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Conflict of Interest or Careful Diplomacy? US Embassy’s Silence on Protest Advisory Raises Eyebrows

  • Writer: Michael T
    Michael T
  • Jul 17
  • 2 min read
Ambasaador Toner
Outgoing US Ambassador Toner

Monrovia—In recent years, the United States Embassy in Monrovia has positioned itself as a guardian of democratic norms and transparency in Liberia. Despite that, a recent pattern of selective engagement—culminating in today’s conspicuous silence surrounding a major opposition-led protest—has raised new questions about the Embassy’s impartiality. The Embassy is known for regularly issuing “Demonstration Alerts” ahead of significant civil actions, both to protect U.S. citizens and signal its awareness of political tensions123.


Today, however, despite widespread anticipation, heavy police presence, and broad media coverage of a planned protest, no such advisory was issued. This notable departure from established practice has fueled speculation among Liberians that the Embassy’s risk communications are now shaped more by shifting political alliances than consistent safety protocols. Critics argue that this silence, set against the backdrop of the Embassy’s unambiguous endorsement of the contentious HPX rail and port concession and its reluctance to comment on recent legislative crises, allegations of bribery, and abuse of power, suggests a growing alignment with the government456.


Unlike the previous ambassador, whose approach was marked by firmness and public pressure on issues of governance and corruption, Ambassador Toner’s tenure has been noticeably more reserved and government-friendly. For many, the failure to issue today’s alert is seen less as an administrative oversight and more as a calculated move that deepens skepticism about the Embassy’s priorities.


State Department policy, as outlined in the Foreign Affairs Manual (7 FAM 070 and 7 FAM 1300 Appendix H), directs embassies to issue security alerts and demonstration warnings when credible threats to U.S. citizens exist. The lack of an advisory in the face of widely anticipated unrest appears inconsistent with these guidelines, further stoking public suspicion12.


Until the Embassy returns to transparent and even-handed engagement with Liberian society during moments of heightened tension, doubts about its commitment to public interest and democratic advocacy are likely to persist.



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Additional Sources

  1. https://lr.usembassy.gov/demonstration-alert-u-s-embassy-monrovia-liberia-june-9-2025/

  2. https://lr.usembassy.gov/category/alert/

  3. https://lr.usembassy.gov/tag/demonstration-alert/

  4. https://allafrica.com/stories/202507090308.html

  5. https://smartnewsliberia.com/hpxs-5-billion-infrastructure-deal-in-liberia-questions-of-transparency-and-feasibility/

  6. https://allafrica.com/stories/202507090625.html

  7. https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-amid-massive-community-outreach-govt-approval-enough-is-enough-protest-rocks-monrovia-fpa-explores-the-rhetoric-endorsements-and-pushback/

  8. https://liberianinvestigator.com/featured/liberia-day-of-the-people-protest-2025/

  9. https://lr.usembassy.gov/news/

  10. https://x.com/AusAmbGHA/status/1932347972362334600

  11. https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/CG-5R/manuals/COMDTINST%20M16130.2F.pdf

  12. https://ng.usembassy.gov/security-alert-planned-protests-july-11-2025/

  13. https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Importing%20into%20the%20U.S.pdf

  14. https://lr.usembassy.gov/events/tag/flag-day/2025-07/?outlook-ical=1

  15. https://liberianinvestigator.com/featured/hpx-plays-deceptive-game-with-u-s-liberian-governments/

  16. https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/policy-rules-and-forms/documents/procedures/procedures-327.pdf

  17. https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/137859.pdf

  18. https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-staunch-trump-backer-raises-red-flag-says-pro-china-deep-state-undermining-u-s-liberias-interests-pushing-unproven-ivanhoe-hpx-rail-deal/

  19. https://lr.usembassy.gov/demonstration-alert-u-s-embassy-monrovia-liberia-march-10-2025/

  20. https://www.ghanawebbers.com/GhanaHomePage/africa/Liberia-Staunch-Trump-Backer-Raises-Red-Flag-Says-Pro-China-Deep-State-Undermining-U-S-Liberia-s-Interests-Pushing-Unproven-Ivanhoe-Hpx-Rail-Deal-2056500


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