Verity Newspaper has learned that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has approved the recall of several diplomats appointed to the Liberian Foreign Service between July 2023 and February 2024.
This decision follows a review that deemed the appointments as “hasty, uncoordinated, and untimely.”
The recall was prompted by the findings of a Special Committee chaired by Ambassador George W. Wallace, Jr., Advisor to the President on Foreign Affairs and one of Liberia’s most experienced diplomats.
The report, which is in the possession of Verity, details the Committee’s recommendations to Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
The Committee, comprising seasoned ambassadors, the Internal Audit Division, the Civil Service Agency, and other key divisions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was tasked with investigating concerns over recent placements in Liberia’s diplomatic missions.
According to the Committee’s report, the appointments made during the specified period were flawed and did not adhere to the proper procedures and processes outlined in the Foreign Service Manual of the Republic of Liberia and the Foreign Relations Law.
The Committee recommended that the President recall all diplomats appointed during this period and those who had already assumed their positions abroad.
The recall is intended to facilitate a thorough review of their credentials and a reassessment of the appointments based on need and suitability under a new Foreign Service Strategy that is currently being developed.
The goal is to ensure that future diplomatic postings align with the government’s strategic objectives and that appointments are made based on merit and the specific needs of Liberia’s foreign missions.
The Committee emphasized that the vetting process should be more rigorous and coordinated, reflecting the importance of diplomatic roles in representing Liberia on the international stage.
In light of the President’s decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the leadership of Minister Nyanti, has issued notices to the affected diplomats, instructing them to return to Liberia.
The Ministry has assured those recalled that it will cover the costs of their travel, including the return of any dependents under the age of 18.
Diplomats have been given a two-week window to inform the Ministry of their intended return dates so that arrangements for their travel can be made.
The Ministry has also clarified that failure to respond within the given timeframe will be interpreted as a refusal to return, thereby absolving the Ministry of any further obligations towards those individuals.
The Ministry has pledged to carry out the recall process with strict transparency, ensuring that no special interests are considered in the review and reappointment process.
This decision marks a pivotal step in President Boakai’s administration’s efforts to streamline and professionalize Liberia’s diplomatic service, which is crucial for advancing the nation’s foreign policy and international relations.
As the Ministry begins the process of recalling and reviewing these appointments, there is anticipation that the new Foreign Service Strategy will set a higher standard for future diplomatic postings, ensuring that Liberia is represented by qualified and capable individuals who can effectively promote the country’s interests abroad.
