It is with alarm that we – international NGOs with longstanding interests in Liberia – have learned of recent attempts by Liberia’s Courts to arrest key staff in the country’s Forestry Development Authority (FDA), who were carrying out their jobs verifying that timber exported from the country is legally sourced. This means it meets the requirements laid down in Liberia’s legal framework, ensuring that revenues are paid, and benefits shared with local communities.
Related coverage:
5 November 2021, CS-IFM, SDI & NUCFDC: Logging outside TSC A2 – a three year permit issued in 2009
17 January 2023:
- FPA: Liberian courts crack down on officials trying to stop illegal timber exports, as impunity in forest sector grows
- The DayLight: FDA submits to court’s order to allow export of US$4m illegal logs
- Smart News: Court orders company to find buyer for logs it illegally harvested
- Inquirer: Liberia to breach agreement with EU, if…
19 January 2023, OKFM: Forest Hour
23 January 2023, Smart News: EU VPA, Liberian constitution clash?, also in GNN.
24 January 2023, Washington Post: Investigation faults Liberian agency protecting rainforest, also in AP and Daily Observer.
25 January 2023,FPA: Courts crack down on officials trying to stop illegal timber exports, as impunity in forest sector grows
26 January 2023, OKFM: Forest Hour
27 January 2023:
- Mongabay: Liberian courts rubber-stamp export shipment of illegal logs, also in GNN
- Fern: The world turned upside down: Liberia’s forest governance and enforcement mechanisms fall far short
