EU Diplomat Calls LIBERIA Capital Monrovia A “Disgusting” and “Dirty” City

by admin in Africa

Browse By

Calendar

October 2021
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

 

Flag of European Union (Source: Wikipedia Commons)

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Laurent Delahousse, the Head of the European Union Mission in Liberia, caused  outrage in Africa when he referred to Liberia’s capital city Monrovia as being a “disgusting” and “dirty” place.  It was reminiscent of when former United States president Trump referred to African nations as “shithole countries.”  Ambassador Delahousse was apparently speaking at the beginning of a two-day Solid Waste Management Forum in Liberia’s capital last week when he made the crude comments.  

“Monrovia is disgusting and the dirtiest city of the many places I have visited in my work in Africa.”  – Laurent Delahousse, the Head of the European Union Mission in Liberia.’

Downtown Monrovia.  (Credit: Wikipedia Commons / Erik (HASH) Hershman

The backlash to the ambassador’s comments was fast and furious, forcing the European envoy to eat his dirty words and apologize.  Ambassador claimed he was merely sharing some impressions on the situation of waste collection in the city that he has felt since his arrival in Liberia a year ago. 

“These comments were meant as a wake-up call to Monrovians to change their practices of littering and to improve the waste management system that is financially supported by the European Union and implemented by the city, community-based enterprises and SMEs, and other stakeholders. In no way were my remarks intended to disparage anyone or to affect the reputation of the beautiful capital city of Liberia. In no way was my intention to take a political stance that would be absolutely contrary to my ethics and mission as a diplomat. I sincerely apologize to the Government of Liberia and anyone feeling misrepresented by these remarks and I willingly retract the exaggerated wording that I used. I confirm my engagement and that of the European Union on the side of the City of Monrovia and the Government of Liberia to improve the lives of the citizens of the capital city and of all Liberians.

-Laurent Delahousse  –  Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Liberia

 

However, some Liberians on social media acknowledged Monrovia is indeed “dirty” and needs more attention by the government to clean it up.

“No need for apologies. The city is dirty and it is embarassing.  Someone powerful needed to say it and I am glad you did. Common household waste cannot be managed in the city, what if we had industrial activities? No system or strategy.
Donors should now focus on empowering small companies and organizations to take lead in this sector.”
“Ambassador, your statement was totally in place. It was a wakeup call to the government of Liberia to utilise donors funds appropriately. If those funds are not been used for its intended purpose, you must flag out the issues.
Thank you for this statement. You were not in error at all.”
This gov’t shouldn’t force people to praise them. When you are doing the right thing you will be praised. Monrovia City is dirty. We don’t need rocket scientist to tell us”

“Why is it’s true that the city has semblance of dirt, Mr.Ambassador your utterance yesterday was raw and simply put undiplomatic”

print
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Tagged with: , , , , ,