MONROVIA: The Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND) says while it heartedly welcomes the Boakai-led government’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, describing the move as a positive step in the right direction, it wants such an effort to go beyond the interests of a few individuals or their associates.
STAND in a release issued over the weekend said the fight against corruption and impunity requires the united support of all Liberians, regardless of their ethnicity, politics, religion, or social background.
The anti-impunity advocacy organization expressed supports for the prosecution of any current or former government official for corruption when there is evidence.
“We hence commend the Boakai administration for taking firm action to prosecute former officials based on legitimate audit findings and look forward to similar actions against current officials where proof is available,” the group said, adding: ‘We view these bold steps as a significant shift from Liberia’s past tolerance of corruption, demonstrating a clear commitment to justice and accountability.”
The group is therefore urging all citizens, including leaders of all political parties, to support these ongoing anti-corruption efforts.
“We must recognize corruption as the real threat to peace, not the fight against it,” STAND warned. “Therefore, we all need to condemn this national problem that continues to hinder our country’s progress and hold those responsible accountable.”
Recognizing that transparency is crucial in combating corruption, the organization called on the Boakai government to maintain a comprehensive approach without fear or favor in holding accountable those responsible for crimes against the country.
“By demonstrating a steadfast commitment to transparency and accountability in all aspects of governance,” STAND asserted, “the President will be better positioned to foster ethical leadership and uphold these principles across all levels and dealings.”
It further posited that in this spirit, “we again insist that the fight against corruption must be wage within the confines of the rule of law, with impartial and comprehensive goals.
“It should uphold the principle that the law requires treating all accused as innocent until proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction, free from any political bias or unlawful interference.”
At the same time, STAND says it is seeking to foster a unified and collective national front in the fight against corruption where pushbacks should be expected, given Liberia’s long history of corruption and its closely intertwined community of complex ethnic, political, cultural, and religious dynamics.
“Regardless of these intricacies,” STAND encouraged all Liberians to overcome party zealotry, religious biases, and ethnic solidarity.
“Rising above these vices will enable us to unite against the cancer of corruption and stand together as one nation to ensure that accused individuals of yesterday, today, and tomorrow will face justice in courts of competent jurisdiction based on substantial evidence, not one’s political, ethnic or religious affiliation,” it stated also.
STAND warned that “unless we support the unbiased fight against corruption, no matter who is president, and insist that every accused person faces equitable justice regardless of their affiliation, our patriotism is nothing but lip service”.