Liberia Bars Foreign Travel For Officials For 60 Days

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf AFP

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has ordered a 60-day moratorium on all foreign travel by government officials, effective from the beginning of February. 

BBC News report continues:

A statement issued on Saturday said those affected by the moratorium included the heads of all ministries, agencies and commissions along with their deputies and assistants.

"Exceptions will only be granted by the president herself following a one-on-one meeting with the official requesting to travel and if it is determined that such travel is of utmost imperative in the national interest," the statement said.

The statement gave no reason for the move, but correspondents say Liberia's foreign currency reserves have become severely depleted, partly because of falling prices for the country's commodity exports. 

The government statement said the Central Bank of Liberia had been mandated to review an "alarming situation of capital flight" and "strengthen its regulatory measures so as to curb the illicit repatriation of foreign currency".