The European Federation of Liberian Associations (EFLA) has expressed concerns over the Boakai-Koung administration's approach to diaspora engagement, specifically criticizing the annual diaspora conference for being heavily focused on Liberians in the United States. EFLA President Francis M. Mensah stated that the organization was taking exception to the manner in which the government has organized its annual diaspora conferences. The conferences, which have been held in the United States since 2025, have been accused of excluding communities in Europe.
EFLA, which describes itself as the umbrella organization for Liberian associations across Europe, had expected the conference to bring together Liberians from across the world to discuss issues affecting the diaspora and Liberia. However, the organization alleged that the conferences have become heavily U.S.-focused, with senior government officials and their associates traveling to Washington, D.C., at government expense. This has resulted in Europe not being represented at this year's conference, undermining the stated objective of creating a global platform for Liberians abroad.
The concerns raised by EFLA predate the current administration, with the organization 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 range from consular challenges in the Nordic countries to the limited participation of European-based Liberians in government-sponsored diaspora initiatives. EFLA also pointed to the financial contribution of Liberians in Europe through remittances and businesses in Liberia.
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.
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. However, EFLA argues that the geographic concentration of the initiative contradicts its stated global character.
EFLA has declared that it would no longer participate in what it characterizes as poorly organized diaspora activities conducted by government functionaries. The group also warned that it could seek engagement with European institutions over what it describes as the Liberian government's failure to include Liberians residing in the European Union in its diaspora activities. EFLA stressed that no segment of the Liberian diaspora should be treated as more important than another.
EFLA said it has been involved in advocacy and humanitarian initiatives benefiting both Liberians in Europe and communities in Liberia. The organization 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. EFLA remains committed to contributing to Liberia's development but wants the government to recognize the European diaspora as an equal partner.
Key points
- EFLA criticizes the Boakai-Koung administration's diaspora conference for being heavily focused on Liberians in the United States.
- The organization argues that the conferences have excluded communities in Europe, undermining the stated objective of creating a global platform for Liberians abroad.
- EFLA warns that it could seek engagement with European institutions over the Liberian government's failure to include Liberians residing in the European Union in its diaspora activities.
