Jeremiah Koung
Jeremiah Koung | |
---|---|
31st Vice President of Liberia | |
Assumed office 22 January 2024 | |
President | Joseph Boakai |
Preceded by | Jewel Taylor |
Member of the Senate of Liberia from Nimba County | |
In office 14 January 2021 – 22 January 2024 Serving with Prince Johnson | |
Preceded by | Thomas S. Grupee |
Member of the House of Representatives of Liberia | |
In office 2012–2021 | |
Preceded by | Francis Luogon Karway |
Succeeded by | Samuel N. Brown Sr. |
Constituency | Nimba-1 |
Personal details | |
Born | Jeremiah Kpan Koung 17 March 1978 Yekepa, Nimba, Liberia |
Political party | Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction |
Other political affiliations | National Union for Democratic Progress |
Occupation | Politician |
Jeremiah Kpan Koung (born 17 March 1978) is a
Biography
Koung was born on 17 March 1978 in Yekepa, Nimba County.[1]
Koung was elected to the House of Representatives of Liberia in 2011, under the National Union for Democratic Progress banner.[2] Koung's campaign was endorsed by ex-warlord Senator Prince Johnson.[3][4] He represented the Nimba County #1 District.[5] In 2011, Koung began construction of the Ester and Jereline Medical Center. It was completed in July 2016.[6] 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.[7] He claimed he had turned the hospital over to the government, however, no documents disclosing such a transfer have been produced.[8]
In the 2017 election, Koung was re-elected to his Nimba County House seat under the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) banner.[9] In the 2020 election, Koung's senatorial run was again endorsed by Senator Johnson.[10] Koung won election to the Senate, again running with the MDR.[11] Koung became the second leader of the MDR party after an election on 22 December 2022, succeeding founder of the party, Senator Johnson.[12] As standard bearer, Koung continued Johnson's policy of opposing the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change.[13]
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.[7] After the initial October election, neither Boakai and Koung nor incumbents George Weah and Jewel Taylor received a majority of the vote, triggering a run-off election in November.[14] On 10 November, during a campaign event in Zor-Zoalay Town, Nimba County, there was an attack involving gunfire. Several were hospitalized, and Senators Koung and Johnson narrowly escaped.[15][16]
On 17 November 2023, after the run-off election, President Weah conceded the election, resulting in Boakai becoming president-elect and Koung becoming vice president-elect.[17]
References
- ^ "IN PROFILE: Who Is Sen. Jeremiah Kpan Koung". Era News. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ "2011 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS". National Election Commission of Liberia. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Know Your Representatives" (PDF). National Democratic Institute. 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "2017 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS". National Election Commission of Liberia. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ Sieh, Rodney (22 June 2020). "Liberia: Jeremiah Koung Gets Backing of Prince Johnson in Nimba Senatorial Election". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ "2020 SENATORIAL ELECTION RESULTS". National Election Commission of Liberia. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ "Sen. Jeremiah Koung Becomes MDR New Political Leader". The Independent Probe Newspaper. 24 December 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ Johnson, Obediah (30 January 2023). "Liberia: Sen. Koung Vows to Discourage Pay-for-Play ahead of October Elections". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ "Liberia presidential election heads for November run-off vote". Reuters. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ Doloquee, Franklin (13 November 2023). "Liberia: Several Hospitalized As Sen. Prince Johnson And Up Vice Running Mate Senator Jeremiah Koung Narrowly Escape Death In Ambush". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ Harmon, William Q. (13 November 2023). "Liberia: Boakai Accuses Gov't of Harassment, Intimidation Ahead of Runoff". Liberian Observer. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ Dodoo, Lennart (17 November 2023). "Pres. Weah Concedes Defeat, Congratulates President-elect Joseph Boakai". Liberian Observer. Retrieved 17 November 2023.