Liberian President Joseph Boakai, who has vowed to tackle corruption, has suspended more than 450 government-appointed officials for failing to declare their assets.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) identified 457 officials, including the minister overseeing the budget and several ambassadors, who did not declare their assets before the November deadline, as required by the country’s code of conduct for state officials.
The officials have been “suspended for a period of one month without pay or until they submit the required declarations,” the president’s office announced.
Liberian law mandates public officials to declare their assets upon assuming and leaving office.
Boakai, elected in November 2023, “remains steadfast in his commitment to good governance, integrity, and the rule of law,” the statement added.
“Failure to comply with asset declaration requirements undermines national efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability.”
Political analyst Abdullah Kiatamba welcomed the move, saying, “I think it’s good news. I hope he maintains the trend, but it is in the best interest of the country.”
According to Transparency International, Liberia ranks 135th out of 180 countries in the corruption perceptions index.
