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Writer's pictureMichael T
Dec 24, 20244 min read

Blood Money: Guinea's $2 Million Payoff for Liberia's Extrajudicial Kidnapping



Guinea Military Junta Leader and Men
Guinean Military Junta Leader Mamady Doumbouya

A brazen conspiracy to destabilize Guinea’s military junta took root on Liberian soil, fueled by greed, political scheming, and a disturbing alliance between few high-ranking corrupt Liberian officials and a foreign provocateur. At the center of this controversy was Ibrahima Khalil Cherif, a Guinean operative closely linked to ousted President Alpha Condé. Cherif wielded his financial might as a weapon, exploiting Liberia’s fragile institutions and seducing key officials into a conspiracy that threatened to plunge the region into chaos. This aided act of subversion revealed the dangerous intersection of corruption and power within Liberia’s current leadership.[1].


Using Liberia as a base for recruitment and training, this conspiracy threatened the fragile peace between the two nations. The scheme involved the recruitment of former rebels and the misuse of Liberian government agencies, particularly the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA). This marked the beginning of a plot that could have destabilized the entire region, putting Liberia at risk of severe diplomatic and security consequences.


The Role of Liberian Institutions


The LDEA, under the leadership of Abraham Kromah, became a key tool in Cherif's coup ambitions. Despite having only 600 personnel, the agency was thrust into an operation of unprecedented scale. Kromah allegedly received 1.2 million United States Dollars to train a force of 3,000 men primarily composed of Guinean Mandingo recruits, raising serious questions about the agency's role in national security and its susceptibility to external influence [2].


Other Liberian institutions were also implicated in this conspiracy. High-ranking officials, including the Attorney General, Solicitor General, NSA Boss, and Police Inspector General, were accused of enabling Cherif's operations through the LDEA. This complicity undermined Liberia's sovereignty and exposed the nation to accusations of facilitating subversive activities against a neighboring state.


Guinea's Response and Diplomatic Tensions


The Guinean junta, aware of Cherif's influence and financial power, intercepted intelligence on the recruitment activities in Liberia. Recognizing the threat posed by the potential insurrection, the junta took decisive action. They dispatched a delegation to Monrovia with an unequivocal message: halt the operations, extradite Cherif, and dismantle the training camps [1].


This stern warning placed the officials involved in a difficult position. The junta's demands and subsequent threats highlighted the potential for escalation, with Guinea reportedly prepared to take more drastic measures if Liberia failed to comply. The situation brought the two nations to the brink of conflict, depicting the severe consequences of allowing such conspiracies to take root on Liberian soil.


The Controversial Arrest and Extradition


Faced with mounting pressure, Liberian authorities eventually arrested Cherif. However, his detention and subsequent extradition were marred by irregularities that raised serious legal and ethical questions. Cherif was allegedly kidnapped from prison under the cover of darkness and handed over to the Guinean junta without following proper legal procedures [1].


This extrajudicial action not only violated Liberia's legal obligations but also exposed the government's complicity in the conspiracy. Kabineh Ja'neh, Cherif's lawyer and a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, argued that the extradition should have adhered to international and domestic legal standards, involving formal processes through the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs.


 Quid Pro Quo: Guinea's Gratitude and Ongoing Cooperation


In an alarming development, it has been revealed that members of the Guinean junta flew into Liberia recently and delivered $2 million in cash to the Liberian officials involved in Cherif's extradition. This money including other subssequent logistical support is for the blood of Cheriff and other Guineans that Liberian officials sold out to the Military Junta. This height of trachery brings to light the questionable nature of officials we have at the hem of Authority in Liberia.




To further prove this, President Boakai recently announced in Lofa that the Guinean Military Junta had sent 10 pickup trucks to Liberia as a gesture of appreciation. What dealings does Liberia have with a rebel government? This should be an issue of concern. This public acknowledgment of material benefits received in exchange for extrajudicial cooperation is profoundly troubling and suggests a blatant disregard for proper diplomatic and legal protocols.



Even more concerning is the report that members of the Guinean junta are currently operating covertly in Liberia, searching for individuals who were trained as part of the conspiracy. The Liberian government has allegedly granted these operatives access to conduct their search, following the financial and material incentives offered. This arrangement violates Liberian sovereignty and puts the safety and rights of individuals within Liberia's borders at risk.


 Implications for Regional Security and Liberia's Future


The attempted destabilization of Guinea from Liberian soil, coupled with the subsequent extrajudicial cooperation between the two governments, has far-reaching implications for regional security in West Africa. It exposes the vulnerability of the region to cross-border conflicts and the ease with which state institutions can be co-opted for subversive activities or manipulated through financial incentives.


For Liberia, the consequences of this scandal are profound. The country's reputation has been severely stained, potentially hindering future cooperation and investment opportunities between Liberia and Guinea after the Junta's rule. The erosion of public trust in government institutions presents a significant challenge to Liberia's ongoing efforts to strengthen its democracy and governance structures. Without decisive action, the repercussions of this scandal could haunt Liberia for years to come, undermining its stability and regional standing.


This controversy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ethical governance in safeguarding national security and regional peace. It highlights the need for vigilance against corruption and the misuse of state power, not just in Liberia but across the region. As West African nations make strides in their stability and democracy, the lessons from this scandal must inform future efforts on scrupulous security mechanisms.



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References


[2] Liberia: Arrest of Alleged Coup Plotter Triggers Tension with Guinea ... https://frontpageafricaonline.com/breaking-news/liberia-arrest-of-alleged-coup-plotter-triggers-tension-with-guinea-family-fears-for-safety/Blood Money, Guinea's $2 Million, Liberia's Extrajudicial KidnappingBlood Money, Guinea's $2 Million, Liberia's Extrajudicial KidnappingBlood Money, Guinea's $2 Million, Liberia's Extrajudicial Kidnapping

[4] Guinea's junta alleges mercenary attack from Liberia - VOA Africa https://www.voaafrica.com/a/guinea-s-junta-alleges-mercenary-attack-from-liberia/7817113.htmlBlood Money, Guinea's $2 Million, Liberia's Extrajudicial Kidnapping


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