Liberian President Suspends Over 450 Officials for Failing to Declare Assets

Liberian President Joseph Boakai, who has vowed to tackle corruption, has suspended over 450 government-appointed officials for failing to declare their assets.

The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) reported that 457 officials, including the minister in charge of the budget and several ambassadors, did not disclose their assets before the November deadline, as mandated by the country’s code of conduct for public 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 said.

Liberian law mandates that public officials disclose their assets both 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 said.

“Failure to comply with asset declaration requirements undermines national efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability,” it added.

“I think it’s good news”, political analyst Abdullah Kiatamba said. “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 on the Corruption Perceptions Index.