Monrovia – In response to ongoing concerns over potential U.S. travel restrictions on Liberia, Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti has acknowledged the need to enhance the security and intelligence systems surrounding Liberian passports, citing challenges with public officials and others overstaying in the United States.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Recent reports from The New York Times revealed that Liberia is listed in the “yellow” category, one of three tiers used by the U.S. government to determine countries facing possible travel restrictions.
While the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia has not issued an official statement, this development has stirred significant debate, particularly over the alleged sale of diplomatic passports during the previous administration, which critics argue has led to increased scrutiny.
Minister Nyanti confirmed on Monday when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County. She said the Liberian government had proactively reached out to U.S. officials to clarify the matter.
“We were surprised by the information circulating on social media, and immediately contacted the U.S. Embassy to verify the claims,” she stated. “As of the weekend, the Ambassador informed me that there was no official communication regarding the travel restriction.”
Nyanti emphasized that, while there have been issues with overstays by some Liberian citizens and government officials in the U.S., the current government is working to address these concerns.
“This is a serious issue that the U.S. government has communicated to us multiple times,” she added. “However, we believe the reports of the restriction may be based on limited information.”
Minister Nyanti further reassured that the Liberian government is taking steps to improve the vetting process for diplomatic passports, including increased collaboration with the National Security Agency (NSA). “I can assure you that no diplomatic passports will be sold under my watch,” she stated.
The Minister also revealed that plans are underway to redesign the Liberian passport, with approval from relevant stakeholders, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance security.
However, due to financial constraints, the government has not yet begun the process of decentralizing passport issuance across the country.
Senator Dillon, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, has requested Minister Nyanti to provide a follow-up report to the committee once the U.S. government issues a formal response regarding the reported travel restrictions.