-Family Calls for President Boakai’s Intervention
The family of Julian Jarkloh, a nephew to a Liberian Journalist Bill Jarkloh and son to Prof. J. Nyenetu Jarkloh in the United States, is calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affair to act with urgency to remove the Liberian from war ravage Ukraine. The Jarkloh family, calling on President Joseph N. Boakai to move the foreign Ministry from abandoning this Liberian son, accused the Foreign Ministry of refusing to pay attention to requests by the father and the uncle to remove Julian from Ukraine to Safety.
The foreign missions of Liberia to Germany and France have been contacted already, but the leaders of these missions said they cannot act on the request unless the Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorizes them to do so, while all efforts being applied here in Monrovia by Uncle and father of Julian have fallen on deaf ear.
In Monrovia, a family said they have written communications to the Offices of the Minister of Foreign Affair, Madam Sara Beslow Nyanti, and the Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs for the removal of Julian from Ukraine, but these offices have remained silent up to date, apparently showing neglect of the plight of Julian Jarkloh.
Prof, wrote that as a concerned parent seeking emergency assistance to remove my son, Julian Jarkloh, from Ukraine, is bringing this matter to public attention due to time constraints and bureaucratic delays by the Liberian government. “Urgent humanitarian assistance is required through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said.
The father of Julian said he sought refuge in Ukraine along with his family during the Liberian civil war. “I departed from Ukraine a few years prior to its conflict with Russia. Although I was granted parole for my wife to join me in the United States, Ukrainian authorities denied my son’s departure, repeatedly threatening him with mandatory military service. This caused significant distress to my wife, ultimately leading to sleep deprivation, an accidental overdose on sleeping pills, a stroke, five days in a coma, and her passing on October 21, 2024. My son right now has no other relatives in Ukraine to be with.
“I contacted the Liberian embassy in Germany for emergency help to get my son out of Ukraine. I wrote to Ambassador Telewoda and exchanged emails with Minister Counselor Allen. He responded, suggesting I direct my request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia. This was very frustrating for me.
“I contacted the Liberian Embassy in France for emergency assistance. Ambassador Dr. Teeko T. Yorlay, Sr., and Minister Counselor Mr. Francis Grant were helpful and empathetic. They reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on my behalf and forwarded my communications, including my son’s Liberian passport, birth certificate, current address, and other emergency contact details in Ukraine. However, the Ministry has not yet taken any positive action to resolve this issue.
“The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as every moment counts in ensuring the safety and well-being of my son. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must act swiftly and efficiently to navigate the bureaucratic hurdles that have hindered this process. The media’s involvement is crucial in shedding light on this issue and exerting pressure on the authorities to take decisive action.
I shall forward to you the email communications I have exchanged with the Liberian embassies in Germany and France, as well as with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia,” Prof. Jarkloh said in a letter circulated in the media.
Julian resides in Odessa, and he informs his father that the Ukrainian Government has stepped up efforts to conscript him into the Ukrainian fighting forces. He is appealing to the government of Liberia to rescue him from this precarious situation he is faced with.
Nyenetu Jarkloh is an academic with over 20 years of professional experience, currently an Associate Professor in Mathematics at American David Livingstone University of Florida.
He is also a candidate for an MBA in Diplomatic & Strategic Studies, and a Vice Commodore at the African Yachting Association. His professional experience includes work in Africa, Europe, the United States, and emerging economies. He has a B.Sc., M.Sc., and is currently pursuing an MBA.