By Mohammed Ghani
Rabat, Morocco – H.E. Joseph F. Johnson, the newly appointed Ambassador of Liberia to the Kingdom of Morocco, has wasted no time in engaging with the diplomatic community, presenting his Letters of Credence and immediately reaching out to fellow African ambassadors accredited in Rabat.
On March 25th, Ambassador Johnson presented copies of his Letters of Credence to Moroccan Foreign Minister, H.E. Nasser Bourita. Minister Bourita warmly welcomed Ambassador Johnson to Morocco and assured him of the government’s dedication to strengthening bilateral relations between Liberia and Morocco, particularly in the areas of development and economic cooperation. He conveyed a message of friendship from the Moroccan government to the government and people of Liberia.
Ambassador Johnson reciprocated by extending greetings from Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to His Majesty the King, the government, and the people of Morocco. He pledged to work diligently to improve the existing amicable relationship and enhance bilateral cooperation between the two nations, reaffirming Liberia’s support for Morocco.
Building upon this foundation, Ambassador Johnson embarked on a series of courtesy calls on March 27th, engaging with four prominent African Ambassadors based in Rabat. These included H.E. Jessica Muthoni Gakinya of Kenya, H.E. Mouhamadou Youssifou of Cameroon (who also serves as the Doyen of the African Diplomatic Group and Doyen of the Diplomatic Corp), H.E. Eliphas Chinyonga of Zambia, and H.E. Alhaji Momodu Koroma of Sierra Leone.
A key focus of these meetings was Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Ambassador Johnson underscored the importance of the enduring relationships between Liberia and these African nations and requested their support for Liberia’s candidacy.
During his meeting with the Doyen, H.E. Mouhamadou Youssifou, Ambassador Johnson received assurances that Cameroon was aware of Liberia’s aspirations and expressed confidence in a positive response from his government. The Doyen also briefed Ambassador Johnson on the activities of the African Diplomatic Group, encouraging his participation in their quarterly meetings.
The courtesy call with Sierra Leonean Ambassador Koroma yielded a more personal connection, with Ambassador Johnson sharing stories from his own experience as a refugee during Liberia’s civil crises.
All four ambassadors conveyed their commitment to strengthening ties with Liberia and pledged to work closely together in the future. Ambassador Johnson’s proactive approach to forging relationships within the African diplomatic community signifies a strong start to his tenure and highlights Liberia’s commitment to fostering collaboration and partnership on the continent. The meetings underscore Liberia’s dedication to deepening its relationship with Morocco and solidifying its position within the African diplomatic landscape.
