EFLA Accuses Boakai-Koung Administration of ‘Systemic Disregard’ for Liberians in Europe

MONROVIA — The European Federation of Liberian Associations (EFLA) has accused the Boakai-Koung administration of systematically sidelining Liberians living in Europe from its flagship diaspora engagement initiatives, sharply criticizing the government’s annual diaspora conference as a platform that fails to represent the broader Liberian diaspora.

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By Gerald C. Koinyeneh

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In a statement issued on October 4, 2026, EFLA President Francis M. Mensah said the organization was taking exception to the manner in which the government has organized its annual diaspora conferences, arguing that the events have increasingly centered on Liberians in the United States while excluding communities in Europe.

The criticism comes as the Joseph Boakai-Koung administration has made diaspora engagement a major component of its domestic policy, holding two annual diaspora conferences in the United States since 2025.

EFLA, which describes itself as the umbrella organization for Liberian associations across Europe, said it expected the conference to bring together Liberians from across the world to discuss issues affecting the diaspora and Liberia.

Instead, the organization alleged that the conferences have become heavily U.S.-focused.

“The Annual Diaspora Conference, by its goals and objectives, should bring together all Liberians in the diaspora to assemble, network, and discuss issues affecting the wider Liberian Diaspora community, as well as the issues the government of Liberia faces,” EFLA said.

“Unfortunately, the past two diaspora conferences have been turned into a spectacle of prom and pageantry,” the organization alleged, claiming that senior government officials and their associates have traveled to Washington, D.C., at government expense.

EFLA said Europe was not represented at this year’s conference, arguing that such an omission undermines the stated objective of creating a global platform for Liberians abroad.

‘Systemic Neglect’

The European group said its concerns predate the current administration, noting that it has repeatedly attempted to engage successive Liberian governments over what it described as the “systemic neglect” of Liberians residing in Europe.

The concerns, according to EFLA, range from consular challenges in the Nordic countries to the limited participation of European-based Liberians in government-sponsored diaspora initiatives.

The organization also pointed to the financial contribution of Liberians in Europe through remittances and businesses in Liberia.

“So, we must not be taken for granted!” EFLA said.

The organization further accused conference organizers of being insufficiently intentional about involving Liberians from Europe, alleging that panel discussions and other side events are often structured to accommodate government allies, friends and family members.

“The sad truth is that the organizers have never been intentional about getting Liberians in the European Diaspora involved, but continue to pretend to include diaspora Liberians from Europe,” the statement said.

Government’s Diaspora Push

President Boakai’s diaspora initiative was launched from a commitment made in late 2024 to establish a structured global platform for Liberians living abroad.

The government has said the initiative is intended to move beyond the traditional focus on remittances and encourage the more than 500,000 Liberians living abroad to contribute to Liberia through entrepreneurship, investment, technology transfer and professional expertise.

The inaugural Liberia Annual Diaspora Conference was held in Washington, D.C., from September 26–28, 2025, under the theme “Building the Future Together.” The gathering brought together hundreds of delegates physically and more than 1,300 virtual participants, according to organizers.

The 2026 conference, held September 25–27 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Virginia, was organized under the theme “From Dialogue to Delivery: Diaspora Capital, Innovation, and the Next Liberia.”

The second conference sought to move discussions toward practical economic initiatives, including investment, agribusiness, innovation and youth empowerment.

EFLA, however, argues that the geographic concentration of the initiative contradicts its stated global character.

Europe Threatens Wider Pushback

EFLA said it would no longer participate in what it characterized as poorly organized diaspora activities conducted by government functionaries.

“Going forward, Liberians in Europe will not be involved in any haphazard activities organized by government functionaries,” the organization declared.

The group also warned that it could seek engagement with European institutions over what it described as the Liberian government’s failure to include Liberians residing in the European Union in its diaspora activities.

“Europe hosts some of Liberia’s development partners, and we, as Liberian taxpayers in Europe, can engage the European Union Parliament about the Liberian government’s flagrant disregard for including Liberians residing in the EU in diaspora activities it organizes,” EFLA said.

The group stressed that no segment of the Liberian diaspora should be treated as more important than another.

“No one group of diaspora Liberians is better than the others,” EFLA said, demanding that Liberians in Europe receive the same level of respect and opportunities afforded to their compatriots in the United States.

EFLA said it has been involved in advocacy and humanitarian initiatives benefiting both Liberians in Europe and communities in Liberia. It also cited its role, alongside partners including ALCOD, in advocacy that contributed to the passage of Liberia’s Dual Citizenship Act and its ongoing efforts to promote voting rights for Liberians abroad.

The organization said it remains committed to contributing to Liberia’s development but wants the government to recognize the European diaspora as an equal partner.

“In Union Strong, Success Is Assured!” the statement concluded.