Africa-Press – Liberia. The opposition Liberty Party (LP) has commended the Boakai-Koung administration for what it describes as a “momentous diplomatic achievement” — the extension of U.S. Visa Validity for Liberian citizens from one year to three years.
The party urged the administration to build on this milestone through broader diplomatic and consular reforms.
In a statement issued Thursday in Monrovia, the Party’s Secretary General, Martin Saye Kollah, characterized the development as a reflection of Liberia’s improving global image and the government’s ability to engage constructively on the international stage.
“This is a momentous achievement that demonstrates Liberia’s growing credibility internationally,” Kollah stated.
“It also highlights what is possible when there is effective collaboration across the branches of government and when national interest rises above personal interest.”
The U.S. Visa Extension, announced earlier this week, allows Liberian citizens applying for B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), or B1/B2 (business/tourism) visas to receive multiple-entry visas valid for three years.
According to the LP, this move will help Liberians save costs, minimize the burden of frequent renewals, and open up greater opportunities for students, professionals, and businesspeople.
Kollah described the change as a “victory for ordinary Liberians,” noting that the policy shift has tangible benefits for citizens who travel for education, trade, and family reunification.
“This outcome represents a victory for ordinary Liberians who have long faced travel and financial hurdles in maintaining ties abroad,” he emphasized. “It eases access to global opportunities and reaffirms that Liberia’s voice can be heard when we act in unity.”
The party extended commendations to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for his leadership in prioritizing diplomatic relations and to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for “sustaining high-level dialogue with U.S. officials.”
The party urged the administration to build on this milestone through broader diplomatic and consular reforms.
Kollah also praised the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Abe Darius Dillon, for its oversight and advocacy role, as well as the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for its bipartisan cooperation in supporting this effort.
While acknowledging this achievement, the LP used the opportunity to call for further reforms within Liberia’s foreign and consular services.
The LP urged the government to strengthen passport processing systems, expand consular outreach, and pursue additional visa facilitation agreements with other key international partners.
“This is a great beginning, but we must not stop here,” the statement continued. “The government must now focus on improving passport services, enhancing consular efficiency, and negotiating similar arrangements with other nations that have strong ties with Liberia.”
According to the LP, reforms in Liberia’s diplomatic services could reduce delays, increase public trust, and position the country as a more reliable global partner.
“This achievement reveals what is possible when national interest rises above personal interest,” Kollah reiterated.
The LP reaffirmed its commitment to bipartisan cooperation in matters of foreign policy, emphasizing that diplomacy should remain an area of unity rather than division.
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