President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s delayed response to a letter from Andrew D. Wonplo, the embattled Director of Passport and Visas, has raised serious concerns, with potential consequences for Liberia’s international standing. Wonplo, who is currently suspended, sent an urgent plea to President Boakai on January 11, 2024, seeking protection as a whistleblower and witness to serious corruption within Liberia’s government. In his letter, Wonplo detailed his role in exposing the misuse of Liberian passports and the subsequent actions taken by corrupt individuals, some of whom he claims are involved in a wider scandal that reached the United States.
Wonplo’s communication outlined a chilling account of how individuals within the government, in collaboration with personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Liberia, orchestrated a campaign to discredit him after he began speaking out against the corruption linked to the passport scandal. He claims that this led to him being wrongfully sanctioned by the U.S. government, with his family also affected. According to Wonplo, those responsible for the passport malfeasance attempted to silence him by threatening his life, prompting him to flee the country for safety.
In his letter, Wonplo expressed his intention to come forward as a whistleblower, offering key evidence related to ongoing corruption at the highest levels of government. However, he emphasized the need for protection, as he feared further retaliation. He requested President Boakai’s intervention to ensure his safety and to facilitate a fair investigation into the allegations. “I am fully aware of the risks involved in bringing such matters to light, and it is with this understanding that I humbly request your support and protection,” Wonplo wrote.
As Liberia’s leader, President Boakai has yet to act on this urgent request. The lack of response to Wonplo’s plea comes at a critical time, as Liberia is among 22 countries facing the possibility of visa restrictions from the United States. A draft proposal under consideration by the Trump administration could place Liberia on a list of nations subject to partial visa suspensions unless the country addresses concerns related to its security practices, including passport issuance and the sharing of traveler information with U.S. authorities.
The U.S. visa proposal outlines specific deficiencies that Liberia must address, including weak passport security and the potential exploitation of loopholes that could undermine U.S. travel restrictions. If implemented, the policy would severely impact Liberians seeking to travel to the United States for business, education, and family reasons. The proposal, which has not yet been finalized, has sparked concern among immigration analysts, who warn that failing to meet U.S. expectations could lead to stricter travel bans.
For now, Liberia’s government has yet to issue an official response to the U.S. visa restrictions. As the deadline looms, the government’s delay in addressing the allegations of corruption and its failure to act on Wonplo’s whistleblower plea could further jeopardize the country’s international relations and its citizens’ access to the U.S.
