Monrovia, Liberia – In light of the mounting controversy surrounding Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti’s name in Liberia’s ongoing inquiry into illegal drug trafficking, Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe has demanded accountability and due process for Nyanti. Liberia’s drug problem should be handled as a national emergency, according to Senator Snowe, a ranking member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the chair of the ECOWAS Parliament Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security, and the African Peer Review Mechanism.
Senator Snowe issued a forceful statement urging anyone with proof connecting Minister Nyanti to the illegal drug trade to make it public and let the relevant organizations look into it. Snowe warned against what he called political propaganda, selective leaks, and deceptions intended to damage people’s reputations. “If you have evidence against Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, produce it,” he said.
Regardless of political affiliation, social standing, government position, or connections, the senator stated that everyone participating in the importation, trafficking, financing, facilitation, or protection of the illegal drug trade must face the full weight of the law. He did, however, issue a warning, saying that the war on drugs should not be used as a pretext for settling political scores or going after political rivals.
“An accusation is not proof. An accusation is not the same as an implication.” According to Snowe, political propaganda is undoubtedly not justice. The senator from Bomi County claimed that because of his duties on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Liberia’s regional and international involvement, especially within the ECOWAS framework, he has had contact with Minister Nyanti.
Snowe noted that his meetings with Minister Nyanti have shown him a government official who is respected by her colleagues, exhibited professionalism, and is dedicated to promoting Liberia’s interests abroad. However, he emphasized that Nyanti’s record shouldn’t shield her from scrutiny or make her a convenient political target. According to Senator Snowe, the relevant institutions should carry out an impartial, open investigation and let due process take its course if there is solid evidence against the Foreign Minister.
He demanded that attempts to link her to criminal behavior cease immediately if there is no proof. The senator said that Liberia runs the risk of creating a perilous political culture in which a person’s reputation can be ruined by openly and repeatedly making accusations. It’s Sara Beysolow Nyanti today; the same might happen to government officials, opposition leaders, businesses, journalists, civil society actors, or regular people tomorrow, he added. “It could be me; it could be any senator or representative.”
Snowe also asked officials to concentrate on the more general issues related to Liberia’s escalating drug problem. In order to ascertain who is responsible for the nation’s drug networks, who provides protection, who finances and enables their activities, whether Liberia’s security architecture has failed, and who ultimately profits from the illegal trade, he asked for investigations.
Observe the medications. Observe the money. Snowe said, “Follow the evidence.” He made it clear that his advocacy of Nyanti’s right to justice should not be seen as an effort to keep her or anybody else from being looked into. Rather, he stated that he is in favor of a reliable, thorough, unbiased, and independent investigation that may follow the facts wherever it leads.
If the evidence suggests that the government official is involved, investigate them. Snowe said, “If it leads to an opposition figure, look into that person.” Important business interests, security experts, and politically connected individuals should also be investigated if they are implicated. He continued by saying that those who linked Minister Nyanti’s name to illegal activity must have the courage to publicly acknowledge that if an investigation reveals that the evidence does not support her.
Snowe called for “no sacred cows, no political protection, no selective justice, and no scapegoats” in Liberia’s campaign on illegal drugs. Press conferences, political propaganda, selective leaks, and reputational attacks, he said, would not be enough to address the country’s drug problem. According to Snowe, Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti is entitled to justice, due process, and the presumption of innocence since these are essential rights that every Liberian and, yes, every human being should have.
Additionally, he reminded Congress of their duty to hold the Executive Branch accountable while simultaneously upholding justice and making sure that the war on drugs does not turn into a tool for character assassination or political persecution. Snowe urged authorities to concentrate on breaking up drug networks, identifying their perpetrators, tracking down the money, and safeguarding Liberia’s youth.
“Combat drug dealers, uncover their networks, observe the money, observe the evidence, keep our children safe, and defend Liberia,” he declared. “But do not kill innocent individuals for political reasons,” he continued. Liberia is entitled to nothing less than the truth. In closing, Snowe made a clear statement endorsing Nyanti: “Until you produce the evidence against Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, I stand with her.”
