The warning issued by U.S. Ambassador Michael McCarthy warning people against doing business with current and former officials sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department might have a significant impact on the general and presidential elections in 2023.

Amb. McCarthy has earned a reputation in Liberia as a diplomat who, in some cases, does not hold back when speaking the truth.

The Treasury Department's Global Magnisky sanctions against Nathaniel McGill, Bill Tweahway, and Syrenius Cephus were announced in this room three months ago, almost to the day, Amb. McCarthy noted during a press conference on Monday.

Global Magnisky sanctions by the department against Syrenius Cephus, Bill Tweahway, and Nathaniel McGill. I believe it's crucial to focus our attention to the Treasury Department's statement once more, in particular its warning that people who conduct certain transactions with these sanctioned people may also be subject to sanctions or enforcement action.
This gruesome reminder serves to highlight the gravity of the importance the U.S. government places on its choice to sanction people it deems to be corrupt and actively working to undermine democracy and the rule of law around the world.
Further penalties are expected to be issued in December, thus Amb. McCarthy's admonition might serve as a warning about how alliances are formed for the elections in 2023.

The PJY Factor Prince Y. Johnson, a senator from the vote-rich Nimba, has perhaps been recognized as the kingmaker in the last two presidential elections, supporting the candidate of his choice by mobilizing the vote-rich Nimba.
Since entering politics, Sen. Johnson has had an unrivaled impact in Nimba County. His dominating victories in the county have inspired many to refer to him as the "godfather of the county."
In the 2017 presidential election, Sen. Johnson received 50.3 percent of the Nimba vote. 7.9 percent of the vote was a pitiful number for President Weah. Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party received 19.9% of the county's votes, coming in second place to Sen. Johnson.

However, in the December runoff, Sen. Johnson endorsed Weah, which helped him win a staggering 57.1 percent of the county's votes and propel him to victory.
Since then, Johnson has taken Weah under his wing. The CDC has never submitted a candidate in any election or by-election in Nimba County due to its political alliance with Johnson's Movement for Democratic Reconstruction (MDR). Instead, the CDC has always supported the MDR's nominee.
Furthermore, Sen. Johnson has frequently been charged with using his Nimba connections to pressure the President into appointing his chosen candidates to positions where Prince Johnson has a personal stake.

If more of Johnson's kinsmen and women from Nimba are not chosen to posts in the administration, Johnson has repeatedly threatened to sever his support for Weah.
In honor of International Anti-Corruption Day that year, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Sen. Johnson. As a "corrupt official greatly profiting from government funding through a pay-for-play arrangement with government ministries," he was described.
The U.S. government claims that as part of the scheme, the implicated government ministries and organizations, after receiving cash from the Government of Liberia (GOL), launder a portion of the funding for later distribution to the participants.
Millions of dollars in U.S. currency were used in the pay-for-play funding system.

Johnson also obtained an unfair compensation from the GOL as a salaried intelligence "source," despite the fact that he does not offer the government any intelligence reporting.
The Americans claim that Johnson is receiving payment in order to preserve domestic order.
The Treasury Department revealed that the Nimba County kingmaker allegedly sold votes in several elections in exchange for cash.
The notorious former warlord, who is believed to have executed former president Samuel K. Doe brutally, has been a strong opponent to the creation of a war crimes court in Liberia.

What Weah Would Do?

According to U.S. Ambassador McCarthy, breaking the political oath he made to Sen. Johnson might cost him the presidency and have catastrophic effects on his nation.
The U.S. Ambassador made it clear during Monday's press conference that the sanctions against the officials who were found to be corrupt were not intended to be criminal prosecutions but rather that "the U.S. feels that it has the right and obligation to stop people from abusing democracy and engaging in acts of corruption."
He pointed out that although the US government has solid proof that the sanctioned officials engaged in the actions they were accused of, the Liberian government and people are still responsible for following the appropriate legal procedures to bring them to justice.

"We won't let them spend stolen money in America, and if it is, we'll freeze it. However, the focus is less on prosecution than it is on Liberian legal procedures. Am I disappointed that Varney Sherman and Prince Johnson won't suffer any consequences? The Liberian people should actually decide that, he said.
Supporters Amb. McCarthy's direct warning has not been well received by pro-government activists, who have turned to the media to denounce the Ambassador and threaten to expel him from Liberia.
Many people who called the pro-government FM station Bana FM urged Liberians to demonstrate in large numbers to denounce the U.S. Ambassador for allegedly defaming the Weah-led administration.

He was charged with interfering in Liberian politics and being hostile to President Weah. Additionally, they asserted that he backs opposition presidential candidate Alexander Cummings.
"We'll eject him from Liberia. We are sick of the menace that this American Ambassador Michael McCarthy poses, so we will come out in full force to demonstrate against him, a caller remarked.