By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – Prominent Liberian lawyer and politician Tiawan Saye Gongloe has strongly defended renowned Liberian scientist Dougbeh Christopher Nyan following his international media appearance on Al Jazeera Media Network, while simultaneously criticizing the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for what he described as the unfair removal of one of Liberia’s most celebrated public health experts.
Speaking Monday, May 18, 2026, during a live appearance at the main campus of the University of Liberia on Capitol Hill in Monrovia, Gongloe described Dr. Nyan’s interview with Al Jazeera as a proud national moment for Liberia. However, he said the recognition also exposed what he considers a troubling contradiction in the treatment of accomplished Liberians at home.
“I’m so proud of Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan,” Gongloe declared. “Today was both a very happy and a very sad day for me. I watched a Liberian scientist calmly speaking to the world on how to fight Ebola, but at the same time I remembered that this same man was removed from office for no professional reason.”
Gongloe recounted Dr. Nyan’s journey from student activism at the University of Liberia to becoming an internationally recognized scientist through years of academic research and scientific work in Germany, the United States, and other parts of the world. He praised Nyan for developing testing technologies for Ebola and other diseases and for earning international recognition through his scientific contributions.
According to Gongloe, the Al Jazeera interview demonstrated the extent to which Liberian expertise is being acknowledged internationally. He noted that among scientists across Africa and the wider world, the international broadcaster selected a Liberian scientist to discuss Ebola preparedness and public health response.
“Al Jazeera did not call a scientist from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, or anywhere else,” Gongloe stated. “They called a Liberian scientist who was recognized last year as Africa’s genius. That should make every Liberian proud.”
Despite his admiration for Dr. Nyan’s accomplishments, Gongloe sharply criticized the Boakai administration over Nyan’s removal from the National Public Health Institute of Liberia. He argued that the decision undermined the rule of law and discouraged accomplished Liberians abroad from returning home to contribute to national development.
“Liberia is now proving what is written in the Bible that a prophet is not respected in his own country,” Gongloe said. “A man celebrated around the world as a scientist was disgraced in his own country despite his performance and despite the recognition his institution received.”
The former presidential candidate further warned that the treatment of highly accomplished Liberians could discourage foreign-based professionals and investors from returning to Liberia. Gongloe referenced Liberian-born entrepreneur Richelieu Dennis, suggesting that successful Liberians abroad may become reluctant to invest in Liberia if they believe they could be publicly humiliated or politically targeted.
“There are many Liberians around the world doing extremely well,” Gongloe asserted. “But when they see how people are treated here, they become afraid to return and help build the country.”
Gongloe also revealed that despite his criticisms, he considers himself one of the earliest political figures who encouraged Liberians to support Boakai’s presidential bid. He said his criticism of the current government stems from a desire to ensure the administration succeeds rather than fails.
“I have a stake in this government,” he explained. “When the government does well, I will praise it. But when I see missteps, I will speak out. That is my responsibility as a Liberian.”
The comments came shortly after Dr. Nyan issued a major public health statement assuring Liberians that there are currently no confirmed Ebola cases in Liberia despite renewed outbreaks in parts of Africa. The former NPHIL Director-General addressed growing public concerns following Ebola outbreak declarations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda by regional and international health authorities.
In his statement, Dr. Nyan acknowledged lingering fears among Liberians due to the devastating 2014 Ebola epidemic that killed thousands and crippled the country’s healthcare system and economy. “First, to this date, you can rest assured that there is no Ebola detected in Liberia,” Dr. Nyan stated. “Be calm, no panic.”
However, he cautioned that Liberia remains vulnerable because of regional travel and cross-border movement, warning citizens not to lower their guard despite the absence of confirmed cases. According to him, lessons learned from Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox have significantly strengthened Liberia’s outbreak preparedness and response capacity.
Dr. Nyan additionally warned that political interference and bureaucratic power struggles could undermine Liberia’s ability to effectively respond to future disease outbreaks. He stressed that scientific institutions must be allowed to function independently and professionally if the country hopes to maintain effective public health preparedness.
“Preparedness and response will only be effective if technical scientific capabilities are allowed to function devoid of political interference and bureaucratic power-play,” Dr. Nyan cautioned in his statement.
In one of the most controversial portions of his remarks, Dr. Nyan alleged that certain officials attempted in September 2025 to push for the declaration of a viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak without sufficient scientific evidence. According to him, the move could have triggered nationwide panic and economic disruption had the National Public Health Institute of Liberia not resisted the pressure.
He maintained that laboratory tests conducted at Liberia’s National Reference Laboratory produced negative results for Ebola and related hemorrhagic viruses at the time, preventing what he described as a potentially dangerous and unnecessary public alarm.
