The Government of Liberia has with immediate effect issued a directive, cancelling all diplomatic passports issued during the regime of former President George Weah.

The authority believe such a decision is intended to enhance the integrity and credibility of the country’s travel documents.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti announced that holders of diplomatic passports have until April 18, 2024, to return their passports for the issuance of new ordinary or service passports. She emphasized that holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports with a validity exceeding two years must surrender their passports by March 19, 2024, or face consequences.

In Liberia, diplomatic Passport is issued to Liberian diplomats accredited abroad and their eligible dependents. This passport is red in color. It is issued for 5 years. Official Passport is issued to civil servants attached to government institutions who must travel for official reasons.

“Due to national security concerns, the Government of Liberia through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs hereby suspends with immediate effect the July 2023 Revised Passport Regulations and reinstates the March 2016 Passport Regulations. All those bearing Diplomatic, Official, and Service passports with a validity period exceeding two years are hereby requested to return them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commencing Tuesday, March 19, 2024, with the end date of this exercise being April 18, 2024,”she said.

At the same time, the Minister asserted that the reissuance of Diplomatic, Official, and Service passports will be based on eligibility, emphasizing that the cost of the replacement of the said passports will be free of charge to our citizens with costs borne by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“For those outside of the country who are holding Diplomatic, Official, or Service passports that need to be replaced, kindly report to the nearest Liberian embassy or consulate,” the Minister added.

In response, Justice Minister Oswald Tweh condemned the former administration’s reported issuance of diplomatic passports to individuals not representing the country’s interests, labeling it a threat to national security.

Currently, the Secretary General of the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change stated that the party is thoroughly assessing the new directive in consultation with its legal team and will provide a response shortly.

Meanwhile, the United States, through its Embassy in Monrovia, has welcomed the Government of Liberia’s latest measure to ensure that all diplomatic, official, and service passport holders meet official eligibility criteria.

The U.S. views this directive as a demonstration of Liberia’s commitment to addressing issues that affect its international reputation among other nations.