MONROVIA, LIBERIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent executive action, Executive Order #126, establishing the Office of Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Core Team, has sparked a blend of commendation and controversy across Liberia. The move, aimed at recuperating stolen assets, particularly from the previous Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) administration under George Manneh Weah, has stirred mixed reactions from different sectors of society.
Supporters of the ruling Unity Party (UP) and President Boakai have hailed the initiative as a significant stride in the fight against corruption, viewing it as a mechanism to hold accountable those responsible for misappropriating public funds. Conversely, opposition members, notably from the former ruling CDC, have criticized the establishment of the taskforce, expressing apprehension that it could be exploited to target and persecute them.
President Boakai’s announcement on March 7th, 2024, of the formation of the 15-member Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Core Team, raised hopes among many Liberians for the effective recovery of looted assets and the promotion of transparency in governance. However, the taskforce encountered an early setback when Emmanuel Gonquoi, the Commander in Chief of the Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFFL), resigned from his position within the team. Gonquoi cited a lack of expertise among team members and advocated for the involvement of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and other integrity institutions in the recovery efforts.
Gonquoi’s resignation shed light on the challenges faced by President Boakai’s assets recovery team, including concerns about leadership competence and doubts about the current team’s efficacy. Critics, particularly within the opposition ranks, have begun questioning the likelihood of the team fulfilling its original mandate and are advocating for a reassessment of the approach to ensure successful asset recovery.
Following the issuance of Executive Order #126, President Boakai appointed Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, former Chairman of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), to lead efforts in locating, recovering, and retrieving public resources and properties. However, Gonquoi’s departure underscored the importance of expertise in asset recovery, prompting suggestions for the formation of a new team comprising individuals with relevant knowledge.
Martin K. N. Kollie, also a member of the taskforce, echoed concerns about leadership and operational methods in a letter addressed to Chairman Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin on May 5, 2024. Kollie criticized what he perceived as an “amateur and unsystematic model” within the taskforce since March 2024, emphasizing the necessity of adhering to ethical, procedural, legal, and professional standards.
As Liberia continues its battle against corruption, the fate of the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce remains uncertain. Calls for the restructuring of the team to incorporate a broader spectrum of expertise and oversight persist. The effectiveness of such initiatives will be pivotal in reinstating public trust and ensuring accountability in governance.
