Claim About Liberia losing MCC Compact Eligibility Is Misleading

Claim: Former Assistant Minister J. Jefferson Chesson alleges Liberia lost eligibility for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact in 2025 due to "bad governance, corruption, police brutality, and disregard for the rule of law."

Source: J. Jefferson Chesson, former assistant minister at the Ministry of Public Works, posted the claim on Facebook on July 25, 2025.

Verdict: Our research reveals this claim to be misleading. Official MCC records show Liberia was selected for eligibility and has not been rejected in 2025.

Full Text: On July 25, 2025, Chesson claimed that Liberia lost eligibility for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact in 2025 due to bad governance, corruption, police brutality, and disregard for the rule of law. Chesson also stated that the Board of Directors selected five African countries: Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Ghana, Senegal, and Togo, following the foreign assistance review.

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About MCC Selection

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. foreign aid agency established in 2004 to combat global poverty through economic growth initiatives. The agency provides substantial grants, known as "compacts," to countries that demonstrate strong governance and economic reforms.

December 2024 Selection: According to the MCC's official announcement, Liberia was among the countries selected to develop a new compact. The board also explored new opportunities under the Millennium Challenge Corporation Candidate Country Reform Act.

How MCC Selection Works

The selection process involves four critical steps:

Initial Eligibility: Countries must be classified as low-income or lower-middle income by the World Bank
Scorecard Assessment: Performance evaluation across 20 indicators in three categories:

Ruling Justly (political rights, civil liberties, rule of law)
Investing in People (health, education)
Economic Freedom (regulatory quality, business environment)

Quantitative Thresholds: Countries must pass at least 10 of 20 indicators, including mandatory "Control of Corruption" and "Political Rights or Civil Liberties" requirements
Board Decision: Annual December selection based on scorecard performance and poverty reduction potential

Verification: We reviewed MCC's official website and publications, which confirm Liberia's December 2024 selection for compact development eligibility.

At a July 28 press conference, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Ngafuan clarified that the MCC Board has not finalized Liberia's 2025 eligibility status.

"The MCC has not announced any definitive amount, but we are hopeful and optimistic," Ngafuan stated, noting that official communication from MCC Deputy Vice President Alicia Robinson-Morgan indicated upcoming board meetings to determine final eligibility.