During the week, Charles Sirleaf the son of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was confirmed as the interim governor of the Central Bank of Liberia.
However, his appointment has stirred up fresh allegations of nepotism against President Sirleaf.
A leading voice against the choice is head of human rights monitoring at the influential United Methodist church in Liberia, Jefferson Knight who reacted thus:
“There are so many Liberians who are qualified for that post, why it is only he who will be elected? This is nepotism. I am sure the president is testing the water and I hope she will do the right thing by appointing another person. Though we don’t know for how long her son will remain as interim head, this is not smelling good. Liberians spoke against it until Robert resigned. That will also be the case with Charles Sirleaf’s appointment.”
President Sirleaf, who recently visited Nigeria had also appointed her other son, Robert Sirleaf, to head the National Oil Company of Liberia. But his reign was short-lived as he resigned in 2013 following heavy criticism and subsequently failed in his bid for the Senate in 2014.
On the other hand, the controversy about Charles Sirleaf’s appointment arose partly due to his previous suspension for breaching declaration rules. He was temporarily suspended in 2012 for failing to properly declare his assets.
Another Liberian, Patrick Tokpah, expressed his anger:
“This is the same nepotism Leymah Gbowee was referring to when she resigned her post from the government.”
So we ask, what is your take on this development?
