MONROVIA: Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai took office in January on a number of promises, the approach to recall all diplomatic passports and re-issue where applicable, unlike his predecessor George Weah whose administration was awash with passports fraud.
As Boakai marks his first 100 days in the executive mansion, observers say his administration has taken major steps towards that goal –including re-engaging possibilities to issue visa on arrival to facilitate trade and commerce.
“The Government of Liberia has, within a short period, improved transparency and accountability in the governance space by enforcing the rule of law,” said the executive summary of the government 100-day assessment reports.
The report pointed out that strengthening financial oversight, and promoting ethical practices across all sectors to combat corruption effectively as examples of the shift.
But while Boakai has a wholly different style from Weah, his foreign policy has not been a “wholesale rebuke” of his predecessor, a student in diplomacy told this paper, citing delay in the appointment of Foreign Service Inspector General and Ambassadors at Foreign Missions.
That has garnered criticism from segments of the Unity Party, who have urged Boakai to take more progressive stances on a number of issues including review and update the Foreign Service Manual.
Here are some of Boakai’s major foreign policy moves over his first 100 days:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Intervention:
Review and update the Foreign Service Manual
-Objective: To ensure that the Foreign Service Manual is updated
- Completed: Reviewed and updated Foreign Service Manual
Intervention:
Recall all diplomatic Passports and re-issue, where applicable
Objective: To control the illegal issuance and misuse of Liberian diplomatic passport - Completed: All diplomatic passports recalled and re-issued where applicable
Intervention:
Foreign Affairs Appoint Foreign Service Inspector General and Ambassadors at Foreign Missions.
Objective:
To ensure Liberia is adequately represented in other countries
- Ongoing:
The appointment of Foreign Service Inspector General and Ambassadors at foreign missions underway. Intervention:
Explore possibilities to issue visa on arrival to facilitate trade and commerce.
Explore possibilities to issue visa on arrival to facilitate trade and commerce. - Ongoing: MOU signed between LIS and MOCI for the issuance of visa on arrival as a means of facilitating trade and tourism.
One hundred days aside, Boakai’s main focus has been attracting foreign direct investment to Liberia. He travelled to America this month and made power speeches about the need to invest in Liberia’s resources.
