MONROVIA – A few days ago, Liberia’s law enforcement authorities at the Roberts International Airport seized a significant drug. The consignee of the drugs is alleged to be Nora Finda Bundoo, Chief of protocol to President Weah, according to people who saw documents on the importation that came on Kenya Airways.
Since the alleged documents bearing the name of Amb. Bundoo was seen, Liberians are calling on the Liberian leader to muster the political will and dismiss his Chief of Protocol, Amb. Bundoo – a call which is also being echoed by the political leader of the Liberia People’s Party (LPP), Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe – calling on the President to immediately dismiss Amb. Bundoo.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Cllr. Gongloe asserted if President George Weah fails to dismiss the Executive Mansion Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Finda Nora Bundoo for her alleged role in the smuggling of Narcotic Drug into the country, he will prevail on members of the National Legislature to issue an impeachment proceeding against the Liberian leader.
Cllr. Gongloe further said during the interview that the failure of President Weah to dismiss his Chief of Protocol amidst allegations that she smuggled the drugs into the country, he will have no other alternative but to prevail of the legislature for his impeachment.
Amb. Bundoo has since distanced herself from the allegation, claiming she has no knowledge of the drugs in question.
The news of Weah’s Chief of Protocol’s connection to the smuggling of the narcotic has sent shockwaves throughout the country, with the Liberians raising questions about the President’s association with individuals involved in the drug trade.
In July this year, the Liberian leader signed into law the Control Drug and Substance Act of 2023, commonly called the Drug Law.
The new law aims to regulate, restrict, control, limit, or eradicate the illegal export and importation as well as the flagrant use, abuse, and proliferation of narcotic substances within the bailiwick of the Republic.
The law, in part, provides penalties for specified offenses such as the unlicensed and unauthorized importation of controlled drugs or substances into the country.
The law, for example, states that “A person commits an offense if he/she purposely or knowingly imports into Liberia “any controlled drugs or substances without a license from the Minister.”
It further added: “The offense of unlicensed importing of controlled drug or substances shall be graded as where the subject matter of the offense is a drug or substances” as prescribed by the Act.
However, as President Weah departs for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), he faces a delicate balancing act. He must address the allegations surrounding his Chief of Protocol, demonstrate a commitment to combating the drug trade, and address the concerns of his fellow Liberians who plan to stage protests in New York.
It can be recalled last October, Liberia security authorities, in collaboration with the US international narcotics agency, seized some $US100 million worth of cocaine, the largest seizure of narcotics in the country’s history.
The question on the mind of Liberia is whether, the Liberian leader will dismiss his Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Nora Finda Bundoo.
