Two former leaders of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) have called on the government of President Joseph N. Boakai to immediately investigate reports that the notorious Russian mercenary outfit, Wagner Group, is secretly operating in Liberia.
In a press statement issued from the United States, the two former PUL leaders, Messrs. Emmanuel D. Abalo and Gabriel I.H. Williams, said they are alarmed by reports emanating from the American media that the Wagner mercenary group, which is reportedly involved in armed conflicts and destabilization in many African countries, has secretly begun to operate in Liberia.
“This is a very urgent call to the Boakai government to investigate reports that Russian entities, such as the Wagner Group, are establishing operations in Liberia under the guise of business ventures. Liberia’s fragile peace is endangered by extreme economic hardship people are suffering, which could be exploited by ex-warlords who oppose the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC), along with a criminal few who have thrived on anarchy in the country,” according to the two journalists.
“We also wish to draw the attention of the United States, Liberia’s closest bilateral partner, to the major security threat reportedly unfolding in Liberia, which could have grave regional and international implications, as was in the case of now convicted warlord and former Liberian President Charles Taylor. We recall that during Liberia’s civil war, Mr. Taylor also used mercenaries to destabilize neighboring Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast, during which he plundered diamonds, timbers, and other resources,” the former leaders of the Liberian journalists’ organization indicated.
According to the former PUL leaders, their concerns emanate from a series of national and international media reports that the Russian mercenary group is secretly gaining a foothold in Liberia. The latest report was published by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) on September 5, 2024, under the title: “Will Liberia be the Wagner Group’s Next Victim?” The article was published by Dr. Michael Rubin of the Washington Examiner, who is also a senior fellow at AEI, a Washington-based public policy think tank with a focus on global issues.
In his article, Dr. Rubin reports: “Under the guise of building a resort on Liberia’s lake Piso, not far from the strategic town of Robertsport, Wagner last month moved into the country and now appears at work on a deep-water port capable of accommodating Russian warships.
Melee Kermue, a Liberian wheeler-dealer convicted in 2009 in Ohio of healthcare fraud, now acts as Russia’s honorary consul and uses his romantic relationship with former Vice President Jewel Taylor to advance Russian interest in the country.” Kermue reportedly allowed Wagner experts to come into the country under the guise of businessmen.
On February 8, 2023, Dr. Rubin also published an article, titled, “Wagner’s Next Target in Africa: Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast, in which he reports that Wagner has its sights on the three West African countries, which have recently suffered civil wars.
It is in consideration of the gravity of these reports that we call on the Boakai government to conduct a thorough investigation into the approval of MerleeKermue as Russian Consul General in Liberia and his business dealings. In 2018, Mr. Kermue introduced himself as Senior Advisor/Special Envoy to then Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, with whom he is reported to have a romantic relationship.
This is why, in view of the foregoing, we are disturbed by reports that the notorious Wagner mercenary group is now going forward with its ambition to move into war-ravaged Liberia and Sierra Leone, thereby establishing an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean.
In another development, we applaud President Boakai for his international engagements, as reflected by his recent visits to Indonesia and the People’s Republic of China, to advance Liberia’s interests globally. However, we are concerned that since his inauguration more than seven months ago, President Boakai has yet to make an official visit to the United States, Liberia’s most important bilateral partner with which Liberia has special historical ties. We are also left to wonder as to why has the United States not yet invited President Boakai to make an official visit to the U.S.
Cognizant that this is a presidential election season in the United States, which may require diplomatic caution because no one knows who is going to occupy the White House in a few months, pragmatic diplomacy is required to advance Liberia’s interests.