The Vice President of Liberia, Jeremiah Koung, Is Wrong

By Seltue  Rober Karweaye Sr. 

Recently, Liberia’s Vice President, Jeremiah Koung, reportedly stated: “If you were mean in a community where you stay as an official of the government and the President got less votes in that area you will not get a job.”

If this statement was accurately reported, it is deeply troubling and deserves condemnation from all Liberians who believe in democracy, fairness, and equal opportunity. Government employment should never be determined by how a community voted in an election. Public service exists to serve all Liberians, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, county of origin, or voting preference.

The Vice President’s remarks suggest that access to government employment could be tied to electoral support for the ruling party. Such a position is contrary to the principles of democratic governance and undermines the idea that public institutions belong to all citizens, not just supporters of those in power.

This is not the first time Vice President Koung has found himself at the center of controversy.

In April 2026, he made remarks suggesting that just “two or three” Liberians could overtake a Guinean city. The comments generated widespread criticism from political leaders and civil society actors. Among those who spoke out was Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, who reportedly described the remarks as reckless, inflammatory, and irresponsible, warning that such statements could strain relations between Liberia and Guinea.

As the second-highest elected official in the Republic of Liberia and the first constitutional successor to the presidency, Vice President Koung carries enormous responsibility. His words matter. They shape public discourse, influence government policy, and reflect the image of the Liberian state. For that reason, he must exercise caution, restraint, and statesmanship when addressing the public.

Threatening, directly or indirectly, that government officials could lose their jobs because the President failed to receive enough votes in their communities is wrong and unacceptable. Liberia is not a one-party state. Citizens have the constitutional right to support any political party or candidate of their choice without fear of punishment, discrimination, or exclusion from public employment.

What is particularly concerning is the apparent focus on the 2029 elections when the current administration is only about two years into its term. The Liberian people elected President Joseph Boakai and the Unity Party government to address the country’s pressing challenges: unemployment, economic hardship, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, weak public services, and the rising cost of living. These issues should command the government’s full attention.

Liberians expect solutions, not political threats. They expect leadership, not division.

It is important to remember that during the administration of former President George Weah and the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), there were widespread allegations that civil servants and public school teachers were pressured to attend political rallies, welcoming ceremonies, and partisan events. Civil society organizations, local media outlets, and advocacy groups frequently raised concerns about the use of government influence to mobilize public employees for political activities.

Many critics condemned those actions because they blurred the line between the state and the ruling party. If such practices were wrong then, they are equally wrong today. Democratic principles cannot be applied selectively depending on which political party occupies the Executive Mansion.

Consistency matters. Integrity matters. The rule of law matters.

Liberians must reject any attempt to politicize public employment or use government positions as rewards for political loyalty. Public servants are paid by taxpayers and are expected to serve the nation, not a political party.

Vice President Koung should recognize that the Liberian people elected this government to improve the economy, create jobs, strengthen public institutions, enhance national unity, and address the many challenges confronting the country. They did not elect their leaders to divide citizens along political lines or punish communities because of election results.

A government that truly believes in democracy must govern for all Liberians—not only those who voted for it.

About the Author
Seltue Robert Karweaye Sr. is a Liberian policy analyst, researcher, and prolific commentary writer with interests in governance, public finance, economic development, and public policy. He can be contacted at seltuek@gmail.com.