-Over Drug War, Faith, and Election Rigging Claims As Sen. Dillon Warns Sando
By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA – A public exchange between Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh and Deputy Information Minister Daniel O. Sando escalated into sharp personal, religious, and political attacks this week, centered on the “Cocaingate” drug epidemic, allegations of election manipulation, and legislative competence.
The dispute intensified following Senator Konneh’s opinion on President Joseph Boakai’s handling of Liberia’s illicit drug crisis. On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Deputy Minister Sando directly questioned Konneh’s credibility as a national oversight voice. He claimed that Konneh “bears the greatest responsibility for reversing some of the gains” Liberia achieved historically.
During his deliberation at the Ministry of Information press conference, Sando went a step further by bringing religion into the spat, stating that Konneh is a Muslim who “needs to return to the mosque to ask Allah for forgiveness for his sins,” alleging that Konneh secretly connived to systemically rig past elections.
“Who considers Senator Amara Konneh as a critical voice in Liberia when this man bears the greatest responsibility of reversing some of the gains this country achieved in the past? Amara is a Muslim, and he needs to return to the mosque to ask Allah for forgiveness for his sins. He connived and systemically rigged the election that made Weah president,” Sando declared.
Senator Konneh responded via social media, writing a few hours later: “The lazy man blames the sun for the unfinished work!” He defended his Islamic faith, stating he is a proud Muslim who prays five times a day, fasts, and gives charity, while maintaining his respect for Christian devotions in the Senate.
“I am a proud Liberian Muslim who prays five times a day, fasts, and donates charity to the poor. I am not a perfect man, but I try. I respect the Christian faith and silently sit through our daily Christian devotions at the Senate, listening to powerful messages from our Senate prelates. I don’t need an unskilled sycophant riding on the back of an aging President to tell me to go to the mosques and pray,” Konneh responded.
Konneh reiterated his intent to keep investigating the high-profile drug ring because silence equates to complicity. “I speak out against this cocaine scheme because I love my country and worked hard to bring in this UP government with the promise to rid our nation of drugs. So far, we are struggling to fulfill that promise. I have earned the right to speak up, especially as a national leader and a voice for those affected by illicit drugs whose voices may not be heard. Silence would be complicity. I am doing my job. You do your job, too, so we can make Liberia a drug-free country and a better country than it was two and a half years ago. Everybody wins!” .
Dillon Enters the Fray
Adding a new dimension to the growing controversy, Montserrado County Senator Abe Darius Dillon publicly weighed in on the exchange Tuesday evening via his Facebook page, directly admonishing Deputy Minister Sando over his religious remarks directed at Senator Konneh.
“Hon. Daniel O. Sando, Let me do this in public this time around,” Dillon began. “I may not be the right or best ‘moral voice’ to advise you. I am with my own short-comings as a human being and a national leader, but I have been around for a good while now and have gained some experience in public service. I have grown from a youth to a full-grown adult in public service for over 20 years.”
Dillon recalled advice from his mother during his youth, stating: “My son, you better take time in life; you got far way to go.” He explained that this was positive advice he did not understand at the time, but has since come to appreciate.
The Montserrado County Senator acknowledged his own journey in public life, noting: “No doubt, I have been a relevant and consequential figure in opposition in our national politics, and now a relevant and consequential figure (with humility) in collaboration with the current, ruling administration. I have seen it all in my lifetime.. thus far! I have been liked at times, disliked at times, as well as booed at times and cheered on at times. I have seen it all.. thus far.”
Turning directly to the issue at hand, Dillon stated: “Your recent comments directed at Sen. Amara Konneh essentially referencing his religion and religious belief was inappropriate and out of order, from my viewpoint. There are many other ways to respond to issues than the manner and path you have chosen. You need to reach out to make amends!!”
Positioning himself as an elder figure, Dillon offered guidance to Sando: “You being like a younger brother, I am giving you the same advice my mother used to give me…. from a good place … hoping you will take it in good strides. Do not follow some of these political clapping and cheers … they may be temporary and can shift!!!”
Earlier Concern:
Recently, Senator Konneh called for immediate and decisive action from President Boakai in what he describes as a “two-front war” against drug trafficking, warning that internal corruption within the security apparatus threatens to undermine the entire campaign.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Sunday, August 9, 2026, Senator Konneh expressed full support for the President’s efforts but raised serious concerns about accountability within the security services, particularly regarding the investigation into the country’s record-breaking cocaine seizures. His remarks came as the nation awaited the outcome of a 48-hour deadline set by the President for investigators to report back on allegations of bribery involving a senior anti-drug official.
Senator Konneh characterized President Boakai’s current struggle as a complex operation being fought on two distinct fronts: one against international drug cartels and another against senior security officials whom the President relies upon to lead the fight. He specifically questioned the decision by the head of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Fitzgerald T.M. Biago, to recuse himself from the investigation into allegations of cartel bribery.
“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 stated. He argued that this situation is unfair to President Boakai and undermines public confidence in the administration’s commitment to fighting the illegal drug trade.
The Senator urged the President to move beyond what he termed “superficial optics” and take concrete steps to remove individuals undermining the campaign. “We fully support our President in this two-front war and urge him not to let his advisors hold him hostage,” Konneh declared.
Senator Konneh highlighted growing public distrust stemming from the ongoing internal turmoil surrounding the investigation. He referenced reporting and advocacy by Liberian media institutions, emphasizing their critical role in keeping the case alive. “Everyone mentioned so far by media institutions… has either been arrested, fired, or ‘self-recused.’ The only confusion now is that senior security people the President fired from NSA and LNP in relation to this investigation are still free men,” Konneh observed.
He thanked journalists and activists for their investigative work, noting that without their advocacy, the case might have gone cold like other high-profile incidents. Senator Konneh called on Liberians who support President Boakai’s anti-drug campaign to continue speaking out and demanding accountability from government officials.
“The message that Government is beholden to the people, and that it has no other source of power except the sovereign people, which is the central message in our constitution, defines your relationship with your government,” he stated.
He emphasized that the fight against illicit drugs is everybody’s business and must make Liberia unattractive to drug traffickers and their local protectors. “I will keep speaking up for the silent majority, many of whom are victims of the drug epidemic our President is fighting,” Konneh added.
Senator Konneh concluded his statement by urging church-going friends to pray for President Boakai to have the courage to act and win this critical two-front war to save Liberia from the cartel and corrupt state actors enabling them.
Leadership Change at LDEA
Just a day after Senator Konneh’s comments, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. appointed Major General (Retired) Daniel Dee Ziankahn, Jr. as Director General of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), pending confirmation by the Liberian Senate. The action marks a decisive move that underscores his Administration’s resolve to intensify the fight against illicit drugs and transnational organized crime.
A distinguished military officer with decades of experience in national security, Major General (Retired) Ziankahn previously served as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, where he led the transformation and professionalization of the country’s military following years of conflict.
Major General Ziankahn previously served as Minister of National Defense and, more recently, as Military Advisor to President Boakai, providing strategic counsel on national security matters. His appointment reflects the President’s confidence in his leadership, integrity, and operational experience, and signals the Administration’s determination to elevate Liberia’s fight against drugs to a new level. In his new role, he will report directly to the President, in close consultation with the Minister of Justice.
The President has also appointed Mr. Precious Rue as Deputy Director General for Operations and Mr. Prince Mulbah as Deputy Director General for Administration of the LDEA, also pending Senate confirmation.
All three appointees have been directed to assume their duties with immediate effect in an acting capacity, pending legislative confirmation upon the Senate’s return later this year. Mr. Ernest Tarpeh, who served as Deputy LDEA Director General, returns to his previous assignment at the National Security Agency.
The appointments follow the submission of the Ministry of Justice’s investigative report to the President and form part of a broader strategy to strengthen Liberia’s institutional response to the growing threat posed by narcotics trafficking and related criminal activities.
President Boakai has repeatedly declared that narcotics trafficking represents one of the gravest threats to Liberia’s national security, public health, and future development. Under his leadership, the Government has adopted a zero tolerance policy toward drug trafficking, corruption, and organized crime. This policy has been accompanied by stronger enforcement actions, institutional reforms, and enhanced interagency cooperation.
Biago Suspension and Investigation
In a related development, President Boakai has indefinitely suspended former LDEA Officer in Charge Fitzgerald Biago from the Liberia National Police for ethical transgressions and has ordered that he be subjected to a more detailed investigation.
The President’s decision follows a review of the Ministry of Justice’s report, which did not establish any involvement by Mr. Biago in illegal narcotics trafficking. However, the report identified ethical concerns that warrant further scrutiny to determine whether additional administrative or other appropriate actions may be necessary.
Following a marathon National Security Council meeting this evening, President Boakai reaffirmed that his Administration remains committed to ensuring that all allegations of misconduct are addressed fairly, professionally, and in accordance with due process. He emphasized that while no individual will be condemned without evidence, no public official will be exempt from accountability where questions of integrity arise.
The President called on the newly appointed leadership of the LDEA to work closely with the Joint Security, the Ministry of Justice, and international partners to dismantle drug trafficking networks, strengthen border security, enhance intelligence and enforcement capabilities, and protect Liberia’s youth and communities from the devastating effects of illicit drugs.
“Our fight against drugs is a fight for the future of Liberia,” the President declared, stressing, “We will continue to strengthen our institutions, hold public officials to the highest ethical standards, and pursue those who seek to poison our communities. There will be no safe haven for drug traffickers or those who aid and abet them”.
The shakeup follows the expiration of the 48-hour investigation ordered by President Boakai into allegations that Biago received a vehicle from an individual linked to the US$317 million narcotics trafficking network. The investigation followed a formal recusal letter from Biago, who stepped aside after exiled Liberian Martin Kollie accused him of receiving and using a grey Toyota Hilux registered to George Wha Harris, also known as “Leroy Harris”—a businessman charged in connection with the country’s broader narcotics investigation.
Biago had categorically denied the allegation, maintaining that he neither solicited nor knowingly accepted any gift, benefit, or inducement from any person associated with illegal narcotics operations. Despite his denial, President Boakai’s directive left no room for ambiguity: “No individual or institution is above the law,” the President stated, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to combating illegal drugs, organized crime, and corruption.
