Many people are asking the Liberian Senate not to approve Mohammed Dukuly as Liberia’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) because of past corruption accusations he has not cleared.
They are asking the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to do a thorough investigation into Mr. Dukuly’s background before confirming him. His name was sent by the President’s office for the ambassador role.
Mr. Dukuly was fired during the Gyude Bryant administration for allegedly misusing Liberia’s Maritime Fund, taking around 700,000 euros (about US$900,000). He was serving as Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at the time. This is an allegation he still has not cleared up. He and the former head of the Maritime Bureau, J.D. Slanger, were charged with “Economic Sabotage” in connection to these acts that happened in 2005.
In 2005, the transitional government of Liberia offered a $10,000 reward for information that would lead to their arrest. Reports say that the two former officials stole either US$3.5 million or 700,000 euros (about US$900,000) from state funds.
A source, who asked to remain anonymous, said Mr. Dukuly left Liberia and has been living in the United States, under religious accommodation. When asked if the information was true, the source confirmed, saying, “He’s here in Philadelphia, USA, as an Islamic Imam.” Another person, who gave the name John Flomo (not his real name), said, “Mohammed is in Monrovia, trying to get confirmed by the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. As a journalist, you should follow up on this.”
Mr. Flomo added, “Some of us don’t trust former President Boakai’s leadership because he wants people accused of corruption to represent Liberia internationally, especially for the new mission in the UAE.”
Mr. Flomo also questioned the role of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, in picking representatives for important positions. “I am not a diplomat, but before such an important job is given, thorough investigations should be done on the person being appointed,” Flomo said. “I don’t understand why President Boakai would appoint someone who is accused of corrupting our country.”
The sources said that while the President has the power to make appointments, the next step is for the Liberian Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Senators Abraham Darius Dillon and Saah H. Joseph, to decide.
One source said, “We voted for our lawmakers to make the right decisions for the good of our country. They need to carefully consider this decision to protect Liberia’s reputation.”
