IPNEWS: Liberian President Joseph Boakai ordered the immediate revocation of all Ambassadors-at-Large, Special Envoys, and Trade and Investment Representative positions. The move is part of an effort to restructure the country’s diplomatic sector, which the administration said was previously plagued by irregularities and a lack of clear guidelines.
Key details of the diplomatic overhaul
All Ambassadors-at-Large, Special Envoys, and Trade and Investment Representatives were terminated, with re-appointments to be made based on the country’s needs.
The Boakai administration stated the change was intended to align these diplomatic roles with Liberia’s foreign policy goals and current governance needs. The goal was to create a more efficient, accountable, and strategic diplomatic framework for Liberia.
This action was the second diplomatic shake-up under Boakai administration.
In August 2024, the government recalled several officials appointed to foreign missions between July 2023 and February 2024, citing a lack of proper procedures.
Re-appointments are to be made with “clear and specific terms of references and reporting lines”. The government indicated that the process would be carried out in a dignified manner, and former appointees would be properly notified and thanked for their service.
Earlier in 2024, the administration also recalled all diplomatic passports to prevent illegal issuance and misuse. This came after reports of international criminals using Liberian diplomatic passports.
Reasons for the changes
The government-led investigations cited several problems in the diplomatic sector that led to these revocations:
A review found that previous diplomatic appointments did not adhere to the established procedures outlined in Liberia’s Foreign Service Manual.
An internal security investigation uncovered abuses, including the illegal sale of diplomatic passports to international criminals.
Some appointees lacked clear guidance or terms of reference for their roles, leading to concerns about effectiveness and accountability.
