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Claim: “Liberia has 33 funded embassies and Foreign Missions plus several consulates, while Barbados has just 15.” —Martin Kollie
Verdict: False. Liberia does not fund 33 embassies or foreign missions as claimed. The 2025 National Budget accounts for 25 embassies, four consulates, and one permanent mission, totalling 30 foreign missions, not 33.
Full Text
Prominent Liberian activist Martin Kollie posted on his official Facebook page, alleging that the Liberian government is currently funding 33 embassies and foreign missions, plus additional consulates.
Kollie’s statement was critical, comparing Liberia’s diplomatic expenditures with those of Barbados, which he claimed maintained only 15 foreign missions.
Kollie’s assertion triggered discussions on whether Liberia’s foreign service spending was excessive, and whether the claimed number was accurate.
Verification
Understanding Diplomatic Terms.
- Embassy: The primary diplomatic representation of a country in another nation’s capital is headed by an ambassador.
- Consulate: A branch of an embassy or independent mission usually located in non-capital cities, focusing on citizen services, visas, and trade.
- Permanent Mission: A diplomatic mission to a multilateral organisation (e.g., the United Nations).
What the Budget Says:
A review of the 2025 Approved National Budget, specifically pages 39–40, which details allocations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shows the following:
- Embassies funded: 25
- Consulates funded: 4
- Permanent Missions: 1 (to the United Nations)
- Total Foreign Missions: 30
This figure contradicts Kollie’s claim of the 33 funded embassies and missions. No other documents in the budget support the existence of three additional embassies or funded missions.
While Kollie later claimed that “33 embassies/missions overseas are underfunded,” the budget does not indicate whether such a number is maintained or funded, partially or fully. All the line items in the budget are traceable and itemised, leaving no ambiguity.
Conclusion
The Liberian government’s claim that it currently funds 33 embassies and foreign missions is false. Based on the 2025 national budget, only 30 diplomatic missions are listed as supported: 25 embassies, four consulates, and one permanent mission.
