By Bill W. Cooper
The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (ARPRT) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Swedish government, in a move to bolster its efforts in combating corruption and enhancing asset recovery in Liberia.
The collaboration also aims to strengthen international asset recovery mechanisms in continuation of the government’s effort to advance its mission of tracing, identifying, and retrieving stolen public assets and ensuring that these assets are returned to the Liberian people.
The ARPRT, established by President Joseph Boakai in 2024 through an Executive Order, has been at the forefront of Liberia’s fight against corruption, focusing on the recovery of assets misappropriated during the country’s past regimes.
The partnership with Sweden was formalized during a recent meeting at the Swedish Embassy in Monrovia, where officials from both countries discussed strategies for enhancing asset recovery efforts in the country.
Sweden, known for its robust anti-corruption framework and commitment to international cooperation, has pledged technical assistance and expertise to support Liberia’s initiatives, as Liberia seeks to rebuild its economy and restore public trust in government institutions.
During the meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, ARPRT Chairman, Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin and Co-Chair Rennie B. Jackson met with the Swedish Ambassador to Liberia, Karl Bäckeus, and the team intended to explore avenues for collaboration between the task-force and Sweden.
Chairman Edwin Kla Martin, in remarks, provided a detailed overview of ARPRT’s mandate, current activities, and the critical role the Taskforce plays in Liberia’s anti-corruption agenda, and further highlighted that several high-profile cases are currently under investigation by ARPRT as part of a wider effort to retrieve assets illegally acquired at the expense of the Liberian people.
He asserted, “We are committed to recovering stolen assets that rightly belong to the people of Liberia, and this is not just about accountability, it’s about restoring public trust and redirecting stolen resources to national development priorities.”
“As such, we believe international partnerships are vital to our success and this government, through the President’s effort to ensure that all those who stole from the country over the years are being made to account for their deeds and actions,” Martin added.
Swedish Ambassador to Liberia, Karl Bäckeus welcomed the briefing and acknowledged the impact of corruption on Liberia’s development, thereby reaffirming Sweden’s commitment to translating regency and rule of law.
The Swedish Ambassador further pledged to support Liberia in recovering any such assets within Swedish jurisdiction and expressed Sweden’s willingness to collaborate in other ways that may help AREPT efforts.
Meanwhile, the daylong engagement forms a part of the task force’s broader strategy to work closely with Liberia’s international partners in building networks for effective asset recovery across borders.
The Taskforce believes that continued diplomatic engagement will ensure greater cooperation in uncovering stolen assets wherever they may be held, coupled with its dedication to transparency, justice, and the restoration of national resources for the benefit of all Liberians.
ARPRT Strengthens Int’l Asset Recovery Cooperation With Sweden
