Who’s Telling The Truth?
PHOTO: (L-R) Outgoing Pres. George Weah and Amb. Sarah Fyneah
By Our Staff Writer
Liberian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Saray Safyn Fyneah has rejected claim by her government back home in Monrovia that the government that the country’s mission in New York voted unilaterally against the UN General Assembly’s Resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza.
That Resolution was recently vetoed by the United States in the UN Security Council.
President George Manneh Weah over the weekend said it was wicked for the Liberian mission at the UN to have voted against ending the war in Gaza to stop the killings of thousands of people in that Palestinian territory in the Middle East.
But in a press statement issued on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, Amb. Fyneah maintained that her action was in no way unilateral.
“Ambassador Fyneah stressed that the responsibility for the inaccurate directive lies with the Ministry, and “it is crucial not to tarnish the reputation of Liberia’s diplomats at the UN who, despite challenges, continue to make sacrifices for Liberia’s visibility and contribution to the United Nations’ mandate,”said the press statement from Liberia’s mission at the UN.
Meanwhile, diplomatic analysts and observers are baffled over the drama over the latest controversy over the negative Liberia’s vote against the Gaza resolution at the UN.
It is yet to be established who’s telling the truth: whether the Presidency/Foreign Ministry in Monrovia or the country’s mission in New York.
But callings on some of Monrovia’s local radio talk shows have been speculating that President Weah’s latest outburst and anger calling for the vote against the Gaza ceasefire, which the United States vetoed was due to the wave of sanctions being imposed on top officials of his CDC government, including his Party’s Secretary General Jefferson Koijee, Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and Senate President Pro Tempore Albert Chie.
BELOW FULL TEXT OF AMB. FYNEAH’S PRESS RELEASE:
Ambassador Fyneah refutes that Liberia’s Diplomats at the UN acted independently and calls for review and clarification of misrepresentation
(New York, December 20, 2023): Liberia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Sarah Safyn Fyneah asserts that Liberia’s diplomats at the UN operate under the guidance and instructions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, ensuring that their actions align with the country’s stance.
According to her, decisions are not made independently; instead, guidance is sought to accurately represent Liberia’s position.
Ambassador Fyneah clarifies that the Government of Liberia’s initial vote on UN resolution A/ES-10/L.27 on December 12th was based on a prior directive from the Ministry, which, unfortunately, contradicted H.E. President Weah’s and the government’s established stance.
The discrepancy raises concerns about misrepresentation, prompting a need for the President to seek clarification from the Minister, who seemingly did not adhere to his instructions issued since November 4th—over a month before the UN vote, she added.
“It’s important to highlight that on December 8th, I instructed the Deputy Permanent Representative to seek the Minister’s guidance to co-sponsor the draft resolution A/ES-10/L.27 but received no response. On December 12th, I communicated with the Minister and the Acting Foreign Minister, to confirm their directive on the vote on the resolution. Acting on their affirmative response, I instructed a staffer to implement the directives”, Ambassador Fyneah recounted.
Ambassador Fyneah stressed that the responsibility for the inaccurate directive lies with the Ministry, and “it is crucial not to tarnish the reputation of Liberia’s diplomats at the UN who, despite challenges, continue to make sacrifices for Liberia’s visibility and contribution to the United Nations’ mandate”.
Additionally, since the UN is seized with the matter, and the Mission represents Liberia at the UN, it was neither informed nor received such an important policy decision of President Weah’s contained in his communication dated November 4th to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, emphasizing the call for a ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors.
This lack of communication on the part of the Ministry to the Mission on this crucial issue further underscores the need for a thorough review and clarification.