The Liberian government reiterates that its recent handing over of a Guinean mercenary Ibriam Kahli Cheriff was in adherence to international law and protocol despite widespread criticism here.
By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia, November 26, 2024- The Government of Liberia defends that its extradition of Guinean mercenary Ibriam Kahli Cheriff was in line with international law and diplomatic protocols.
The Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism, Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, explains that Cheriff’s alleged involvement in destabilization activities in Guinea, including his participation in mercenary groups, posed a threat to regional security.
“By handing him over to Guinea, Liberia was upholding its commitment to regional peace and security, as well as honoring its obligations under international treaties regarding the prosecution of criminals and preventing the use of Liberian soil for illegal activities”, he maintains.
The government chief spokesman notes that Government of Liberia must always be cautious in how national security issues are handled, as mismanagement could have long-lasting negative effects.
He cautions that all progress and development Liberia has made would be undermined if the country were to return to the instability and chaos it experienced in previous decades.
Minister Piah stresses that government must exercise caution in its dealings with neighboring countries, especially on matters that affect their security, adding “Every decision made in relation to the extradition of the Guinean mercenary was done with the utmost consideration for Liberia’s national security.”
While acknowledging that some details were not publicly disclosed, he reassures the public that the actions taken were in the country’s supreme national interest, aimed at ensuring long-term peace and stability.
“Our priority is the security of Liberia and its people,” he says, underscoring that every measure was carefully thought through to avoid any negative repercussions.
He underscores the importance of maintaining peace and security to ensure that the nation’s hard-won advancements in infrastructure, governance, and social well-being are not jeopardized by threats to stability. This careful handling of national security, he asserts, is vital for sustaining the country’s progress and protecting its future.
Piah clarifies that the extradition process was conducted transparently and in full cooperation with Guinean authorities.
He further reassures the public that the rights of the individual would be respected and that Liberia would continue to work with regional partners to prevent a recurrence of similar threat to stability. The decision, Piah notes, was in the best interest of Liberia and the broader West African region.
Recently, Criminal Court ‘A’ Judge Roosevelt Willie, issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Liberian government to produce the living body of Ibriam Kahli Cheriff, a Guinean mercenary that was allegedly in Liberian government custody.
The decision came after Cheriff’s lawyers filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, claiming that their client may have disappeared from his prison cell.
In his ruling, Judge Willie instructed the state to provide a report on Cheriff’s whereabouts and status before the expiration of the 72-hour period. The judge also emphasized that if the government fails to comply with the order, legal consequences may follow. The case has sparked concern over the transparency and handling of the extradition process.
Former Associate Justice Cllr. Kabineh M. Ja’neh, who represents Cheriff’s interest, accused Liberia’s Justice Minister Oswald N. Tweh, and Police Chief Gregory Coleman of allegedly kidnapping his client.
In a serious charge, Ja’neh stated that his client was forcibly taken into custody and removed from his legal protections, which he described as a violation of both Liberian law and his client’s rights.
Under Liberian law, kidnapping is considered a first-degree felony, punishable by severe legal penalties. Justice Ja’neh’s allegations have intensified the controversy surrounding the case, as they raise questions about the legality and transparency of the actions taken by the government regarding Cheriff’s detention and extradition.
However, Minister Piah defends the government’s actions by framing them within the broader context of national security.
In an interview withstate broadcaster ELBC on November 25, 2024, he argued that the government’s priority was to ensure the security and stability of Liberia.
He argues that no one would want to see a situation where even a small part of the country’s territory is compromised by foreign incursions or destabilizing activities.
He cites an example to illustrate his point: if a Liberian citizen were to engage in subversive activities in Guinea, and the Guinean government determined that the individual posed a threat, Liberia would expect that person to be returned.
“How would we feel if Guinea refused to send that person back?” Piah asked. He highlights that the government’s actions, though not widely detailed, were aligned with international standards and aimed at preventing any arbitrary or extrajudicial treatment of the individual involved.
He maintains that measures taken were in the national interest, ensuring that Liberia’s peace and its relationships with neighboring countries are preserved.
He reiterates that Government’s focus was on maintaining peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness, as these were key to preventing conflict. “No one here wants to go back to Egypt,” he allegorizes, underscoring the desire to avoid a return to the instability and strife of the past. Editing by Jonathan Browne
