Monrovia– Former President George Manneh Weah has offered his account of why the Authorities of the Individuals’s Republic of China halted the development of two overhead overpass bridges throughout his administration, attributing the delay to geopolitical tensions between China and america.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh – [email protected]
Chatting with congregants on the Forky Jlaleh Household Fellowship Church alongside the Roberts Worldwide Airport (RIA) Freeway, the previous Liberian chief stated his authorities had accomplished all vital documentation for the development of the bridges however refused to be drawn into worldwide political disputes.
In response to Weah, China allegedly sought Liberia’s involvement in broader political disagreements with america—an strategy he stated he firmly rejected.
“Even take a look at the bridge proper there by the Ministerial Complicated that persons are coming to repair now; it’s one thing that we put collectively,” Weah informed the congregation. “However these individuals believed that as a result of they have been giving us one thing, we should become involved in different individuals’s politics. I used to be the President, and I stated no.”
The previous President emphasised Liberia’s long-standing diplomatic posture of neutrality, noting that the nation maintains cordial relations with each world powers.
“Liberia is a accomplice to America, and Liberia is a accomplice to you [China]. For the reason that two of you might be preventing, it is best to speak it out.
Any individual then stated, whereas we’re speaking, we are going to droop what we stated we wished to do for you—and that ‘in a while’ got here after we have been not there,” Weah added.
China’s Earlier Commitments
In the course of the early years of the Weah administration, China pledged continued assist to Liberia’s Professional-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Improvement (PAPD). On the time, China’s International Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s dedication to cooperation based mostly on sincerity, actual outcomes, and mutual profit.
Liberia’s Embassy close to Beijing later bolstered that dedication following bilateral discussions between then International Minister Gbehzohngar Milton Findley and Chinese language State Councilor and International Minister Wang Yi on the margins of the Discussion board on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Coordinators’ Assembly.
An announcement from the Liberian Embassy disclosed that China agreed to supply a gratuitous help of 200 million Chinese language Yuan (roughly US$29.5 million) as the primary tranche for initiatives agreed upon throughout President Weah’s assembly with Chinese language President Xi Jinping on the 2018 FOCAC Summit in Beijing.
“This primary tranche was transferred right into a joint account on the China Improvement Financial institution to be collectively administered by each governments for the implementation of agreed initiatives, together with two overhead bridges to ease site visitors congestion across the Ministerial Complicated and the SKD Boulevard,” the discharge acknowledged.
Regardless of these preparations, the overpass bridge initiatives remained suspended all through the Weah administration.
Mission Revived Below Boakai practically two years into the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the long-delayed initiatives have been revived. On September 2, 2025, President Boakai and Chinese language Ambassador to Liberia Yin Chengwu formally broke floor for the development of the 2 overpass bridges in Monrovia.
On the groundbreaking ceremony, President Boakai praised China for its continued assist, describing the challenge as crucial to easing site visitors congestion and enhancing city mobility.
“Let me start by expressing the Authorities of Liberia’s deep gratitude to the Individuals’s Republic of China for its ongoing generosity in supporting Liberia’s financial transformation,” President Boakai stated.
Ambassador Yin Chengwu described the challenge as a logo of the deepening strategic partnership between the 2 international locations, constructed on “sincerity, actual outcomes, affinity, and good religion.”
Referencing discussions between President Boakai and President Xi Jinping on the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, the Chinese language envoy stated the bridges are a direct final result of renewed high-level engagement.
The 2 overpass bridges—one close to the Ministerial Complicated and the opposite at SKD Boulevard alongside Tubman Boulevard—are a part of a China-aided infrastructure initiative anticipated to be accomplished in 2027.
