Liberia Wants EU Ambassador Recalled

The Liberian government has formally requested that the European Union recall its Head of Delegation to Monrovia, Ambassador Nona Deprez, following allegations she made a series of derogatory and misleading statements about the country’s leadership and governance.

In a diplomatic note dated March 6, 2026, addressed to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs KajaKallas, Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stopped short of declaring Ambassador Deprez persona non grata but urged the bloc to replace her “without delay.”

The letter, signed by the Acting Foreign Minister, cited multiple instances where Ambassador Deprez allegedly made critical remarks to Liberian officials, investment partners, and stakeholders, including during the Liberia-EU Business Forum held from February 24–25, 2026.

According to the complaint, the ambassador reportedly told a prominent investor that Liberia’s Vice President is “personally discharging responsibilities that are not under his remit” and that he is “in control of the mining and energy sectors” alongside the new Minister of Mines and Energy.

The letter further accused Ambassador Deprez of asserting that the Liberian presidency lacks transparency, claiming that the president’s annual message did not list all energy projects of the Liberia Electricity Corporation. Liberian officials said they explained that the annual message is not intended to be an exhaustive project list, but the ambassador allegedly continued to repeat the claim, portraying the government as opaque.

“Remarks of this nature, particularly when made to private investors and external stakeholders, are creating inaccurate perceptions about the governance of the Liberian State and may adversely affect investor confidence and the country’s international image,” the note stated.

The government also alleged that Ambassador Deprez told a Liberian official that the Liberia-EU Business Forum would be the “first and last of its kind”,  a comment Liberia described as inconsistent with the EU’s stated view that the event was successful and that future iterations are planned in Monrovia.

While acknowledging that the ambassador’s conduct “could warrant her declaration as persona non grata,” Liberia said it opted against that action in order to preserve the longstanding and cordial relations between the two partners.

Instead, the Ministry formally requested that Ambassador Deprez be recalled for immediate consultations, that she refrain from further verbal or written engagements with Liberian authorities or investors, and that a replacement be named without delay.

“Such a step would allow both sides to preserve the spirit of mutual respect that has long defined our relations,” the letter concluded.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) and Ambassador Deprez’s office had not issued an immediate public response at the time of publication.