LATF Deepens Strategic Engagement with Liberia to Strengthen Regional Cooperation Against Wildlife and Forest Crime
Monrovia, Liberia | 12–13 October 2026
LATF held high-level consultations in Monrovia on 12 and 13 October 2026, aimed at advancing the country’s implementation of the Lusaka Agreement and reinforcing regional cooperation against transnational wildlife and forest crime.
During the engagements, LATF met with the Managing Director of Liberia’s Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Hon. Rudolph J. Merab, Sr., who also serves on the Lusaka Agreement Governing Council, and senior FDA officials to discuss practical measures for translating Liberia’s membership in the Agreement into tangible law-enforcement outcomes. Discussions focused on operationalising Liberia’s membership to the Lusaka Agreement, particularly the designation of a National Bureau, strengthening interagency coordination and intelligence sharing, facilitating cross-border investigations, and identifying priority areas for technical support.
The consultations highlighted Liberia’s strategic role in advancing the Lusaka Agreement in West Africa, including sharing national experiences, promoting engagement with Sierra Leone and supporting dialogue with prospective Parties. Hon. Merab welcomed the initiative, commended LATF for implementing the Governing Council’s decisions, and reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation against wildlife and forest crime. He welcomed LATF’s planned activities in Liberia, particularly the regional multi-agency capacity-building programme, noting its potential to strengthen institutional capacity, inter-agency collaboration and coordinated enforcement. He reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to the Agreement and FDA’s readiness to support its domestication and operationalisation.
Building on these discussions, LATF also met with Liberia’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), led by Mme. Theresa Juah Grandoe, Deputy Commissioner of the Liberia National Police (LNP), and other senior officials. Discussions focused on strengthening intelligence exchange, coordinated investigations and cross-border law-enforcement cooperation against wildlife and forest crime, particularly among neighbouring Anglophone and Francophone countries.
The NCB reaffirmed LNP’s longstanding commitment to wildlife law enforcement, highlighting its role as a founding member of the National Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force since 2015 and its continued support for investigations, ranger training and joint security operations. LNP also acknowledged the value of training programmes organised by the Forestry Development Authority and expressed interest in further specialised capacity-building opportunities. The meeting underscored the importance of timely intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement in disrupting transnational criminal networks, with the NCB reaffirming its commitment to collaboration with LATF and other partners.
The FDA officials, led by Hon. Rudolph J Merab, Sr. (third from left) with FDA official and the LATF Team
LATF Team with officials from FDA and Interpol NCB Liberia led by the Deputy Commissioner LNP
Looking ahead, LATF outlined its proposed 2027 West African engagement programme, comprising a regional policy dialogue and multi-agency capacity-building initiative in Monrovia, that will bring together Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The programme is expected to strengthen cross-border law-enforcement cooperation, enhance information sharing and promote a coordinated regional response to wildlife and forest crime.
LATF also highlighted its proposed Regional Wildlife Security Command-and-Control Centre (RCCC), supported by Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which seeks to improve secure information exchange, data management, interoperability and operational coordination, enabling national agencies to respond more effectively to transnational wildlife and forest crime.
LATF reaffirmed its commitment to working with Liberia and regional as well as international partners to strengthen implementation of the Lusaka Agreement, build institutional capacity and expand regional participation. The consultations represent a step towards translating shared commitments into practical cooperation and a more coordinated response to wildlife and forest crime across Africa.
Stronger partnerships, enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement remain central to safeguarding Africa’s shared wildlife and forest resources.
