IPNEWS: It is now evidently clear that Liberia’s Foreign Minister, D. Maxwell Saah Kamayah, is not attending this year’s 78th United Nations General Assembly, following yesterday’s address by President George Manneh Weah to that august body without his foreign policy advisor and keeper of the seal.
Amidst fearing consequences over the visa revocation by the U.S. Government on the heels of President Weah’s address, discontent is now mounting for the restitution of 21,000.00 United States dollars by Minister Maxwell Kamayah over his failure to attend the 78th UNGA, currently taking place in New York, the United States of America.
According to documents in the possession of the authoritative Independent Probe, Minister D. Maxwell Saah Kamayah was allotted USD 21,000.00 to facilitate his lounging and other expenses while on official duty at the 78th UNGA, unfortunately Minister Kamayah, has been handed a visa cancellation.
US Embassy in Monrovia contacted about the decision to deny Liberia’s top diplomat entry into the United States said the matter is confidential.
A source at the New Palace Hotel, in New York City, to which Minister Kamayah was destined to stay hinted the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper that it was swapped for another member of the Liberian delegation (named withheld).
Back home, there has been discontent from the public including some Deputies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the conspicuous absence of Liberia’s Foreign Minister Maxwell Kamayah, and the non-representation of senior Foreign Ministry, considering the enormous diplomatic obligations entrusted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the UNGA.
In a notice of absence titled: ‘Out of Office Notification’, dated September 14, 2023, circulated and published by the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper, in its Monday, September 18 edition, Minister Kamayah, informed his Deputies and other senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that he was traveling alongside President George Manneh Weah, to the Republic of Ghana from where the President will travel to New York, the United States of America to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Strangely, Minister Kemayah, informed authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of his departure from Ghana to the United Kingdom rather than accompanying President George Manneh Weah and his delegation to New York.
IPNEWS understand that Minister Maxwell Kamayah is currently loitering in the United Kingdom after he was served notice of inadmissibility.
“From Accra, Ghana, I will travel to London, United Kingdom, from where I will travel to New York, United States of America to join H.E. President Dr. WEAH at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.” Minister Maxwell Kemayah stated.
The routing and subsequent absence of Foreign Minister Kemayah, ahead of the high-level week at the United Nations where Foreign Ministers of the 103 recognized members of the United Nations has raised concerns back home.
Diplomatic Experts tell IPNEWS that ahead of the President’s address to the UNGA, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is required to access the president’s presentation, arrange sideline meetings to conclude key bilateral agreements, serve as head on the 5th & 4th committees of Authorities of Heads-of-State at the UNGA among others, but unfortunately, Foreign Minister Maxwell Kamayah is nowhere to be seen.
“Under the foreign service manual and policy, any official of the Ministry of Foreign traveling for an official duty must state the purpose and duration of your travel, but unfortunately Minister Maxwell Kamayah has not made known this by the provision of the Foreign Service policy.” A Diplomatic Source hinted IPNEWS.
“Under U.S. law, specifically the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 222(f), visa records are confidential,” it said.
“Because of confidentiality of visa records, only the visa applicant can answer questions about whether a visa application was made, or a visa was issued or denied.”
“It is not unusual for a consular officer to issue a visa, and after new information comes to light, to call the visa holder back to the consulate to revoke the visa.” A Diplomatic Expert told IPNEWS.
Under US practices, consular revoked visit if the holder is inadmissible to the United States on security, criminal, medical, financial and also if matter usually involving law enforcement, is suspected.
Minister Kemaya faced sexual molestation and harassment accusation when he served as Liberia’s Ambassador to the United Nations and was subject of US law enforcement investigation. He has since maintained his innocence.
Back home in the Liberia capital, Monrovia, uncertainties remain high over the whereabouts of Liberia’s Foreign Minister D. Maxwell Kamayah, especially as President George Manneh Weah addresses the formal opening of the 78th United General Assembly currently taking place in New York, United States of America.
Prior to this latest report of visa revocation, numerous sources hinted to the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper, that Minister D. Maxwell Kamayah was shortly seen Tuesday, at the ‘Movie Pick Hotel’, in Accra, Ghana, even though this report has not been independently verified regardless of the numerous SMS inquiries made to Minister Kemayah in verifying the report.
At the Liberian Embassy in London, the United Kingdom, Mr. Albert Jaja, Minister Counselor, told IPNEWS that Foreign Minister D. Maxwell Saah Kamayah visited the Mission early Monday, morning and held a meeting with staff of the Liberian Embassy.
Jaja stated that during the meeting minister Kamayah, briefed Ambassador Gurley Gibson and their team on current reforms at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and sought the cooperation of all during the reform process.
Mr. Jaja fell short of telling IPNEWS whether or not the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Liberia’s chief Diplomat was still in the UK, sparking uncertainties over his absence at the 78th UNGA. Investigation continues….
