In a move aimed at strengthening Liberia’s efforts to recover stolen assets and improve financial transparency, the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) met Tuesday with a high-level delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss potential avenues for collaboration.
The three-member IMF team was led by the Fund’s Resident Representative to Liberia, Mr. Joel Chiedu Okwukei, and received by AREPT Chairperson, Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, at the Taskforce’s headquarters in Paynesville.
During the meeting, Cllr. Martin provided an overview of AREPT’s mandate and operations, including its role in tracing, recovering, and safeguarding public assets and properties.
He also detailed the Taskforce’s collaborative efforts with government entities, the private sector, and international institutions.
While noting a number of successful recoveries, Chairperson Martin also highlighted the ongoing challenges in tracking and reclaiming assets, particularly those located abroad.
He stressed that partnerships with global financial institutions such as the IMF are key to expanding AREPT’s reach and effectiveness.
“The fight against corruption requires strong alliances,” Martin said. “We see the IMF not just as a financial institution, but as a strategic partner in promoting transparency and accountability.”
The IMF delegation, in turn, commended AREPT for its accomplishments so far and affirmed its interest in identifying future areas of support.
The representatives emphasized the value of sustained dialogue, capacity-building, and technical cooperation in tackling the complex task of asset recovery.
The meeting is seen by AREPT as a milestone in its broader strategy to engage international actors in the fight against corruption.
“This engagement signals our commitment to building robust partnerships that help us recover stolen assets and uphold accountability,” Martin added.
The visit marks the latest in a series of diplomatic and institutional engagements aimed at strengthening Liberia’s anti-corruption framework.
