Liberia leader orders officials to declare assets

[Glasgow]

Liberian President George Weah has ordered those officials who are yet to declare their assets to do so in one week “or face punitive action consistent with law".

He said asset declaration under his regime "will be enforced to the letter and there will be no sacred cows".

Mr Weah, who is an ex-footballer, said he had told the people of Liberia during his campaign that “our government would adopt a zero-tolerance posture towards corruption".

The code of conduct for public officials mandates them to declare their assets before assuming office.

But Mr Weah was in violation of this himself, only declaring his assets to the anti-corruption commission under public pressure six months after taking over on 22 January.

Mr Weah did not make his declaration public - something officials are not obliged to do.

Only 25% of members of the executive branch of government have filled in their asset declaration, according to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.

The commission says the vast majority of people in the judiciary have complied, but none of the 103 MPs have yet done so.