MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Anderson D. Miamen, the executive director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), has criticized President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s removal of tenure officials, calling it arbitrary.
During a press conference held on Tuesday, April 30th, at the CENTAL headquarters, Miamen clarified the organization’s stance. He explained that they had previously criticized President Boakai’s appointments as “arbitrary” when he appointed individuals to already-filled positions. However, Miamen emphasized that in this current instance, CENTAL acknowledges the president’s authority to suspend individuals based on costs, even if they hold tenure.
The issue, according to Miamen, arises when the decision to remove officials comes after a court ruling, especially if those officials had previously won a case against the president and the government. He highlighted the case of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, where the decision to remove officials appears to be more about implementing the president’s agenda than fighting corruption.
Miamen emphasized that CENTAL is not against fighting corruption in Liberia. They do not oppose the removal of officials, such as those who campaigned against the laws while holding tenure positions. However, Miamen stressed the importance of due process in such cases.
He pointed out that in the case of the Governance Commission (GC), the Ombudsman has been appointed, and the government should now focus on operationalizing the office by providing resources and logistics. Regarding Garrison Yealue, who is accused of campaigning while serving as chairperson of the Governance Commission, Miamen suggested that the matter should be dealt with by the appropriate authorities, such as the Ombudsman.
While acknowledging that some officials may have been involved in corruption, Miamen reiterated the importance of following due process in all cases of removal, ensuring that decisions are not politically motivated but based on the rule of law.
