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AFRIPAN NEWS DAILY THE VOICE OF AFRICA AND THE WORLD MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 LIBERIA • AFRICA • WORLD • BUSINESS • SPORTS BOMBSHELL IN LIBERIA ALLEGED PLOT TO ASSASSINATE GEORGE WEAH SURFACES IN COURT STATE WITNESS TESTIFIES ABOUT ALLEGED DRUG-CARTEL PROTECTION DEAL INVOLVING FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JEWEL HOWARD-TAYLOR MONROVIA — Liberia's ongoing transnational drug case has taken a dramatic turn after a prosecution witness gave testimony involving an alleged plan to assassinate former President George Manneh Weah. The allegation emerged during court proceedings involving former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, who is facing drug-trafficking, money-laundering and related allegations following the investigation into a major cocaine shipment seized in Liberia. According to reports of the proceedings, a senior police investigator testified about alleged contacts between Howard-Taylor and individuals investigators associate with a transnational cocaine-trafficking network. The testimony included allegations concerning political protection, financial discussions and an alleged plan targeting the former president. The witness's claims remain allegations. They have not been established as facts by the court, and Howard-Taylor has denied wrongdoing. The defense is expected to challenge the prosecution's evidence as the case continues. The proceedings have attracted enormous public attention because of the political implications and the scale of the alleged international drug network. AFRIPAN NEWS DAILY urges readers to distinguish between testimony presented in court and facts that have been proven through the judicial process.

JEWEL HOWARD-TAYLOR CASE REMAINS AT CENTER OF NATIONAL DEBATE Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor's prosecution has become one of Liberia's most closely watched legal cases. She has been charged in connection with an alleged transnational cocaine-trafficking network following the seizure of a cocaine shipment valued at more than three hundred million United States dollars. Howard-Taylor denies the allegations and has maintained that the case is politically motivated. The case has generated debate about Liberia's justice system, political accountability, drug trafficking and the country's ability to confront international criminal networks.

GEORGE WEAH RETURNS TO THE POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT Former President George Weah's return to Liberia has generated renewed political activity and attention around the opposition. Weah has publicly defended Jewel Howard-Taylor and criticized the government's handling of the case. His return has also energized supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change and revived discussion about Liberia's political direction ahead of the next electoral cycle.

LIBERIA'S DRUG WAR: THE BIGGER QUESTION The cocaine investigation has raised a larger question for Liberia: how does the country prevent young people from becoming victims of addiction while simultaneously confronting international trafficking networks? The answer requires more than arrests. Liberia needs prevention, rehabilitation, healthcare, education, vocational training, employment opportunities and strong law enforcement. That national conversation is becoming increasingly important as drug-related cases continue to dominate headlines.

AFRICA UN ENDORSES MAP THAT BETTER SHOWS AFRICA'S TRUE SIZE The United Nations General Assembly has endorsed a new world map intended to represent the relative size of continents more accurately. The development has generated significant attention across Africa because traditional map projections have often made Africa appear smaller than it actually is. Supporters say the new approach can provide a more accurate geographical representation of the continent and help challenge misconceptions about Africa's physical scale.

SUDAN WAR CONTINUES TO CREATE HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS The conflict in Sudan remains a major humanitarian crisis, with fighting and displacement continuing in several areas. Al Jazeera reports that at least five people were killed in an attack in South Kordofan, highlighting the continuing insecurity affecting civilians. International efforts to bring the conflict to an end remain complicated by competing political and military interests.

CONGO EBOLA OUTBREAK UNDER CLOSE WATCH Health authorities continue monitoring an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported thousands of confirmed cases and deaths in the outbreak as of early September. Health officials and international partners are working to strengthen surveillance, treatment and community response.

AFRICAN BUSINESS DANGOTE REFINERY BUSINESS PREPARES FOR MAJOR SHARE SALE Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission has approved an initial public offering involving Dangote Group's refinery business. The transaction is expected to become one of Africa's largest share offerings and could attract significant investor attention to Nigeria's energy sector.

AIR TANZANIA TO RESUME RUSSIA FLIGHTS Air Tanzania is scheduled to resume flights between Dar es Salaam and Moscow on September seventh after a temporary suspension. The airline had halted the service amid security concerns before announcing its planned resumption.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS CHINA-NEPAL BORDER HIT BY DEVASTATING FLOODS Heavy rainfall and flooding have caused major destruction around the China-Nepal border. A previously busy border crossing has been severely affected, while rescue teams continue efforts following a devastating mudslide. The disaster has raised renewed concerns about extreme weather and the vulnerability of mountain communities.

CLIMATE FUND FACES MAJOR TEST AS NEPAL SEEKS FLOOD COMPENSATION Nepal is seeking financial support for flood damage through a new international climate-aid mechanism. The request is being closely watched because it could provide an important test of whether international climate-finance systems can deliver assistance quickly to countries suffering major climate-related disasters.

SIX US DEPORTEES REMAIN IN LIMBO IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA Six people deported by the United States refused to disembark from a deportation flight in Liberia and were subsequently taken to Equatorial Guinea. The unusual case has generated international debate over deportation arrangements, asylum rights and the treatment of people removed from the United States.

WORLD SPORTS LIBERIA FOOTBALL LOGAN TOWN CROWNED COMMUNITY LEAGUE CHAMPIONS Logan Town have been crowned champions of the third edition of the MoMo Community League. The grassroots tournament was organized under the auspices of the Liberia Football Association and provided another platform for community football development. Organizers praised the support of the Liberia Football Association and its leadership.

AFRIPAN SPECIAL REPORT NANA OPOKU OBREMPONG SPEAKS OUT AFRIPAN CEO AND FOUNDER CALLS FOR A “ONE MILLION DRUG-FREE LIBERIA” MONROVIA — Nana Opoku Obrempong, CEO and Founder of the AfriPan National Rehabilitation and Skills Development initiative, has called for a major national movement against drug abuse in Liberia. Nana Opoku Obrempong says Liberia's fight against drugs must move beyond arrests and punishment. He is calling for a comprehensive national response that combines prevention, rehabilitation, education, vocational training, healthcare, agriculture and employment opportunities. His proposed “One Million Drug-Free Liberia” campaign is envisioned as a national awareness and social-development movement aimed particularly at young Liberians. The campaign would encourage young people to reject drug abuse while encouraging communities, families, schools, religious organizations, government institutions, businesses and international partners to participate in prevention and rehabilitation. Nana Opoku Obrempong says Liberia cannot build a strong future while thousands of young people remain trapped in addiction, homelessness and unemployment. He believes rehabilitation must give people more than temporary treatment. It must give them a second chance. AFRIPAN NATIONAL REHABILITATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CENTER The AfriPan vision includes the development of a major rehabilitation and skills-development center designed to provide treatment, education and practical skills to people affected by drug abuse. The proposed center would combine rehabilitation with vocational training, agriculture, healthcare, education and reintegration into society. The long-term objective is to help rehabilitated individuals become productive members of their communities. Nana Opoku Obrempong says the fight against drugs should be treated as both a national security issue and a national development issue. His message is simple: A drug-free Liberia must also be a skilled, educated and economically empowered Liberia. AFRIPAN EDITORIAL LIBERIA NEEDS A NEW GENERATION OF HOPE Liberia's drug crisis should not be reduced to political arguments.

Behind every addiction is a human being. Behind every young person sleeping on the street is a family and a community. And behind every young Liberian who recovers is an opportunity to rebuild a life. The country needs a balanced approach: strong action against traffickers, fair justice through the courts, prevention among young people, treatment for those struggling with addiction, and skills and employment for people returning to society. The future of Liberia depends on its young people. The national question should therefore be: How do we save the next generation? AfriPan believes the answer must begin with rehabilitation, education, skills and opportunity.

AFRIPAN NEWS DAILY THE VOICE OF AFRICA AND THE WORLD INFORMING AFRICA • EMPOWERING PEOPLE • BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2026