Monrovia – The Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for West Africa (ARINWA) has concluded a working visit to Liberia, holding a series of high-level engagements with government officials aimed at strengthening asset recovery mechanisms and advancing the country’s compliance with international anti-money laundering standards.
The mission focused on issues relating to asset seizure and confiscation, as well as Liberia’s preparations for the Third Round Mutual Evaluation process under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework.
The regional delegation began its engagements with officials of the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General, where discussions centered on ARINWA’s mandate and the importance of establishing a legal framework for asset seizure and confiscation.
The talks also addressed the proposed institutional framework for a future asset management agency and the role of asset recovery in strengthening criminal prosecution and the administration of justice.
Officials further reviewed Liberia’s compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, with the Ministry of Justice designating a focal point to coordinate engagement with the regional network.
ARINWA also met with officials of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to discuss the economic benefits of asset recovery, funding arrangements and institutional autonomy for a future asset management structure, Liberia’s FATF compliance obligations, and the country’s contribution to supporting the regional network.
The delegation additionally engaged prosecuting authorities, including senior magistrates, emphasizing the importance of identifying and seizing criminal assets at the early stages of investigations. Discussions also highlighted the value of international cooperation in tracing and recovering illicit assets across borders.
A separate roundtable brought together ARINWA contact points from the Central Authority for Judicial Cooperation, criminal investigation and prosecution agencies, and the Financial Intelligence Agency. Participants discussed a post-mission roadmap for establishing a national asset management agency and strengthening interagency collaboration.
The visit concluded with a briefing on the mission’s outcomes and discussions on the Liberian government’s commitment to advancing asset recovery reforms and improving compliance with international standards aimed at combating money laundering and other financial crimes.
