MONROVIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has reaffirmed its call for the establishment of a Specialized National Anti Corruption Court, following the National Anti-Corruption Policy Dialogue held in Monrovia on June 30, 2026. CENTAL Executive Director Anderson D. Miamen, in a post-event reflection shared on his official Facebook page, highlighted key outcomes of the dialogue and reiterated the organization’s commitment to advancing governance and anti-corruption reforms in Liberia.
In his statement titled “Forging Mutually-Beneficial Partnership in Fostering Governance and Anti-Corruption Reform in Liberia,” Miamen underscored the significance of the high-level engagement, which brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, media practitioners, and public integrity institutions in a unified discussion on strengthening accountability mechanisms.
The dialogue was convened by CENTAL in collaboration with its governance consortium partners NAYMOTE-Liberia and the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG), with support from the Embassy of Ireland through Irish Aid, and in partnership with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L).
Held under the theme “Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Liberia through the Establishment of the Specialized National Anti Corruption Court,” the forum focused on the urgent need to strengthen Liberia’s justice system to ensure the timely and effective prosecution of corruption cases.
According to Miamen, the dialogue demonstrated growing national consensus on the need for a specialized anti-corruption court capable of addressing delays in the adjudication of corruption cases and reinforcing public confidence in the rule of law.
He noted that stakeholders at the event expressed broad support for the establishment of the court, describing it as a critical reform for safeguarding public resources and enhancing accountability in governance.
A key highlight of the dialogue was the keynote address delivered by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the National Legislature to demonstrate strong political will in ensuring the swift establishment of the court as a decisive step toward ending corruption-related impunity in Liberia.
Miamen further acknowledged that while participants widely supported the initiative, several panelists and stakeholders raised important concerns regarding provisions contained in the draft Anti-Corruption Court Bill. These concerns included proposals related to shifting the burden of proof in corruption cases, the absence of civil society participation in vetting judicial appointments, the classification of corruption as a non-bailable offense, and the introduction of non-jury trials.
Despite these concerns, he emphasized that there was unanimous agreement among participants on the urgency of establishing the court, with calls for the Legislature to expedite review and passage of the bill while encouraging citizens to remain actively engaged in the reform process.
He added that the dialogue builds on a series of sustained engagements led by CENTAL and its partners, including consultations with lawmakers and other state and non-state actors aimed at building national consensus around both the Anti-Corruption Court and the proposed War and Economic Crimes Court.
Miamen noted that these initiatives come amid rising public demand for stronger accountability mechanisms in Liberia, particularly in relation to corruption and historical injustices, with citizens and partners calling for reforms that ensure equitable access to national resources and inclusive development.
Expressing appreciation, Miamen thanked former President Sirleaf, panelists, civil society actors, media representatives, students, and development partners for their participation and contributions to the success of the dialogue.
He also commended the Government and people of Ireland, through the Embassy in Monrovia, for their continued support to Liberia’s governance reform agenda under the Strengthening Political Governance and Accountability in Liberia Project, which funded the initiative.
Reaffirming CENTAL’s position, Miamen stressed that accountability delayed amounts to accountability denied, underscoring the organization’s commitment to working with government, civil society, development partners, and citizens to ensure the establishment, adequate financing, and long-term sustainability of the Specialized National Anti Corruption Court as a cornerstone of Liberia’s anti-corruption reform agenda.
