Monrovia – Concerns over national security have intensified following the arrest of Abraham Khalil Cherif, a Guinean national, by Liberian joint security forces. Cherif was detained under suspicion of orchestrating subversive activities against the Guinean military junta while seeking refuge in Liberia.

The Liberian authorities have been tightlipped on the situation viewed as a top national security matter. However, security sources confirmed to FrontPageAfrica that Cherif, a non-Liberian national, was indeed handed over to Guinean authorities.

“[I] Can’t confirm or deny but the courts will give more insight on the case. What I do know is Chiref is a Guinean that was recruiting former fighters in Liberia to destabilize Guinea. We have evidence of texts with him and former Guinean President Alpha Conde from Turkey, photos, recordings, etc,” the source tells FPA.

Dispute over Citizenship and Court Orders

Former Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh, representing Cherif, claims that the extradition was unlawful, alleging that Cherif’s whereabouts remain unknown. Ja’neh stated that Cherif is Liberian by birth, claiming his grandfather was a respected imam in Monrovia.

“I am one of the lawyers for Mr. Khalifa Charif (Sheriff). He was born here, Crown Hill, Monrovia, unto two Liberian Mandingo parents,” Ja’neh said. “His grandfather was Imam Alhaji Mata -Saykou Sheriff of blessed memory, who was one of the most respected Imams of the 50s and 60s of the Benson Street (Mas Jed) Mosque. A nationally respected religious figure, Imam Alhaji Mata – Saykou Sheriff’s funeral was attended here in Monrovia by President William V. S. Tubman to honor the Imam’s inestimable contributions to nation building.”

I Can’t confirm or deny but the courts will give more insight on the case. What I do know is Chiref is a Guinean that was recruiting former fighters in Liberia to go destabilize Guinea. We have evidences of texts with he and former Guinean President Alpha Conde from Turkey, photos, recording, etc.

Top Security Source

Ja’neh added that although Cherif spent his early childhood in Guinea due to Liberia’s civil conflict, it does not invalidate his Liberian citizenship. According to Ja’neh, security forces raided Cherif’s property six weeks ago without a warrant, confiscating his vehicles and money. Despite court orders for the return of these items, Ja’neh claimed the authorities have ignored compliance.

Ja’neh further alleged that in the early hours of November 3, 2024, a team of Liberian security personnel, led by Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, forcibly entered Monrovia Central Prison and removed Cherif without court authorization, delivering him to Guinean military authorities.

Outcry over Extradition, Potential Protests

Ja’neh condemned the Boakai administration for what he described as a “lawless act” and announced plans to organize protests.

“The illegal removal of Mr. Charif from Monrovia Central Prison was ordered by senior National Security Actors of the Boakai Government. This act is a concrete demonstration of lawlessness and total disregard for the law under the Boakai Administration,” he said.

“I, Cllr. Kabineh Ja’neh will ensure that Mr. Cherif is released as ordered by the court without any further delay. I will personally organize public demonstrations against National Security officers as I am now convinced that there is no longer any respect for court’s orders under the current administration. Accordingly, the demonstrations against police officers will continue until the court’s orders releasing Mr. Charif, are FULLY COMPLIED WITH,” he vowed.

Despite Ja’neh’s assertions, a copy of Cherif’s passport obtained by FrontPageAfrica lists his birthplace as Lola, Guinea, raising questions about his citizenship status and the legality of his extradition.

Although my Client, Mr. Khalifa Charif, spent most of his early childhood life in the Republic of Guinea due largely to the Liberian civil conflict, that does not make him a Guinean national, as is being falsely circulated by Liberian state Security officials… Mr. Charif’s house was raided more than six weeks ago at which time he was arrested and his money and two vehicles seized by a joint team of police officers of the Liberia National Police and those of the National Security Agency (NSA).

 Cllr. Kabineh M. Ja’neh, Charif’s lawyer

Junta Accuses ex-president of plotting coup

In September 2021, Col Doumbouya led Guinea’s armed forces to overthrow elected President Alpha Condé, after a series of protests over Mr Conde’s controversial bid for a third term.

Guinea and several other countries in West and central Africa have been hit by coups in recent years. Others include Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Gabon. The coups have been strongly condemned by the West African regional bloc Ecowas, as well as the African Union and the UN. Guinea was expected to hold elections to restore democratic rule in December this year when the 24-month transition period set by the junta and Ecowas expires.

However, in February this year, the junta led by Col Doumbouya dissolved the government. The announcement was made through a presidential decree read on state TV by the presidency’s Secretary General, Brig Gen Amara Camara. Ministers in the dissolved government were ordered to surrender their passports and official vehicles.

Since the dissolution of the government, there have been reports of a growing repression and intolerance for dissent, something observers say risk derailing the promised transition back to civilian government while deepening the country’s humanitarian crisis.

The latest development in Liberia comes as the Guinean military junta has accused former president Alpha Conde of recruiting mercenaries to attack Guinea, from Liberia. According to the junta, many of the recruits have been arrested and repatriated to Guinea to face justice. However, beyond Cherif, FrontPageAfrica has not verified whether other Guineans have been extradited by Liberia. Questions remain about whether any deportations were conducted in accordance with legal protocols.

The junta leaders say all those plotting against the regime will be arrested and extradited to Guinea, including former President Alpha Conde. But the opposition has described this as a diversion tack by the junta to install general panic within the opposition ahead of the 31st December, when the junta is supposed to quit power.

According to reports from Guinea, the opposition has vowed to make the country ungovernable if junta leader Mamady Doumbouya does not step down on the 31st December, 2024 as he promised. This has left Guineans to be on the edge as December draws nearer and Doumbouya is showing no sign of readying to step down.

Concerns mount over Cherif’s safety

The deteriorating human rights environment in Guinea has raised serious concerns about the safety of Cherif following his extradition from Liberia. According to the U.S. State Department’s 2022 Human Rights report, Guinea has faced widespread abuses, including arbitrary detention and killings, bans on political assembly, and restrictions on free speech and press freedom. Amnesty International’s 2023 report, also documented numerous rights violations, including suppression of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests, and cases of sexual and gender-based violence.

Cherif’s extradition has intensified fears that he could face similar abuses, adding urgency to calls for his safety and fair treatment under Guinean custody.

Cherif’s Extradition Parallels Sierra Leonean Ex-Police Chief Deportation 

The recent extradition of Guinean national Cherif bears striking resemblance to last year’s deportation of former Sierra Leonean Chief Superintendent of Police, Mohammed Y. Toure, also known as “Sankoh Paul Alimamy” and “Yeate Yeate,” to Sierra Leone. Both cases have sparked concerns over Liberia’s extradition practices and their potential human rights implications.

In 2023, Toure was apprehended by Liberian security forces at the request of Sierra Leonean authorities. He was accused of plotting subversive activities to destabilize President Julius Maada Bio’s government. Liberian officials cited preliminary investigations and assurances from the Government of Sierra Leone regarding Toure’s rights, including the right to a fair trial, as grounds for his extradition. The decision aligned with the 1986 Non-Aggression Security Treaty among Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, as well as the 1994 ECOWAS Convention on Extradition.

However, human rights advocates questioned the deportation’s legality, with concerns over Toure’s treatment upon return. The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) released a statement urging Liberia to consider its international obligations before complying with such requests.

Human Rights Concerns and INCHR’s Position

INCHR Chairperson, Cllr. T. Dempster Brown, highlighted key points from international agreements on extradition, urging caution in such cases:

  • Extradition should not be granted for political offenses or if politically motivated.
  • Extradition requests motivated by race, religion, nationality, or political status should be denied.
  • Extradition should not violate provisions of international conventions.
  • Extradition should be denied if there’s a risk of torture or inhumane treatment without adequate procedural guarantees.

INCHR cited Liberia’s commitments under the 1969 OAU Convention, the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which underscore the need to protect individuals from threats to their life, liberty, and physical integrity. The Commission highlighted the absence of a formal extradition agreement between Liberia and Sierra Leone as further grounds for caution in Toure’s case.

Despite INCHR’s objections, Toure was ultimately extradited to Sierra Leone. This decision has since raised questions regarding Liberia’s handling of international requests, especially in politically sensitive cases.

In Cherif’s case, it remains unclear whether Liberia reviewed similar human rights measures or received assurances from Guinean authorities regarding a fair trial.