Front row: Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Hon. Stephen Yekeson (second from left), with Mr. Emmanuel Rugomboka, Counsellor in WIPO’s Division for Africa, and Hon. Garmai Koboi, Director General of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office.

The Government of Liberia has begun the validation of its draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) to guide short-, medium-, and long-term actions in the protection, administration and commercialization of intellectual property rights.

The ongoing validation exercise, which runs from October 15 to 16, comes as President Joseph Boakai’s administration has made intellectual property protection and development a key policy priority under Pillar One of the ARREST Agenda.

Opening the validation workshop, Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Hon. Stephen Yekeson said the exercise represents a step toward a national framework that recognizes the economic value of knowledge and protects the legitimate interests of creators and innovators.

“In today’s increasingly knowledge-driven global economy, national competitiveness depends not only on the natural resources a country possesses or the goods it produces, but also on its ability to generate ideas, protect innovation, develop valuable brands, commercialize creative works, and transform knowledge into economic value,” Hon. Yekeson added.

Min. Yekeson further noted that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry sees the NIPPS as an important document that connects to Liberia’s wider trade, investment, and economic development priorities, as an effective intellectual property system is key to a more supportive business environment, encourages responsible investment, and reinforces Liberia’s broader efforts to improve trade competitiveness and private sector growth.

“Today’s validation workshop is particularly important because the success of a national policy depends not only on the quality of the document, but also on its relevance to national priorities, its responsiveness to practical challenges, and the commitment of the institutions and stakeholders responsible for its implementation,” the Minister also noted while stressing the importance of the validation exercise.

Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Hon. Stephen Yekeson opens the validation workshop on Liberia’s draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy.

The ongoing workshop, which brings together stakeholders from government circles, the creative industries, the business community, higher education institutions and civil society, is convened by the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with technical assistance from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

It comes after a national review of the IP Audit findings last year, which identified gaps in institutional capacity, infrastructure, coordination, and access to intellectual property services as constraints that continue to limit the use of the intellectual property system.

The draft NIPPS responds to these findings by seeking to strengthen the country’s intellectual property system and increase its usage and responsiveness. The document, which was developed by experts in intellectual property, aligns with the Government’s national development priorities in the ARREST Agenda and brings coherence to the work of LIPO and other government institutions, while positioning Liberia to take full advantage of regional and global opportunities.

Speaking earlier, LIPO Director General Hon. Garmai Koboi said the draft was made possible through high-level engagement with WIPO in order to align the country’s IP regime with international intellectual property standards and frameworks administered by WIPO, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), and others.

Hon. Koboi noted that the workshop gives stakeholders an opportunity to confirm that the draft reflects their experiences, challenge impractical measures and examine institutional responsibilities.

“We extend our profound appreciation to the World Intellectual Property Organization for its invaluable technical and financial support. This partnership reflects WIPO’s long-term commitment to helping member states build intellectual property systems that serve their development aspirations, and Liberia is proud to count WIPO among its steadfast partners,” Hon. Koboi added.

“I also recognize both the national and international consultants, whose expertise guided the preparation of this draft; the members of the Technical Steering Committee, who gave their time and recommendations; and the many institutions, enterprises, creators, and individuals who participated in the National IP Audit and the stakeholder consultations,” noted the Director General.

Also speaking, WIPO Representative Emmanuel Rugomboka, a Counsellor in the organization’s Division for Africa, said the document could help connect intellectual property protection with economic diversification, stronger local enterprises and opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs.

He illustrated this potential with a hypothetical Liberian cocoa or coffee cooperative. “Imagine a Liberian agricultural cooperative producing high-quality cocoa or coffee. With the right policy framework, the cooperative could receive support to develop a distinctive brand, protect its trademark, meet quality standards, and explore geographical indication protection where appropriate,” Mr. Rugomboka said.

“By combining intellectual property protection with improved production, processing, packaging and market access, the cooperative could differentiate its products, negotiate better prices and reach higher-value domestic and international markets,” he added. “The resulting benefits could include increased incomes for farmers, new opportunities for young entrepreneurs, and jobs in processing, packaging, marketing and distribution.”

According to Mr. Rugomboka, WIPO stood ready to support implementation of NIPPS in line with Liberia’s priorities and available resources, including efforts to help businesses build competitive brands, researchers bring discoveries to market and creators benefit from their work.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Liberia has officially opened 15 offshore oil exploration blocks to international petroleum companies, launching a new licensing round aimed at attracting investment and accelerating exploration of the country’s offshore petroleum resources.

The 2026 Offshore Direct Negotiation Licensing Round was launched on Wednesday, October 14, at African Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa, by the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA), bringing together senior government officials, international oil companies and industry representatives.

The offering covers 12 blocks in the Liberia Basin and three in the Harper Basin. Interested companies are being invited to participate in the process which is scheduled to close on April 15, 2027.

In a video message, H.E. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of Liberia, reaffirmed his administration commitment to attracting credible investment transparently and ethically. Boakai assured investors of contractual certainty, emphasizing that Liberia’s laws are clear and enforceable and that agreed terms would remain valid “today and in the future.” However, he stressed that investment agreements must be mutually beneficial. “No agreement is worth signing unless it works for all parties to it,” the President stated.

Reaffirming his administration’s backing for the licensing round, Boakai declared: “Today, I assure you that the journey you are about to begin with Liberia- through the LPRA- carries the full support of the Liberian government.”

LPRA Urges International Companies to Explore Liberia’s Petroleum Potential

Speaking at the official launch, LPRA Director General Marilyn T. Logan expressed confidence in Liberia’s offshore petroleum potential and encouraged qualified international oil companies to take advantage of the investment opportunities presented by the new licensing round.

“Our petroleum system works,” Logan declared, urging interested companies to submit letters of intent before the April 15, 2027, deadline. “Whichever company makes the first discovery will play a significant role in the history of our country,” she added.

Logan also underscored the LPRA’s “Explore or Release” principle: companies granted offshore blocks must meet their agreed exploration commitments or relinquish acreage in accordance with their contracts and applicable law. The approach is intended to discourage speculative holding of blocks and keep opportunities open to companies prepared to explore.

The 15 blocks being offered include LB-1, LB-2, LB-3, LB-7, LB-12, LB-13, LB-14, LB-18, LB-19, LB-20, LB-21 and LB-23 in the Liberia Basin, along with LB-25, LB-28 and LB-33 in the Harper Basin.

The licensing round is supported by extensive geological and geophysical information, including more than 50,000 line-kilometers of two-dimensional seismic data and approximately 31,000 square kilometers of three-dimensional seismic coverage. Technical data provider TGS has also reprocessed approximately 12,000 kilometers of 2D seismic data and 5,100 square kilometers of 3D data to improve subsurface imaging and assist prospective investors in assessing Liberia’s offshore exploration prospects.

Industry geoscience specialist Jason Robinson, Managing Director of ENARJI, said geological evidence indicates the presence of a working petroleum system offshore Liberia, with significant deepwater exploration opportunities along the Atlantic margin.

LPRA Assures Investors of Predictable Fiscal Terms

Under the direct negotiation framework, companies interested in the offshore blocks must demonstrate the financial strength, technical competence and relevant offshore exploration experience required to undertake petroleum operations. Qualified companies may subsequently negotiate block-specific exploration programs and contractual arrangements in accordance with Liberia’s 2014 Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, as amended in 2019.

LPRA Deputy Director General for Finance Robert Sonkarlay assured investors that Liberia’s fiscal framework was designed to provide competitive terms while maintaining the predictability necessary for long-term petroleum investment.

“Investors are not just looking to find attractive fiscal terms; they’re also looking for fiscal predictability,” Sonkarlay said, emphasizing that Liberia’s terms are benchmarked against international industry practices.

LPRA Board Member Cllr. Kou Dorliae also highlighted the Authority’s commitment to investor engagement and regulatory predictability, noting that prequalification remains valid for five years, allowing eligible companies to pursue investment opportunities within that period.

The new licensing round follows Liberia’s successful conclusion of eight petroleum production-sharing contracts with TotalEnergies and Atlas Oranto Petroleum in 2025, marking an important step in renewed international interest in the country’s offshore petroleum sector.

Preparations for the 2026 round included an investor engagement event in Houston, Texas, on August 19, followed by the opening of the prequalification process on August 28.

With the latest offering, Liberia is seeking to build on that momentum, attract additional exploration investment and advance its efforts toward a commercial petroleum discovery.

Interested companies can obtain further information on the licensing round, available offshore blocks and prequalification requirements through the LPRA website at https://lpra.gov.lr/liberia-2026-licensing-round/ or by emailing lpra2026submission@lpra.gov.lr.

Mining giant ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has certified 22 employees following a week-long Train-the-Facilitator programme in Buchanan, marking a transition toward an employee-led approach to delivering its shop floor leadership training across the company’s mining and logistics operations.

The initiative prepares internal facilitators to independently deliver AML’s Shopfloor Programme, equipping frontline supervisors with the leadership, safety and management skills needed to improve workplace performance and support the company’s long-term operational goals.

The training focuses on two core frameworks: the 3D Shopfloor Enhancement Programme, which emphasizes Driving Results, Developing People and Doing Things Right, including safety, and the 4D Shopfloor Management Programme, which introduces the Delivering Value approach for supervisors with broader managerial responsibilities.

The programme began with 13 Human Resources staff members in the first week. Nine additional employees, identified as potential trainers based on their performance in previous training cohorts, joined the second week for a combined session. Together, the 22 participants were prepared to deliver the curriculum to employees across AML’s operations.

The certification builds on a rollout that began with a pilot in September 2025. Between November 2025 and September 2026, AML conducted 13 training cohorts in Yekepa and Buchanan, reaching more than 400 employees in partnership with Kenya-based Lantern Training.

During the rollout, participants were encouraged to apply lessons from the workshops to their daily responsibilities. The programme has supported improvements in cross-team communication, daily work planning, conflict management and proactive safety leadership, helping supervisors strengthen coordination and decision-making at their work sites.

To support continued delivery, AML has developed a Train-the-Facilitator Guide containing instructional frameworks, practical activities and detailed delivery notes. The guide provides a consistent structure for training while allowing internal facilitators to incorporate their own operational experiences and practical knowledge into the sessions.

By developing its own pool of qualified facilitators, AML is strengthening the capacity of Liberian employees to lead workplace learning and share practical management skills with colleagues. The approach is also expected to reduce long-term dependence on external trainers and make leadership development more accessible as the company’s operations expand.

The initiative reinforces AML’s investment in workforce development, particularly the skills needed by frontline supervisors to manage teams effectively, maintain high safety standards and improve operational performance.

Through internal knowledge-sharing and continuous training, the company aims to build a stronger leadership culture that supports both employee growth and the long-term development of its Liberian operations.

MONROVIA — The Aiding Disadvantaged Women and Girls Association (ADWANGA) has opened a three-day conference in Monrovia examining how Liberia can address the lasting effects of gender-based violence, strengthen public accountability, and ensure that survivors of the country’s civil conflicts have meaningful access to justice and reparations.

The conference, held under the theme “Constitutional Futures of Justice: Gendered Violence, Decolonizing Reparations, and the Making of Public Accountability in Liberia,” brings together government officials, international partners, researchers, legal practitioners, civil society organizations, and survivor advocates to discuss how emerging justice institutions can respond to the harms caused by Liberia’s conflicts.

The October 12–14 gathering comes as Liberia advances efforts to establish the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC), renewing debate over how accountability mechanisms should recognize conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, address economic harm, and restore survivors’ dignity.

Opening the conference, ADWANGA Founder and Executive Director Amelia M. Cooper said the discussions were intended to move beyond legal accountability alone and examine what justice should mean for survivors seeking to rebuild their lives.

“For many survivors, justice goes beyond seeing perpetrators held accountable,” Cooper said, explaining that it can also mean recognition of the harm suffered, access to support and services, restoration of dignity, opportunities to rebuild lives, and guarantees that such violence will not happen again.

She urged participants to use the three-day gathering to identify practical approaches to reparations and survivor-centered justice in Liberia and beyond.

Government, UN Officials Call for Survivor-Centered Justice

Deputy Gender Minister Curtis Dorley, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, acknowledged the disproportionate burden of conflict-related violence borne by Liberian women and girls.

He said sexual violence during the civil conflicts left physical, emotional, social, and economic scars that continue to affect survivors, families, and communities.

Dorley stressed that lasting recovery requires more than the absence of conflict, emphasizing the need for recognition of harm, access to justice, restoration of dignity, and concrete measures to help survivors rebuild their lives.

He also underscored the importance of placing survivors at the center of policies and institutions intended to address past abuses.

“Justice must not only be legal and procedural,” Dorley said. “It must also be responsive, inclusive and compassionate.”

He added that the effects of sexual and gender-based violence often extend beyond the immediate incident, affecting survivors’ health, education, livelihoods, family relationships, economic opportunities, and participation in society.

At the opening, Marion Deniaud of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) welcomed the conference as an opportunity to build on renewed momentum for implementing recommendations of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Deniaud said the legacy of the conflicts includes not only conflict-related sexual violence but also lost livelihoods, psychological trauma, economic vulnerability, and intergenerational harm, including trauma affecting children born as a result of sexual violence.

She emphasized that the proposed War and Economic Crimes Court and the complementary National Anti-Corruption Court must be designed to earn public trust and respond meaningfully to victims and survivors.

According to Deniaud, survivor participation must go beyond information-sharing and help shape the institutions themselves. She called for gender-sensitive court mandates, specialized expertise in gender-based violence, and safeguards that allow victims and witnesses to participate safely.

She also highlighted the importance of mental health and psychosocial support for those engaging with justice processes.

Deniaud cautioned that criminal accountability alone would not be sufficient, urging participants to examine reparations and other forms of redress for physical, psychological, and financial harm.

She called for the conference’s recommendations to be specific, time-bound, and accompanied by follow-up and implementation plans.

Research Highlights Links Between Violence and Economic Harm

The conference also builds on research undertaken by ADWANGA and its partners on sexual and gender-based violence, reparations, and Liberia’s emerging accountability framework.

Anna M. Agathangelou of York University said she and ADWANGA had been working together for years on questions surrounding sexual and gender-based reparations. She recalled a previous gathering in Liberia in June 2024 that examined the relationship between reparations and the proposed War and Economic Crimes Court.

She said the subsequent research was intended to deepen discussion about how reparations could be considered alongside the creation of the court.

Caroline Bowah of the National Investment Commission also highlighted the importance of evidence and the challenges survivors can face when presenting their experiences within formal legal systems.

She questioned whether trauma, fragmented recollections, or difficulties recounting events chronologically could affect how survivors’ testimony is assessed as evidence.

Her remarks reflected a central concern of the conference: how legal institutions can recognize survivors’ experiences without excluding or distorting the realities of trauma.

The program features sessions on gendered violence and economic extraction, the role of evidence in producing legal truth, the proposed WECC as an emerging constitutional institution, and the long-term effects of war on bodies, livelihoods, and communities.

Other discussions will examine institutional legitimacy, trauma and legal recognition, decolonizing reparations, and how justice systems should be funded and structured to remain credible and sustainable.

Building Public Trust in Liberia’s Justice Process

A major focus of the gathering is how Liberia can design accountability institutions that are trusted by the people they are intended to serve.

Deniaud said the proposed court framework must consider whether its mandate adequately covers gender-related crimes, whether it has the necessary expertise, and whether its procedures protect victims and witnesses.

She also encouraged participants to develop recommendations that can inform policymaking and contribute to the implementation of Liberia’s transitional justice commitments.

The conference brings together representatives of government institutions, including the Ministry of Gender and the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court, alongside international partners and civil society actors.

ADWANGA is convening the gathering with support and collaboration from York University, Medica Mondiale, and Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, according to the conference materials.

Cooper thanked the partners, visiting speakers, researchers, and advocates for participating, while paying tribute to survivors whose experiences underscore the importance of continued efforts toward justice.

As the discussions continue through Wednesday, October 14, the organizers hope to identify practical ways to strengthen reparations, improve institutional accountability, and ensure that survivors’ voices influence the future of justice in Liberia.

The central challenge, participants emphasized, is to ensure that the pursuit of justice addresses not only past violations but also the continuing social, economic, and psychological consequences of violence.

New York: The Republic of Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to the complete eradication of colonialism in all its forms and manifestations.

Speaking at the UNGA81 Fourth Committee meeting on Monday, October 12, 2026, Liberia’s Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Baba Sillah, called for the renewal of MINURSO and expressed its support for the Secretary-General and his personal envoy’s efforts to facilitate a political solution.

He also reiterated its support for the Kingdom of Morocco and for the Moroccan Autonomy proposal as the most realistic and feasible basis presently available for advancing the United Nations-led political process.

Liberia applauded the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy as well as encouraged Morocco, the Frente POLISARIO, Algeria, and Mauritania to engage constructively in the political process.

He urged concerned parties to demonstrate political will, flexibility, and realism; to respect the ceasefire; and to refrain from rhetoric or action that could deepen mistrust, undermine negotiations, or endanger regional stability.

Liberia admonished all parties to engage constructively in the United Nations-led process and work towards a durable settlement that advances peace, stability, and dignity for the people involved. 

New York – Liberia has called for full adherence to international humanitarian law, unhindered humanitarian access, and a peaceful settlement in accordance with the UN Charter regarding the ongoing Ukraine Russia conflict.

Prutus Sackie, Liberia’s political coordinator to the UN Security Council, spoke on Friday during the 10237th meeting of the UN Security Council. He delivered Liberia’s position on the “Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine” during the meeting.

He underlined the protection of civilians at all times and the respect and protection of hospitals, schools, humanitarian personnel, and critical civilian infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law.

“We must strengthen the protection of civilians by ending attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, ensuring full compliance with international humanitarian law, and facilitating safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need.”

He admonished the council to intensify diplomatic efforts towards an immediate ceasefire and a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace, consistent with the Charter of the United Nations, including its principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Liberia’s Political Coordinator to the UN Security Council pointed out that the urgency of ending this war must be matched by the determination to pursue peace, noting that peace does not require agreement on every issue from the outset. It requires the willingness to stop the suffering, protect innocent lives, and create space for dialogue.

Liberia reaffirmed support for all credible efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia war to achieve a peaceful settlement in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

On 23 September, Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo warned that the Ukraine conflict is entering a “dangerous new phase,” stressing increased human cost, risk of escalation, and consequences of miscalculation.

MONROVIA – The President of the Reporters Association of Liberia, J.H. Webster Clayeh, has lauded Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Yin Chengwu for what he described as extraordinary leadership in providing capacity-building opportunities for Liberian journalists.

Clayeh’s commendation follows China’s decision to sponsor another 25 Liberian media practitioners to participate in a media communication capacity-building seminar in Beijing, China.

The seminar, which is being held under the theme “Seminar on Media Communication Capability,” is scheduled to run from October 14 to October 27.

According to the RAL president, the latest delegation further demonstrates China’s continued commitment to strengthening the capacity of Liberian media practitioners.

Since 2023, about 100 Liberian media practitioners have traveled to China to participate in various media-related seminars and capacity-building programs.

The latest initiative comes three months after Chinese Ambassador Yin Chengwu served as guest speaker at the 7th Induction Ceremony of the Reporters Association of Liberia, held at Sinkor Palace in Monrovia.

During that ceremony, Ambassador Yin pledged to work closely with the new leadership of RAL to enhance capacity-building opportunities for media practitioners in Liberia.

In a release, Clayeh said capacity building remains paramount to the work of every reporter and expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for providing Liberian journalists with opportunities to expand their professional knowledge and skills.

The RAL president also pledged to continue promoting the friendship between Liberia and China.

“China means well for Liberian journalists and so we as media practitioners need to take advantage of the opportunity,” Clayeh said.

He highlighted the growing number of Liberian journalists who have benefited from training opportunities in China.

“In 2023, the Chinese government took 25 journalists to Beijing City to participate in a seminar for Liberian Media Think Tanks and Senior Scholars; in 2025, 30 journalists were also sent to China to participate in a seminar on Media Communications Capacity for Liberian journalists in Changsha City, Hunan Province, and now an additional 25 journalists are going to Beijing to participate in another seminar. This is marvelous,” he said.

Clayeh described the continued training opportunities as significant for the Liberian media sector.

“To have more than close to 100 journalists traveling to China within three years for capacity building is something that we will never forget. Thank you Ambassador Yin,” Clayeh said.

Ambassador Yin Reaffirms China-Liberia Media Ties

On July 10, 2026, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Yin Chengwu attended the 7th inauguration ceremony of the Reporters Association of Liberia, where he delivered remarks in the presence of Information Minister Hon. Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, Presidential Press Secretary Hon. Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana, and other media representatives.

At the ceremony, Ambassador Yin commended the Reporters Association of Liberia for its contributions to the development of Liberia’s media sector and to strengthening China-Liberia friendship.

Responding to questions from Liberian journalists about China’s governance system, Ambassador Yin emphasized the role of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the country’s development.

Over the past 105 years since its founding, the CPC has remained committed to serving the people wholeheartedly, demonstrated the courage to struggle, attached great importance to its own building, stands independent and self-reliant, and maintains a global vision, achieving historic accomplishments,” Ambassador Yin said at RAL’s 7th induction program in July.

The Chinese ambassador also encouraged Liberian journalists to continue providing objective coverage of China while contributing to relations between the two countries.

“We welcomed Liberian journalists to continue reporting on China in an objective and balanced manner and to contribute to the friendship between the two countries,” Ambassador Yin said.

GENEVA — CAP Freedom of Conscience has raised concerns over the pretrial detention and treatment of Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, during the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The organization delivered an oral statement on September 18, 2026, during the Council’s General Debate under Item 3, which focuses on the promotion and protection of all human rights.

In its statement, CAP Freedom of Conscience highlighted the case of Lee, who is currently being held at the Seoul Detention Center in the Republic of Korea in connection with what the organization described as non-violent charges.

The organization expressed concern over what it characterized as a politically motivated and discriminatory investigation targeting a religious minority. It also raised concerns about Lee’s detention conditions, particularly his confinement without air conditioning during what it described as Seoul’s severe summer heatwave.

According to CAP Freedom of Conscience, Lee’s age and the absence of an apparent flight risk should have been considered in determining whether pretrial detention was necessary.

The organization argued that his detention and treatment raise questions about South Korea’s obligations under international human rights law, including provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

It cited Article 9 of the ICCPR, which protects individuals against arbitrary detention and requires detention to meet standards of necessity and proportionality. The group also referenced Article 10, which requires persons deprived of their liberty to be treated humanely and with respect for their dignity.

CAP Freedom of Conscience further cited the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, particularly provisions concerning access to healthcare, as well as the Tokyo Rules, which promote alternatives to imprisonment and emphasize that pretrial detention should be used only as a measure of last resort.

The organization also invoked Article 18 of the ICCPR, which protects freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, arguing that religious freedom concerns are relevant to Lee’s case.

CAP Freedom of Conscience called on the Human Rights Council to urge the South Korean government to comply with its international obligations.

Among its recommendations, the organization urged authorities to consider alternatives to pretrial detention, facilitate an independent medical assessment of Lee’s condition and ensure that proceedings against him are conducted fairly and impartially.

Lee, who founded the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, is a prominent and controversial religious figure in South Korea. His detention has drawn attention from organizations that describe themselves as advocates for freedom of religion and conscience.

CAP Freedom of Conscience’s intervention at the Human Rights Council places the case within a broader international debate over pretrial detention, treatment of elderly detainees and the protection of freedom of religion or belief.

MONROVIA — Naymote Partners for Democratic Development is calling for an independent investigation into the selection of Lofa County’s representative for an African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO)-supported training program in India, amid allegations that a politically connected individual was selected while the county’s designated Development Officer was excluded.

Naymote said its concerns stem from a participant list showing that County Development Officers are representing other participating counties, while Lofa County is represented by an individual identified as a “County Technical Assistant”—a position the organization says it has not been able to verify within Lofa County’s current administrative structure.

According to Naymote, its preliminary inquiries indicate that Henry Bundoo, reportedly a Foya District Coordinator for Local Government Minister Francis Sakila Nyumalin’s political movement, is occupying Lofa County’s slot in the training.

Naymote said Francis Egu Lasanna, whom it identifies as Lofa County’s Development Officer, was instead left out.

The organization stressed, however, that the alleged political relationship between Bundoo and Minister Nyumalin, as well as whether that connection influenced his selection, has not been independently established.

Still, Naymote said the circumstances warrant scrutiny because County Development Officers have formal responsibilities for development planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.

“Training intended to strengthen those functions should benefit officials who legitimately hold the relevant responsibilities and can apply the learning within county institutions upon return,” Naymote said.

The organization warned that if political considerations displaced the appropriate county official, Lofa County could have lost an opportunity to strengthen its development capacity.

“Such conduct would place personal political interests ahead of public responsibilities and undermine confidence in the Ministry’s commitment to accountable decentralization,” Naymote said.

Calls for Minister to Explain Selection

Naymote is calling on the Minister of Local Government to clarify Bundoo’s official appointment status, substantive duties and authority to represent Lofa County at the international training.

The organization is also demanding an explanation as to why the county’s Development Officer was not selected.

The Ministry, Naymote said, should verify that all participants are legitimate nominees and that their official responsibilities correspond with the objectives of the training program.

The group further called on the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate whether any conflict of interest, political favoritism or misuse of public authority played a role in determining Lofa County’s representation.

Naymote said any investigation should establish the facts, provide an opportunity for those implicated to respond and determine whether corrective measures or referral to other competent authorities are warranted.

“If improper influence is established,” Naymote said, “the President of Liberia and the responsible authorities should ensure appropriate accountability and restore the county’s access to the intended institutional benefit,” in coordination with AARDO and the Indian training hosts.

Political Connection Alone Not Proof of Wrongdoing

Naymote acknowledged that political association, by itself, does not constitute proof of wrongdoing.

But the organization argued that public authority should not be used to reward political loyalty at the expense of county development.

“Officials entrusted with decentralization must protect the interests of the communities they serve,” Naymote said.

The organization is also urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant government institutions to verify the official status and substantive responsibilities of nominees selected for internationally sponsored government training programs.

Naymote said it intends to seek clarification from AARDO and the relevant Indian partners through appropriate channels.

The organization commended the County Development Officers from Bong, Sinoe, River Gee, Rivercess, Margibi, Grand Bassa and Grand Gedeh counties who are participating in the training, urging them to use the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge, build professional networks and return better equipped to support county institutions.

Naymote said it remains committed to constructive engagement with the Ministry of Local Government, but stressed that a prompt, documented response and impartial investigation are necessary to protect the integrity of the training partnership, strengthen public confidence and safeguard Lofa County’s development interests.

GBARNGA — More than one hundred senior officers of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) have received certificates following a three-day intensive leadership training seminar focused on advanced leadership techniques.

The training, conducted by professional facilitators from the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), brought together directors, sectional heads, regional commanders and county commanders from across the country.

The three-day seminar, held at the Regional Justice and Security Hub in Gbarnga City, Bong County, focused on strengthening leadership capacity, accountability and professionalism within the Liberia Immigration Service.

Speaking over the weekend at the closing ceremony, LIS Commissioner General, Colonel Elijah F. Rufus, expressed profound appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the training, particularly the facilitators from LIPA and the senior officers who participated in the seminar.

The training was held under the theme: “Leading with Integrity: Strengthening Accountability, Professionalism and the Fight Against Corruption.”

Commissioner General Rufus described the theme as a call to action, urging senior officers to recognize that the credibility of the Liberia Immigration Service is determined not only by the policies and decisions they formulate, but also by the conduct they demonstrate in the discharge of their daily responsibilities.

He emphasized that leadership begins with setting a good example, noting that members of the public are constantly observing the conduct and performance of government officials.

“Leadership begins with example,” the Commissioner General stressed, urging the trained officers to demonstrate integrity, professionalism and accountability in their respective areas of responsibility.

As part of the ceremony, the LIS administration also distributed a range of essential materials to officers and offices across the Service. The items included office materials, stationery, uniforms and raincoats.

According to Commissioner General Rufus, the provision of these materials demonstrates his administration’s commitment to addressing some of the operational challenges confronting the Liberia Immigration Service and improving the working conditions of its personnel.

He said the items were procured under the LIS 2026 fiscal budget and form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the institution and enhance its effectiveness in carrying out its statutory responsibilities.

The Commissioner General further encouraged the officers to apply the knowledge and leadership skills acquired during the training in their daily duties and to remain committed to advancing the mission and values of the Liberia Immigration Service.