As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East following the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, a Liberian student studying in India has issued an urgent plea to the Liberian government to evacuate Liberian students currently residing in the two warring nations.
In an open letter addressed to Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, J. Benedict S. Paye, Jr., a second-year graduate student at Sharda University in Uttar Pradesh, India, called on the government to act swiftly and prioritize the safety of its citizens abroad, particularly students caught in the crossfire.
“I write to bring to your attention the situation (war) that is currently unfolding between Israel and Iran, which has caught the attention of the New World Order in contemporary global politics,” Paye stated in his letter. “This situation should worry all of us, especially because of our citizens who have gone to these two countries to study.”
Paye, who is pursuing an MSc in Food Science and Technology, warned that any delay in evacuating Liberian nationals from Israel and Iran could prove catastrophic if the conflict further escalates.
“I am of the strongest belief that we have a multitude of Liberian students studying in these two countries,” he added. “We do not see the war between these two countries stopping anytime soon. Therefore, we cannot risk our citizens in Israel or in Iran. They MUST leave with immediate effect.”
The heartfelt letter, which has begun to gain traction among Liberian diaspora circles, urges Minister Nyanti, who also serves as the Dean of President Joseph Boakai’s Cabinet, to convene an emergency cabinet meeting to address the emerging crisis and formulate a response strategy, including repatriation efforts.
“You being the Dean of President Boakai’s cabinet, I want to join other well-meaning Liberians in calling for an emergency cabinet meeting on this matter—after which our students’ situations in these two countries can be amicably resolved and in time,” he stressed.
Citing the devastating human cost of war, Paye appealed to the Liberian government to act out of moral and humanitarian obligation, noting that the potential consequences of inaction could be dire.
“Sadly, Madam Minister, you and I know what exactly war entails. War isn’t good—and will never and ever be good to the existence of mankind until Jesus Christ comes,” he wrote. “We must muster the courage to quickly get our students from these two countries before it’s too late for us.”
Paye, who is also a Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute graduate, further called on Liberia to take a diplomatic stance in supporting a peaceful resolution between Israel and Iran, highlighting the unnecessary loss of life and property due to the ongoing violence.
“We are calling for total PEACE amongst the two nations. Seeing women and children—coupled with men—losing their lives and properties to the senseless war between Israel and Iran is unthinkable,” he lamented. “Our ordinary people are dying for no justifiable reason. We are calling for an immediate CEASEFIRE between Israel and Iran.”
The Liberian student ended his letter with a passionate reminder of the government’s duty to its people and a hopeful note of patriotism: “Thank you in advance for your support and prompt response in this regard, Madam Minister. Liberia First… Liberia Last!”
At the time of publication, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not yet issued a public response. However, government officials have in the past initiated evacuations for Liberians abroad in times of crisis, including during the outbreak of COVID-19 and the Sudan conflict.With global leaders warning of a potential escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict and travel advisories being issued by multiple countries, the call for swift action from Liberia may soon take on even greater urgency.
