By: Princess C. Kossigba
Monrovia, Liberia–In an effort to enhance a more coordinated mission of trancing, identifying, and retrieving stolen public assets, the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has intensified advocacy with its international counterpart Sweden with a strategic diplomatic engagement to improve and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The engagement which took place on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, was represented by the Chairman of the AREPT Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin and Co-Chair Dr. Rennie B. Jackson met with the Swedish Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Karl Backeus, at the Swedish Embassy in Monrovia.
The meeting intended to serve and explore avenues for collaboration between both Liberia and the Swedish government in supporting Liberia’s asset recovery initiatives.
Providing an overview of the AREPT’s mandate, current activities, and the critical role the Taskforce plays in Liberia’s anti-corruption agenda Chairman Martin highlighted that several cases are currently under investigation, as part of their effort to retrieve assets that have illegally been acquired at the expense of the Liberian people.
According to him, the AREPT’s team is committed to recovering stolen assets that rightly belong to the people of Liberia.
“This is not just about accountability it’s about restoring public trust and redirecting stolen resources to national development priorities, with that we believe international partnerships are important to our success” he added.
Speaking further, the Swedish ambassador to Liberia H. E. Karl Backeus emphasized the impact of corruption on Liberia’s development, commending the Task Force’s work.
Ambassador Backeus used the occasion to reaffirm Sweden’s commitment to transparency and the rule of law.
The Ambassador pledged to support Liberia in recovering any assets within the Swedish jurisdiction, expressing Sweden’s willingness to collaborate in other ways that may help AREPT efforts.
The engagement forms part of the task force’s broader strategy to work closely with Liberia’s international partners in building networks for effective asset recovery across borders.
The task force believes that continued diplomatic engagement will ensure greater cooperation in uncovering stolen assets wherever they may be held.
As Liberia intensifies efforts to tackle corruption and reclaim its stolen wealth, AREPT remains dedicated to transparency, justice, and the restoration of national resources for the benefit of all citizens.
