CENTAL Seeks Transparency in Drug Fight -Commends crackdown, demands deeper public accountability

Liberia’s recent anti-drug operations and improvements in extractive-sector transparency have generated cautious optimism among governance advocates, but civil society organizations insist that isolated achievements cannot substitute for enduring institutional reform. Record cocaine seizures, disciplinary action against security officials and improved compliance with international transparency standards demonstrate measurable progress. Yet, according to the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), the country’s governance challenges extend beyond arrests and performance scores. Sustainable accountability, it argues, requires transparent investigations, stronger oversight institutions and reforms capable of surviving changes in political leadership. Against that backdrop, CENTAL has welcomed recent government actions while urging broader public disclosure, inclusive investigations and accelerated implementation of reforms across Liberia’s security and extractive sectors. THE ANALYST reports.

The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has welcomed the Government of Liberia’s recent actions against suspected drug trafficking networks, including the suspension, dismissal and prosecution of public officials linked to ongoing investigations, but says greater transparency and broader public participation remain essential to restoring confidence in the country’s anti-drug campaign.

Addressing a press conference in Monrovia, CENTAL described recent developments surrounding Liberia’s record narcotics seizures, the country’s latest Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) validation results and ongoing governance reforms as defining moments that will shape public confidence in accountability and democratic governance.

According to the anti-corruption institution, recent announcements are significant, but lasting reforms will ultimately be judged by what follows—whether investigations are completed transparently, reforms become institutionalized and justice is administered impartially.

Commends Government Action

CENTAL acknowledged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.’s decision to suspend, dismiss and authorize the prosecution of twelve government and security officials following investigations into one of Liberia’s largest narcotics trafficking schemes.

The organization noted that the government’s actions followed two major cocaine seizures—a 238-kilogram consignment valued at approximately US$19 million intercepted in June and another seizure of approximately four metric tons valued at US$317 million in July, bringing the combined estimated value of confiscated narcotics to more than US$336 million, the largest drug seizure in Liberia’s history.

CENTAL also referenced earlier actions by the Joint Security, including the identification of airport personnel and cargo handlers as persons of interest, the suspension of cargo-handling operations by GLS Menzies and Express Handling Services, and President Boakai’s pledge to “expose and destroy” the country’s drug trafficking networks.

The organization commended members of the Joint Security for pursuing the investigation and praised the President for acting on investigative findings rather than allowing them to remain dormant.

CENTAL equally acknowledged the role played by Liberia’s independent media, civil society organizations and ordinary citizens, noting that sustained public pressure contributed significantly to the disclosure of persons of interest and subsequent government action.

“That sequence—media and citizens’ pressure producing disclosure, and disclosure producing action—is civic accountability working as it should,” the organization observed.

Calls For Greater Disclosure

Despite welcoming recent developments, CENTAL maintained that the latest drug seizures exposed deeper institutional weaknesses within Liberia’s security architecture.

According to the organization, narcotics of such magnitude could not have transited Liberia’s ports, airports and borders without significant institutional compromise involving multiple actors.

CENTAL argued that the dismissal of senior officials from strategic security institutions demonstrates that systemic governance failures, rather than isolated misconduct, enabled the trafficking network to operate.

The organization expressed concern that delayed public disclosure and continuing uncertainty surrounding the possible involvement of additional state and non-state actors risk undermining confidence in the ongoing investigation.

While describing current government efforts as encouraging, CENTAL said they remain insufficient.

It therefore called for timely, comprehensive and periodic public updates on the investigation to reassure Liberians that the justice system is functioning independently and effectively.

The organization also advocated competitive recruitment and rigorous vetting for appointments to sensitive national security positions, arguing that integrity should remain the primary criterion for leadership within strategic institutions.

CENTAL further recommended periodic rotation of officers serving in sensitive assignments to minimize the risks associated with overfamiliarity, institutional capture and conflicts of interest.

In addition, it urged government to broaden the investigative process by involving international partners, civil society organizations and other credible national stakeholders.

According to CENTAL, greater inclusion would strengthen both the credibility and independence of ongoing investigations while reinforcing public confidence in their outcome.

The organization concluded its recommendations on the drug investigation with a firm appeal that “there should be no sacred cows,” insisting that every individual connected to the trafficking network, regardless of position or status, should be investigated and prosecuted wherever evidence warrants.

Commends LEITI Progress

Beyond the narcotics investigation, CENTAL welcomed Liberia’s performance in the 2026 Validation Reportof the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which awarded the country an 80 percent score for implementing the 2023 EITI Standard.

The organization credited the achievement to stronger alignment between EITI implementation and national development priorities, improved public debate on extractive governance and expanded public access to information concerning Liberia’s extractive industries.

CENTAL congratulated the leadership and staff of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) Secretariat and the Multi-Stakeholder Group for what it described as measurable institutional progress in one of the country’s historically least transparent sectors.

“This is a measurable improvement in a sector that generates a substantial share of national revenue,” CENTAL stated, adding that the achievement demonstrates that sustained institutional reform remains possible when reforms are consistently implemented.

The organization cautioned, however, that the validation also identified significant deficiencies requiring urgent attention, including inconsistencies in production and revenue reporting, incomplete beneficial ownership disclosure, weaknesses in data assurance systems and inadequate transparency regarding the environmental and social impacts of mining operations.

CENTAL emphasized that performance scores should not be mistaken for completed reforms.

Instead, it urged LEITI to publish a costed, time-bound implementation plan addressing the validation report’s recommendations while encouraging the Legislature and Liberia’s development partners to provide the necessary financial and technical support for implementation.

The organization also called for greater transparency in the negotiation, renegotiation, monitoring and oversight of extractive contracts to ensure that Liberia derives maximum value from its natural resources while strengthening public accountability and investor confidence.