Boakai Reappoints Suspended Aides Tarnue Kesselly, Charles Johnson to Illegal Mining Taskforce

Executive Mansion, Liberia: President Joseph Boakai has appointed former Executive Protection Service (EPS) Chief Bodyguard Tarnue Kesselly and Charles Johnson, both of whom were previously suspended from their  positions with in the Executive Protection Service(EPS) and now has been appointed as members of a newly established Special Presidential Taskforce to combat illegal mining across Liberia.

Kesselly was indefinitely suspended in 2024 following allegations that he misapplied funds intended to compensate and relocate shop owners near the President’s private residence. Reports at the time alleged that he distributed significantly less money than the amount allocated for the exercise, prompting President Boakai to order his suspension pending further action.

Charles Johnson was also suspended from his previous government position, according to earlier reports.

Despite their earlier suspensions, both men have now been named to the President’s new multi-agency taskforce established to tackle the growing threat of illegal mining and strengthen enforcement of Liberia’s environmental and mining laws.

The taskforce is chaired by Abraham Kromah and includes Ashford Peal, Prince Mulbah, Tarnue Kesselly, Charles Johnson, representatives from the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as liaison officers from the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police.

According to the Executive Order establishing the taskforce, the body was created in response to widespread illegal mining activities that have caused extensive environmental destruction, including river diversion, dredging of waterways, deforestation, wetland destruction, soil erosion, contamination of freshwater sources, and the destruction of aquatic habitats.

The order also cites the unlawful use of hazardous substances such as mercury and cyanide, warning that they pose serious long-term risks to public health, biodiversity, fisheries, and drinking water.

The President further noted that illegal mining has undermined government revenue, weakened the rule of law, fueled child labor and unsafe working conditions, intensified land disputes and community conflicts, and contributed to the smuggling of millions of dollars’ worth of mineral resources out of Liberia.

The newly established taskforce has been mandated to coordinate enforcement operations, work alongside relevant government institutions, and submit quarterly reports to the Office of the President detailing enforcement actions, environmental remediation efforts, and community engagement outcomes.