Published: June 10, 2026
MONROVIA – The era of Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh in the Joseph Nyumah Boakai-led government has ended, as his dismissal was officially announced on June 8, 2026, by the Executive Mansion through its official Facebook page.
Kouyateh, who served as Ambassador-at-Large for Special Duties and Special Presidential Envoy, ran into trouble with the House of Representatives of the National Legislature when he claimed that almost every concession deal in the country has benefited only foreigners, especially the concessionaires, leaving the general population of Liberia to suffer. The former Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections accused the lawmakers of accepting bribes to pass concession agreements against the country’s interests.
His allegation prompted the House to invite him to explain why he should not be held liable for defamation. Kouyateh, before his appearance, appeared on the OK FM afternoon show and vowed to stand by his assertion, noting that what he said is true and cannot be polished further. However, when he appeared, he appealed, a decision he later regretted, revealing that he acted under the instruction of President Boakai, who called on him to apologize to the legislators.
His action on the matter became more tense as he sent a statement to the public, explaining that his appeal was unintentional and influenced by the President’s call; he also said he no longer believed that the legislators are ‘corrupt.’
It became clear that Kouyateh was no longer fit to be in the circle of not only the Presidency but also the entire government.
The House, in its move, declared a ‘vote of no confidence’ in the official of the Executive, compelling the President to act.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has dismissed Ambassador Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh from his duties as Ambassador-at-Large for Special Duties and Special Presidential Envoy, effective immediately. In a message dated June 8, 2026, President Boakai informed Ambassador Kouyateh that recent events stemming from public statements attributed to him regarding the Honorable House of Representatives, along with subsequent communications from that body expressing a Vote of No Confidence in his continued service, have created circumstances that require presidential attention and action,
According to the statement, President Boakai takes vested interest in constructive engagement in national governance, a move he sees as the best way to achieve national development goals.
“The President emphasized that the success of Liberia’s national development agenda depends on constructive engagement, mutual respect, and effective collaboration among the three coordinate branches of Government,” the Executive Mansion said.
According to the office of the Presidency, the implementation of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development cannot succeed in the absence of good and strong working relationship among the three branches of government.
“The President thanked Ambassador Kouyateh for his service to the nation and wished him well in his future endeavors,” the statement concludes.
The Political Optics
Kouyateh is the political leader of Liberia First Movement (LFM), one of 24 political parties that participated in the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections. During the runoff between then-incumbent President George Weah (now former) of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and then-former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Kouyateh was among several other politicians who supported Boakai’s presidential bid. Boakai, though by a slim margin, defeated Weah and became President.
Following months in his Presidency, Boakai nominated Kouyateh as his trusted envoy on special duties, a position the outspoken politician enjoyed until his dismissal.
For people following the political scenarios in the country, the President’s decision to relieve Kouyateh of his post at this time poses a litmus test, more so that a number of Kouyateh’s kinsmen have also been relieved or kept away from the government.
2029 Polls Test
The road to 2029 has already begun. The opposition political groups continue to observe and critique President Boakai and his government on how they are fulfilling the many promises made in 2023. Boakai did not promise heaven, but he assured the nation of a new Liberia that would be different from a failed state. Hundreds of campaign promises, including job creation, free education for street kids, the elimination of narcotics destroying many young lives, and improved security for all, remain to be tested to see if they succeed or fail.
Another promise made by Boakai was to create a government of inclusion, ensuring that qualified and competent individuals have access to public jobs-eliminating the influence of political connections or patronage. However, for his critics, the President and his Unity Party-led government still need to do more to prove they are different from his predecessor.
While Kouyateh was not dismissed for not being a member of the ruling Unity Party, political pundits fear his actions send a message that might appear to target a specific group. Like many other African countries, politics on the continent often revolves around tribe, regional ties, social, and economic connections.
Like Kouyateh, the President has also replaced Maryland County Superintendent Henry Cole by appointing Nathaniel S. Toe, Jr. as the new Superintendent.
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