Ambassador-at-Large Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh has issued an apology to the House of Representatives following remarks in which he was accused of alleging that lawmakers accepted bribes from European entities to approve concession agreements.
Kouyateh appeared before the House alongside several senior government officials, including the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Samuel A. Stevquoah; Deputy Ministers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for Legal Affairs and Administration; and the President’s Legal Advisor, Cllr. Bushuben Keita.
During his appearance, the Ambassador expressed remorse for his comments and formally apologized to the lawmakers, pledging that he would avoid making similar statements going forward.
House leadership characterized the allegations as grave and underscored the need for Kouyateh to provide evidence and clarification regarding the claims attributed to him.
They also reiterated that diplomats serving Liberia abroad have a responsibility to promote the country’s interests, attract investment, strengthen international partnerships, and uphold a positive national image.
According to lawmakers, statements that cast doubt on the credibility of government institutions could harm investor confidence and weaken Liberia’s standing in the global community.
In response to the situation, Montserrado County District #16 Representative Dixon Seboe introduced a motion requiring Kouyateh to submit a formal written apology to the House.
The motion further mandates that the apology be published in four different newspapers over four consecutive days, from Tuesday to Friday, and that the Ambassador appear on OK FM to publicly withdraw his earlier remarks.
