Monrovia, Liberia – Representative Musa Bility of Nimba County and the political leader of the Citizens Movement for Change has called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to immediately seek international assistance in looking into Liberia’s growing drug-trafficking problem, arguing that public trust in the government-led investigation has drastically declined. Representative Bility said in a strongly worded statement that there is a “serious crisis of confidence in the government’s ability to independently and transparently handle the investigation” due to the increasing number of accusations, contradicting narratives, and the appearance of new names.
In a direct plea to President Boakai, Bility stated only one conclusion is inevitable at this point: your government has lost control of the drug probe. Citing doubts about the ability, independence, and public trust of Liberia’s national security agencies, he contended that the government can no longer legitimately carry out the probe on its own. Bility’s criticism comes in the wake of recent accusations against the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency’s (LDEA) leadership, which he claimed have increased public anxiety about the probe.
The congressman claims that when grave accusations have been made, it is sufficient to let the head of the LDEA recuse himself. Accountability does not equate to recusal; according to Bility, stepping aside is not prosecution. He demanded that the official at the center of the accusations be placed under suspension, the subject of an impartial criminal inquiry, and prosecuted if there is enough proof of criminal misconduct.
According to Bility, viewing recusal as a sufficient response could erode public trust and give the impression of political meddling or institutional weakness. The head of the Citizens Movement for Change also questioned the government’s choice to rely mostly on domestic institutions to manage what he described as a considerably more complicated drug problem while seeking out foreign expertise to investigate the Capitol Building fire.
He questioned President Boakai on why a drug-trafficking investigation including accusations against officials associated to numerous important security institutions did not require international aid, whereas it was deemed necessary to ascertain the cause of a fire at a national institution. How can a drug epidemic of this size not require international aid if it was required to determine the cause of a fire at one of our national institutions? Bility inquired.
He contended that, given the scope and international scope of the drug probe, knowledge outside of Liberia’s internal security apparatus is necessary, especially in light of the public’s rising mistrust. As a result, Bility is advising President Boakai to formally ask for help from seasoned international allies, mentioning the US, UK, and EU in particular. According to him, these partners have a great deal of experience looking into financial networks connected to illegal drug activities, organized crime, and international drug trafficking.
According to Bility, the problem now poses a larger threat to Liberia’s national security and the legitimacy of its institutions rather than just establishing the guilt or innocence of specific suspects. “The Liberian people deserve the truth, and those accused deserve a credible process,” he declared. The Nimba County lawmaker cautioned that waning public trust in the government and security agencies could have detrimental effects on the stability of the country.
According to him, rumors can take the place of facts, chaos can worsen, and the nation may become more unstable when people lose faith in the institutions tasked with defending them. Bility put all the blame on President Boakai and urged him to act decisively to rebuild trust in the government’s institutions and the probe. He cautioned that, in his opinion, the President’s constitutional duty to defend the Republic and exercise leadership in times of national emergency may be abdicated if he declined to seek outside help.
Bility demanded that evidence be secured right away, witnesses be protected, and a genuine inquiry procedure be established in which no one is shielded or singled out due to personal ties, official status, or political influence. He declared, “We will not accept a cover-up, selective justice, or a politically managed investigation without credibility.” In order to rebuild public trust, protect the integrity of Liberia’s institutions, and stop the drug issue from further undermining the nation, the opposition lawmaker urged President Boakai to take immediate action.
Act now, or the Liberian people, through peaceful and lawful democratic action, will compel their government to act, Bility warned.
