 

The senator expressed his concerns over how Liberia has been unfairly linked to corruption allegations and highlighted the need for greater transparency in foreign aid.
At the heart of the senator's remarks was the issue of USAID's financial involvement in Liberia, particularly the $1.5 million allocated for election monitoring, which was referenced by President Trump in his Congressional speech. 
While this figure seems substantial to Liberians, Senator Konneh was quick to point out that it pales in comparison to the much larger sums given to other nations with troubling governance records. 
His statement accused both Trump and Musk of misrepresenting the facts and painting Liberia with a broad brush of corruption, suggesting that the small West African nation had been unduly singled out for criticism.
"Before last night, President Trump and Mr. Musk had raised questions about the $17 million and $1.5 million USAID had spent on various programs in Liberia. Their aim was to highlight corruption within USAID — alleged kickbacks paid to politically influential Americans through the American companies that received these monies — to justify the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency." Konneh’s statement sharply criticized the narrative pushed by both American figures, accusing them of distorting the true nature of Liberia's foreign aid relations.
Senator Konneh, who previously served as Minister of Planning and Minister of Finance and Development Planning, also recounted his personal experiences navigating the complexities of international assistance. 
He described efforts to advocate for a more integrated approach to development, aiming to reduce Liberia's dependency on foreign entities and increase local involvement in aid-funded projects. 
Despite facing resistance, Konneh succeeded in securing a $500,000 reimbursement for the health sector, a move he said proved that Liberia could manage aid effectively when the right conditions were in place.
In his statement, Konneh refuted the notion that USAID funds flowed directly through Liberia's national budget, emphasizing that much of the money was channeled through American contractors based in Washington, D.C., Virginia, or Maryland. 
These firms often implement projects in Liberia through their own local offices, raising questions about accountability and transparency in the distribution of foreign aid. 
Konneh's critique centers on the perception that such arrangements allow little room for local actors to assume control of projects intended to benefit their own communities.
While Konneh acknowledged the value of USAID's contributions, including the $1.5 million dedicated to Liberia's recent elections, he strongly rejected the idea that Liberia had been a major recipient of American assistance in comparison to other African nations. 
He pointed out that countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo had received far greater sums from USAID in 2023, despite their problematic human rights records. 
According to Konneh, Liberia’s $159.8 million in aid last year ranked only 51st on the list of countries receiving assistance.
"USD 1.5 million is a lot of money for election monitoring in my small country, for which we are grateful to American taxpayers. Still, the amount is dwarfed by USAID spending in the other countries listed above, which have lousy governance, high rates of corruption, and some of the worst human rights records in the world, Konneh said.
The senator's comments come in the wake of continued criticisms from Trump and Musk, who have used Liberia's involvement in USAID programs as a focal point for broader allegations of mismanagement and corruption within the agency. 
While the two figures have argued that foreign assistance is often wasted through inefficient programs, Konneh accused them of ignoring the positive impacts that aid has had in Liberia and other developing nations.
Furthermore, Konneh raised concerns about the reputational harm being caused to Liberia, which, despite its challenges, has made significant strides in improving its governance and anti-corruption efforts. 
In contrast to countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique, Liberia scored higher on the 2023 Transparency International Corruption Index. 
"Liberia doesn’t deserve the public humiliation," Konneh asserted, "especially when we have worked tirelessly to improve our own systems of governance."
The senator called on the Liberian government to take a more proactive stance in addressing these concerns, urging the Executive Branch to engage with the U.S. Embassy and demand full accountability for the use of USAID funds in Liberia. 
"We owe it to our country and our 'traditional' bilateral relationship," he said. "The Executive Branch should muster the courage to engage the US Embassy on this matter constructively."
While acknowledging Liberia's imperfections and ongoing struggles, Konneh emphasized that the country should not be treated as a pariah by its long-time ally, the United States. 
He argued that Liberia's efforts to become a functional and credible state should be acknowledged rather than undermined by external forces seeking to further their own agendas.
The senator’s remarks have sparked a heated debate among both Liberians and international observers. While some laud his call for greater accountability, others question the implications of confronting powerful American figures like Trump and Musk. 
Regardless, Senator Konneh’s passionate defense of Liberia’s sovereignty and dignity is likely to reverberate for some time, as the country grapples with its place in a complex global order.
As Liberia continues its path toward political and economic recovery, the senator’s words may serve as a critical reminder of the need for mutual respect in international relations and a more nuanced understanding of foreign aid’s impact on developing nations.
In a passionate conclusion, Konneh stressed the importance of standing up for Liberia's dignity on the global stage. 
"We are an imperfect Republic still struggling with self-discovery and working to correct the structural deficiencies occasioned by our founding, culture, and divisive politics. Nevertheless, we don't deserve to be treated like a pariah when our efforts to be a credible state are far better than the largest recipients of US foreign assistance", he wrote.