MONROVIA, Liberia – The Center for Advocacy and Civic Engagement (CFAC) has thrown its weight behind President Joseph Boakai’s recent dismissal and suspension of senior officials linked to narcotics trafficking, calling it a “critical test” for the rule of law in Liberia. However, the civil society group warns that the crackdown must avoid political favoritism and require full public disclosure of all evidence against top officials.
In a statement issued on Sunday, August 2, 2026, CFAC Executive Director Prince S.D. Marley, Sr. said the President’s intervention “sends a clear message that no public official is above the law” and marks a necessary shift in combating a drug trade that has fueled organized crime and devastated Liberian youth.
“For far too long, drug trafficking has eroded public trust,” Marley said. “These dismissals are an important step, but they must be the beginning, not the end, of a genuine reckoning.”
CFAC is urging law enforcement agencies to conduct investigations “without fear, favor, or political interference” and to ensure accountability reaches every level of government, regardless of rank or party affiliation. The group specifically called on the government to publicly name senior officials against whom sufficient evidence exists, arguing that transparency is vital to restoring public confidence.
At the same time, CFAC stressed that all accused individuals retain constitutional rights to due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. “Justice must not only be done—it must be seen to be done,” the statement read.
Beyond the current probes, CFAC recommended broader institutional reforms, including stronger inter-agency coordination, enhanced border security, and improved intelligence-sharing with regional and international partners. The group pledged continued support for initiatives that advance good governance and human rights across Liberia.
CFAC called on all Liberians to reject the drug trade and back lawful efforts to secure safer communities. “The fight against narcotics must spare no one,” Marley concluded. “This is a moment to prove that public office is a trust, not a shield.”
