Liberian
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has
suspended 46 government officials, including her son, for failing to declare
their assets, the presidency said Tuesday [Aug 21].
"President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has with immediate effect, suspended 46 government
officials for failing to declare their assets to the Liberia Anti-Corruption
Commission",
said a press release.
Charles Sirleaf, son of the president and deputy
governor of the Central Bank, and David
Anderson, chief of protocol at the executive mansion, are among those
suspended.
The
list also includes several deputy ministers and provincial superintendents.
When
appointed to their respective positions, the officials were given 14 days to
declare their assets.
"The
suspension will remain in force until President Sirleaf receives confirmation
from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission that they have met the assets
declaration requirements",
according to the press release.
Before being reinstated, the
suspended officials will have to pay the government an amount representing the
value of their salaries and allowances for the period of suspension, it said.
When first elected in 2006 Sirleaf declared war on corruption, but
failed to make serious inroads despite dismissing several ministers.
Africa's first elected female
president, Sirleaf won a second term
in 2011 elections and tackling graft is still one the most pressing issues in
the country nine years after the end of a devastating civil war.
At Sirleaf's swearing-in ceremony in January, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said:
"Corruption is one of the roadblocks to greater prosperity here in Liberia”.
In June the International Crisis
Group released a report warning that corruption, along with nepotism, impunity
and unemployment, could "jeopardise Liberia's democracy".
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