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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh has expressed support for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ongoing efforts to combat illicit drugs, urging the President to take decisive action against both drug trafficking networks and state officials accused of compromising the fight.
Senator Konneh said the President and Commander-in-Chief is currently fighting what he described as a “two-front war”—one against drug cartels and another involving senior security officials upon whom the government depends to combat the illicit drug trade.
In a Sunday, August 9, 2026 statement issued on his Facebook page, Senator Konneh questioned the decision by the head of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Fitzgerald T.M. Biago, to recuse himself from the ongoing investigation into allegations involving a bribe allegedly linked to a drug cartel.
Konneh argued that the situation requires stronger accountability, including what he described as possible dismissal and criminal prosecution if the allegations are established.
“When the leading anti-drug chief recuses himself instead of facing immediate dismissal and criminal charges over a cartel bribery scandal, it clearly reflects a lack of accountability and represents a strategic retreat,” Senator Konneh said.
He maintained that such a situation is unfair to President Boakai, particularly as the administration seeks to demonstrate its commitment to fighting the illegal drug trade.
Calls for Decisive Presidential Action
Senator Konneh said he fully supports President Boakai in what he described as the administration’s two-front battle and urged the President not to allow advisers or officials to constrain his ability to act.
“We fully support our President in this two-front war and urge him not to let his advisors hold him hostage,” Konneh said.
He called on President Boakai to move beyond what he termed “superficial optics” and take steps to identify and remove individuals who may be undermining the government’s campaign against illicit drugs.
Konneh also reminded the President that combating the illegal drug trade was among his campaign promises, saying the public would be watching the administration’s next steps.
“This was his campaign promise. We will wait and see what he does on Monday when the 48 hours are up,” he said.
Public Distrust Remains High
The Gbarpolu County senator also raised concerns about what he described as growing public distrust following the seizure of large quantities of cocaine in Liberia and the controversies surrounding the investigations.
According to Konneh, the continuing internal disputes and developments involving individuals connected to the investigations have contributed to public skepticism over the government’s handling of the cases.
He referenced reports and advocacy efforts by several Liberian media institutions and activists, including Spoon, FrontPageAfrica, Verity News, and activist Martin N. Kollie.
“Everyone mentioned so far by media institutions like Spoon, FrontPageAfrica, Verity News, and Activist Martin N. Kollie has either been arrested, fired, or ‘self-recused,’” Konneh said.
He questioned why some senior security officials who were reportedly dismissed from the National Security Agency (NSA) and Liberia National Police (LNP) in connection with the investigation remain at liberty.
At the same time, Senator Konneh commended journalists and activists who have continued reporting on and raising questions about the drug investigations.
“We thank them immensely for their investigative journalism and advocacy; otherwise, this would have been a cold case by now, like other high-profile cases,” he said.
Monday Deadline
Senator Konneh said President Boakai has given investigators until Monday to report on their findings concerning allegations that a senior anti-drug official allegedly accepted a bribe from individuals linked to a drug cartel.
His comments come as activist Martin N. Kollie has also announced that his own investigation has uncovered what he described as important information concerning the controversial drug bust.
According to Konneh, Kollie has promised to release what he described as “hard evidence” between Sunday and Monday and has indicated that the information could lead to another arrest.
“Monday is a big day for Cocaingate!” Konneh declared.
The senator urged Liberians who support President Boakai’s anti-drug campaign to continue speaking out and demanding accountability from government officials.
‘This Is Everybody’s Business’
Konneh said the fight against illicit drugs should not be left solely to the government, arguing that citizens also have a responsibility to demand transparency and accountability.
He emphasized that government derives its authority from the people and said Liberians must continue reminding public officials that they are accountable to the citizens.
“We must make Liberia unattractive to drug traffickers and their Liberian protectors. This is everybody’s business, and I will keep speaking up for the silent majority, many of whom are victims of the drug epidemic our President is fighting,” he said.
Senator Konneh concluded by calling on Liberians to pray for President Boakai to have the courage to take decisive action in the ongoing drug fight.
He urged the President to confront both drug trafficking networks and any state actors found to be enabling or protecting them, saying decisive action is necessary to protect Liberia from the growing threat posed by illicit drugs.
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