The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has challenged the new Board of Commissioners at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to prosecute sanctioned officials.
“The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia is deeply concerned about the alleged involvement of additional three high-profile Liberian Government officials in corruption and human rights abuses,” CENTAL said.
In a release issued over the weekend, CENTAL said the institution wholeheartedly welcomes the courage and latest actions of the U.S. government to impose sanctions on additional Liberian officials.
CENTAL noted that the sanctioned officials are believed to have abused their offices by stealing from poor Liberians and engaging in human rights violations.
“We appreciate the visibly strong commitment of the Americans and other development partners to support efforts to defend democracy and fight against corruption and other crimes and abuses in the country,” the release said.
CENTAL therefore called on the U.S. Government and other development partners to continuously take strong and decisive actions against public officials and other individuals believed to have abused human rights.
It further called for decisive actions against officials who have engaged in corruption and undermined the country’s democracy.
In line with the due process of law, the pro-democracy organization has called on the LACC and other relevant state institutions to seek the support of the U.S. Government to timely investigate and credibly prosecute current and previous government officials sanctioned and designated by the U.S. Government.
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“In part, this is important to ensure that those culpable for the allegations levied against them are made to fully account for their unscrupulous behaviors,” the release said.
“It would be unfortunate that our partners are exerting efforts to deal with corruption while we who experience the devastating effects of corruption sit supinely and refuse to meaningfully act,” CENTAL lamented.
It called on all well-meaning Liberians to join efforts to demand the Liberian Government to timely and credibly prosecute persons accused of corruption in the country.
On Monday, 11 December 2023, under Executive Order 13818, the Treasury Department of the United States of America designated Samuel D. Tweah, Minister of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and Senators Albert Chie and J. Emmanuel Nuquay for their alleged involvement in corruption in Liberia.
The three designated high-ranking Liberian Government officials are accused of soliciting, accepting, and offering bribes to manipulate legislative processes and public funding, including activities in the mining sector.
Earlier on 8 December 2023, the US Government similarly designated Monrovia City Mayor, Jefferson T. Koijee for his alleged involvement in human rights violations and corruption.
Mayor Koijee is alleged to have engaged in corrupt acts, including bribery and misappropriation of state assets for private political movements.
Additionally, he is accused of controlling paramilitary organizations allegedly comprised of former combatants and recently released prisoners who are believed to have violently disrupted government critics’ demonstrations and opposition activities.
According to CENTAL, the United States Department of State’s sanctions underscore the United States’ commitment to holding accountable those involved in corrupt practices and human rights abuses globally.
The US Secretary of the Treasury, Janet L. Yellen said the sanctions reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to promoting respect for human rights and holding perpetrators accountable.
