NO MORE CARTEL CONNECTIONS: POLITICAL & POLICY ANALYST ABDULLAH KIATAMBA COMMANDS PRESIDENT BOAKAI ON NEW LDEA LEADERSHIP, COMMENDS GEN. ZIAHKAN APPOINTMENT AND NEW U.S. DEA, RWANDA, MOROCCO ANTI-DRUG ALLIANCE
MONROVIA, Liberia – Political and policy analyst Abdullah Kiatamba has commended President Joseph Boakai for the appointment of Gen. Daniel Ziahnkan to head the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), describing it as a decisive and timely move amid growing pressure to reform the agency.
In a social Media Post Tuesday, Kiatamba said the appointment signals the administration’s commitment to tackling Liberia’s worsening drug crisis.
“On LDEA, Pres. Boakai acted with both speed and wisdom. Gen. Ziahnkan is a great choice for LDEA.
Thank you, Mr. President,” Kiatamba said.
Recently, the Political Analyst also praised the Boakai administration’s renewed anti-narcotics drive, noting a shift from earlier shortcomings to what he called “robust steps” to dismantle drug networks.
“We recently criticized the JNB Adm’s lackluster performance in the fight against drugs.
But we are quite impressed with the recent robust steps it has taken recently to eviscerate this menace,” he stated.
Kiatamba highlighted three key developments which includes securing technical and operational support from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency(DEA), strengthening collaboration with drug enforcement counterparts in Rwanda and Morocco, and what he described as decisive internal actions within government to hold officials accountable.
“To wit — earning the support of the US’ premier DEA, leveraging its counterparts in Rwanda and Morocco, and kicking some butts in the GOL,” he added. “Thank you, Mr. President.”
The LDEA has come under intense public scrutiny amid a surge in the use of “kush” and other illicit substances, particularly among youth.
Civil society groups have demanded stronger enforcement, expanded rehabilitation services, and accountability within security institutions.
The Boakai administration has placed the fight against drugs at the center of its public health and security agenda under the ARREST Agenda.
Recent government actions include high-profile raids, the suspension of officials linked to trafficking investigations, and the establishment of new regional partnerships focused on intelligence sharing and border control.
Officials maintain that combating narcotics will remain a central pillar of government policy.
With international backing growing and new leadership in place, the administration now faces the challenge of translating political will into measurable results on the ground.
Even with the commendation, Kiatamba previously urged the President to ensure that future appointments and reforms at the LDEA represent a total departure from previous leadership patterns.