Politics

Liberia’s President Boakai orders audit of central bank, other agencies

Published

11 months ago

February 10, 2024

As part of his attempts to combat corruption, President Joseph Boakai of Liberia has ordered an audit of three important government agencies, including the central bank.

Boakai who recently won the election to lead the West African country on a platform of fighting corruption and enhancing living conditions, defeated his predecessor George Weah in the elections held in November.

The president issued a statement stating that Boakai has requested that the national security agency, executive protection service, and central bank be audited by Liberia’s General Auditing Commission.

The investigation will focus on the years 2018–2023, and it will submit its results in a three-month period.

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023 in Africa reveals a range of outcomes, with notable improvements in a few nations. Nonetheless, the majority of African nations saw a state of stagnation, which preserved the region’s continuously subpar performance and preserved the average regional score of 33 out of 100.

According to Transparency International’s 2023 CPI, out of 180 countries, Liberia is ranked 145th least corrupt. From 2005 to 2023, Liberia’s corruption rank averaged 114.67; it peaked at 150.00 in 2007 and fell to a record low of 75.00 in 2012.

According to the statement, it is “the beginning of a holistic audit of government ministries and agencies” in keeping with Boakai’s pledge to combat corruption and guarantee openness.

The central bank did not respond to questions about confirmation.

Weah suspended three government officials in August 2022 after the US imposed sanctions on them due to what the US claimed was their continued involvement in public corruption.

Related Topics:Featured Joseph Boakai Liberia

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Politics

Mozambique’s top court affirms governing party’s victory in recent election

Published

13 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The highest court in Mozambique affirmed Monday that the incumbent Frelimo party won the October election, sparking widespread demonstrations from opposition parties who claim the vote was manipulated.

Fears of fresh bloodshed have been raised in the nation already shaken by weeks of fatal protests after Mozambique’s top electoral court mostly confirmed the results of the country’s contentious October elections, reinforcing the Frelimo party’s decades-long hold on power.

The final decision on the election process rests with the Constitutional Council. Mozambique, a nation of over 35 million people in Southern Africa that Frelimo has ruled since 1975, is expected to see more protests in response to its judgement.

Mozambique operates a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic in a multi-party system. The president of Mozambique serves as both the head of state and the head of government.

The government exercises executive power. The administration and the Assembly of the Republic have the authority to enact laws.

Politics

Alliance of Sahel States opposes ECOWAS disengagement schedule

Published

13 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) withdrawal timeline has been rejected by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which is made up of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

The AES claims that the ECOWAS is attempting to destabilise their newly formed organisation.

During a meeting last week in Abuja, Nigeria, the regional organisation announced a six-month withdrawal period to give the three nations time to change their minds after their official departure date at the end of January 2025.

However, this decision is “nothing more than yet another attempt by the French and its auxiliaries to continue planning and carrying out destabilising actions against the AES,” according to the heads of state of the AES.

“This unilateral decision is not binding on the ESA countries,” the statement continues. Before the conference, they stated that their choice to leave the organisation was “irreversible.”

According to the president of the Ecowas Commission, this will be a “transition period” that ends on “July 29, 2025” to “keep the doors of Ecowas open.”

The three nations accused the bloc of neglecting to assist them in resolving their domestic security challenges and of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” sanctions related to the coup.

The three nations that were involved in the coup have mostly rejected ECOWAS’ attempts to undo their withdrawal. They are creating their alliance and have begun thinking about how to issue travel passports independently of ECOWAS.

It is anticipated that they will finish giving their one-year notice of departure in January.

Visa-free travel to other ECOWAS members is a significant perk of membership, and it is unclear how this would alter after the three nations exit the group.