By Lewis S. The
The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has urged the new leadership of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to prosecute corrupt and sanctioned officials.
CENTAL Executive Director Mr. Anderson D. Miamen made the call Friday, 3 November 2023 at a press conference held at his office in Sinkor, a suburb of Monrovia.
The CENTAL boss also urged the LACC officials to be steadfast in breaking the culture of impunity by gathering evidence to prosecute corrupt officials in the country.
“We call on the new leadership of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to break the culture of impunity for corruption in Liberia,” said Miamen.
He urged the LACC to engage the United States Government for evidence to aid the prosecution of elected, sanctioned officials and others accused of corruption and the abuse of public trust and resources.
Miamen noted that the gathering of evidence and prosecution of corrupt officials will be one of the initial biggest tests of the new LACC.
He stated that Liberians and development partners are eagerly watching to see the Commission’s stance on these matters.
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CENTAL’s call comes amid a huge public outcry about against acts of corruption across the country.
Reading CENTAL’s press statement, Mr. Miamen accused the government of failing to take concrete actions against individuals who are accused of corruption.
He stated that the government’s alleged failure to engage the United States Government for evidence to aid in the prosecution of sanctioned officials has given corrupt officials access to state power without having their days in court.
Miamen recalled that on 24 October 2023 during a congressional hearing to confirm his nomination as the new US Ambassador to Liberia, Mr. Mark Toner promised a firm position on corruption, accountability, and the rule of law in Liberia.
He revealed that the new US ambassador also expressed the commitment to continue the partnership between the United States government and her Liberian partners to help strengthen democracy and secure a brighter and more prosperous future for the next generation.
“His statement of commitment is similar to that made by his predecessor, Ambassador Michael McCarthy under whose administration several senior Liberian government officials were designated for corruption by the United States Department of Treasury, under the Global Magnitsky Act.”
