The genius of true diplomacy is in its forward-thinking approach to the benefit of a country. Diplomatic maneuvers that are trapped in the past are known to be unproductive for countries seeking new thinking to development partnerships and generate international investments for economic recovery and transformation.
Diplomatic engagements must change as the times and global circumstances change. New embassies and missions must be opened as older ones get amalgamated. Economic development must drive diplomacy as global alliances are redefined.
New possibilities for international investment to bolster private sector growth must never be ignored, especially for third-world countries. Enemies can become friends as opponents become allies in the new global ordering of diplomatic realignments driven by the unchanging principle that only interests will remain permanent. Enters Liberia/Russia diplomatic relations with its forward-looking approach to a new future of cooperation for Liberia’s economic transformation.
Establishment of diplomatic relations with Russia (previously Soviet Union) occurred on June 7, 1972, one year after Vice President William Tolbert was sworn in as President. Francis A. Dennis became Liberia’s first ambassador to Moscow with Dmitri Safonov his counterpart to Monrovia.
In 1983, retaliatory expulsions saw Soviet Ambassador expelled from Monrovia followed by the expulsion of Liberian Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Christopher Ricks, leaving Zaire to represent Liberia in the Soviet Union and Poland to represent the Soviet Union in Liberia. Normal diplomatic relations were restored in July 1986.
Both countries admit to no significant changes in their bilateral relationship, despite the closure of the Russian Embassy near Monrovia during the years of Liberia’s wars. The Russian Embassy in Ghana continues to represent Russia in Liberia. However, this may be short-lived as Russia plans to reopen its embassy in Liberia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced during the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.
Recently, represented by Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Dr. Al-bakri Nyei, Liberia attended the Partnership Forum, making the strong case of Liberia’s readiness to “explore partnerships that confront our common global challenges, which include climate change, insecurity, poverty and inequality, Deputy Minister Nyei disclosed to the meeting.
Opening embassies is a critical step in nurturing diplomatic relationships. It demonstrates the seriousness of a country to strengthen diplomatic ties toward the mutual benefit of both countries. It is still unknown whether Liberia will reciprocate. What is certain is that Russia continues to undertake important steps to strengthen its relationship with Africa including organizing the first Russia-Africa Summit, and Liberia is looking to expand its reach for support for its economic development.
At the First Russia- Africa Summit, from October 23-24, 2019, Liberia’s Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor joined 35 other African Heads of States and Government in Sochi, the Russian Federation, to attend. Representing President George Weah, Vice President Taylor was the highest Liberian government official to visit Russia since August of 1962, when Vice President William Tolbert visited Russia. Her official visit represented a significant step in thawing the topsy-turvy relationship.
The First Russia-Africa Summit revealed Russia’s economic agenda for Africa. President Vladimir Putin announced an investment package of 5 Billion United States Dollars for Africa to be accessed by African Nations for investment and development purposes, intended for the stimulation of economic growth.
A 20 Billion United States Dollars debt waiver package for African Nations indebted to Russia was announced by the Russian government as a sign of renewed partnership with the African Continent. At the Summit, Liberia joined Sierra Leone and Guinea in thanking Russia for its contribution of 60 Million United States Dollars for the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus in 2014.
Russia, one of five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, is amongst the top ten exporters of food to Africa’s market, boasts of at least 30% of the world’s natural resources, and demonstrates strengths in human resource development, science and technology, energy and agriculture, all of which aligns with the AREST Agenda of the Government of Liberia. Russia is the largest country in the world by area, extending across 11 time zones, and the ninth most populous country in the world.
To reopen its embassy near Monrovia can only mean that the Russian Government is looking to demonstrate added value to its relationship with Liberia which should amount to exploration of new opportunities for support for the implementation of the Liberian Government’s own ARREST Agenda.
The incoming administration of the United States has repeatedly spoken of its interest in nurturing and maintaining improved relations with Russia during its successful campaign, arguing that such improvements can lead to increased benefit for a world with less wars. The diplomatic and economic interests of Liberia will be best served to adapt a forward-looking approach to its diplomatic relationships, as the rest of the countries on the African Continent are already doing.