Liberian Government Violates Belgian Diplomatic Protocol with Unlawful Appointment of Deputy Chief of Mission in Brussels

Michael T
1 day ago
2 min read

IN PHOTO: From R-L, Prince Maxwell, IB Nyei on official duty the Liberian Embassy In Brussels — Prince C. Maxwell on Far right in Pictures 1 & 2

Brussels, Belgium – Serious diplomatic concerns have emerged following the reported assumption of duties by Mr. Prince Chea Maxwell as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Liberian Embassy in Brussels, without official accreditation from the Belgian government, a clear violation of Belgian diplomatic and immigration protocol.

According to the Belgian Protocol Guide, “Diplomatic agents must await the Protocol Department’s official approval before taking up duties. Working in any diplomatic capacity prior to this approval is not allowed”1. The Guide further specifies that the sending state must notify the Protocol Directorate of the appointment by a formal note, and that diplomatic relations and privileges only begin after accreditation is granted1. In this case, Mr. Maxwell is reported to have commenced active duties without a valid diplomatic visa (Type D) or formal clearance from the Belgian Protocol Department.

Complicating matters, Mr. Maxwell is said to be a permanent resident of Belgium and married to a foreign national. Both circumstances contravene Liberia’s own Foreign Service Manual, which states, “No person married to an alien should be appointed as foreign service officers”13. Additionally, the Belgian Protocol Guide stipulates that diplomatic staff should, in principle, have only the nationality of the sending state, and that persons registered as residents in Belgium are not entitled to diplomatic privileges unless they are officially exempted from the population register and properly accredited1.

Diplomatic sources within Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking under condition of anonymity, warned that allowing a diplomat to begin official work without accreditation constitutes a breach of both Belgian protocol and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961). Article 13 of the Convention clearly states: “The functions of a diplomatic agent begin only when his credentials have been presented to and accepted by the receiving State”2 15. Article 8 further provides that members of the diplomatic staff should, in principle, be of the nationality of the sending State and not the receiving State, except with explicit consent2.

Belgium may perceive the premature assumption of office as a disregard for its sovereignty, a breach of international diplomatic standards, and could have broader implications such as delays in future accreditations or formal complaints lodged through diplomatic channels1 2.

A prominent member of the United Liberia Association in Belgium confirmed that Mr. Maxwell recently participated in a meeting with the association’s leadership. Following this, the individual contacted Belgian Protocol officials to verify Mr. Maxwell’s accreditation status. The response indicated that he had not yet been formally approved to assume his role.

An official photograph featuring Mr. Maxwell has also been posted on the Liberian Embassy’s website, further reinforcing concerns that he has taken on diplomatic responsibilities prematurely. The Government of Liberia has yet to publicly address these violations. Observers and members of the Liberian diaspora in Belgium are calling for immediate clarification and adherence to international diplomatic norms.

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