Monrovia, Jan. 31 -- Lost in the recent inauguration of Joseph Boakai as the 26th President of the Republic of Liberia, was a rather awkward seating arrangement that very few noticed: Ho Hau Wah, the recently elected vice chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was seated next to Dr. Linda Thomas Greenfield, the US Ambassador to the United Nations.

By Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Photos captured during the inauguration showed both guests apparently uneasy at the positioning, suggesting an apparent disconnect. Diplomatic observers say because both officials were representing their respective heads of state, they see no reason why the seating arrang...