Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti has addressed concerns regarding the potential U.S. travel restrictions on Liberia, acknowledging the need for improved security around Liberian passports. Allegations of past diplomatic passport sales have heightened scrutiny, prompting the government to enhance vetting processes and redesign the passport. Minister Nyanti reassured that no diplomatic passports will be sold during her tenure.
In light of potential U.S. travel restrictions on Liberia, Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti acknowledged the necessity of strengthening security measures related to Liberian passports. This recognition arises from difficulties faced by public officials overstaying their visas in the United States. Minister Nyanti addressed these concerns during her appearance before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, emphasizing the government’s proactive communication with U.S. officials to clarify the situation.
Recent reports indicated that Liberia has been categorized in the “yellow” tier by the U.S. government, identifying it as a country under potential travel restrictions. Although the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia has yet to provide an official statement, the news has ignited public discourse, particularly regarding past allegations of diplomatic passport sales under previous leadership.
Minister Nyanti confirmed that the Liberian government acted promptly upon becoming aware of the circulating information online, reaching out to the U.S. Embassy for verification. She stated, “As of the weekend, the Ambassador informed me that there was no official communication regarding the travel restriction.” Despite recognizing the concern of overstays, she reassured that her administration would work diligently to ameliorate these issues and asserted that the restriction reports may be based on limited information.
Additionally, Minister Nyanti pledged that measures are being implemented to enhance the vetting process for the issuance of diplomatic passports. She expressed confidence, stating, “I can assure you that no diplomatic passports will be sold under my watch.” Furthermore, plans are in progress to redesign the Liberian passport to boost security, although financial constraints have delayed the decentralization of passport issuance throughout the nation.
Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, has requested Minister Nyanti to submit a follow-up report to the committee once the U.S. government formally addresses the reported restrictions.
In summary, Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti has acknowledged pressing security concerns related to Liberian passports amid potential U.S. travel restrictions. The government is actively working to strengthen passport vetting processes and enhance security measures. While past allegations of improper passport issuance remain under scrutiny, significant steps are being taken to improve the situation and ensure compliance with U.S. regulations. The ongoing collaboration with U.S. officials is pivotal in navigating these challenges effectively.
Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com
