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Saturday, February 15, 2025

‘Steal and Bless the People’ President Boakai’s Shocking Christmas Eve Remarks Ignite National Outrage

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President Joseph Boakai has sparked outrage across Liberia with a controversial statement that appears to condone corruption, suggesting a stunning departure from his campaign promises.

On Christmas Eve, while celebrating the anniversary of Lofa and three other hinterland territories’ county status, Boakai appears to have urged corrupt officials to steal and help the people.

“We want to encourage those who want to remain corrupt and steal money. I beg, the money should be used to bless our people,” President Boakai said.

The comments have led critics and citizens alike to question the sincerity of Boakai’s earlier vows to combat widespread corruption in a nation that has long grappled with deep-rooted graft.

According to Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, Liberia ranks 136th out of 180 countries, with a score of just 30 out of 100—signifying a critical need for reform and accountability.

Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), voiced his disappointment in a scathing Facebook post.

“A sitting President and professed integrity champion encouraging his officials of government to steal? Is this really what you mean, President Boakai? This is completely contrary to your supposed anti-corruption promises,” he said, expressing concern that such statements would undermine Liberia’s eligibility for the upcoming Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, a deal designed to promote economic growth and reduce poverty.

US authorities have linked the availability of compact funding to continued commitment to good governance, including the fight against corruption.

Eddie Jarwolo, Executive Director of NAYMOTE, echoed Miamen’s sentiments, questioning the president’s intentions. “You expect to secure an MCC Compact with this mindset? What happened to the accountability platform on which you campaigned and won?” he probed, highlighting the potential repercussions of Boakai’s remarks on Liberia’s international standing.

Despite the backlash, some of Boakai’s allies rallied to his defense. Youth and Sports Minister Jerror Cole Bangalu suggested that the president’s comments were misunderstood and taken out of context.

“He’s not encouraging officials to steal. The President is advocating for the use of public funds to build our country,” Bangalu stated in a social media post, attempting to clarify the implications of Boakai’s remarks.

Joey Kennedy, president of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas, offered a defense for the President:

“While we want to be critical of the president and his government,  we should not take his statement out of context or misinterpret the president’s statement. He’s not encouraging officials to steal. The President is rather saying that public funds should be used to bless “our people.”

The discontent over Boakai’s statement serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by leaders in promoting good governance and accountability in Liberia, where public trust in government is critically low.

With mounting pressure from civil society and citizens, the question remains: will President Boakai pivot back to his initial anti-corruption commitments, or has he unwittingly set a new precedent for corruption in the nation?

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