Monrovia, Liberia – An item titled “Liberia Strengthens Ties with Russia” that appeared in the Women Voices Newspaper’s Monday edition on November 11, 2024, has attracted the attention of the Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Regarding Liberia’s relationship with the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provide clarification.
“The Ministry would want to let the public, media, and foreign partners know that the Liberian government never made a statement suggesting improvements to its bilateral ties with Russia. Following the civil war in Liberia, Russia shuttered its mission in Liberia. The two countries first established official ties in 1972. The bilateral relationship between Liberia and Russia has not changed, and neither have any plans to do so.”
According to a Foreign Ministry release, as part of the African bloc, Dr. Ibrahim Nyei, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, recently attended the Russia-Africa Summit, an international meeting that took place in Russia. Leaders of regional economic blocs, including the president of the ECOWAS Commission, and the chairperson of the African Union led the conference, which brought together representatives from 50 African nations and provided a forum for discussion on international political and economic issues between Russia and the continent. There is no indication that the bilateral ties between Russia and Liberia would change just because a Liberian delegation is attending this conference.
As part of a list of nations announced at the start of the Russia-Africa Summit, the Ministry stated that Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Sergey Lavrov made a remark about intentions to reopen the Russian Embassy in Liberia. The present administration has not made any gestures to build ties with the Liberian government or received any diplomatic communications about a request to reopen their embassy.
“As a country vying to represent Africa through a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, we reaffirm our commitment to work with other African nations in promoting peace and development on the continent. It is within this context that Liberia participated as part of the African bloc of 50 countries.”
Liberia’s statement at the summit did indicate that it is open to exchanges as Liberia never severed diplomatic relations with Russia. However, the West African Nation stressed the need for non-interference in the ECOWAS region and to ensure that the region is not used for proxy wars, noting the current situation within the subregion.
As stated by the Liberian delegation, “our President, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has been engaged in extensive diplomatic efforts aimed at strengthening the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and ensuring that this regional bloc remains cohesive. Continuing in the same light, the statement also boldly stressed difficulties in resolving issues in the subregion because, these conflicts have become more complicated and seemingly intractable, often influenced by proxy wars.”
The statement from Liberia also called for support for Africa’s non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council. The Liberian President is the Chief Architect of Liberia’s foreign policy, the Ministry also want to remind Liberians of this. When Russia offers Liberia a diplomatic proposal to improve relations, the Liberian president will determine the course of foreign policy.
