MONROVIA – Controversy has emerged at Criminal Court “C” following serious allegations of jury misconduct in the high-profile US$6.2 million corruption trial involving former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah and several former government officials. The allegations surfaced just days after jurors acquitted Tweah and former Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) Comptroller D. Moses P. Cooper of all charges, a verdict that triggered nationwide debate and political reactions.

The acquittal of Tweah, widely viewed as the central figure in the corruption case, has drawn mixed responses across Liberia. Supporters of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change celebrated the verdict as a triumph of justice, while critics questioned how key defendants could walk free despite the gravity of the allegations and the joint indictment against all accused officials.

However, the controversy deepened after three jurors formally accused some of their fellow panelists of misconduct during deliberations. According to reports emerging from the Temple of Justice, the jurors alleged that certain colleagues improperly used mobile phones in restricted jury areas and maintained unauthorized communications with individuals believed to be associates of the defendants.

The complaint, filed before Criminal Court “C” through an affidavit, reportedly outlined six separate allegations of misconduct. Although the jurors stopped short of accusing anyone of accepting bribes or exchanging money for the verdict, they claimed that outside communication may have improperly influenced the jury’s final decision, particularly the acquittals handed to Tweah and Cooper.

Judicial sources further disclosed that the allegations were accompanied by documentary evidence intended to support the claims against the accused jurors. The development has intensified public scrutiny surrounding the integrity of one of Liberia’s most politically sensitive corruption trials in recent years.

In response, Criminal Court “C” Resident Judge Ousman Feika has ordered a full investigation into the matter. Judge Feika has summoned all jurors involved in the trial, along with lawyers representing both the prosecution and defense, members of the jury management team, bailiffs, sheriffs, and police officers assigned to the jury quarters to appear before the court on Wednesday, May 20.

The court has meanwhile suspended proceedings into a motion for a new trial filed by former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh and former Acting Justice Minister Nyenati Tuan pending the outcome of the jury misconduct investigation. The hearing on the motion had originally been scheduled for Tuesday, May 19.

The controversial verdict delivered on May 8, 2026, concluded a grueling 46-day legal battle at Criminal Court “C.” The twelve-member jury panel acquitted Tweah and Cooper on all charges, including economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, theft of public funds, and money laundering. Their acquittals immediately became a major political talking point across the country.

At the same time, the jury convicted Tuan on charges including theft of public funds, criminal facilitation, and theft of property, while Karmoh was found guilty of criminal facilitation and criminal conspiracy. Former FIA Director General Stanley S. Ford received hung verdicts on several counts after jurors reportedly failed to reach a unanimous decision regarding his criminal liability.

The latest allegations of jury tampering now threaten to cast a long shadow over the entire trial and could potentially reopen legal and political tensions surrounding the case. With the investigation expected to begin on May 20, public attention is once again fixed on the Temple of Justice as Liberians await answers over whether outside influence compromised one of the country’s most consequential corruption verdicts.

The post Jury Tampering Allegations Emerge After Samuel Tweah’s Acquittal In Us$6.2 Million Corruption Case appeared first on Liberia News Network.

MONROVIA – Prominent Liberian lawyer and politician Tiawan Saye Gongloe has strongly defended renowned Liberian scientist Dougbeh Christopher Nyan following his international media appearance on Al Jazeera Media Network, while simultaneously criticizing the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for what he described as the unfair removal of one of Liberia’s most celebrated public health experts.

Speaking Monday, May 18, 2026, during a live appearance at the main campus of the University of Liberia on Capitol Hill in Monrovia, Gongloe described Dr. Nyan’s interview with Al Jazeera as a proud national moment for Liberia. However, he said the recognition also exposed what he considers a troubling contradiction in the treatment of accomplished Liberians at home.

“I’m so proud of Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan,” Gongloe declared. “Today was both a very happy and a very sad day for me. I watched a Liberian scientist calmly speaking to the world on how to fight Ebola, but at the same time I remembered that this same man was removed from office for no professional reason.”

Gongloe recounted Dr. Nyan’s journey from student activism at the University of Liberia to becoming an internationally recognized scientist through years of academic research and scientific work in Germany, the United States, and other parts of the world. He praised Nyan for developing testing technologies for Ebola and other diseases and for earning international recognition through his scientific contributions.

According to Gongloe, the Al Jazeera interview demonstrated the extent to which Liberian expertise is being acknowledged internationally. He noted that among scientists across Africa and the wider world, the international broadcaster selected a Liberian scientist to discuss Ebola preparedness and public health response.

“Al Jazeera did not call a scientist from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, or anywhere else,” Gongloe stated. “They called a Liberian scientist who was recognized last year as Africa’s genius. That should make every Liberian proud.”

Despite his admiration for Dr. Nyan’s accomplishments, Gongloe sharply criticized the Boakai administration over Nyan’s removal from the National Public Health Institute of Liberia. He argued that the decision undermined the rule of law and discouraged accomplished Liberians abroad from returning home to contribute to national development.

“Liberia is now proving what is written in the Bible that a prophet is not respected in his own country,” Gongloe said. “A man celebrated around the world as a scientist was disgraced in his own country despite his performance and despite the recognition his institution received.”

The former presidential candidate further warned that the treatment of highly accomplished Liberians could discourage foreign-based professionals and investors from returning to Liberia. Gongloe referenced Liberian-born entrepreneur Richelieu Dennis, suggesting that successful Liberians abroad may become reluctant to invest in Liberia if they believe they could be publicly humiliated or politically targeted.

“There are many Liberians around the world doing extremely well,” Gongloe asserted. “But when they see how people are treated here, they become afraid to return and help build the country.”

Gongloe also revealed that despite his criticisms, he considers himself one of the earliest political figures who encouraged Liberians to support Boakai’s presidential bid. He said his criticism of the current government stems from a desire to ensure the administration succeeds rather than fails.

“I have a stake in this government,” he explained. “When the government does well, I will praise it. But when I see missteps, I will speak out. That is my responsibility as a Liberian.”

The comments came shortly after Dr. Nyan issued a major public health statement assuring Liberians that there are currently no confirmed Ebola cases in Liberia despite renewed outbreaks in parts of Africa. The former NPHIL Director-General addressed growing public concerns following Ebola outbreak declarations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda by regional and international health authorities.

In his statement, Dr. Nyan acknowledged lingering fears among Liberians due to the devastating 2014 Ebola epidemic that killed thousands and crippled the country’s healthcare system and economy. “First, to this date, you can rest assured that there is no Ebola detected in Liberia,” Dr. Nyan stated. “Be calm, no panic.”

However, he cautioned that Liberia remains vulnerable because of regional travel and cross-border movement, warning citizens not to lower their guard despite the absence of confirmed cases. According to him, lessons learned from Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox have significantly strengthened Liberia’s outbreak preparedness and response capacity.

Dr. Nyan additionally warned that political interference and bureaucratic power struggles could undermine Liberia’s ability to effectively respond to future disease outbreaks. He stressed that scientific institutions must be allowed to function independently and professionally if the country hopes to maintain effective public health preparedness.

“Preparedness and response will only be effective if technical scientific capabilities are allowed to function devoid of political interference and bureaucratic power-play,” Dr. Nyan cautioned in his statement.

In one of the most controversial portions of his remarks, Dr. Nyan alleged that certain officials attempted in September 2025 to push for the declaration of a viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak without sufficient scientific evidence. According to him, the move could have triggered nationwide panic and economic disruption had the National Public Health Institute of Liberia not resisted the pressure.

He maintained that laboratory tests conducted at Liberia’s National Reference Laboratory produced negative results for Ebola and related hemorrhagic viruses at the time, preventing what he described as a potentially dangerous and unnecessary public alarm.

The post Gongloe Praises Dr. Nyan’s Global Recognition While Criticizing Boakai Government Over Nphil Removal appeared first on Liberia News Network.

MONROVIA – A series of audit findings by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) has raised serious accountability concerns over public financial management and higher education reforms during the administration of former President George Manneh Weah, revealing a combined revenue discrepancy exceeding US$2.08 billion alongside weaknesses in the implementation of Liberia’s free tuition policy.

The audit reports, covering fiscal years 2018 to 2024, point to systemic gaps in revenue reconciliation, governance oversight, and policy execution across key government institutions. The findings have intensified public scrutiny over how state resources were managed during the period under review.

According to the GAC compliance audit, approximately US$1.79 billion in revenue recorded in Liberia’s tax administration system could not be traced to the Consolidated General Revenue Account. In addition, auditors identified L$54.3 billion in Liberian Dollar receipts equivalent to about US$293.5 million bringing the total unaccounted revenue to more than US$2.08 billion.

The report indicates that while these revenues were recorded at the collection level, corresponding transfers and deposits into the national account could not be fully verified. This raises concerns about weaknesses in financial controls, reconciliation processes, and transparency mechanisms within the public financial system during the audit period.

Alongside the revenue findings, the GAC also reviewed the implementation of Liberia’s free tuition policy for public universities and community colleges, introduced in 2018 as a flagship education reform intended to expand access to higher learning.

The audit found that although the policy contributed to increased enrollment in tertiary institutions, it was implemented without a comprehensive written framework to guide operations. The report noted that neither the National Commission on Higher Education nor relevant government authorities developed standardized guidelines to ensure uniform application of the policy.

As a result, students across public institutions continue to face various additional charges, which in some cases reportedly exceed the tuition costs the policy was meant to eliminate. The GAC also highlighted inconsistencies in credit hour fees across institutions, ranging between US$2.60 and US$5, contributing to unequal financial burdens on students.

The report further revealed that increased enrollment placed significant strain on Liberia’s higher education infrastructure. Overcrowded classrooms, limited laboratory facilities, and under-resourced libraries were cited as persistent challenges, with some lecturers reportedly handling between 71 and 100 students per class.

Between 2018 and 2023, the Government of Liberia reportedly spent about US$7.4 million on tuition-related support, compensation, and institutional funding under the policy. However, auditors concluded that the expenditure does not align with enrollment data and credit hours recorded across institutions, suggesting inefficiencies in implementation and oversight.

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LIBERIA – The launch of the National Cadet Program on Friday, May 15, 2026, in Gbarnga, Bong County, has triggered both optimism and political debate, with Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan presenting the initiative as a transformative opportunity for young Liberians, while political commentator and 2029 presidential hopeful Matthew Nyanplu criticized the program as politically motivated.

The National Cadet Program, launched under the Ministry of Youth and Sports headed by Minister Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, aims to place more than 1,000 university graduates and graduating seniors in government institutions and selected private entities for six months of professional training and practical experience. The initiative forms part of the Unity Party administration’s youth empowerment strategy under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

However, after the launch ceremony, Nyanplu dismissed the initiative in a social media reaction, accusing the government of exploiting the desperation of unemployed young people for political advantage. “National Cadet Program, good initiative without a transformative vision, politicized by Unity Party’s Augustine Ngafuan and Cornelia to prey on our young people’s desperation. #disgrace,” Nyanplu wrote.

Critics and supporters of the government debated whether the cadet initiative represents genuine empowerment or political image-building ahead of future elections. Nyanplu’s criticism also reflects political differences surrounding programs targeting Liberia’s struggling youth population amid high unemployment and economic hardship.

However, at the launch, Ngafuan used the ceremony to passionately defend the Joseph Nyuma Boakai administration’s development agenda, arguing that the government is making measurable progress despite persistent attacks from political detractors. Delivering an emotionally charged and lengthy address, the Finance Minister framed the cadet program as part of a broader national effort to prepare young Liberians for meaningful participation in the workforce and national development.

Ngafuan drew heavily from his personal experience as a student intern at the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company in 1988, explaining how an internship opportunity during his time at Booker Washington Institute shaped his professional journey and contributed to his later success in public service and international development work. According to him, the National Cadet Program seeks to provide similar opportunities for today’s generation of young Liberians.

“This program is about giving hope to more than 1,000 young people,” Ngafuan declared. He argued that practical workplace exposure remains one of the biggest missing links between university education and employment opportunities in Liberia. He urged institutions hosting cadets to absorb high-performing participants after the six-month training period.

The Finance Minister also used the occasion to strongly counter narratives suggesting that Liberia is deteriorating under the Unity Party-led government. Repeatedly referencing unnamed “detractors,” Ngafuan insisted that the country is moving forward through infrastructure development, civil service reforms, youth-centered projects, and improved international credibility.

According to Ngafuan, the government has significantly increased domestic revenue generation, expanded the national budget from US$738 million to US$1.3 billion, improved salary structures for public sector workers, and initiated major road and educational infrastructure projects across the country. He further pointed to Liberia’s election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as evidence of improved international respect and confidence in the country.

“We are not still at Redlight,” Ngafuan declared in one of the most politically symbolic moments of his speech, using the analogy of a journey from Redlight to Gbarnga to describe Liberia’s development trajectory. “We may not have reached Gbarnga yet, but we are near Totota,” he said, emphasizing that progress should be measured incrementally rather than through unrealistic expectations.

Ngafuan additionally highlighted several youth-focused initiatives being undertaken by the Boakai administration, including the US$18 million Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank project expected to support 30,000 youth-led businesses and generate over 100,000 jobs. He also referenced Liberia’s successful effort to secure the relocation of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Center to Monrovia, which he said would create additional opportunities for Liberian youth.

Throughout his address, the Finance Minister repeatedly stressed discipline, humility, integrity, and professionalism as key values for the cadets entering the workforce. He warned young graduates against arrogance and overconfidence, cautioning that academic success alone does not automatically guarantee workplace excellence. Quoting from a speech he delivered in 2013, Ngafuan reminded cadets that “being an honor roll student in university does not automatically transform someone into an honor roll professional in the workplace.”

He encouraged the cadets to become agents of positive change wherever they are assigned, urging them to spread “light where there is darkness,” discipline where there is indiscipline, and integrity where corruption and dishonesty exist. His remarks appeared designed not only to motivate the cadets but also to reinforce the administration’s message of national renewal and institutional reform.

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The awareness campaign, which began in Montserrado County, targets staff across Tax and Customs Business Offices nationwide. It aims to deepen employees’ understanding of the Authority’s strategic direction and encourage institution-wide participation in implementing the five-year reform agenda.

Recently approved by the LRA Board of Directors, the Corporate Strategic Plan 2025–2029 provides a roadmap for transforming Liberia’s revenue administration system through digital innovation, institutional capacity building, improved taxpayer services, and enhanced operational efficiency.

The strategy is built around five major pillars, including strengthening revenue administration systems, promoting voluntary tax compliance through taxpayer education and reduced compliance costs, enhancing institutional capacity and staff professionalism, improving data-driven service delivery through digital transformation, and expanding partnerships to support efficient and transparent tax administration.

The plan also seeks to increase Liberia’s tax-to-GDP ratio, modernize revenue administration processes, and support the transition to a Value-Added Tax (VAT) regime as part of broader national efforts to stimulate economic growth and improve public service delivery.

Speaking during one of the awareness sessions, Joseph A. Zeze, Supervisor for Strategic Planning within the PSSPD, said the implementation of the strategic plan reflects the LRA’s commitment to building a modern, efficient, and responsive revenue administration capable of meeting Liberia’s growing economic and fiscal demands.

For his part, Acting Manager of the PSSPD, Mohammed M. Jallibah, emphasized the importance of ensuring that all staff fully understand the objectives of the Corporate Strategic Plan and their responsibilities in achieving its goals.

“The training is intended to ensure that every staff member clearly understands the Corporate Strategic Plan and their role in its successful implementation,” Jallibah stated.

He noted that full staff participation remains essential to achieving the Authority’s vision of a modern and service-oriented tax administration system. According to him, the initiative also forms part of the LRA’s broader institutional transformation agenda aimed at improving operational efficiency, transparency, accountability, professionalism, and taxpayer service delivery.

Also speaking, Madam Faith B. George, Senior Collector at the Cardwell Tax Business Office on Bushrod Island, underscored the importance of continuous professional development in strengthening domestic revenue mobilization and encouraging voluntary tax compliance among citizens and businesses.

The awareness campaign is being implemented by the PSSPD in collaboration with the Human Resources Division, the Enterprise Design, Quality Assurance and Results Division (EDQARD), and the Communication, Media and Public Affairs Section, among others. The campaign will continue across additional LRA offices and counties ahead of the official launch of the Corporate Strategic Plan 2025–2029 later this year.

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MONROVIA – Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan has assured the public that there are currently no confirmed Ebola cases in Liberia, while cautioning that the country must remain vigilant amid renewed outbreaks in parts of Africa.

In a detailed public statement issued Sunday, May 17, 2026, Dr. Nyan responded to growing concerns among Liberians following recent Ebola outbreak declarations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda by health authorities, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

“This #EBOLA again…!” Dr. Nyan wrote at the opening of his statement, acknowledging widespread public anxiety rooted in Liberia’s painful experience during the devastating 2014 Ebola epidemic that claimed thousands of lives and crippled the nation’s health system and economy.

“First, to this date, you can rest assured that there is No Ebola detected in Liberia, but the country remains vigilant. Be Calm, No Panic!” Dr. Nyan emphasized, while noting that the public’s fears and inquiries are legitimate given the country’s history with the deadly virus.

Liberia was among the hardest-hit West African nations during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, alongside Sierra Leone and Guinea. The epidemic overwhelmed hospitals, devastated families, paralyzed economic activities, and exposed major weaknesses within the region’s healthcare infrastructure. Images of overcrowded treatment centers, healthcare workers in protective suits, and mass public fear remain deeply embedded in the nation’s memory more than a decade later.

Drawing on that history, Dr. Nyan warned that although Liberia is geographically distant from the current outbreaks in Central and East Africa, cross-border transmission remains possible because of international travel and regional movement of people through transit routes.

“While we may be miles away from DR Congo and Uganda, there is a possibility of trans-country transmission due to movement of people between our countries, whether directly or through transit,” he cautioned. “You are right; Don’t let your guard down!”

Dr. Nyan, however, expressed confidence in Liberia’s scientific and technical preparedness, declaring that the country now possesses some of the best outbreak-response expertise on the African continent due to lessons learned from Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox.

“Throughout the years, NPHIL has been strengthening our disease outbreak preparedness, response, and resilience since Ebola, through COVID-19 to Mpox,” Dr. Nyan stated, while acknowledging support from international partners including the US-CDC and Africa-CDC.

Despite those advancements, Dr. Nyan strongly warned that Liberia’s outbreak preparedness could be undermined by political interference and bureaucratic conflicts within the health sector. According to him, scientific expertise must be allowed to operate independently if the country hopes to effectively confront future outbreaks.

“However, the preparedness and response will be effective only and only if such technical scientific capabilities are left to function devoid of political interferences and bureaucratic power-play from the Ministry of Health,” he declared.

Dr. Nyan further alleged that overlapping structures and institutional rivalry have at times threatened the integrity of Liberia’s public health response architecture. While supporting collaboration between health institutions, he warned against what he described as attempts to sideline trained public health technocrats at NPHIL.

“There must be collaboration, but collaboration itself should not be a guise of practically attempts to usurp the functions of skilled technocrats at the public health institute if we are to mount an effective outbreak response in Liberia,” he stressed.

In one of the most striking revelations in his statement, Dr. Nyan referenced what he described as a dangerous incident in September 2025, when certain officials allegedly attempted to push for a viral hemorrhagic fever declaration without sufficient scientific evidence.

“We recall in September 2025, when there was a frantic effort by the MoH along with the WHO-Liberia Country Representative that could have led to the declaration of a VHF infection or outbreak with no scientific, laboratory or medical evidence,” he claimed.

According to Dr. Nyan, such a declaration could have triggered nationwide panic and severe economic consequences had NPHIL not resisted the pressure. He maintained that laboratory testing at the National Reference Laboratory produced negative results for Ebola and related hemorrhagic viruses.

“Backed by uncontestable laboratory NEGATIVE Test Results for VHFs like Ebola and others from the National Reference Laboratory, our leadership and Team at the NPHIL remained ethical and professional, and strongly resisted these maneuvers,” Dr. Nyan said. “Hence, the country remained viable and functional.”

He warned that false outbreak declarations could have catastrophic implications for governance, trade, travel, and public confidence, particularly for a country still recovering from the trauma of the 2014 epidemic.

The public health expert also emphasized the importance of accurate diagnostics, stronger border surveillance systems, and credible scientific communication. He urged authorities not to undermine Liberia’s port health systems and cross-border surveillance operations that monitor inbound and outbound travelers.

“Diagnostics must be accurate with True Results that are credible and reliable,” he said. “Our Cross-Border Surveillance and Port Health Systems which monitor inbound and outbound passengers must not be undermined, but strengthened, supported and incentivized.”

Dr. Nyan additionally used the statement to educate the public about Ebola transmission, symptoms, and prevention. He explained that the Ebola virus originates in certain animals, particularly bats, before spreading to humans and later transmitting from person to person through infected bodily fluids.

He noted that early symptoms often resemble malaria, including fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting, but can rapidly progress to severe bleeding, organ failure, and death if not detected and treated promptly. “Diagnosis is through confirmatory molecular test positive of Ebola virus,” he explained, while confirming that effective vaccines for Ebola do exist.

In another controversial disclosure, Dr. Nyan alleged that Ebola vaccines previously supplied to Liberia through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance expired while under the control of the Ministry of Health before he assumed leadership at NPHIL.

“Ebola vaccines were sent to Liberia before 2024 by an organization called GAVI before I took over the NPHIL, but the vaccines expired in the hands of the MoH and had to be discarded,” he revealed.

As Liberia closely monitors developments in DR Congo and Uganda through regional surveillance mechanisms coordinated by the West African Health Organization and Africa-CDC Western Region, Dr. Nyan concluded with a warning against corruption and exploitation during public health emergencies.

“Very important: We must beware of corrupt officials using outbreaks to fill their pockets at the expense of donor funding and the health of the people,” he cautioned, while again reassuring Liberians that there is presently no Ebola outbreak in the country.

“Again to this date, you can rest assured that there is No Ebola detected in Liberia, but the country remains vigilant. Be Calm, No Panic!” Dr. Nyan reiterated.

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MONROVIA – The President of the Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL) and the publisher of Heritage Newspaper departed the country over weekend for the second edition of the Paris Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in Francophone Environments.

Mr. Alphonso Toweh and Mr. Kanneh will join other distinguished panelists and journalists drawn from different parts of the Continent for the global gathering slated to be held May 20, 2026 in Rabat, Morocco.

The Rabat Conference takes place a decade after the first Paris ministerial conference on peacekeeping in Francophone environments held in Paris, France in 2016.

According to organizers, it is being convened to address what organizers call a fundamental transformation in the conflicts where peacekeepers operate.

According to Conference draft concept note, the meeting is a response to “acute political and security instability” in complex environments, particularly across Africa, where most UN peacekeeping missions are deployed.

The document records how peacekeeping missions now face with disruptive technologies, the proliferation of disinformation, and the impact of climate change.

It added that “Organized crime has also expanded in affected regions, further complicating mandates.”

“These transformations have revealed the limitations of existing peacekeeping operation frameworks, creating an increasing gap between planning frameworks and field operations,” the note states.

The result, organizers say, is a need to strengthen anticipation, adaptation, and performance capabilities to better align mission mandates, troop capacities, and realities on the ground. “The process is meant to follow commitments made under the UN’s Pact for the Future and ongoing mandate rationalization efforts,” the note further captured.

It is stated that Francophone countries play a central role in current peacekeeping, with nearly 20,000 military and police personnel deployed, mostly in Africa.

The conference aims to mobilize renewed commitment from the international community and the Francophonie to ensure affected territories move toward peace, security, and development.

According to the note, efforts to strengthen peacekeeping have included increasing the participation of women in leadership and field roles.

Citing UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the note says female participation in peacekeeping rose from 4.9% in 2010 to 10.1% in 2025, though it stresses the need to accelerate progress.

“The primary goal of the May 2026 meeting is to give Francophone countries a platform to develop a common understanding of current challenges and contribute more effectively to multilateral debates in international bodies,” the note said.

the objective of the conference include, providing an updated assessment of peacekeeping in Francophone environments and identifying emerging and persistent threats, prioritizing pre-deployment training to improve performance and results on the ground, and promoting more inclusive participation in peacekeeping operations.

Organizers said the conference will open with a ministerial segment and three panel discussions focused on the current status of missions and emerging threats; training as a driver of performance against multi-dimensional threats; and partnerships to reinforce state commitment to security imperatives.

Organizers expect the meeting to conclude with the adoption of the Paris Declaration, alongside a summary of panel discussions and contributions from participants.

The conference builds on the 2016 Paris meeting, which first brought Francophone countries together to address the specific challenges of operating in French-speaking conflict zones.

“With missions now operating in more volatile and complex settings, Paris 2026 is positioned as a push to close the gap between UN mandates and operational reality,” the note read..

Mr. TOWEH said the Liberian media is gradually drowning and it is about time to build partnerships, seek for opportunities from friendly nations .

“This is not about capacity building alone,, but practical improvement that will elevate the media to a much better level in the supreme interest of the country,’ Mr. TOWEH said .

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MONROVIA – Liberia’s anti corruption fight is facing renewed public distrust following the controversial acquittal of former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah and former FIA Comptroller D. Moses P. Cooper in the US$6.2 million corruption case. What many Liberians expected to strengthen confidence in accountability has instead triggered difficult national questions about corruption, jury integrity, public trust, and whether Liberia’s justice system can truly hold powerful officials accountable.

The mixed verdict delivered on Friday, May 8, 2026, by the 12 member jury after 46 days of legal battle at Criminal Court “C” has left the country sharply divided. While former Acting Justice Minister Nyenati Tuan and former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh were found guilty on some charges, Tweah and Cooper were fully acquitted of all counts. Former FIA Director General Stanley S. Ford received multiple hung verdicts, leaving parts of the case unresolved and adding further uncertainty to an already controversial trial.

But beyond the legal outcome itself, what is now deeply troubling the public are growing reports of possible jury tampering and allegations of misconduct among jurors themselves. Reports indicate that complaints have already been filed before Criminal Court “C” seeking an investigation into claims that some jurors may have been improperly influenced during deliberations. If substantiated, such allegations could shake the very foundation of Liberia’s judicial credibility and potentially open discussions for a retrial.

The allegations have intensified public skepticism because corruption cases in Liberia rarely end without controversy. Time after time, ordinary Liberians hear dramatic accusations involving missing public funds, economic sabotage, and abuse of office, only for trials to collapse into confusion, mistrials, acquittals, or political disputes. This recurring pattern has gradually weakened public confidence in the country’s justice system and anti corruption institutions.

The situation became even more politically sensitive after social media reports falsely claimed that Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay had ordered an investigation into alleged jury tampering linked to the case. The Judiciary quickly dismissed the report as “false, misleading and reckless,” clarifying that the Chief Justice had issued no such directive or instruction. While the Judiciary was right to reject misinformation, the larger issue remains unresolved. Liberians still want credible answers about whether the jury process itself was compromised.

At the center of the growing national debate is an uncomfortable reality that many citizens are now openly discussing. If ordinary Liberians serving as jurors are themselves allegedly vulnerable to influence, intimidation, or corruption, then what hope does the country have in genuinely fighting financial crimes involving powerful officials? This question now hangs heavily over the nation’s justice system.

Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon added fuel to the national conversation when he sharply criticized the role of ordinary citizens serving on juries. Writing on Facebook shortly after the verdict, Dillon argued that the same ordinary Liberians who constantly accuse public officials of corruption are often the very people who later free accused officials when given the opportunity to judge them under the law.

His comments were controversial, but they exposed a painful contradiction within Liberian society. Liberians regularly complain about corruption destroying the nation. Citizens condemn lavish lifestyles of public officials while communities remain trapped in poverty. Yet when corruption cases finally reach the courtroom, verdicts often leave the public questioning whether accountability is truly possible.

The troubling reality is impossible to ignore. Liberia remains heavily underdeveloped despite decades of international assistance, natural resource wealth, and repeated promises of reform. Roads continue to deteriorate across the country. Hospitals struggle with inadequate medical supplies. Schools operate under deplorable conditions. Youth unemployment remains dangerously high. Many communities still lack electricity, safe drinking water, and basic sanitation. In such conditions, allegations involving millions of dollars in public funds naturally provoke anger and emotional reactions from struggling citizens.

For many ordinary Liberians, corruption is no longer viewed simply as a legal issue. It is seen as a direct contributor to poverty, suffering, and national stagnation. Every corruption allegation involving public money immediately raises painful questions. Could those funds have improved hospitals? Could they have paid civil servants? Could they have repaired roads or strengthened schools? These are the questions echoing through communities following the verdict.

At the same time, Liberia now faces difficult legal and moral questions about the standard of justice itself. Under the law, acquittal does not necessarily mean innocence. It means prosecutors failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. That legal principle is essential in every democratic society. However, in a country where public trust in institutions is already fragile, many citizens struggle to separate legal acquittal from moral suspicion.

This is exactly why the allegations of jury tampering are so dangerous. Whether true or false, they further damage public confidence in a justice system already battling credibility concerns. If jurors were influenced, then Liberia faces a serious institutional crisis. But if the allegations are untrue, then authorities must still act transparently to restore confidence and reassure the public that the integrity of the trial was protected.

The mixed verdict itself has also fueled deeper public distrust. While some defendants were convicted on certain charges, others walked completely free, and several charges ended in hung verdicts. To many citizens, the outcome appears inconsistent and confusing. Questions are now emerging across social media, political circles, and public discussions about whether the prosecution failed to present convincing evidence or whether outside influence may have affected the deliberations.

Liberia’s anti corruption fight cannot survive on public relations campaigns alone. It requires trust in the justice system, confidence in investigations, and belief that verdicts are based solely on evidence and law. Without that trust, every major corruption case risks becoming politically divisive and socially destructive.

More importantly, the controversy surrounding the Tweah verdict now threatens to deepen public hopelessness about accountability. Once citizens begin believing that corruption cases involving powerful officials will always end in controversy or acquittal, frustration gradually turns into cynicism. That cynicism can weaken democracy itself because people lose faith in institutions designed to protect national integrity.

Young Liberians are closely watching these developments. They are observing whether justice applies equally to both the rich and poor. They are watching whether state institutions can resist political pressure. And they are paying attention to whether corruption truly carries consequences in Liberia. The lessons they absorb from cases like this will shape public trust in governance for years to come.

The country must therefore resist reducing this controversy into mere political propaganda between rival parties and supporters. The larger issue extends beyond individual defendants. The real concern is whether Liberia can build credible institutions capable of independently investigating, prosecuting, and fairly adjudicating corruption cases without public suspicion overwhelming the process.

At this critical moment, Liberia faces hard questions that cannot be ignored. Can the country genuinely fight corruption while public distrust continues growing? Can the justice system regain credibility after repeated controversial verdicts? Can ordinary citizens serving as jurors remain fully independent in politically sensitive cases? And perhaps most importantly, can Liberia ever achieve meaningful development if accountability itself remains under constant suspicion?

Until those questions are honestly addressed, corruption allegations, acquittals, and public distrust will continue haunting Liberia’s fragile democracy and undermining the nation’s struggle for economic progress and national transformation.

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SINKOR, MONROVIA – Liberia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General N. Oswald Tweh has warned that the growing link between terrorism and transnational organized crime represents one of the most serious security threats facing West Africa, urging stronger institutional coordination and legal preparedness to prevent instability.

Tweh made the remarks on Wednesday during the opening of a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) workshop for prosecutors and law enforcement officers held at the Corina Hotel in Sinkor, where he delivered a special opening statement as Acting Chair of Cabinet.

Addressing diplomats, security officials, and international partners, Tweh said modern threats are no longer isolated but interconnected, evolving in ways that make them harder to detect and more dangerous to contain.

“The threats confronting nations today are no longer isolated or easily identifiable. They evolve rapidly, adapt strategically, and often operate quietly beneath the surface of ordinary society,” Tweh cautioned.

He stressed that insecurity often develops gradually through weak institutions, corruption, porous borders, poor coordination, and public complacency before escalating into full-scale national crises.

According to him, terrorism and organized crime were once treated as separate phenomena, but that distinction has now collapsed as extremist groups increasingly depend on criminal networks for financing and logistics.

“These violent extremist groups now rely heavily on criminal enterprises to finance and sustain their operations,” Tweh explained, noting that trafficking networks, illegal mining, money laundering, drug trade, and cybercrime have become central to their operations.

He warned that the convergence of these criminal activities creates a dangerous cycle where insecurity fuels crime and crime, in turn, deepens instability across the sub-region.

Tweh emphasized that Liberia fully understands the urgency of these emerging threats, citing the country’s own history as a reminder that instability often begins quietly through institutional weaknesses and unchecked vulnerabilities.

“Our nation’s history reminds us that instability rarely begins with dramatic events. It grows through weakened institutions, inadequate coordination, and the erosion of public confidence,” he stated.

The Justice Minister stressed that no single institution can effectively respond to modern security threats, calling for deeper cooperation among intelligence services, law enforcement, prosecutors, immigration authorities, customs officials, and the judiciary.

He warned that without coordination and information sharing, criminal and extremist networks will continue to exploit institutional gaps faster than governments can respond.

“Without legal preparedness and technical capacity, criminal networks and extremist actors will continue to exploit institutional gaps,” Tweh cautioned, describing inter-agency collaboration as “essential, not optional.”

The workshop, organized under a UNODC-supported initiative, brought together criminal justice actors to strengthen investigation, prosecution, and coordination mechanisms across Liberia and the West African region.

Tweh commended the UNODC and its partners for supporting Liberia’s justice system through training, dialogue, and capacity-building programs aimed at improving institutional effectiveness and regional cooperation.

At the same time, he cautioned that efforts to strengthen security must remain firmly grounded in the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights.

“The strength of a democratic state is measured not only by its ability to confront threats, but also by its ability to do so without compromising justice and constitutional order,” he said.

The Minister concluded by urging sustained collaboration among institutions, stressing that effective crisis response depends on preparation, not reaction, and on building trust long before emergencies arise.

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MONROVIA – The Unity Party Youth Congress has threatened legal action against Mamesie Kabah after she accused Amos Tweh of allegedly attempting to bribe jurors with US$275,000 in the controversial US$6.2 million case involving former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr. and other former CDC officials.

The allegation, which surfaced Thursday, May 14, has intensified the already bitter political tension surrounding the controversial case and triggered a blistering response from the Unity Party Youth Congress, which is now threatening legal action against Kaba unless she retracts her statement and apologizes publicly.

Speaking publicly on the matter during the CDC press conference on Thursday, May 14, Kaba, who serves as Assistant Secretary General for Press and Propaganda of the CDC Youth League, alleged that Amos Tweh attempted to influence jurors with US$275,000 during proceedings linked to the case against Samuel Tweah and other former officials of the CDC administration.

“The Managing Director of the LPRC and Secretary General of the ruling Unity Party, Amos Tweh, attempted to bribe jurors with US$275,000 in the alleged US$6.2 million case against Samuel Tweah and others, but it was rejected face down,” Kaba claimed.

Her remarks immediately sparked outrage within the Unity Party Youth Congress, which dismissed the allegation as false, malicious, and politically motivated. In a strongly worded statement issued by the Secretariat of the UP Youth Congress, officials accused Kaba of engaging in character assassination without evidence.

The statement, signed by Evans Boima Tuku, demanded an immediate retraction and apology from Kaba, warning that failure to comply would result in legal action for criminal libel and defamation.

“Let me be unequivocally clear from the outset: Mamesie Kaba is a serial peddler of political prostitute narratives,” the statement declared, while also describing her allegations as “laughable,” “unsubstantiated,” and “a desperate fabrication.”

The UP Youth Congress vigorously defended Amos Tweh, portraying him as a respected public servant with a clean professional record and accusing the CDC of orchestrating a coordinated smear campaign aimed at damaging his reputation and undermining the Unity Party.

“Comrade Amos B. Tweh does not need to bribe anyone,” the statement asserted. “His name, his record, and his decades of honorable service speak for themselves. He is a builder. He is a reformer.”

The ruling party’s youth wing also challenged Kaba to produce evidence supporting her accusations, including juror testimonies, police reports, indictments, or any documentary proof linking Amos Tweh to an attempted bribery scheme.

“Where is your proof? Where are the juror affidavits? Where is the police report? You have nothing but hot air and the desperate bidding of political masters,” the statement continued.

The UP Youth Congress further argued that the timing of the allegation reflects growing desperation within the CDC as legal scrutiny surrounding former officials of the Weah administration continues. According to the statement, opposition figures are attempting to divert public attention from the substance of ongoing legal proceedings by attacking personalities connected to the current government.

In one of the statement’s sharpest attacks, the ruling party’s youth wing accused Kaba of seeking political relevance after what it described as an unsuccessful tenure in government. The statement also branded the CDC Youth League’s allegations as part of a broader misinformation campaign intended to weaken public trust in the judiciary and legal process.

But supporters of the CDC insist the allegations surrounding the alleged juror bribery attempt deserve serious public scrutiny, especially given the political sensitivity of the case involving former senior government officials.

The escalating exchange now adds another layer of controversy to the politically charged prosecution involving Samuel Tweah and several former CDC officials, a case that continues to divide public opinion across Liberia.

The confrontation also highlights the deepening hostility between the CDC and the Unity Party, with both sides increasingly resorting to aggressive public rhetoric as political tensions continue to rise nationwide.

While the CDC camp portrays the alleged bribery claims as evidence of political interference and manipulation within the judicial process, the Unity Party insists the accusations are reckless, defamatory, and unsupported by facts.

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