A group of Liberian students studying in China has formally expressed discontent and raised concerns over the Liberian Ambassador’s handling of US$5,000 provided by President Joseph Boakai for transportation during his recent visit to the Liberian Embassy in China.
The students’ complaint also highlights issues of misconduct, disrespect, and disunity.
In a letter dated September 20, 2024, the students detailed their grievances after meeting with President Joseph N. Boakai on September 8.
According to the letter, the students highlighted that they arrived early at the embassy, eager to engage with the President. However, many were discouraged from attending by leaders of the Beijing Union of Liberian Students (BULS) and the Liberian Students Union in China (LSUIC), who felt disrespected by the embassy’s communications.
“While the President’s gesture of providing US$5,000 for student transportation was appreciated, the aftermath raised significant concerns,” the letter stated.
The letter alleged that the Ambassador subsequently favored the very leaders who had boycotted the event, allocating 50% of the funds to them.
This alleged decision by the Ambassador left the twelve attending students feeling marginalized.
In their letter, the students outlined several key reasons for rejecting the funds: “Undermining Commitment: They believe the allocation diminishes the value of their sacrifices. Rewarding Negative Behavior: The decision sets a precedent that discourages participation in important national events. Perceived Favoritism: The Ambassador’s actions raise concerns about bias toward student leadership. Contradicting Presidential Intent: The funds were meant to reward attendees, not those who boycotted. Future Cooperation Risks: This decision could decrease participation in future embassy events, undermining diplomatic initiatives,” the letter highlighted.
The students urge the government to promote accountability and unity among Liberian students abroad.
They recommend enhancing communication and support from the Liberian government and restructuring the embassy leadership to better engage with the student community.
The communication emphasized that, at a critical time for the morale and cohesion of Liberian students abroad, the Ambassador’s actions have raised questions about future student-diplomatic relations and the support they receive from their government.
The students remain hopeful for a response that aligns with the values of respect and fairness, emphasizing their commitment to positively contributing to Liberia’s development.
