Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia Diplomatic Think Tank (LiDTT) has voiced grave concerns about the government of Liberia’s protracted failure to fully reveal and execute the findings of an investigation into the widespread posting of Foreign Service Officers during the former President George Weah administration, which was a flagrant violation of Foreign Service Manual Part-I Section 1.5.
The group believes that a complete disclosure and application of the investigation will remove the tarnished reputation of the Foreign Service that the Weah-led administration has created, and more significantly, it will increase the legitimacy of the government’s Foreign Service reform process, which is being carried out through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Think Tank recognizes the Liberian government’s ongoing efforts to fortify bilateral and multilateral ties with development partners worldwide through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is led by Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, according to a recent statement made by Public Relations Officer Michael Tarpeh Young.
The institution, which is working to reform the Liberia Foreign Service, points out that appointing non-graduates of the Foreign Service to Foreign Mission posts would compromise the mission’s integrity and reveal the incompetence of Foreign Service Officers to international development partners, as they would lack awareness of the responsibilities and roles of diplomats.
Young suggested that the Foreign Service Manual’s Part-I Section 1.5, which outlines the procedure for appointment to the Foreign Service (Eligibility and Application), should be the primary source of information for professional Liberians who have graduated from the Foreign Service Institute, are trained, and are aware of the duties and responsibilities of the Foreign Service.
In addition, he suggested that the Foreign Service Manual on Retirement and Pension, Part 1, Section 10.3, be followed in regards to the recall of Foreign Service Officers who have overstayed at different missions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, to carry out the rotation or reassignment of Foreign Service Officers as specified in Foreign Service Manual Part I, Section 10.9, Consultation/Recall of Foreign Service Recall.
“The results of the analysis on the achievements and difficulties of Liberia’s foreign policy under President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s administration through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be made available by the LiDTT in the coming days.” A number of reforms at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Service are required, as the analysis will show. The LiDTT is dedicated to advancing both emerging diplomats and Liberia’s foreign policy.”
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
