US Treasury Department Sanctions Liberian Mayor Jefferson Koijee for Human Rights Violations
The United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned the Monrovia City Mayor and Secretary General of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Jefferson Tamba Koijee for his involvement in alleged violations of human rights.
Koijee is charged with inciting violence and leading groups with CDC ties that resemble paramilitary groups. OFAC claims that these gangs, which included newly freed prisoners and ex-combatants, brutally interrupted protests and opposition actions by government critics.
Under Executive Order 13818, OFAC sanctioned Koijee for grave human rights violations and corruption. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is celebrating its 75th anniversary on the eve of the sanctions.
Additionally, Koijee is connected to several violent incidents, such as an anti-rape demonstration in August 2020, a student graduation ceremony in December 2019, an opposition rally in November 2018, a memorial service for former President Amos Sawyer in March 2022, and an opposition rally in July 2022. Additionally, Koijee is charged with corruption related to bribery and misappropriation of public funds for private political campaigns.
“Our commitment to upholding and defending human rights is sacrosanct. Abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms—wherever they occur in the world—strike at the heart of our shared humanity and our collective conscience. Treasury’s targeted sanctions announced today and over the past year underscore the seriousness of our commitment to promoting accountability for human rights abuse and safeguarding the U.S. financial system from those who commit these egregious acts,” said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen.
Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen reiterated the United States’ commitment to upholding human rights and prosecuting offenders in a statement.
The Treasury has designated over 150 people and organizations from a variety of nations for violations of human rights, acts related to terrorism, persecution of the LGBTQI+ community, international repression, and environmental offenses within the last year.
Treasury added that it will keep using all available sanctions mechanisms to encourage respect for human rights and hold those responsible for abuses and violations of those rights accountable. These include aggressions against civilians, arbitrary detention and kidnapping, violations, and abuses involving the repression of journalists, members of civil society, and protesters; gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), which the President has designated as a priority by releasing the Presidential Memorandum on Promoting Accountability for CRSV.
Presidential Memorandum directing the U.S. government to strengthen the exercise of financial, diplomatic, and legal tools against this scourge was signed by President Biden last year, according to the Treasury. This led to the first-ever imposition of sanctions resulting from a dedicated focus on conflict-related sexual violence. Biden reportedly considers promoting accountability for sexual violence related to conflicts to be a top priority.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
All property and interests in property of Mayor Koijee that may be in the United States or under the possession or control of Americans are blocked as a result of the actions and need to be reported to OFAC. Furthermore, any entities that are 50 percent or more owned, directly or indirectly, by one or more blocked individuals, individually or collectively, are likewise blocked. OFAC’s regulations typically prohibit any transactions by U.S. individuals or within (or transiting) the United States that include any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons, unless approved by a general or special license given by OFAC, or exempt.
In addition, financial institutions and other individuals may face penalties or enforcement action if they participate in specific transactions or activities with the individuals and entities that have been sanctioned. Any contribution or provision of money, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person is prohibited, as is any acceptance of money, goods, or services in exchange for any such contribution or provision.
Figo Mansaray is a Liberian Journalist for over 10 years and currently working with Kukatonon Media Inc and AYV Media Empire.
Figo, a prospective Graduate at the University of Liberia can be contacted via +231777489052/+231881734014 and mfmansaray2015@gmail.com