Despite public outcry and the Ministry’s acknowledgment of the issue, no tangible action has been taken to address the misuse of diplomatic privileges by former officials.
Monrovia – The ongoing failure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to retrieve diplomatic passports from recalled Ambassadors-at-Large and Special Envoys has cast a shadow over President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s much-heralded governance reform agenda.
By Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
Despite public outcry and the Ministry’s acknowledgment of the issue, no tangible action has been taken to address the misuse of diplomatic privileges by former officials a lapse that threatens Liberia’s institutional integrity and international reputation.
Six weeks have passed since President Boakai terminated the appointments of all Ambassadors-at-Large, Special Envoys, and Trade and Investment Representatives as part of his governance reform drive.
Yet, while only three individuals have been reappointed, others continue to wield the powers and privileges associated with diplomatic passports.
Reports suggest that these ex-officials exploit their expired titles to advance private interests, soliciting funds from foreign nationals and engaging in questionable activities under Liberia’s name.
One of the most alarming cases involves Alioune Kebé, a former Special Envoy accused of facilitating the illegal entry of French nationals involved in dubious mining operations in Liberia’s southeastern regions.
The revelation was brought to light by Abraham Massalay, an Assistant Coach for Kebe’s undocumented Sports Academy.
Massalay exposes how unchecked diplomatic privileges are used by Kebe and others to weaponize and undermine national resources and sovereignty.
FrontPageAfrica investigation has further uncovered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ inability to recover these passports.
Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs Cllr. Jeddi Mawray Armah admitted that no formal efforts have been made to retrieve the passports, relying instead on verbal instructions for former appointees to cease using their diplomatic privileges.
Cllr. Armah’s revelation has further confirmed how said casual approach to governance is not only ineffective but also negligent, allowing ex-officials to flout the law with impunity.
Critics have pointed fingers at Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, questioning why decisive action has not been taken, noting that if the Ministry is aware of these violations, why has it delayed enforcement?
President Boakai’s administration campaigned on a promise of reform and transparency, yet this scandal threatens to erode public confidence in his leadership.
The misuse of diplomatic passports by the recalled Ambassadors according to critics, undermines not only the President’s credibility but also Liberia’s standing in the international community.
Meanwhile, President Boakai’s administration remains under increasing pressure to address the Diplomatic Passport scandal, which threatens to overshadow his reform agenda.
