–Foreign Ministry Clarifies
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia says its attention has been drawn to an article published in the Monday, November 11, 2024 edition of the Women Voices newspaper, under the headline, “Liberia Strengthens Ties with Russia”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they would like to, in this light, clarify the current state of Liberia’s relations with the Russian Federation.
“The ministry wishes to inform the general public, media outlets, and international partners that at no point did the Government of Liberia (GOL) issue a statement indicating a strengthening of relations with Russia. The assertions made in the newspaper article do not reflect the official position of the Liberian government. Bilateral relations between Liberia and Russia remain consistent within the framework of diplomatic engagement, but have not undergone any recent changes or enhancements as suggested in the media report,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.
“The misleading article by Women Voices newspaper comes in the wake of the recent participation of Dr. Ibrahim Nyei, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, at an international conference held in Russia. The conference, which brought together representatives from African countries, served as a platform for dialogue on global economic and political issues. However, the presence of a Liberian delegation at this conference does not equate to a shift in the diplomatic stance of the Government of Liberia (GOL) toward the Russian Federation.”
The MOFA release continued, “Dr. Nyei’s attendance at the conference was part of Liberia’s routine engagement in multilateral forums aimed at exploring opportunities for international cooperation and advancing the nation’s economic interests. The Deputy Minister did not make any public statements or engage in discussions that could be interpreted as indicating an enhancement of bilateral ties between Liberia and Russia.
“Liberia’s foreign policy remains grounded in principles of non-alignment, respect for international law, and the pursuit of peaceful and constructive relations with all countries based on mutual interests. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to emphasize that any significant developments in the country’s diplomatic relations would be communicated through official channels. The Government of Liberia (GOL) has a transparent process for announcing foreign policy shifts or enhancements in bilateral relations, and such announcements are typically made through official press releases or statements issued by authorized representatives.”
The ministry then acknowledged that international engagement is a crucial aspect of Liberia’s foreign policy, but that it is important to distinguish participation in international conferences from any commitment to strengthen ties with a particular country.
“In addition, the Ministry also wishes to clarify the statement by Mr. Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, regarding plans to reopen the Russian embassy in Liberia. This announcement was first heard in a general statement at the opening of the Russia-Africa Summit and has since been communicated to the Government of Liberia.
“Liberia reaffirms its commitment to working with other African nations in promoting peace and ending proxy wars on the continent,” the MOFA maintained.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciates the role of the media in keeping the public informed but urges journalists to uphold professionalism and accuracy in their reporting. The ministry remains available for any inquiries or clarifications regarding Liberia’s foreign policy and international relations.
“Lastly, Liberia reaffirms its commitment to working with other African nations in promoting peace and ending proxy wars on the continent.”