New York – Liberia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sarah Safyn Fyneah, has categorically denied allegations that Liberia’s diplomats at the UN acted independently. In a press statement, Ambassador Fyneah stressed the need for a review and clarification of what she termed as misrepresentation of the facts surrounding the vote.
By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]
On Monday, the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism issued a press statement disclosed that the Foreign Ministry has ensured the reversal of the negative vote through the appropriate channels at the UNGA and registered a new vote in favor of a ceasefire in the Gaza, thereby joining the 153 countries who had earlier voted in favor of the resolution for a ceasefire in the Gaza War.
The vote against the resolution which angered President Weah prompted him to telling his congregation on Sunday that a Liberian diplomat working at the Liberian Embassy in Washington decided to go against the mandate of the government and voted otherwise.
“A wicked person in the Embassy‚ when they told us to vote, that person whatever they did – that Liberian that voted for war is a wicked Liberian, and God will not spare that person, and every person’s life that was taken in that war because that person voted, they will also feel the wrath of the true living God,” President Weah said.
However, according to Ambassador Fyneah, Liberia’s diplomats at the UN always operate under the guidance and instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ensuring that their actions align with the official position of the country. She emphasized that decisions are not made independently, and guidance is sought to accurately represent Liberia’s stance on international matters.
FrontPageAfrica gathered that Amb. Fyneah received the directive on how to vote from Madam Thelma Duncan-Sawyer who is the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs who was acting as Minister at the time she passed on the instruction.
The Ambassador clarified that the Government of Liberia’s initial vote on UN resolution A/ES-10/L.27 on December 12th was based on a prior directive from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, she noted with concern that this directive contradicted President Weah’s and the government’s established stance, raising questions about misrepresentation.
“The discrepancy in the vote raises concerns and prompts the need for the President to seek clarification from the Minister, who seemingly did not adhere to his instructions issued since November 4th—over a month before the UN vote,” Ambassador Fyneah stated.
Ambassador Fyneah highlighted her efforts to seek guidance from the Ministry, explaining, “On December 8th, I instructed the Deputy Permanent Representative to seek the Minister’s guidance to co-sponsor the draft resolution A/ES-10/L.27 but received no response. On December 12th, I communicated with the Minister and the Acting Foreign Minister to confirm their directive on the vote on the resolution. Acting on their affirmative response, I instructed a staffer to implement the directives.”
She emphasized that the responsibility for the inaccurate directive lies with the Ministry, and she urged against tarnishing the reputation of Liberia’s diplomats at the UN, who continue to make sacrifices for Liberia’s visibility and contribution to the United Nations’ mandate.
Ambassador Fyneah lamented the lack of communication from the Ministry to the Mission regarding President Weah’s crucial policy decision, dated November 4th.
Ambassador Fyneah called for a comprehensive review to ensure transparency and adherence to established protocols.