The Liberian Government clarifies that it had never broken ties with Russia, contrary to reports in the media here.
By: Kruah Thompson
Monrovia, Liberia, November 15, 2024—The Government of Liberia clarifies that it has never severed diplomatic relations with Russia since it was established in 1972, noting that the Russian Embassy near Monrovia had been closed due to the prolonged civil crisis in Liberia.
On Tuesday, November 14, 2024, local media outlets reported that Russia plans to open an embassy in the country as part of efforts to expand its presence across Africa.
Discussions were reached by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Liberia’s Deputy Foreign Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Ibrahim Al-bakri Nyei, who addressed attendees at the first Russia-Africa partnership forum on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
According to report, Deputy Minister Nyei, who was eager to deepen Liberia’s collaboration with Russia in various areas such as trade, technical exchange, peacebuilding, as well as climate change, insecurity, poverty, and inequality, emphasized that the discussions laid a foundation for partnerships that could contribute to shared prosperity.
However, the Secretary General of the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Jefferson KoiJee, criticized the government’s move, stating that the decision could harm Liberia’s future relationship with the United States.
However, Information Minister Jerolinmek Mathew Piah says that both news outlets and the CDC are misinformed.
Providing clarification Thursday during the ministry’s regular press briefing, Minister Piah said Liberia had never broken diplomatic ties with Russia since 1972, but the Russian Mission here closed down because of the civil crisis.
He notes that Deputy Minister Nyei only mentioned in his speech that there are plans to reopen the embassy, adding that if it reaches that point, the nation’s chief foreign policy architect, President Boakai, will review the matter and make a decision accordingly.
Piah further clarifies that the government has never issued a statement indicating that it is strengthening its bilateral relationship with Russia.
“Liberia and Russia established bilateral relations in 1972. However, in the wake of Liberia’s civil war, Russia closed its embassy, and there have been no significant changes in our bilateral relationship. Furthermore, Liberia has no plans to alter its stance on this matter”, he maintains.
He notes that recently, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Bakri Nyei, participated in an international conference in Russia, representing Liberia as a member of the African bloc, during the Russia-Africa Summit.
The conference brought together representatives from fifty African countries, serving as a platform for dialogue on global economic and political issues between both nations.
It was led by the Chairperson of the African Union, heads of regional economic blocs, and the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
“So the presence of the Liberian delegation at this conference does not signify a shift in the bilateral relationship between Liberia and Russia.”
The government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notes that the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov disclosed plans by his government to reopen the Russian Embassy in Liberia as part of a list of countries mentioned during the opening of the summit.
But Piah says the current administration has not received any diplomatic communication from the Russian government regarding a request to reopen its embassy, nor has Russia made any overtures towards strengthening bilateral relations with Liberia.
“As a country vying for a permanent representation for Africa through a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, Liberia reaffirms its commitment to working with other African nations to promote peace and development on the continent.
It is within this context that Liberia participated as part of the African bloc, which included fifty African countries.” Editing by Jonathan Browne
