–Leaked Letter Reveals Government Considered Deprez Persona Non Grata
MONROVIA, Liberia – A leaked diplomatic communication purportedly sent by Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the European Union has exposed what appears to have been a serious behind-the-scenes dispute between the Government of Liberia and the European Union’s Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez, including discussions that could have resulted in her being declared persona non grata and expelled from the country.
The letter, dated March 6, 2026, and addressed to Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, alleges that Ambassador Deprez made a series of derogatory comments about Liberia’s leadership and governance, remarks the government claimed undermined investor confidence and misrepresented the country’s political institutions.
The document, which surfaced publicly this week and bears the signature of then Acting Foreign Minister Ethel Davis, reveals the extent of tensions that may have existed between Monrovia and Brussels despite publicly cordial relations between Liberia and one of its most important international partners.
Government Sought Diplomatic Intervention
According to the leaked communication, Liberia formally requested that the European Union recall Ambassador Deprez for consultations and replace her as Head of Delegation in Monrovia.
The letter states that the government’s concerns stemmed from reports received through multiple channels alleging that the EU envoy had made statements critical of senior Liberian officials during meetings with government representatives, investors, and external stakeholders.
Among the allegations contained in the communication is a claim that Ambassador Deprez suggested that Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung was exercising authority beyond the constitutional scope of his office and was personally directing matters relating to Liberia’s mining and energy sectors.
The government described those alleged comments as inaccurate and harmful to the reputation of state institutions.
The communication further alleges that the ambassador repeated similar assertions to prospective investors during engagements connected to the Liberia-European Union Business Forum held in Brussels in February 2026.
Government officials reportedly viewed those statements as particularly damaging because they occurred at a time when Liberia was actively courting foreign investment under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
Presidency Allegedly Targeted
Perhaps the most sensitive allegation contained in the leaked letter concerns remarks attributed to Ambassador Deprez regarding the Presidency itself.
According to the document, the ambassador allegedly told investors and government officials that the Boakai administration lacked transparency because the President’s Annual Message did not include all ongoing energy projects being implemented by the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).
The Ministry strongly rejected that assertion, arguing that presidential annual addresses traditionally provide broad policy direction and are not intended to list every government project or achievement.
The letter describes the alleged comments as both inaccurate and insulting to the Presidency.
“It presents a picture of lack of transparency which is very wrong but also insulting to the Presidency,” the communication states.
Questions Raised About EU-Liberia Business Forum
The leaked document also references comments allegedly made by Ambassador Deprez concerning the future of the Liberia-EU Business Forum.
According to the letter, the EU envoy reportedly suggested that the Brussels forum would be the “first and last” of its kind.
Liberian authorities interpreted the alleged remark as inconsistent with the message delivered by other European Union officials who publicly praised the event and expressed support for expanding future investment engagements with Liberia.
The Liberia-EU Business Forum, held on February 24-25, 2026, was one of the largest investment promotion events organized by the Boakai administration since taking office.
The forum brought together European investors, development institutions, business leaders, and Liberian government officials to explore investment opportunities in mining, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, sanitation, and manufacturing.
Government officials had touted the event as a major success capable of unlocking more than a billion euros in potential investment commitments and strengthening economic cooperation between Liberia and the European Union.
Persona Non Grata Option Considered
The most explosive revelation in the leaked communication is the government’s admission that Ambassador Deprez’s alleged conduct could have justified declaring her persona non grata.
Under international diplomatic practice, a declaration of persona non grata is among the most severe actions a host government can take against a foreign diplomat, effectively requiring the diplomat’s removal from the country.
“The Government of Liberia notes that the conduct of Ambassador Deprez is of such a nature that it could warrant her declaration as persona non grata,” the letter states.
However, the communication says the government ultimately decided against pursuing that option because of its desire to preserve Liberia’s longstanding and productive relationship with the European Union.
Instead, Monrovia reportedly requested that Brussels recall the ambassador for consultations and appoint a replacement.
The government also requested that Ambassador Deprez refrain from further verbal or written engagements with Liberian officials and investors pending action by the European Union.
A Strategic Partnership Under Scrutiny
The revelations come at a sensitive moment in Liberia’s relationship with the European Union.
The EU remains one of Liberia’s largest development partners, providing significant support for governance reforms, infrastructure development, education, health, agriculture, energy, climate resilience, and private-sector growth.
The bloc has also been a major supporter of Liberia’s post-war reconstruction and democratic consolidation efforts.
Despite the apparent tensions reflected in the leaked letter, both Liberia and the European Union have continued to publicly emphasize the strength of their partnership throughout 2026.
The emergence of the document, however, raises new questions about whether deeper diplomatic disagreements existed behind closed doors.
Authenticity Yet to Be Officially Confirmed
As of press time, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the European Union Delegation to Liberia had publicly confirmed or denied the authenticity of the leaked communication.
Likewise, Ambassador Deprez has not publicly commented on the allegations attributed to her in the document.
If verified, the letter would represent one of the most extraordinary diplomatic disputes between Liberia and the European Union in recent years and could trigger renewed discussion about diplomatic conduct, investor relations, and the management of Liberia’s international partnerships.
For now, the leaked communication has opened an unexpected window into the often-private world of diplomacy, exposing what appears to have been a high-stakes confrontation between Monrovia and one of its most influential international partners.
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