Published: May 2, 2025
Monrovia – Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti on Tuesday, April 29, received in audience Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland, ambassador-designate of the Republic of Barbados to Liberia, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Capitol Hill in Monrovia.
The meeting marked a significant milestone in the diplomatic accreditation process, as Bynoe-Sutherland presented copies of her letters of credence to Minister Nyanti, formally initiating her diplomatic assignment in Liberia.
“This moment represents more than formality; it is a reaffirmation of the historic and enduring relationship between Liberia and Barbados,” Nyanti said.
She emphasized that the two nations share a long-standing connection rooted in the African diaspora, cultural exchange, and mutual aspirations for growth and cooperation.
Liberia and Barbados enjoy a relationship steeped in history, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. This bond is particularly evident in the migratory and ideological exchanges during the Back-to-Africa movements, when free Black people from the Caribbean, including Barbados, migrated to Liberia.
Nyanti said these early Barbadian settlers brought with them skills, education, and faith that contributed significantly to the development of Liberia’s governance, legal systems, media and educational institutions.
Highlighting this shared history, she noted, “On May 10, 2025, Liberia will commemorate 160 years since the arrival of the Brig Cora, which brought 346 Barbadian families who settled in Crozierville and became foundational to Liberia’s national identity and institutional development.”
Both countries also share strong religious and cultural influences, particularly through Protestant Christianity, including Methodism, which shaped early educational and spiritual life in Liberia, often modeled after Caribbean institutions.
The meeting between Nyanti and Bynoe-Sutherland signified a renewed commitment to enhancing bilateral ties, with both sides expressing optimism for expanded cooperation in areas such as trade, education, culture and diplomacy.
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