AGP Executive Report

Drug Bust at Sea: A Greek-owned, Liberia-flagged oil tanker, Aquatravesia, was boarded near Los Angeles after crew found hidden packages of cocaine—about 500 pounds—allegedly meant for a Mexican cartel; a 43-year-old Filipino crewmember was arrested and charged in federal court. Courtroom Fallout: In a separate case tied to Trump-era immigration fights, a U.S. judge dismissed human smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, calling the prosecution vindictive after his wrongful deportation to El Salvador. Ebola Watch: The WHO says a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC has killed over 170 and infected about 750 suspected cases, with insecurity and violence making containment harder. Education Pressure in Liberia: Senators raised alarm over thousands of unpaid volunteer teachers keeping schools running without pay. Agriculture Push: BBBFCO in Bong County is expanding rice production, adding 30 acres as Liberia targets 70% rice self-sufficiency in five years.

Climate Law Wins: The UN General Assembly backed a landmark ICJ climate advisory opinion, voting 141-8 (including Liberia among the “no” votes) to affirm countries’ legal duty to protect the climate system. Ebola Watch: Liberia’s House summoned NPHIL and the Ministry of Health to brief lawmakers on Ebola preparedness after DRC and Uganda outbreaks, as WHO warns the situation is bigger than reported. Justice Push: President Boakai submitted bills to create a War and Economic Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court, sending them to Senate/House judiciary scrutiny. Energy & Finance: UBA pledged new investments for Liberia’s development agenda, while CAPO launched a rural solar electrification phase in Carbadae communities. Trade & Agriculture: Liberia will benefit from China’s new zero-tariff policy, and cocoa exports jumped 54% from 2024 to 2025. Regional Security: ECOWAS border-crime cooperation and a Gulf of Guinea maritime task force are gaining momentum.

Maritime Security Push: President Bola Tinubu will flag off the AU Combined Maritime Task Force, a multinational effort to curb piracy, illegal fishing, and other cross-border maritime threats across the Gulf of Guinea, with Nigeria’s Navy also commissioning new vessels and holding an international fleet review in Lagos. Ebola Readiness Alarm: Liberia is on alert as Ebola outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda renew preparedness concerns; lawmakers have summoned health authorities for a national briefing on surveillance, labs, border screening, and emergency response. Justice Reform Moves: Joseph Boakai has submitted bills to create a War and Economic Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court, with the House already moving them to joint committee review. Education Under Pressure: Human Rights Watch warns school fees and “hidden costs” are keeping children out and leaving many enrolled but not learning. Rubber Industry Warning: A former education minister warns a tightening rubber supply could cut factory output and jobs, threatening Liberia’s industrial future. Politics in Court: A procedural error is said to jeopardize ex-Rep. Kolubah’s case after a dispute over how a Supreme Court stay order was served. Loss: Liberia mourns veteran activist and former lawmaker Dusty L. Wolokolie.

Maritime Security Push: Nigeria’s Navy says President Tinubu will flag off the AU Combined Maritime Task Force in Lagos, alongside commissioning three new vessels, aiming to curb piracy and illegal fishing across the Gulf of Guinea. Education Under Strain: Human Rights Watch warns Liberia’s school fees and “hidden costs” are pushing children out of classrooms, while the government boosts the National School Feeding Program budget from US$1m to US$1.8m to add 324 more schools. Accountability in Focus: Liberia’s House welcomed Supreme Court action in the Bill of Information case, as President Boakai submitted bills to create a War and Economic Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court. Oil Governance Clarified: LPRA reiterated it is the legally mandated petroleum licensing authority, addressing questions about upstream roles. Digital Security: Liberia Cyber Warriors qualified for the ECOWAS regional cybersecurity finals in Accra. Justice System Watch: Four ex-LDEA officers appeared in court over alleged exhibit tampering tied to a 2025 cocaine seizure. Climate Law: The UN General Assembly backed a world court climate opinion, with Liberia among the countries voting against.

World Court Climate Push: The UN General Assembly voted 141-8 to back a landmark International Court of Justice opinion saying countries have a legal duty to cut fossil fuels and act on climate change, with the US and Liberia among the eight opponents. Ebola Alarm in Africa: Health agencies are racing to contain a fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo and Uganda, driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain that has no vaccine or targeted treatment—prompting heightened border screening and travel alerts. Liberia’s Ebola Readiness: Liberia is testing its preparedness as global warnings rise, while regional health teams focus on faster detection and isolation. Local Governance & Accountability: Liberia’s revenue collection is under scrutiny after a major GAC compliance audit exposed weaknesses, with government promising reforms and tighter controls. Youth & Rights: A new youth taskforce to fight sexual violence is launched, and Liberia also moves to expand youth economic engagement through a national student economic hub.

Ebola Alarm in the Region: WHO has declared the Congo outbreak a global health emergency as cases surge in DR Congo and Uganda, with the rare Bundibugyo strain and conflict-hit communities making containment harder—Liberia says it has zero confirmed cases but keeps surveillance at ports of entry and is urging vigilance amid travel and population movement. Youth GBV Push: Liberia launched its first national youth gender-based violence taskforce, giving young people a direct role in reporting, advocacy, and pushing cases toward the gender ministry, police, and courts. Courtroom Shock: A major Liberia economic crimes case is thrown into renewed uncertainty after a judge orders an investigation into alleged jury tampering, suspending a new trial motion. Revenue Reform: Government moved to address GAC audit findings on revenue collection and reconciliation, promising tighter controls and transparency. Football Focus: Lone Star’s AFCON 2027 path is set after the draw—Liberia landed in Group K with Mali, Cape Verde, and Rwanda.

Ebola Alarm: WHO says the Congo outbreak may already be spreading beyond borders and into other provinces, with the death toll now at 131 and hundreds of suspected cases—prompting tighter border screening and heightened preparedness in Ghana and across the region. Water Accountability: Liberia’s House failed to meet quorum, but Rep. Musa Hassan Bility is pushing to summon LWSC’s boss over claims that 76% of Liberians have safe water, setting up fresh political pressure on WASH reporting. Education Tech: Liberia is rolling out the WFP-backed School Connect digital monitoring system for school feeding, expanding from a 75-school pilot to 320+ schools. Health Recognition: WHO honored Health Minister Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto for tobacco control leadership. Diaspora Politics: Sen. Abraham Darius Dillon filed a Diaspora Development Fund bill that adds US$1 to every remittance transaction. International Moves: China and Liberia pledged closer ties after Wang Yi met Liberia’s FM in Beijing.

AFCON 2027 Draw Shockwaves: Ghana and Ivory Coast landed in the same qualifying group in Cairo, while Cape Verde and Liberia were grouped together with Mali and Rwanda—setting up a high-stakes run for Liberia’s AFCON hopes. U-17 Women’s World Cup: Ghana’s Black Maidens will host Liberia in the second-round qualifier starting Saturday, May 23, then travel to Paynesville for the return leg on May 30. Ebola Emergency in Central Africa: A fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC has pushed WHO to hold emergency meetings as deaths rise and suspected cases spread toward Uganda, with reports pointing to a major funeral gathering as an early superspreader event. Local Governance & Daily Life: Monrovia’s waste crisis is getting a new push—city officials announced fresh sanitation rules and a PPP solid-waste plan—while the Commerce Ministry moved to calm a sachet water price jump after LWSC supply disruptions. Accountability Watch: The GAC flagged serious problems in the RIA Road Project, citing missing documentation, delays, and safety works not installed as claimed.

Ebola Alarm Escalates: The WHO has declared the Congo–Uganda Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, with fears it could grow beyond current reports and spread regionally. U.S. Travel Crackdown: The CDC and U.S. Homeland Security moved to tighten screening and monitoring for travelers arriving from affected areas, while Americans potentially exposed in Congo are being brought home. Nigeria Surveillance Boost: Nigeria’s NCDC says it has heightened vigilance, strengthened surveillance and lab readiness, and is coordinating with port health services. Liberia on Alert: Liberia’s Ministry of Health issued a fresh Ebola alert after reports of a new outbreak in DR Congo’s Ituri province, stressing monitoring with WHO, Africa CDC, and NPHIL. Local Politics: In Bong County, the CDC launched a grassroots mobilization drive for 2029, including membership registration and dues payment. Food & Jobs: LIFADCO began large rice sales in Ganta, and Liberia’s LRA rolled out a new digital ERP platform to improve revenue operations.

Ebola Alarm Hits the Region: The WHO has declared the Congo–Uganda Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, as new reports point to a rare Bundibugyo strain and fears it may be spreading beyond what’s being counted. U.S. Tightens Travel: The CDC and U.S. Homeland Security moved to add enhanced screening and monitoring for travelers arriving from affected areas, while officials work to bring home Americans potentially exposed. Liberia Watches Closely: Liberia’s Ministry of Health issued a fresh Ebola alert tied to the wider regional situation, stressing coordination with WHO, Africa CDC, and Liberia’s public health bodies—while admitting the public’s worry is justified. Maritime Security Boost: Liberia signed a ShipRider maritime security agreement with the U.S. to strengthen joint patrols and crack down on illegal fishing, trafficking, piracy, and smuggling. Sports Governance: Lofa Senator Momo Cyrus was elected to the LFA executive committee, pledging more budget support for sports nationwide.

Ebola Emergency: The WHO has declared the new Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo a public health emergency of international concern, warning of “significant uncertainties” about how far it may spread. Reports cite hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths, with the Bundibugyo strain raising extra alarm because there are no approved strain-specific vaccines or treatments. Regional Alarm: Uganda has reported cases linked to travel from Congo, and Nigeria’s health agency says it has no confirmed cases but is tightening surveillance and entry-point monitoring. Global Backdrop: The WHO move comes as health leaders warn that weakened disease surveillance and unequal access to medicines and vaccines could worsen outbreaks. Human Rights Watch: Amnesty says global executions hit a 40-year high in 2025, driven largely by a surge in Iran. Liberia Angle: Liberia is mentioned in the digital ID policy debate and in regional Ebola preparedness context, but no new Liberia-specific Ebola case updates were reported in the latest items.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: The WHO has declared a new Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo a public health emergency of international concern, with hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths reported in Ituri, plus a confirmed case in Uganda—and officials warn the outbreak may be larger than what’s being detected. Regional Watch Tightens: Nigeria’s health agency says it has stepped up surveillance and response readiness despite no confirmed cases, citing cross-border movement risks. Liberia–US Security Boost: Liberia and the United States signed a landmark maritime law-enforcement agreement to improve joint operations, information sharing, and crackdowns on drug trafficking, smuggling, and illegal fishing. Sports Spotlight: At the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m relay won gold in a record run, with Liberia taking silver.

Global Health Alarm: WHO has declared an “international public health emergency” after a deadly Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, with reports of 80+ suspected deaths and hundreds of suspected cases—officials warn the virus may have been spreading for weeks unnoticed. Cross-Border Risk: Africa CDC says the outbreak is centered in Ituri’s mining towns and has raised fears of further spread toward Uganda and South Sudan. Liberia–U.S. Security: Liberia and the U.S. signed a landmark maritime law-enforcement agreement to boost joint patrols, information sharing, and action against drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and smuggling. Digital Identity Watch: World Bank-led discussions at ID4Africa stress that weak safeguards in digital ID systems can break public trust. Sports Spotlight: Nigeria’s women won gold in the 4x100m relay in Accra, with Liberia taking silver—another podium moment for the region.

Maritime Security Deal: Liberia and the U.S. signed a landmark maritime law-enforcement agreement at the Liberian Coast Guard Base in Monrovia, setting up joint operations, information sharing, interdiction cooperation, and capacity building to tackle drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, illegal fishing, and weapons proliferation. Ebola Alert in Congo: Africa CDC says a new Ebola outbreak is underway in DR Congo’s Ituri province, with 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases reported, as teams rush to expand surveillance and response near borders with Uganda and South Sudan. Politics and Corruption: Opposition Congress for Democratic Change leaders are warning of a “state collapse” and vow to remove the Unity Party in 2029, while in Liberia former finance minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr. was summoned again in a fresh US$20.5m rice-subsidy probe after an acquittal. Sports: Nigeria dominated the African Senior Athletics Championships relays in Accra—women’s 4x100m gold in 42.94s, men’s 4x100m silver—while Liberia still grabbed key podium spots.

Ebola Alert in Congo: Africa CDC says a new Ebola outbreak is underway in DR Congo’s Ituri province, with 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases, and only 4 lab-confirmed so far; officials warn the risk is higher because affected areas sit near Uganda and South Sudan amid insecurity and heavy movement. Liberia Football Governance: LFA presidential aspirant Cassell Kuoh rejects his disqualification and vows to pursue legal remedies, insisting the fight is about fairness in football governance. Digital Sovereignty Tension: Liberia is again facing criticism after reports it turned to an Austrian firm to “rescue” the troubled National ID Registry, raising fresh data-security and oversight concerns. Rule of Law Pressure: Liberia again fails MCC’s Rule of Law indicator for FY2026, deepening worries about public trust in courts and police. Regional Sports Buzz: Nigeria’s women’s 4x100 relay wins gold in Accra, with Liberia taking silver.

Corruption Courtroom Shockwave: Liberia’s anti-graft fight stays messy after a mixed US$6.2M verdict—Justice Minister N. Oswald Tweh insists it’s not a “defeat,” while the Judiciary denies a circulating claim of Chief Justice involvement in alleged jury tampering. New Probe, Same Names: Days after the acquittals in the economic sabotage case, the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force has summoned ex-Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr. over an alleged US$20.5M rice subsidy diversion. Rule of Law Pressure: Liberia again failed the MCC FY2026 Rule of Law indicator, renewing questions about public confidence in courts and police. Digital Sovereignty Debate: Civil society is raising alarms after government reportedly turned to an Austrian firm to “rescue” the national ID system—challenging claims of digital sovereignty. Regional Health Alert: Congo’s Ituri province reports a fresh Ebola outbreak with 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases, with Africa CDC pushing cross-border response. Diplomacy & Trade: Morocco announced a cooperation agenda with Liberia ahead of its National Day, while India prepares major Africa summits in New Delhi.