Foreign Minister, Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has showered praises on two distinguished outgoing Ambassadors accredited to Liberia from South Africa and La Côte d'Ivoire for their remarkable and outstanding roles played in cementing the existing relationship between their countries and the Republic of Liberia.

Minister Ngafuan made the assertion on Friday, June 26, 2015, at a farewell reception held in honor of H.E. Masilo Esau Mabeta and H.E. Kapieletins Soro’s of South Africa and La Côte d'Ivoire respectively.

Speaking at the program, Foreign Minister Ngafuan expressed deep gratitude and appreciation to the two Ambassadors for the cordial relations, and for working to expand the cooperation between their countries and Liberia.

He said the ties between Liberia and South Africa, and La Côte d'Ivoire have grown even stronger especially during the tenure of the two outgoing Ambassadors.

While thanking the South African Ambassador for his instrumentality in ensuring that South African visas are issued here in Monrovia, the Foreign Minister stated.

“We are going to miss him, because he came with special thoughts in his own ways to achieve his goals, not only me but many government officials and the ministries can attest to that; he knows all the villages, towns, counties across Liberia”. So thank you very much for what you have done”.  Minister Ngafuan told Ambassador Masilo Esau Mabeta of South Africa with excitement.

While biding the two envoys farewell on behalf of Her Excellency President Ellen Jobson Sirleaf, the Minister noted, “I like to thank the both of you for serving your countries well, and by serving your countries well, you served Liberia well; by serving Liberia well, you served the continent well also, and by serving the continent well, you have served mankind well, May God bless you in your endeavor".

The Foreign Minister also paid special homage to Ambassador Mabeta’s wife, adding that “she has been an integral part of all your success, so we are going to miss her too”.

He said under Ambassador Mabeta’s tenure here, the relations between Liberian and South Africa, has grown to a new level, especially with the issuance of South African visas here in Liberia which he noted may have reduced the financial burden on the Liberian people.

Also hailing the cordial relationship between Liberia and La Côte d'Ivoire, the Foreign Minister recounted Ambassador Kapieletins Soro excellent role in commenting the ties of cordiality between Liberia and La Côte d'Ivoire.

He added that Ambassador Soro has worked closely with Liberia in solving most of the growing challenges, especially the cross border crisis between both nations which he said was addressed through the Quadripartite frameworks, which led to the holding of several meetings between the two sisterly countries and brought together their two Heads of State and Government along with the two UN Mission in both countries.

He stated that due to the mutual cooperation and commitment of the outgoing Ivorian Ambassador to Liberia, some of the obstacles facing the two nation’s relationship were brought to a peaceful settlement, which helps to avoid potential crisis in the region.  He stressed that while the border crisis was at the state of escalating, the two countries’ Presidents and their Foreign Ministers had to work very hard at improving the security situation along their common borders.

Making brief response, the Ivoirian Ambassador accredited to Liberia thanked the Ministry and its officials who turned out to grace what he called special occasion. He commended the Minister and his Ministry for the support.

He specifically thanked Minister Ngafuan for the personal and official assistance his Ministry rendered him while he was on his tour of duty in Liberia.

He also hailed the hospitality of the Liberian government and people for the manner in which his country’s refugee’s issues was managed.

According to him, the way his fellow companions were accorded decent treatment as refugees here represents the Liberian Government’s respect for human dignity.

The Ambassador expressed happiness and satisfaction over the situation along the Liberia Ivorian border, but expressed confidence that the joint corporation between Liberia and Ivory Coast will be updated to meet their commitment and address some of the current challenges.

He expressed gratitude to Minister Ngafuan and his officials at the Foreign Ministry for the level of support given him while serving as Ambassador here and for some of his immediate problem faced in Liberia. Also making remarks at the occasion, the South African Ambassador Mabeta thanked the Liberian Government specifically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the reception accorded them here and for the mutual cooperation between Liberia and his country which he hoped would be expanded in the years ahead.