MONROVIA — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has appointed retired Major General Daniel Dee Ziankahn, Jr. as Director General of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), signaling a renewed and intensified government campaign against illicit narcotics and transnational organized crime. The nomination, announced Monday, August 10, 2026, remains subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate.
Major General Ziankahn, a veteran military and national security expert, brings decades of operational experience to the agency. He previously served as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, where he played a pivotal role in professionalizing the military following years of civil conflict. He subsequently served as Minister of National Defense and, most recently, as Military Advisor to President Boakai on strategic security matters.
According to the Executive Mansion, the appointment reflects the President’s confidence in Ziankahn’s leadership and integrity, while underscoring the administration’s determination to elevate Liberia’s response to narcotics trafficking. In his new role, the Director General will report directly to the President in close consultation with the Minister of Justice.
Alongside Ziankahn, President Boakai appointed Precious Rue as Deputy Director General for Operations and Prince Mulbah as Deputy Director General for Administration. Pending legislative confirmation when the Senate returns later this year, all three appointees have been directed to assume their responsibilities immediately in an acting capacity. Meanwhile, Ernest Tarpeh, who previously served as Deputy Director General of the LDEA, will return to his former assignment at the National Security Agency.
These leadership changes follow the Ministry of Justice’s submission of an investigative report to the President and form part of broader institutional reforms. President Boakai has repeatedly declared drug trafficking one of the gravest threats facing Liberia’s national security, public health, and future development. His administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward narcotics, backed by stricter enforcement, institutional restructuring, and enhanced cooperation with international security partners.
In a related action, President Boakai indefinitely suspended former LDEA Officer-in-Charge Fitzgerald Biago from the Liberia National Police over alleged ethical transgressions, ordering a comprehensive investigation into his conduct. While the Ministry of Justice report did not link Mr. Biago to illegal drug trafficking, it raised significant ethical concerns that warrant further administrative scrutiny.
Following a marathon meeting with the National Security Council on Monday evening, President Boakai reaffirmed his commitment to due process, stating that public officials must remain accountable while ensuring no individual is condemned without evidence. He urged the new LDEA leadership to collaborate closely with Joint Security, the Ministry of Justice, and international partners to dismantle trafficking networks, reinforce border control, and improve intelligence gathering.
“Our fight against drugs is a fight for the future of Liberia,” President Boakai declared, warning that his administration will uphold strict ethical standards and ensure there is no safe haven for drug traffickers or their accomplices.
