Liberia: Gov’t Undecided on Status of 50 Liberians on Diplomatic Missions as Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Probes Employees’ Status

Amid reports of unbearable and harsh living and economic conditions confronting Liberians serving Foreign Mission, the Government of Liberia (GOL) appears resolute over recalling and subsequently replacing them.

In February this year, the Liberian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, set up a committee to probe the “questionable” deployment of some Liberians across diplomatic missions across the world during the transitional period leading to the inauguration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

The committee, which is headed by Ambassador George W. Wallace, Jr. and co-chaired by Amb. Jarjar M. Kamara, was tasked with the mandate to review concerns and challenges raised by foreign missions, considering the recent placement of Foreign Service Officers to their various Missions between July 2023 to February 2024.

Other members of the committee include Ambassadors Dr. Brahima D. Kaba and Dr. Ibrahim Nyei. Others were the Civil Service Agency, Internal Audit, and relevant departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 “The primary objective of the Special Committee is to conduct a comprehensive review of the placement of these Officers and provide actionable recommendations for ensuring compliance with all relevant rules and regulations of the Foreign Service Manual,” a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Following the mandate, the government has reportedly stopped the payment of salaries and other benefits to over 50 Foreign Service staff, some of whom have voluntarily returned to the country to undergo investigation.

This has compelled many Foreign Service staffs to battle harsh economic constraints and other difficulties, including eviction from their rental apartments abroad.

The possibility of them sending their children and others to grade schools and universities this academic year remains uncertain due to the decision taken by government to block the payment of their salaries and other benefits, FrontPageAfrica gathered.

The action by the government to subject its citizens on foreign mission to an investigation surrounding the manner and form in which they were selected is being randomly perceived in the public as a “witch-hunt”.

Sticking to plans

Speaking in a hurried chat with Legislative reporters following the climax of a closed door meeting with members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Liberian Senate on Wednesday, August 14, Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti downplayed the constraints faced by the Foreign Service staffs abroad.

When quizzed about the challenges Foreign Service employees are encountering due to the ongoing investigation launched by the government, Minister Nyanti disclosed that the ministry will continue to implement its plan towards the matter. 

“We had a very brief discussion on issues of foreign affairs centered around the key issues that we continue to work on together on ensuring that our foreign service is strengthened. Liberia has key steps that it takes towards ensuring the rebranding of the country.”

She, however, failed to adequately respond to reports of witch-hunt against Foreign Service employees.

Details undisclosed

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs reneged to provide details on the closed-door meeting held with Minister Nyanti and other authorities of the Ministry.

Senator Abraham Dillon admitted that issues discussed were centered on “a lot of issues surrounding and affecting our Liberian foreign affairs.”

“Part of the meeting, we also discussed some issues surrounding visa denial by the U.S Embassy. The percentage of denial is very high; we are concerned and we wanted to know why.”

Senator Dillon, however, confirmed that some Liberians serving foreign mission have returned home and are cooperating with the investigation.

He said government, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, will reimburse Foreign Service staff who bought plane tickets to return to the country for the investigation, along with their resettlement packages.

“There is cooperation from them; the process is on and I’m hoping that it will end before the close of September, October latest.”

The workings and execution of the tasks and responsibilities of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Liberian Senate seem to be partial, thereby downplaying the real issues affecting the Foreign Service Employees.

In July this year, two lawmakers from the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) serving in the Liberian Senate raised alarms over the “multiple unbearable challenges” faced by Liberians serving at various diplomatic missions and embassies abroad, a situation threatening their well-being and survival.

Senators Saah Joseph and Nathaniel McGill claimed that diplomats assigned to Liberian embassies in some African countries and elsewhere are encountering numerous challenges that need to be addressed by the government. 

The two lawmakers claimed that the payment of remunerations and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSAs) to Liberians at foreign missions, including embassies, has been “deliberately ignored for reasons best known to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.” 

They noted that as a result, Liberian diplomats and others at various foreign missions and embassies are encountering “unbearable circumstances just to survive in foreign lands.”

“We are writing to bring to the attention of the Plenary of the Liberian Senate the condition of our citizens working in the Foreign Service at various foreign missions. As Senators representing Montserrado and Margibi counties respectively, we seek the indulgence of the Plenary to intervene in the challenges our citizens face, particularly in Senegal, Nigeria, and a few other countries.”

Justifying the significance of the communication, Senator McGill disclosed that citizens serving at foreign missions were appointed by the government and, as such, their well-being should not be downplayed by the government. 

He claimed that these foreign diplomats are being allegedly denied their just benefits, a situation compelling them to reside in countries where they cannot “even afford to buy food.”

“Some of them cannot even afford to pay their rent. Their rent should be the responsibility of the Republic of Liberia. So, we are asking this Senate to kindly intervene on behalf of these Liberian citizens so that they can receive their just benefits.”

Senator McGill emphasized that these Liberian diplomats are left to survive at the mercy of foreigners in their various countries of assignment due to the government’s failure to pay their remunerations and just benefits. He stressed that the Senate should investigate and compel the government, through the Ministries of Finance and Development Planning and Foreign Affairs, to intervene to ensure that these Liberian citizens appointed to serve at these foreign missions receive their just benefits.

But the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate has not been able to adequately address the issues raised by the two opposition lawmakers, despite holding multiple hearings with authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.