Jeremiah Koung

Jeremiah Kpan Koung is a Liberian politician. He served in the House of Representatives of Liberia from 2012 to 2020. He was elected to the Senate of Liberia in 2020. He became standard bearer of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction in 2022. In 2023, Joseph Boakai selected Koung as his running mate during his presidential run.

Biography

Koung was elected to the House of Representatives of Liberia in 2011, under the National Union for Democratic Progress banner.[1] Koung's campaign was endorsed by his godfather, ex-warlord Senator Prince Johnson.[2][3] He represented the Nimba County #1 District.[4] In 2011, Koung began construction of the Ester and Jereline Medical Center. It was completed in July 2016.[5] In an investigation the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia found that Koung, between 2012 and 2021, received nearly US$1 million to run this private hospital.[6] He claimed he had turned the hospital over to the government, however, no documents disclosing such a transfer have been produced.[7]

In the 2017 election, Koung was re-elected to his Nimba County House seat under the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) banner.[8] In the 2020 election, Koung's senatorial run was again endorsed by Senator Johnson.[9] Koung won election to the Senate, again running with the MDR.[10] Koung became the second leader of the MDR party after an election on 22 December 2022, succeeding founder of the party, Senator Johnson.[11] As standard bearer, Koung continued Johnson's policy of opposing the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change.[12]

On 28 April 2023, former vice president and standard bearer of the Unity Party, Joseph Boakai announced Koung as his running mate for Boakai's 2023 presidential run.[6]

References
  1. "2011 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS". National Election Commission of Liberia. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  2. Karmo, Henry (21 December 2022). "Liberia: Prince Johnson 'Steps Aside' as Standard Bearer of the Movement for Democratic Reconstruction, Sen. Koung to Take Over". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  3. Dodoo, Lennart (27 April 2023). "Liberia: Boakai To Announce Jeremiah Koung as Running Mate Leaving Key Political Allies Disappointed". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  4. "Know Your Representatives" (PDF). National Democratic Institute. 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  5. Doue, Rita Jlogbe (29 September 2023). "FACT-CHECKED: Martin Kollie's Claims on Hospital Built by Jeremiah Koung Not Entirely True". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  6. Karweye, S. (16 May 2023). "Liberia: Corruption Allegations Against Jeremiah Koung as the Senator Becomes UP Vice Presidential Aspirant". Liberian Observer. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  7. "Liberia: Corruption Has Its Way, but Ambassador McCarthy is Man of Truth". Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  8. "2017 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS". National Election Commission of Liberia. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  9. Sieh, Rodney (22 June 2020). "Liberia: Jeremiah Koung Gets Backing of Prince Johnson in Nimba Senatorial Election". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  10. "2020 SENATORIAL ELECTION RESULTS". National Election Commission of Liberia. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  11. "Sen. Jeremiah Koung Becomes MDR New Political Leader". The Independent Probe Newspaper. 24 December 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  12. Johnson, Obediah (30 January 2023). "Liberia: Sen. Koung Vows to Discourage Pay-for-Play ahead of October Elections". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
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