Liberian President Joseph Boakai has announced the suspension of more than 450 senior government officials, including various ministers, for their failure to submit asset declarations to the anti-corruption agency.
These officials will be placed on unpaid leave for a month or until they comply with the asset declaration requirement, as indicated by the presidency.
Boakai stressed that their inaction constitutes a breach of the code of conduct for public officials, as it demonstrates a lack of transparency regarding their financial holdings.
He reaffirmed his dedication to fighting corruption, noting that failure to comply undermines efforts to enhance accountability.
Among those suspended are the ministers responsible for education and health, along with special envoys for tourism and investment.
The suspension list also encompasses officials from the Executive Mansion and county administrative personnel.
Under the law, all public officers are required to declare their assets prior to taking office and upon leaving their government roles.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has published the names of the 457 officials impacted, in line with legal obligations.
Boakai reminded public officials that asset declaration is not merely a legal requirement but is crucial for promoting transparency and restoring public confidence in government institutions.
In July, the president implemented a 40% salary cut for himself to exemplify “responsible governance” and demonstrate solidarity with the populace.
His predecessor, George Weah, was embroiled in allegations of corruption and excessive spending, which sparked widespread protests amid escalating living costs.
On Wednesday, a number of suspended officials visited the offices of the anti-corruption commission to comply with the established requirements. Reactions to the president’s decision have varied; political analyst Abdullah Kiatamba voiced his support for the president’s anti-corruption initiatives during an interview with Liberian newspaper FrontPage Africa, while also noting the challenges faced by some officials in submitting their asset declarations.
The civil society organization Solidarity and Trust for a New Day criticized Boakai’s actions as insufficient. They remarked that “suspending these officials for merely one month is a hollow, symbolic act—a mere slap on the wrist that should not be taken seriously by anyone.”
