Senate Pro Tempore’s Push for Looser Seaport Regulations Favors Predatory Concession Over Public Interests
By P. Franklin Diggs
In a clandestine and controversial move, the Liberian Senate has passed a bill to weaken seaport regulations without a public hearing. The new bill, which is sponsored by Liberia’s Senate Pro Tempore, Nyomblee Karga Lawrence, is currently before the House of Representatives. The Senate Pro Tempore is aggressively pushing the Lower House to pass the bill without public scrutiny. Once passed, the law will weaken port regulations, creating conditions that facilitate a predatory concession agreement with Africa Global Logistics (AGL), a company that until recently was known as Bolloré. The company underwent a name change while under intense scrutiny for allegations of serious criminal activities. Critics warn that these proposed changes could have far-reaching negative implications for the nation, threatening legal integrity, economic growth, and international standing.
In May of this year, several government officials headed by MacDella Cooper, who serves in two government positions as President Boakai’s political advisor and Monrovia City Council Member, traveled to Freetown to meet with Bolloré/AGL. One of the delegation members claimed that they signed no deals but were “treated well and that the manager was extremely generous.” It remains unclear whether Ms. Cooper made the trip on behalf of the President, the City of Monrovia, or her close friend, the Senate Pro Tempore. Whatever the case, the optics are damning in light of all we have learned from our investigations.
The proposed legal adjustments aim to fragment the National Port Authority and dissolve central oversight, coordination, and regulatory frameworks. The resulting chaos could turn Liberia's ports into conduits for illicit activities under Bolloré/AGL, which has used these “divide and exploit” tactics to conduct illicit operations disguised as logistics in other African ports. Legal experts argue that manipulating laws for the benefit of a specific company undermines the nation's economic interests. “This sets a dangerous precedent for Liberia,” said a lawyer for Restitution pour l'Afrique (RAF). “It signals that your country's laws are being changed to suit private interests, diminishing your government's ability to regulate what enters and exits the country.”
Moreover, partnering with a company that has a checkered history, including allegations of election sponsorship for favorable outcomes in Togo, raises concerns about the potential for increased corruption within the government. Critics assert that such practices would lead to a culture of unethical behavior, diminishing accountability and transparency, and tarnishing Liberia’s reputation. “If we allow this to happen, Liberia's fragmented ports could become a beacon for criminality in the subregion,” warned a prominent civil society leader.
Although economically settled since the 2022 sale of his company's activities to the Swiss group MSC for €5.7 billion, Vincent Bolloré's African affairs are still far from being judicially resolved. After the French National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) requested, in 2024, that the billionaire be put on trial for corruption, a new front opened against him on Tuesday, March 18, with a complaint filed in the same jurisdiction. The lawsuit, which alleges handling and concealment of ill-gotten goods, money laundering, environmental crimes, and illicit transshipment activities, has been filed by a group of 11 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working for transparency in Africa, based in Guinea, Togo, Cameroon, and Paris, and headed by the association Restitution pour l'Afrique (RAF). It targets Bolloré SE, its owner, Vincent Bolloré (via his holding company, Compagnie de l'Odet), and its CEO, Cyrille Bolloré, the businessman's son.
The implications of changing Liberia’s laws to accommodate Bolloré/AGL extend beyond legal concerns. Many fear that aligning with a company linked to illicit activities will deter legitimate businesses from investing in Liberia. This could stifle economic growth and job creation, as potential investors may perceive the country as unstable or too risky for investment. “Investors look for stable environments with predictable regulations,” explained an economic analyst. “This partnership, which is being sponsored by the Liberian Senate Pro Tempore, will undermine Liberia’s attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment.”
Internationally, Liberia’s reputation is at stake. Engaging with a controversial company could lead to sanctions or restrictions from other nations and international organizations, which could severely impact trade and foreign aid. “The global community is watching,” noted a foreign affairs expert. “A partnership with AGL could damage Liberia’s standing and result in long-term consequences.”
Critics also point to AGL's track record of prioritizing profit over ethical practices and environmental standards. In regions where Bolloré/AGL has operated, local communities have reported severe environmental degradation, displacement, and loss of livelihoods. “We cannot allow Nyomblee to exploit her position for personal gain at the expense of our people and environment,” stated a U.S.-based social activist from Buchanan.
The proposed changes to the seaport laws threaten legal and economic stability and cast doubt on President Boakai and his Rescue Team’s commitment to good governance. The arrangement raises serious questions about prioritizing national interests over those of predatory corporations. As the nation stands at a crossroads, the potential for disunity and national security implications looms large.
As Liberia contemplates this critical juncture, the voices of concerned citizens, legal experts, and economic analysts call for the House of Representatives to reconsider the proposed changes. The future of Liberia’s legal integrity, economic growth, social stability, and international reputation hangs in the balance, urging a return to transparency and accountability in governance.
