Morovia-Nimba County Senator Samuel G. Kogar has come to the defense of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan-Koung, condemning the creation and circulation of AI-generated and manipulated images portraying Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung in what he described as humiliating and degrading situations.
A controversial incident involving Vice President Koung at Brussels Airport has sparked debate in Liberia over the treatment of Liberian officials while traveling abroad.
Senator Kogar said the use of artificial intelligence to create and distribute degrading content about national leaders raises serious ethical concerns, particularly within Liberia’s political discourse.
“I strongly condemn the growing practice of creating and circulating AI-generated or manipulated images that portray our national leaders in humiliating and degrading situations,” Kogar stated.
The Nimba senator stressed that political differences should not lead to the use of content intended to ridicule or demean public officials.
He appealed to individuals who have shared the manipulated images to remove them, arguing that political disagreements can exist alongside respect for human dignity and public institutions.
“We can disagree politically while still respecting human dignity and the office he occupies,” Kogar said.
The controversy involving Vice President Koung followed an incident at Brussels Airport that has generated questions about the circumstances surrounding his treatment while traveling.
Vice President Koung has provided his own explanation of the incident. However, Kogar said he believes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should provide additional information to clarify what occurred and whether established diplomatic and protocol procedures were followed.
“I believe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should provide the public with clarity on what happened and whether the appropriate diplomatic and protocol procedures were followed,” he remarked.
According to Kogar, if the Vice President was treated in a manner inconsistent with the dignity of his office, the matter should be addressed through appropriate diplomatic channels.
The Brussels Airport controversy and the circulation of manipulated images have therefore generated two separate but related discussions: the circumstances surrounding the Vice President’s experience abroad and the growing use of digitally altered content in political debates.
As public discussion continues, attention is expected to remain on any further clarification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the Brussels Airport incident and on calls for responsible and respectful engagement in Liberia’s increasingly digital political environment.
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