Philadelphia – Two former leaders of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) have called on the Liberian government under President Joseph N. Boakai to immediately investigate reports suggesting that the infamous Russian mercenary group, Wagner, is secretly operating in Liberia.
In a press statement issued from the United States, former PUL leaders Emmanuel D. Abalo and Gabriel I.H. Williams expressed alarm over recent reports from American media indicating that the Wagner Group, known for its involvement in armed conflicts and destabilization efforts across Africa, may have covertly begun operations in Liberia.
“This is an urgent call to the Boakai administration to investigate reports that Russian entities, such as the Wagner Group, are establishing operations in Liberia under the guise of business ventures,” the statement read.
They noted that the report is a potential threat to Liberia’s fragile peace, exacerbated by severe economic hardship and opposition from ex-warlords to the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC).
The two journalists also appealed to the United States, Liberia’s closest bilateral ally, to address the growing security concerns, warning that the presence of Wagner mercenaries could have serious regional and international consequences.
They recalled the destabilizing impact of mercenaries during Liberia’s civil war, notably under the former President and convicted war criminal Charles Taylor, who used mercenaries to wreak havoc in neighboring countries such as Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast.
The concerns of Abalo and Williams stem from various media reports, including a recent article by Dr. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), published on September 5, 2024.
The article, titled “Will Liberia be the Wagner Group’s Next Victim?”, claims that Wagner has begun operating under the pretense of developing a resort near Lake Piso in Liberia, while allegedly working on a deep-water port that could accommodate Russian warships.
Dr. Rubin also reported on Melee Kermue, a Liberian convicted of healthcare fraud in the U.S. in 2009, who is now acting as Russia’s honorary consul in Liberia. Kermue is said to have facilitated Wagner’s presence in the country, allegedly using his close ties with former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor to advance Russian interests.
The former PUL leaders urged the Boakai government to thoroughly investigate Kermue’s appointment as Russian Consul General in Liberia and his business dealings, particularly given his previous association with former Vice President Taylor.
In light of these concerning reports, Abalo and Williams emphasized the need for the government to take immediate action to protect Liberia’s peace and stability from foreign interference.
In a related development, the former PUL leaders have commended President Boakai’s recent international diplomatic efforts, including his visits to Indonesia and China.
However, they expressed concern that, seven months into his presidency, Boakai has yet to make an official visit to the United States, Liberia’s closest ally, stressing the importance of such a relationship and urged pragmatic diplomacy to ensure Liberia’s interests are advanced, particularly as the U.S. prepares for its presidential election.
