ShareSaveCommentBETAThis is a BETA experience. opt-out hereInnovationSustainabilityUnlocking Liberia’s Sustainable Development PotentialBySaleem H. Ali Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Environmental systems scientist at the University of Delaware ShareSaveCommentBillboards for donor-driven sustainable development projects are ubiquitous in Liberia's capital .. The “Americo-Liberians” developed their own ruling elite class in comparison with the local population that saw them as culturally removed and this tension simmered for generations Liberia’s alliance with the United States and the West was amply rewarded with investment and Monrovia became a garden capital of West Africa with excellent infrastructure this calm will only hold if the population sees the dividends of democracy in terms of long-term sustainable development The country has immense potential in terms of its minerals timber and opportunities to rekindle the flame of tourism through revitalization of infrastructure which was the pride of the region in the 1960s During my conversations with the mining ministry I also learned of concerns that exploration licenses were being used to start initial operations without proper operational licensing in remote parts of the country The United States has an opportunity to strike more responsible minerals deals with Liberia particularly around critical mineral deposits which are naturally washed through alluvial sands that reach the Atlantic coast entirely through Guinea’s mountainous region There may still be an opportunity for the United States the United Kingdom and Australia to negotiate some regional transit support through Liberia for mutual gain of both countries the world needs to pay more attention this resilient country as a beacon of Africa development potential NIC Chairman Jeff Blibo “has literally lied to the President based on the minutes from the meeting that a unanimous decision by the IMCC was rendered,” a senior Executive Mansion advisor told the Daily Observer A major controversy has erupted within Liberia’s National Investment Commission (NIC) after its Chairman reportedly acted outside of his authority in a decision that appeared to contravene President Joseph N Boakai’s executive directives on the future management of Liberia’s critical railway infrastructure Multiple government sources confirmed to the Daily Observer that Blibo’s actions taken without the full knowledge or consent of key cabinet ministers have triggered swift corrective measures from the Executive Mansion At the heart of the controversy are letters reportedly dispatched by Blibo to ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) and Ivanhoe Atlantic informing the companies that the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC) had “unanimously decided” to grant AML continued operational control over the Yekepa-to-Buchanan railway for an additional 25 years This issue of transitioning to an independent operator model for Liberia’s rails has been at the forefront of ongoing negotiations between the GOL and the two mining companies The communication is said to have stunned policymakers including officials at the Ministry of State who were not aware given that President Boakai had publicly and repeatedly declared that the railway would transition to an independent operator model at the end of AML’s current Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) in 2030 There are also reports that the letters from Blibo stunned officials within the United States Embassy that only just last week circulated the US State Department’s public endorsement of President Boakai’s position for a multi-user rail system under an independent operator overseen by The National Rail Authority who has positioned rail independence as a cornerstone of Liberia’s economic future was reportedly neither informed of nor consulted on Blibo’s action beforehand Reliable sources within the corridors of the Executive Mansion revealed to the Observer that President Boakai promptly ordered Chairman Blibo to rescind the letters sent to the companies and has summoned an emergency meeting of the full IMCC for Tuesday over which he himself will preside and not the NIC Chairman has reviewed Blibo’s letters as well as the official minutes of the April 30 meeting where the so-called decision was reportedly made reflecting who actually attended the meeting the meeting was not attended by several statutory Ministers of the IMCC including the sector Minister of Mines and Energy and Minister of Finance — three departments essential to the negotiating of any mining related concession agreement Yet Blibo told the Executive Mansion and communicated externally that the IMCC made a consequential decision unanimously was out of the country at the time attending the World Bank Spring Meetings and other official engagements and sources at the Ministry of Finance confirmed he was completely unaware of any such decision having been made or had not even seen the letters before they were sent to the Companies the Minister of Justice who was also out of the Country informed the Observer when contacted that he also had no knowledge of the decision nor any communication that went out on it and would look into it The absence of these key ministers who were only represented by their proxies and technical staff raises fundamental questions about the legitimacy of the purported decision especially if the Ministers were unaware or did not give any specific instructions on the matter Interviews conducted by the Observer with senior government officials including the Minister of Mines and Energy confirmed that they neither attended the April 30 meeting nor delegated authority to junior staff to make such consequential policy determinations According to sources and the attendees as reflected in the meeting minutes from the NIC seen by the Observer Chairman Blibo relied mainly on the presence of deputies and lower-level representatives to claim a “unanimous decision,” and then unilaterally communicated that to the Companies without the knowledge of the President even though Liberia’s laws and concession negotiation practices stipulate that only principal ministers or their expressly designated deputies can engage in final concession deliberations of this magnitude “Blibo has literally lied to the President based on the minutes from the meeting that a unanimous decision by the IMCC was rendered,” said a senior Executive Mansion advisor with knowledge of the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter The President’s directive that Liberia’s rail infrastructure transition to a multiuser independently managed system under the oversight of the newly created National Rail Authority was codified through Executive Order No The policy shift is a strategic move intended to ensure open and non-discriminatory access to the railway system for all eligible mining companies a U.S.-backed company poised to invest significantly in Liberia’s infrastructure development through its Liberty Corridor project The strong US support for President Boakai’s desire for a multiuser system with an independent operator is consistent with US current policy on major rail infrastructure projects such as the Lobito Corridor which connects Angola DRC and Zambia and is benefiting from billions in US investment Both the Biden and now the Trump Administration have supported that project The US reportedly sees a Corridor between Liberia and Guinea that reportedly has over 11 billion tons of iron ore as strategic to the US Critical Minerals Supply Chain Government has publicly expressed support for Liberia’s multiuser rail policy viewing it as critical to fair competition and regional economic development especially at a time when the United States is working to gain advantage against China in the race for access to rare earth minerals and other resources the miscommunication — or deliberate overreach — by the NIC chairman raised concerns not only within Liberia’s executive leadership but also among Liberia’s development partners It is understood that the President’s forthcoming IMCC emergency meeting will seek to fully clarify the Government’s consistent position and reassert Liberia’s commitment to open infrastructure access and investor confidence Government insiders emphasized to the Observer that the IMCC is a recommending body whose decisions are subject to presidential approval before being communicated to third parties “The role of the NIC and the IMCC is to negotiate and recommend,” explained one advisor “Only the President can approve or change national concession policies.” sources close to the situation indicate that corrective measures are underway to reassure all concessionaires and stakeholders that the Liberian Government remains firmly committed to the principles of good governance and fair play outlined in Executive Order No It is expected that following the President’s emergency IMCC meeting a new communication will be sent to all concerned parties reaffirming the Government’s multiuser policy and clarifying the process for Liberia’s future rail management system The rail corridor connecting Yekepa to the Port of Buchanan remains one of Liberia’s most vital national assets How it is managed in the coming years will significantly shape Liberia’s mining sector “President Boakai’s swift intervention signals that Liberia intends to stay the course — building a more inclusive and investment-friendly rail infrastructure for the future.” Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: the secretary-general of the Civil Society Human Rights Platform of Liberia demanded the establishment of a war crimes court Liberia’s quest to bring closure for victims of civil war atrocities We call for government and international support to ensure the establishment of the court Throughout the two civil wars from from 1989-96 and 1999-2003 Liberia was confronted with regular and extensive international human rights and international humanitarian law violations and forced conscription and use of child combatants” Bank of England granted political independence Chinese Exclusion Act barred Chinese laborers from US Summary: Environmental scientist Isaac Nyaneyon Kannah advocates urgent climate action in Liberia and grassroots involvement to combat climate change and advance environmental policies Isaac Nyaneyon Kannah has emphasized the urgency of climate action in Liberia stressing the need for national commitment Speaking during a media engagement with the Daily Observer over the weekend outlined both his professional journey and his vision for Liberia’s environmental future “My academic background is rooted in the geosciences,” he began recounting how his curiosity about Liberia’s natural features With over a decade of experience in climate change and forestry Kannah has provided critical technical support to both the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) he has worked with several development partners notably serving over five years with the Norwegian-funded World Bank project “Although I am not formally employed by the EPA particularly those tied to climate governance and environmental policy,” he noted Kannah praised the current EPA Executive Director for advancing Liberia’s climate agenda where Liberia’s role in global climate dialogue gained momentum He highlighted initiatives like the West African MRV (Measuring aimed at bolstering Liberia’s capacity to track emissions and comply with climate policies he stressed that technical expertise and passion must be matched with financial commitment “Without adequate funding from national and international sources even the best leadership cannot succeed,” he warned Kannah’s top priorities is drafting Liberia’s first climate change law Liberia lacks a legal framework governing emission reduction would emerge from a multi-tiered governance framework involving EPA Efforts to push this legislation have already begun with legislative consultations in cities like Ganta and Buchanan “Many lawmakers come from non-scientific backgrounds so it's important we simplify the science and explain what’s at stake,” Kannah said He emphasized the importance of community inclusion in climate policy particularly in forest protection and carbon offset programs “If we want local communities to conserve forests they must see direct benefits—whether through carbon finance or other incentives.” Kannah underscored that climate change is no longer an abstract idea “It’s already affecting us—through coastal erosion and declining agricultural productivity,” he warned citing examples from Monrovia’s seasonal floods and rising disease cases during the rainy season he believes that every Liberian can contribute “You don’t need to be a millionaire to act He called on civil society organizations to extend their work beyond urban centers “Climate change is not just a Monrovia issue We need real engagement in those places too.” Kannah likened the climate crisis to a disease Isaac Kannah concluded with a call for a multi-level response stating that Government institutions must commit politically and financially the international community must continue supporting Liberia and Individuals must adopt sustainable practices An official website of the United States government A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website Share sensitive information only on official Emergency Information for American Citizens The 2025 West Africa Logistics Conference (WALC) will be hosted in Liberia for the first time I am thrilled to announce this significant milestone in ongoing efforts to strengthen regional collaboration and logistics capabilities across West Africa The 2025 WALC will focus on enhancing interoperability and resourcing readiness to ensure our collective ability to respond swiftly and effectively to regional challenges Building on the success of the 2024 WALC in Cameroon this upcoming conference will serve as a vital platform for military and civilian leaders to address shared logistics challenges and responding across the spectrum of operations Logistics remains the backbone of all operations and is especially critical in a place as vast as the African continent Key discussions at the event will explore supply chain security with an emphasis on empowering our African partners by strengthening our partnership network Liberia’s selection as cohost underscores its growing role in regional security and its commitment to fostering stability and cooperation I extend my gratitude to our Liberian partners for their dedication in preparing for this landmark event Africa Command looks forward to working closely with the Armed Forces of Liberia and other West African partners to ensure a productive and impactful conference and practical exchanges to share best practices we will strengthen the logistics networks that underpin shared security and humanitarian goals For more information, visit our website, Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact U.S. Africa Command Media Relations at africom-pao-media@mail.mil The 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it's cmplz_ Please call: +231 (0) 77-677-7000 (24 HOURS SERVICE) As Liberia’s Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWEC) celebrates its first year anniversary on 2 May 2025 victims and civil society groups are anxious about what has been achieved and what is the prospect of establishing the actual court members of the Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET) staged a quiet protest at the OWEC The protest action was twofold: to show solidarity to OWEC’s leadership and to question the government’s commitment to the process a former dean of Liberia’s prestigious Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law Much of this has been attributed to funding cannot be simplified in the rise of Donald Trump the dismantling of USAID and the US State Department mechanisms for funding Neither can the limited work done in the first year be attributed to the old trope of post-conflict societies being overwhelmed by competing development priorities The fundamental concern is that President Joseph Boakai’s expressed political commitment for civil war-era accountability is not being matched by adequate budgetary allocation.  Boakai’s desire to establish the court has been criticised by members of the elites Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has vehemently rejected the idea of the court as counterproductive to Liberia’s stability though in the past a supporter of the idea has recently questioned the timing of the court all of them former heads of warring factions have also voiced strong opposition to the court the government’s strategy of modest budgetary allocation in anticipation for foreign assistance is viewed as a ploy to shift blame and to attribute the limited progress as a direct result of donor fatigue The praxis of transitional justice has often informed that the more domestic spending is invested in dealing with the past the more it demonstrates a strong sense of national ownership while foreign assistance signals international validation The European Union has stated emphatically that “they cannot spend money on such a process unless the government is fully behind it.” The EU response to OWEC suggests that the government must go beyond words and provide substantial financial support the US as indicated that they would like to see a process that is “Liberian-led and owned.” Even so a Liberian-led process might still attract little or no funding as the US support is no longer guaranteed.  in the early days of transitional justice in Liberia right after the civil wars ended in 2003,  the hassle for funding was far less a concern compared to now When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act was passed in 2005 Liberia’s annual budget was a measly US$19,117,491 million dollars the Unity Party government under Johnson Sirleaf consistently provided a yearly 1.4 million dollars to the TRC The Government of Liberia contributed more than 50% of its total cost of US$7.5 million when the national budget is US$861.8 million the announced government financial support to OWEC pales in comparison the Unity Party government under Boakai has allocated US$500,000 to OWEC Barbu and his team inherited US$368,000 from the Ministry of Justice without a turnover note explaining how the other portion was used up Report on work done is also not available.  the OWEC has to write to the Ministry of State (MoS) Then the MoS gets to write to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning for the money to be disbursed OWEC is required to write an invoice to the MoS before the funds are eventually made available The new Executive Order contains a new budgetary appropriation of US$2 million dollars to be disbursed directly to OWEC’s account a drastic change from the previous bureaucratic process Since these funds are not allocated in the national budget passed four months ago a supplemental appropriation will have to be made It requires a simple resolution in the House of Representative is viewed more as a concession to international pressure rather than a deliberate strategy Victims and civil society remained suspicious of the Government’s commitment especially in view of the growing elite opposition to OWEC and they received more funding from the national budget in one year than what OWEC is receiving in two years the concern about commitment goes beyond the Presidency the House of Representative endorsed the resolution establishing OWEC by 42 votes out of 73 while the Senate voted 28 out of 30 Both the Senate and the House are critically involved in the budget process where every dime gets to be scrutinised Members of civil society and victims hold two viewpoints on the low commitment towards OWEC the strategy to fund the court was originally conceived through the goodwill of the United Nations and the United States elite consensus against the idea of the court is gaining traction and low funding and complex bureaucracy appear as deliberate measures orchestrated to frustrate the process Talks about the establishment of a war and economic crimes court continue to arouse strong emotions The signatories to the Peace Agreement have stated emphatically you touch all.” This statement was made during the funeral ceremony on 18 January 2025 of senator Prince Johnson who was the head of the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) Senator Nimley has positioned himself as the most vocal anti-OWEC political leader The statement was a threat that in the unlikely event any head/leader of a warring faction or a senior commander is arrested on account for war crimes the risk of the country returning to conflict would be high Barbu was recruited with the guarantee of security protection he recalled that he saw the Emergency Response Unit a special squad of the Liberia National Police (LNP) deployed at this office without his prior knowledge In a meeting with the Inspector General of the LNP a promise of a 15-man security team to be assigned to OWEC and the chief executive was made; this too has not materialised “My family members are worried about my safety,” Barbu lamented.  the work stream can be described in three parts the draft bill on the establishment of the war and economic crimes put together by the Liberia National Bar Association in 2019 is being revised based on reviews by experts The draft bill envisioned the court as being subordinated to the Supreme Court of Liberia With the pervasive practice of political interference in the judiciary have highlighted this subordination as one of the major problems that ought to be addressed the United Nations Rule of Law Team has seconded a lawyer to the OWEC The collaboration is geared towards model selection hybrid or national court would represent the most adequate model for Liberia.  A special court as was done in Sierra Leone is unlikely due to lack of funding and the fact that donors are rethinking that such model is not good value for money are more likely to support a process that is less expensive OWEC is leaning more in the direction of a hybrid or national outfit with a mandate that provides parallel authority to that of the national Supreme Court for the court to be successful an initial assessment of the availability of evidence and local capacity to drive the investigation are considered critical More than thirty-five years after the civil war started the prospects of evidence gathering are increasingly becoming grim the TRC archives relocated to Georgia Tech university in the US might be the silver lining But the archives have not been assessed considering OWEC’s needs.  Local capacity is the next major challenge The Louis Arthur Grimes School of law – the only law school that has produced Liberian lawyers – provides expertise in the practice of procedural law and the constitution without the specialisation to grapple with the complexity of post-war justice and accountability OWEC would need at least 50 Liberian lawyers trained in the rigor of criminal investigation according to a Liberian jurist and an international criminal lawyer I talked to For lawyers to be minimally prepared for this task some accelerated academic programme would have to very quickly be customised to address this gap Liberian law prevents non-Liberian lawyers for practicing in-country A legal dispensation would have to be granted to allow both Liberian and non-Liberian lawyer to collaborate in court.  a strategic communication for OWEC is being developed The purpose is to identify all the strategic stakeholders and audiences and develop the right messages to them with the view of increasing public confidence in the Office One the stakeholder groups that OWEC is formally partnering with is Liberia Massacre and Survivors Association A memorandum of understanding was signed on 14 April 2025 that allows for OWEC and LIMASA to undertake the joint implementation of projects related to victims and survivors of the civil wars Should the prospect of the court be determined to be grim due to limited evidence and low capacity alternative measures of transitional justice as advanced in the TRC Final Report would be considered to offset the idea of the court Liberia’s post-war politics is consolidating the elites’ interest have been served much more than ordinary citizens.’ Even though Liberian politics have radically shifted from minority rule to majority the ground rules of mass accumulation of wealth remain the same the payroll from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning revealed that the Speaker of the House earns US$22,850 and the deputy speaker US$16,075 as monthly salaries Further interviews on salaries uncovered that the vice president of the country earns the same as the Speaker while the president earns US$25,000 monthly Members of the House of representatives earn US$8,000 monthly The Chief Justice earns about the same as the vice president while the four Associate justices earn slightly less Even though the Public Financial Management Law maintains that all income are taxable the judiciary have negotiated that only 50% of their income can be taxed the former Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) indicated that attempts to standardize the tax system like all other ministries commissions and agencies provoked the fury of the judiciary the Trial Judges Association of Liberia threatened to take the CSA to court Their justification for a tax break was they have no other source of income and subjecting their salary to Liberia’s drastic tax system would be tantamount to reducing their pay 50% was agreed to be taxable and the other half without tax This information was corroborated in further interviews with senior officials (past and present) of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning a former Associate justice of the Supreme Court and a senior official at Liberia’s Internal Audit Agency.  the growth in Liberian revenue has served the interest of the elites over urgent development priority when the Liberian GDP grew so much that it was comparable to that of Japan an academic survey critiqued the political economy as “growth without development.” More than sixty years later Liberia’s search for justice appears to be undermined by this elite pattern of privilege and wealth accumulation even though the country has moved away from minority rule to majority Dr Aaron Weah (no relations to former President George Weah) is the director of the Ducor Institute and the co-author of “Impunity Under Attack: Evolution and Imperatives of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission” Weah holds a PhD from the Transitional Justice Institute at Ulster University He’s specialised in memories of political violence and the impact on society He is also teaching negotiation and conflict resolution at Liberia’s Foreign Service Institute Liberia’s Supreme Court affirmed the legitimacy of the Speaker of the House of Representatives This followed months of legislative impasse and political crisis triggered by rival lawmakers’ vote to remove Mr Koffa over alleged budget manipulations overruns and a conflict of interest involving his law firm and government agencies had voted to elect Richard Koon to replace Mr Koffa They alleged that Mr Koffa’s office overspent its approximately $1.5 million allocation by more than $4 million in 2022 and about $3 million in 2023 The situation disrupted legislative business provoking protests and apparently causing fires to be set in the Capitol Building it highlights the country’s struggle to break from one of the direct causes of its 1989-2003 civil war – corruption and impunity – and the need for renewed and sustained anti-corruption efforts Among the key objectives of the 2003 Comprehensive Peace Agreement was combatting corruption and institutionalising good governance These were reinforced by recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and successive post-war governments have – at least officially – made them key components of their governance agenda Key among the several steps taken to achieve these objectives were establishing the Governance Commission in 2007, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission in 2008 and the General Auditing Commission in 2014 the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission Act was amended to grant direct prosecutorial powers to the commission in addition to passing a Whistleblower Act and the Witness Protection Act to facilitate public reporting of corrupt acts the legislature voted to approve President Joseph Boakai’s proposal to set up a War and Economic Crimes Court to prosecute perpetrators of serious abuses committed during the civil war researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories —no paywalls Liberia remains haunted by entrenched corruption consistently ranking close to the bottom of Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index Its score has been less than 40 and has declined since 2013 Institute for Security Studies interviews with several stakeholders point to a culture of political patronage and lack of political will to ensure criminal accountability for corruption Institutional weakness – and often dysfunctionality – is also among the causal factors that have transcended various governments the United States Department of the Treasury sanctioned Liberian government officials Nathaniel McGill Sayma Syrenius Cephus and Bill Twehway for graft Former finance minister Samuel Tweah was also sanctioned in December 2023 alongside two senators and Monrovia’s Mayor None of these cases resulted in prosecutions a situation that has drawn criticism of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission for failing to exercise its prosecutorial powers it reflects the resource and capacity constraints and lack of political and fiscal independence faced by the commission and other anti-corruption institutions particularly the General Auditing Commission Mr Boakai has sought to strike the right tone by promising to fight corruption In February he suspended over 450 government officials including the health and education ministers and high-ranking state institution officials They were accused of undermining ‘national efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability’ by failing to declare assets as required by law the president has been criticised for being selective and politically motivated by suspending certain officials for corrupt acts while leaving others with the same allegations untouched Boakai’s anti-corruption agenda also faces other challenges His appointment of Jonathan Massaquoi to head the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court – the body mandated to prepare the legal grounds for the court’s establishment – sparked controversy over Mr Massaquoi’s previous legal representation of Agnes Taylor wife of convicted former president Charles Taylor READ ALSO: Liberian official sues government for $10 million over unlawful suspension Rooting out corruption and institutionalising good governance remains a vital post-war imperative Doing so requires far more than setting up anti-corruption frameworks Stakeholders must tackle the culture of patronage promote criminal accountability for corrupt acts and remove political and resource impediments to institutional effectiveness also offers a unique opportunity for Liberia to take stock of its good governance and anti-corruption progress and renew its efforts Project Manager for Littoral West African States Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Regional Office for West Africa and the Sahel Research for this article was funded by the Bosch Foundation and the government of Denmark (This article was first published by ISS Today Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility we firmly believe in the importance of high-quality journalism Recognizing that not everyone can afford costly news subscriptions we are dedicated to delivering meticulously researched fact-checked news that remains freely accessible to all Whether you turn to Premium Times for daily updates in-depth investigations into pressing national issues It’s essential to acknowledge that news production incurs expenses and we take pride in never placing our stories behind a prohibitive paywall Would you consider supporting us with a modest contribution on a monthly basis to help maintain our commitment to free TEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999 All content is Copyrighted © 2025 The Premium Times, Nigeria Please enter your username or email address to reset your password All content is Copyrighted © 2025 The Premium Times, Nigeria President Should Step Up Progress on Justice for Grave Crimes (Monrovia) – Liberian President Joseph Boakai should follow through on his commitment to justice and human rights by renewing an executive order key to establishing a war crimes court to address accountability for civil war-era crimes in the country Liberian and international nongovernmental organizations Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform of Liberia “Liberia’s quest to bring closure for victims of civil war atrocities remains a major priority,” said Adama Dempster secretary-general of the Civil Society Human Rights Platform of Liberia “We call for government and international support to ensure the establishment of the court.”  Widespread and systematic violations of international human rights and humanitarian law characterized Liberia’s two brutal armed conflicts and forced conscription and use of child combatants Nobody has faced criminal investigation or prosecution in Liberia for serious crimes committed during the civil wars The only steps toward justice for serious crimes have been cases prosecuted abroad.  Liberia has yet to implement this critical recommendation The May 2024 executive order established an office to “investigate and the process” for the establishment of a war crimes court and a national anti-corruption court (Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia) “President Boakai promised Liberians accountability for wartime atrocities, but for this to become a reality, he needs to renew the executive order,” said Michelle Reyes Milk senior international justice counsel at Human Rights Watch “President Boakai should also work with the legislature to replace the executive order with legislation so the office can work sustainably to develop the framework for establishing the war and economic crimes court.” the Boakai administration took further steps toward setting up the office President Boakai made a public commitment to advance the process during a speech to the UN General Assembly on September 25 Additional steps included the withdrawal of the appointment of the first executive director for the office following strong reservations voiced by victim and civil society groups and the more consultative process involved in the second appointment resulting in the selection of Jallah Barbu as the new executive director President Boakai also wrote to the UN secretary-general requesting assistance in establishing a court However, progress remains limited. In January 2025, the groups wrote to President Boakai calling on the government to take necessary measures towards the establishment of the court The organizations highlighted the need to ensure the office has requisite staffing and budgetary support and called on the office to adopt an action plan or “roadmap,” to advance preparation for the court’s establishment.  The plan should address the model on which the war crimes court will be designed; the composition of the court; a clear procedure for the election and appointment of its officials; a proposed budget; and efforts needed for the adoption of a statute and have clear action points and intended outcomes.  prospects for a war crimes court continue to offer thousands of victims a promise of justice that has long evaded them President Boakai should renew the executive order and ensure sufficient funding is in place so that the necessary work to establish the court can accelerate.  “A comprehensive roadmap that can ensure the office has both the resources and mandate to fulfill its key mission—establishing a sustainable war crimes court—is therefore vital and urgent,” said Hassan Bility executive director of the Global Justice and Research Project “We urge the office to move swiftly in the adoption and implementation of such a plan of action.” Making Justice Accessible to Those Most Affected Get updates on human rights issues from around the globe Human Rights Watch is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 13-2875808 Orange Liberia celebrates ACE cable rerouting milestone future plans for network expansion and data center construction Orange Liberia has officially celebrated the successful completion of the rerouting of the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) fiber optic cable a major infrastructure milestone aimed at strengthening Liberia’s digital connectivity and resilience and Orange Liberia executives to reflect on the accomplishment and underscore the company’s continued investment in Liberia’s digital Jean-Marius Yao praised his technical team and partners for their commitment and professionalism in overcoming a significant infrastructure challenge “We are here to celebrate and appreciate a job well done,” Yao said This rerouting project is not just a technical success — it is a testament to our values of boldness Yao took the opportunity to highlight Orange Liberia’s broader contributions to Liberia’s socioeconomic development presenting key statistics and achievements across various sectors “We are more than just a telecom company,” Yao emphasized Among the company’s key milestones is the growth of its mobile financial service which has now surpassed one million monthly active users Despite entering the mobile money space later than its competitors Orange Liberia has quickly established itself as a formidable player “We are running for leadership in mobile financial services,” Yao said “We launched a 1% cash-out fee campaign last year The company has also rolled out innovative financial services including Liberia’s first mobile money ATM enabling customers to withdraw cash 24/7 using just their mobile phones Since entering the Liberian market in 2016 Orange Liberia has contributed more than US$291 million in taxes and fees making it one of the top three taxpayers in the country “We are a compliant company and among Liberia’s top contributors to the national budget,” said Yao we are number two or three in terms of tax contributions.” Orange Liberia has invested approximately US$250 million in network expansion since 2016 and fiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-office services,” Yao noted “We have completed regulatory due diligence for 5G and are ready to launch once the environment permits.” Orange Liberia’s superior network performance has not gone unnoticed The company has received multiple awards from UCLA an international telecommunications assessment organization recognizing it as Liberia’s best network for mobile speed Discussing the ACE cable rerouting project Yao explained how the newly constructed fiber link between Monrovia and Lugato connects Liberia to six other undersea cables via Côte d'Ivoire enhancing redundancy and minimizing service disruptions this new route ensures that connectivity continues,” Yao said and we are working on a second fiber line to further strengthen our resilience That project should be completed next year.” Orange Liberia has laid 673 kilometers of fiber optic cable and is expanding into Buchanan and other parts of the country To support data management and improve national infrastructure Orange Liberia is constructing a new state-of-the-art data center in Buchanan This facility will complement the existing one in Monrovia and serve as a disaster recovery hub and open platform for other institutions We are open to hosting the data of other companies and institutions,” Yao said and we look forward to its inauguration early next year.” Orange Liberia is also investing in Liberia’s youth through digital education initiatives The company has established several Orange Digital Centers and Digital Center Clubs including at Cuttington University and Tubman University in Harper “These centers offer free access to the latest digital technologies and education for Liberian youth,” said Yao “It’s a way of giving back and preparing the next generation for a digital future.” the company’s philanthropic arm — the Orange Liberia Foundation — continues to support community development through digital schools With a workforce of over 623 employees and indirect employment impacts reaching more than 100,000 Liberians Orange Liberia positions itself as the employer of choice in the country “Our impact goes beyond technology — we are empowering people and communities,” Yao said “Are you happy to work here?” he asked the staff in attendance Chairman of the Board of Directors at Orange Liberia and CEO of the Cable Consortium of Liberia (CCL) the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and CCL for their support in Liberia’s digital development and praised Orange Liberia’s swift and effective response during the recent four-day ACE cable outage “Orange Liberia's investment in the fiber link to Côte d'Ivoire proved to be the country’s digital lifeline,” said Benson “It allowed Liberia to maintain 100% of its international internet traffic during the outage thanks to cross-border cooperation and a culture of boldness “Connectivity is not a luxury — it’s a necessity And Orange Liberia proved its commitment by keeping Liberians connected to opportunities Benson emphasized that Orange Liberia’s actions during the outage reflect the company’s strong commitment to continuity planning we are proving that Liberia’s digital future is not just a dream — it is a reality we build every day,” he concluded Yao expressed gratitude to his entire team and thanked key partners like the CCL and LTA He reaffirmed Orange Liberia’s mission to drive progress in Liberia through infrastructure acting Chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) serving as the keynote speaker at the World Press Freedom Day program in Monrovia The Acting Chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority partners with the Press Union of Liberia to enhance media capacity and promote press freedom emphasizing the crucial role of technology in journalism The Acting Chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has announced plans to partner with the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of the media in Liberia Speaking at the national observance of World Press Freedom Day on Saturday Kamara emphasized the need for collaboration between regulators and the media to ensure that journalists are empowered with the tools and access needed in a rapidly evolving digital age The event held at Monrovia City Hall under the global theme “Sustaining Independent Journalism and Press Freedom,” brought together media practitioners and development partners to reflect on the state of press freedom and journalistic integrity in Liberia Kamara’s pledge to partner with the PUL marks a significant commitment by the country’s telecom regulator to support media development He stated that such a partnership would focus on equipping journalists with the technological and digital skills needed to thrive in the modern media environment “We believe that empowering journalists with digital tools and access to affordable reliable internet is not just an investment in the media it is an investment in Liberia’s democracy,” Kamara said He acknowledged the transformative power of technology in journalism while cautioning that it comes with new challenges to truth Kamara urged media professionals to master digital tools responsibly and ethically “The future of journalism lies not in resisting technology but in mastering it critically and responsibly,” he noted Kamara also disclosed that Liberia has achieved 100% internet coverage through a temporary Star link license issued last year Ongoing discussions with providers aim to make these access sustainable and affordable particularly for journalists and underserved areas Kamara reaffirmed the LTA’s support for legislative efforts to pass a cybercrime bill which includes provisions to protect journalists from digital harassment and the misuse of artificial intelligence we are committed to creating an environment where journalists can perform their duties freely and safely,” he stated praised the growing collaboration between the government and the media but called for greater accountability and technological investment within the sector Liberia’s democratic credentials remain incomplete,” Piah said He urged media institutions to embrace digital transformation and invest in AI and data-driven tools to improve journalistic output He also challenged media owners to actively support the PUL beyond political interests and commit to raising professional standards PUL President Julius Kanubah welcomed the LTA’s partnership offer and emphasized the need for unity among journalists and collective efforts to defend press freedom He stressed the challenges facing the sector including economic pressure and safety threats but also acknowledged the resilience of media professionals across the country Kanubah urged the Boakai administration to address the fallout from the withdrawal of international media funding which has left critical gaps in support for independent journalism “A well-supported and independent media is not a luxury—it is vital to our democracy and national development,” he said He also announced plans to decentralize the Union’s activities and resume the Annual Journalism Awards in September 2025 “The Press Union of Liberia will never die,” Kanubah declared In a stride towards unlocking Liberia's oil potential aiming at economic growth and regional collaboration In a determined stride toward unlocking Liberia’s oil and gas potential the leadership of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) over the weekend concluded a high-level engagement with top Nigerian business leaders and energy executives This mission marks a significant step in building cross-border partnerships that can accelerate investment and innovation in Liberia’s energy sector Described as a moment of history in the making the visit is part of a broader effort to position Liberia as a competitive and attractive destination for upstream investment in West Africa “We are flipping through the pages of possibility and shaping the future of Liberia’s energy landscape,” said Fabian Michael Lai Acting CEO/President of NOCAL during the Abuja engagement “Our mission is clear—putting Liberia first and shifting the dynamics of our oil and gas industry through strategic alliances and sustainable growth.” The discussions focused on infrastructure development Alhaji Amin IIyas Group Executive Chairman/CEO of Transoceanic Energy group Nigeria “Liberia represents one of the final frontiers of untapped hydrocarbon potential in West Africa What we’re witnessing today is visionary leadership from NOCAL and Nigeria is proud to support a sister nation in building capacity and driving energy-led development.” This landmark visit underscores NOCAL’s dedication to transforming Liberia’s energy sector into a pillar of economic growth and regional collaboration Officials of the Armed Forces of Liberia and during a visit by officials of the US Africa Command The 2025 West Africa Logistics Conference (WALC) will be held in Liberia focusing on enhancing regional collaboration for effective logistics strategies and preparedness promoting stability and cooperation across West Africa “I am thrilled to announce this significant milestone in ongoing efforts to strengthen regional collaboration and logistics capabilities across West Africa,” Air Force Brigadier General George “Dutch” Dietrich Dietrich said the 2025 WALC will focus on enhancing interoperability and resourcing readiness to ensure “our collective ability to respond swiftly and effectively to regional challenges.” He further narrated that building on the success of the 2024 WALC in Cameroon this upcoming conference will serve as a vital platform for military and civilian leaders to address shared logistics challenges and respond across the spectrum of operations “Logistics remains the backbone of all operations and is especially critical in a place as vast as the African continent,” Dietrich added “Key discussions at the event will explore supply chain security with an emphasis on empowering our African partners by strengthening our partnership network.” According to the US Air Force Brigadier General Liberia’s selection as co-host underscores its growing role in regional security and its commitment to fostering stability and cooperation “I extend my gratitude to our Liberian partners for their dedication in preparing for this landmark event.”  Africa Command looks forward to working closely with the Armed Forces of Liberia and other West African partners to ensure a productive and impactful conference.” and prosperity across the region,” he concluded Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article About one-third of economic development funding has generally been derived from foreign sources Among the several government-sponsored banks are the CBL, the National Housing and Savings Bank, the Agricultural and Cooperative Development Bank, and the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment. In addition there are private banks, insurance companies Some two-fifths of the total labor force is made up of women More women than men are employed in agriculture Liberia’s economy is mixed and there is no nationalization of industry There is a national Federation of Labour Unions Only a small percentage of Liberian roads are paved Primary roads connect administrative and economic centers and provide access to the road systems of neighboring countries Liberia has two major airports, Robertsfield International, and James Spriggs Payne Airport, both near Monrovia. More than 100 airfields and airstrips dot the country’s interior Watch Live at 11:30 a.m. ET: Results of Nationwide Law Enforcement Effort Press Conference View the latest ICE guidance on COVID-19 Get information about how to check in with your local ICE Office here Reportándose con ICE: Obtenga información sobre cómo reportarse a su oficina local de ICE aquí View in other languages Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activityReport Crime Learn More About ICE ICE's ERO officers uphold United States immigration laws by focusing on individuals who present the greatest risk to national security View the annual report Media Inquiries the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated This information is archived and not reflective of current practice MINNEAPOLIS — A member of the Liberian security forces under the regime of Liberian President Charles Taylor was removed Tuesday by officers with U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrived in Liberia escorted by ERO officers on board an ICE charter removal flight and was turned over to Liberian law enforcement authorities ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) St Paul arrested Zinnah for immigration violations and violating the terms of his parole into the U.S Paul’s investigation revealed Zinnah was a member of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) a rebel group led by Charles Taylor that engaged in a wide range of human rights abuses including massacres Zinnah was also a member of the Liberian National Police and served as a commander in Grand Gedeh County during the time that Charles Taylor was President of Liberia Charles Taylor was convicted in 2012 and sentenced to 50 years imprisonment by an international court for human rights violations in Liberia from 1997-2003 He is currently serving his sentence in the United Kingdom The immigration court issued Zinnah a final order of removal (deportation order) May 7 His appeal of the immigration judge’s decision was denied by the Board of Immigration appeals Jan The immigration case was litigated by ICE St Paul Office of the Principal Legal Advisor The enforcement efforts targeting Zinnah were supported by ICE’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC) Established in 2009 to further ICE’s efforts to identify the HRVWCC leverages the expertise of a select group of agents historians and analysts who direct the agency’s broader enforcement efforts against these offenders ICE has arrested more than 450 individuals for human rights-related violations of the law under various criminal and/or immigration statutes ICE obtained deportation orders and/order physically removed from the United States more than 1050 known or suspected human rights violators ICE has facilitated the departure of an additional 167 such individuals from the United States HSI has more than 180 active investigations into suspected human rights violators and is pursuing more than 1,640 leads and removal cases involving suspected human rights violators from 95 different countries the HRVWCC has issued more than 76,000 lookouts for individuals from more than 110 countries and stopped over 315 human rights violators and war crimes suspects from entering the U.S Members of the public who have information about foreign nationals suspected of engaging in human rights abuses or war crimes are urged to call the ICE tip line at 1-866-DHS-2423 (1-866-347-2423) To learn more about the assistance available to victims in these cases the public should contact ICE’s confidential victim-witness toll-free number at 1-866-872-4973 For media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov. (L-R) Mustapha Raji LFA President, and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai    Photo Credit Executive Mansion Liberia President Boakai and Mustapha Raji discuss advancing Liberian football through youth league expansion, coaching improvements, and international partnerships. Their collaboration signifies a promising future for football in Liberia. Mustapha Raji, president of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), has met with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and at the center of their discussion was the development and promotion of football across the country. Raji and a delegation of top LFA officials, on Friday, May 2, paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Mansion, the official office of the President in Monrovia, where they had what some have described as a fruitful discussion. The delegation expressed gratitude to the Liberian leader for his continued support and presented the association’s plans to broaden youth league participation, improve coaching quality, and establish international collaborations aimed at raising the overall standards of football in Liberia. The question remains: what positive impact will this meeting have on the growth of football nationwide? In addition to Raji, the LFA delegation also consisted of Prof. Sekou Konneh, First Vice President; Saye-Taayor Dolo, Second Vice President; Pawala Janyan, Executive Committee Member; and Emmett Crayton, General Secretary. During their discussion, President Boakai highlighted his government’s dedication to using sports as a tool for uniting the nation and empowering young people, “Football serves as a unifying force that brings our people together and offers a pathway to personal and national development,” President Boakai says. He added “We are dedicated to working closely with the LFA to elevate Liberian football to new heights.”  The Liberian leader recognized football’s significant contribution to strengthening community ties and creating opportunities for Liberia’s youth. President Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development 2025–2029 stands as a thorough plan designed to tackle Liberia’s developmental issues. Incorporating the perspectives of Liberians from diverse backgrounds, the agenda regards football as an integral component in achieving inclusive, fair, and sustainable progress for the nation’s advancement. The recent meeting between Mustapha Raji, president of the Liberia Football Association, and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai marks a promising step forward for the future of football in Liberia. With a shared commitment to promoting the sport nationwide, the LFA’s plans to expand youth league participation, enhance coaching standards, and foster international partnerships reflect a strategic vision that could transform Liberia’s football landscape.  As both leaders continue to collaborate and invest in these initiatives, there is a growing sense of optimism that football will not only become more accessible but also more competitive, inspiring a new generation of players and fans across the country. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. A decline in world prices for Liberia’s chief exports, iron ore and natural rubber, brought financial hardship to the country during the 1960s and early ’70s. Foreign loans helped sustain the economy during that period The war dragged on for seven years as new factions arose and neighboring countries became enmeshed in the strife The toll on the civilian population and the economy was devastating the National Patriotic Front of Liberia Party Taylor was found guilty of being responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity that were committed during Sierra Leone’s civil war because he aided and abetted the rebel forces who committed the crimes.