The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has officially revoked 701 unreturned diplomatic and service passports, citing non-compliance with earlier directives to return such documents.
In a statement dated May 6, the Ministry announced that “Diplomatic and Service passports issued to the underlisted category of persons have been CANCELLED and are Not Valid for International Travel.”
The affected individuals include former government officials, traditional leaders, religious figures, and others no longer serving in official state roles.
The directive comes in the wake of previous announcements on January 15 and March 10, 2025, ordering the return of official passports held by individuals no longer entitled to them under the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155).
According to the Ministry, “407 holders of Diplomatic and 403 Service Passports” complied with the recall directive by returning their documents as of May 6, 2025. However, due to the failure of others to do so, the Ministry has now invalidated “341 unreturned Diplomatic and 360 Service Passports,” all of which have been “placed on the Stop-List” and are subject to confiscation if used for travel.
The Ministry emphasized that the cancellations were carried out “on the instructions of the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs” and affect a broad range of former public officeholders and associated individuals, including “former ministers and their spouses, ex-Members of Parliament, retired justices, former MMDCEs, non-career ambassadors, and officials of the National Cathedral Project,” among others.
The statement serves as a final warning that any attempt to use the revoked passports will result in confiscation and potential legal consequences.
