The United States government’s funding of the headquarters for Liberia’s National Security Agency (NSA) is facing scrutiny amidst disturbing allegations of torture and human rights abuses within the agency.
Reports have surfaced involving three individuals detained for over three weeks in connection with a fire that recently engulfed the Capitol Building in Monrovia, leading to serious questions about the conduct of the country’s intelligence agency and the implications of U.S. financial support.
The NSA, established under the authority of the Liberian President, is tasked with intelligence gathering and national security.
However, the organization’s reported deviation from its fundamental objectives raises troubling questions regarding the role of U.S. support.
During the formal commissioning of the NSA headquarters on April 2, 2021, former U.S. Ambassador Michael McCarthy outlined the purpose of US support to the agency in the context gathering and maintaining objective intelligence free from political interference.
“One of the lessons that has repeatedly been underscored is the importance of objective information and intelligence, free of political interference and influence, for effective government decision and policy-making,” Ambassador McCarthy said.
“The U.S. Government has made this significant investment because we believe that ensuring peace and security requires accurate, timely, and objective information. Having the whole picture, the whole truth – with all facts and context understood – can prevent conflict in advance, can help respond to crisis situations, can help with mediation efforts and can ensure confidence in decision-making.”
The current situation begs the question: Is U.S. aid inadvertently funding abuses within the agency, reminiscent of infamous instances like Guantanamo Bay?
The horrific allegations made by suspects Andrew Sleh Lawson, Albert Weah, and Thomas Etheridge, who claim they were tortured while in NSA custody. They assert that agents coerced them into falsely implicating Speaker of the House J. Fonati Koffa in the arson incident, with heavy pressure and physical abuse being used to elicit confessions.
Lawson described harrowing conditions during his detention, stating, “They stripped us naked and tortured us severely all because they only wanted me to say Fonati made us burn the Capitol Building.”
He claimed that NSA agents attempted to blackmail him with fabricated evidence and promised employment in exchange for compliance.
Weah recounted his experience of being blindfolded and interrogated. “I was arrested on December 17 and released on December 19, but the Capitol Building was burned on December 18,” he noted, highlighting the inconsistencies surrounding the probe.
In a chilling account, Etheridge revealed that he was brutally beaten and threatened with sodomy during his interrogation. “They told me one man can never fight the government,” he reported in relation the House of Representatives leadership saga that has effectively deposed and exiled Speaker Fonati Koffa.
Despite these severe allegations, the Ministry of Justice has dismissed the accusations as “baseless,” asserting that they are an effort to mislead the public amid ongoing investigations into the Capitol fire. Minister of Justice Cllr. Oswald Tweh said any individuals found culpable would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Political reactions have been swift, with some accusing the allegations of being a coordinated effort to undermine Speaker Koffa, who faces mounting political challenges.
The Speaker has called for an independent investigation into both the fire and the alleged rights abuses, while civil society organizations demand transparency and accountability from the authorities.
The unfolding crisis has amplified calls for an independent inquiry into the allegations against the NSA and the treatment of detainees, with the Liberia National Bar Association and other advocacy groups joining the chorus for reform.
Spotlight on the NSA and its alleged human rights violations could alter the trajectory of U.S.-Liberia relations, particularly concerning aid and diplomatic support
United States government funding of the headquarters of Liberia’s intelligence agency comes under scrutiny as the organization faces torture and other rights abuses allegations
Horrific account of three persons held in the agency’s custody for more than three weeks for alleged arson attack on the Capitol Building in Monrovia has left many wondering if the US built another torture chamber on the West Coast of Africa mirroring the infamous Guantanamo Bay.
The authorities in Monrovia have downplayed the claims and its human rights office – the Independent National Human Rights Commission has kept it silence on the matter. Calls for independent investigation have landed on deft ears, creating the appearance of a state sponsored crimes.
Is it a torture funding from the Americans?
Liberia’s National security agency seems to have vailed from the core objective of the US assistance.
On April 2, 2021, during the commissioning of the headquarters at White Plains outside Monrovia then US Ambassador Michael McCarthy outlined the purpose of USA aid to the NSA.
Three suspects arrested in connection with the December 18, 2024, fire at Liberia’s Capitol Building have alleged that they were tortured by agents of the National Security Agency (NSA) to falsely implicate Speaker J. Fonati Koffa in the incident.
The Ministry of Justice has denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and an attempt to mislead the public.
Allegations of Torture
Andrew Sleh Lawson, one of the suspects, detailed harrowing allegations of physical abuse and coercion during his detention. He claimed that NSA agents repeatedly accused him of being paid by Speaker Koffa to burn down the Capitol Building.
“They (NSA agents) said we have videos for you where Fonati Koffa is giving you money to burn down the Capitol Building. ‘My response: If you play the video, I’ll give you the instruction now to do what you think that will take away my life,” Lawson said.
Lawson further claimed that the agents referenced other individuals allegedly on the NSA payroll, enticing him to corroborate their accusations against the Speaker to also offer him a job.
“The other guy came from behind me with the mineral bottle and beat it on my back. They said tell us the truth today, we have a package for you. We have too many people who are on our payroll at NSA here…”
He added: They did plenty things to us. We were stripped naked and tortured severely all because they only wanted me to say Fonati made us to burn the Capitol Building for which I had no idea of. Fonati has never called me one day to say go and do the wrong thing for me.”
Lawson recounted that Speaker Koffa has been strict with him and colleagues on how they go about criticizing public officials. “It was once upon a time that I posted about Jeremiah Koung and I was suspended for one month because he said I criticized the Vice president, and he is part of the government. That should not be the way I should play my politics. I am in government I can’t be there to criticized my colleagues. And he asked me to take my post down and I did.”
Albert Weah, another suspect, shared similar experiences, asserting that he was blindfolded and interrogated about his alleged involvement in the fire. “They tied my face and asked if Fonati gave me money to burn the Capitol Building. I told them no. I was arrested on December 17 and released on December 19, but the Capitol Building was burned on December 18,” Weah said.
Thomas Etheridge, the third suspect, recounted a chilling ordeal, claiming he was stripped naked and beaten by NSA agents. “They told me one man can never fight the government. They accused me of buying gas and calling people to burn the building. When I denied it, they knocked me to the ground, beat me for over five minutes, and threatened to sodomize me,” Etheridge alleged.
Ministry of Justice Responds
The Ministry of Justice has denied the accusations, describing them as fabricated and an attempt to shift blame. Speaking to reporters, Minister of Justice said:
“Investigation into the Capitol fire is progressing, and we will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt or misrepresent these efforts… Any individual, be they a lawmaker or not, found to be involved in the arson will be treated with the full measure of the law.” – Cllr. Tweh said.
The Ministry also emphasized that the investigation into the Capitol Building fire is ongoing and that it will not be derailed by what it described as “desperate attempts to undermine the credibility of the process.”
Political Implications
The allegations have sparked political controversy, with some viewing them as an attempt to smear Speaker Koffa. The Speaker, who is facing political challenges, has not commented on the matter. However, he and his supporters have called for an independent investigation into the fire and the alleged mistreatment of the suspects.
Civil society organizations and human rights advocates have expressed concern over the allegations, calling for transparency in the investigation and urging the government to respect the rights of detainees.
Calls for Independent Investigation
Amid growing public outcry, the Liberia National Bar Association and other advocacy groups have called for an independent probe into both the Capitol Building fire and the allegations of torture.
The National Security Agency (NSA) is a national-level intelligence agency of the Republic of Liberia, under the authority of the President of Liberia. The NSA is responsible for global monitoring, collection, and processing of information and data for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence Liberian communications networks and information systems.