Ambassador-at-Large Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh, has apologized to the leadership of the House of Representatives for comments in which he accused members of the Legislature of receiving bribes from European interests in exchange for the passage of concession agreements.
Kouyateh appeared before the House accompanied by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Samuel A. Stevquoah, two deputy ministers of Foreign Affairs, and the Legal Advisor to the President, Bushuben Keita.
At the House, Kouyateh expressed regret over his statement, and formally apologized to the lawmakers.
He assured them that he would refrain from making such irresponsible remarks in the future.
Members of the House leadership described the allegations as serious and stressed the importance of Kouyateh substantiating and clarifying his allegation.
The House further said, diplomats and ambassadors representing Liberia abroad are expected to promote investment opportunities, strengthen bilateral relations, and project a positive image of the country to the international community regardless of political interest, either from the opposition or obligation.
The leadership said, statements considered damaging to the integrity and reputation of state institutions could undermine investors’ confidence and negatively affect the country’s credibility.
After the apology, Montserrado County District #16 Representative, Dixon Seboe, proffered a motion that compelled Kouyateh to issue an official written apology to the House; be published in four newspapers, four times from Tuesday through Friday, and that Kouyateh should reappear on OK FM to publicly retract his statement.