Liberia’s Joseph Boakai has suspended more than 450 top government officials, including ministers, for failing to declare their assets as required by law.
The affected officials, who include the ministers of education and health, special envoys for tourism and investment, and several county administrators, will remain suspended without pay for one month or until they submit their asset declarations, according to a statement from the presidency.
Boakai, who took office last year with a pledge to fight corruption, said the failure of officials to comply with asset declaration requirements violates the code of conduct for public officials and undermines efforts to promote transparency and accountability.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) published a list of all 457 suspended officials, reinforcing that asset declaration is a legal obligation for public officers before assuming and after leaving government positions.
Boakai’s crackdown has sparked divided opinions among analysts and civil society groups.
Political analyst Abdullah Kiatamba, quoted by FrontPage Africa, expressed support for the president’s anti-corruption stance but acknowledged that some officials may have faced challenges in submitting their declarations.
However, civil society group Solidarity and Trust for a New Day dismissed the suspensions as insufficient, calling it a symbolic gesture and a “slap on the wrist.”
Meanwhile, some suspended officials have reportedly begun visiting the LACC offices to comply with the requirement and regain their positions.
Last year, Boakai took a 40% salary cut, aiming to set a precedent for responsible governance and demonstrate solidarity with struggling Liberians. His administration follows that of former President George Weah, whose government faced accusations of corruption and excessive spending, leading to widespread protests amid rising living costs.
Boakai has reiterated his commitment to restoring public trust in government institutions, stating, “Public officials are reminded that asset declaration is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental measure to promote transparency.”
