Liberian President Joseph Boakai has launched twins wars against the corruption pandemic that has plagued the West African nation for nearly two centuries, prosecuting past officials and warning his administration officials that they will .not be spared in the process.
Leading civil society organizations including the Solidarity for a New Day have welcome the President’s anti-corruption efforts but with caution that the Independence of the judicial process must be respected and guaranteed for the rights of accused persons.
Warning officials Friday during a cabinet meeting in Monrovia, Boakai vowed to immediately dismiss any individual found to have hidden agendas to covert public resources for personal gains.
“If you come to the cabinet to do the same thing that you think used to happen, with adequate information we are going to come behind you,” he said.
“Once we identify and make sure we know them, you are going to leave, and when you leave, I don’t care who asks for you to come back, you are not coming back.”
He made it clear that he expects his cabinet members and all government officials to adhere to the highest ethical standards, warning that any deviation will not be tolerated.
“When we started bringing ministers, we decided to bring people with integrity. People that love the country and want a good country. The moment you start missing that, you are telling me that I made a mistake, and I don’t think I made a mistake,” President Boakai said..
He mandated the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Cllr. J. Oswald Tweh, to take swift action against corruption. He instructed the Justice Minister to prosecute individuals identified in audit reports without hesitation, stating, “Do not be afraid, Minister of Justice. Just make sure you do the right thing to bring them to justice..
“We will run after them and bring them to justice even if they call him witch-hunt, but the Liberian people will appreciate,” he affirmed.
This decisive approach has been welcomed by many Liberians and civil society groups.
STAND Supports Government’s Anti-Corruption Efforts; Calls for Fair Legal Process
The anti-impunity advocacy organization, Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND), welcomes the Boakai-led government’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign as a positive step in the right direction.
This important effort, which goes beyond the interests of a few individuals or their associates, needs the united support of all Liberians, regardless of their ethnicity, politics, religion, or social background.
STAND supports the prosecution of any current or former government official for corruption when there is evidence.
We hence, commend the Boakai administration for taking firm action to prosecute former officials based on legitimate audit findings and look forward to similar actions against current officials where proof is available. We view these bold steps as a significant shift from Liberia’s past tolerance of corruption, demonstrating a clear commitment to justice and accountability.
STAND urges all citizens, including leaders of all political parties, to support these efforts. We must recognize corruption as the real threat to peace, not the fight against it. Therefore, we all need to condemn this national problem that continues to hinder our country’s progress and hold those responsible accountable.
Recognizing that transparency is crucial in combating corruption, we urge the Boakai government to maintain a comprehensive approach (without fear or favor) in holding accountable those responsible for crimes against the country. By demonstrating a steadfast commitment to transparency and accountability in all aspects of governance, the President will be better positioned to foster ethical leadership and uphold these principles across all levels and dealings.
In this spirit, we again insist that the fight against corruption must be wage within the confines of the rule of law, with impartial and comprehensive goals. It should uphold the principle that the law requires treating all accused as innocent until proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction, free from any political bias or unlawful interference.
At the same time, while STAND seeks to foster a unified and collective national front in the fight against corruption, pushbacks should be expected, given Liberia’s long history of corruption and its closely intertwined community of complex ethnic, political, cultural, and religious dynamics.
Regardless of these intricacies, STAND encourages all Liberians to overcome party zealotry, religious biases, and ethnic solidarity. Rising above these vices will enable us to unite against the cancer of corruption and stand together as one nation to ensure that accused individuals of yesterday, today, and tomorrow will face justice in courts of competent jurisdiction based on substantial evidence, not one’s political, ethnic or religious affiliation.
Unless we support the unbiased fight against corruption, no matter who is president, and insist that every accused person faces equitable justice regardless of their affiliation, our patriotism is nothing but lip service.
Hence, we call upon all Liberians to put aside biases and unite against corruption in the same way we are united for peace and development.
Integrity Watch Liberia (IWL)
– Integrity Watch Liberia (IWL) extends its profound gratitude to President Joseph Boakai for his resolute stance against corruption and his demonstrated political will to prosecute former government officials alleged to have engaged in corrupt practices.
The President’s recent directive to the Minister of Justice, Cllr. J. Oswald Tweh, to pursue justice without fear or favor signifies a pivotal moment in Liberia’s ongoing battle against corruption.
This commitment is a beacon of hope for all Liberians who have long yearned for accountability and transparency in governance. While we commend these efforts, IWL calls on President Boakai to reinforce this commitment by ensuring that the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), the General Auditing Commission (GAC), and all other anti-graft institutions are adequately resourced and empowered to execute their mandates effectively.
These institutions play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of our governance systems, and they must operate without fear, favor, or undue influence. Adequate funding, capacity building, and political support are essential to their success.
Furthermore, IWL urges President Boakai to extend the fight against corruption beyond the indictees of the Weah administration. Historical audit reports have implicated officials from the Unity Party during the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration, yet many of these individuals were never prosecuted.
It is imperative that the fight against corruption is not selective. The President must ensure a robust and comprehensive approach, addressing corruption irrespective of political affiliation or past administration. This comprehensive strategy will demonstrate that the days of selective justice and impunity are truly over.
In the same vein, IWL calls on the leadership of the Congress for Democratic
Change (CDC), particularly former President George Weah, to cease threatening the state. If they believe in their innocence, they should present their case and exonerate themselves in the courts of law. The cycle of impunity that has plagued Liberia for too long must be brought to an end.
IWL stands firm in its support for President Boakai’s vision of a transparent and accountable Liberia. We urge all stakeholders to join in this crucial fight against corruption, ensuring that justice prevails and that our nation can move forward towards a brighter, more equitable future.
