Liberia: Sirleaf Part Ways With Auditor General

New Democrat (Monrovia)

28 March 2011

Following weeks of mudslinging, allegations and counter allegations, and years of mistrust, Mr. John Morlu, the Auditor General who made budget and fiscal issues national topics and earned formidable enemies for demanding accountability in the use of public funds, has been fired.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in her statement dismissing the Auditor General, touched on some areas of disagreement and mistrust:

“We did not always agree with the way Mr. Morlu performed his job, including an indictment that our Government was three times more corrupt than its predecessors, even before he officially commissioned his very first audit. However, we continued to support him and want to sincerely thank him for his immense contributions to our fight against corruption. Our disagreements over his mode of operation have never negated the fact that he has established a foundation that his successors can build upon in the fight against corruption…”

Informed sources told this paper that the decision to show Mr. Morlu the door was taken about 2 years ago, with the European Union, the International Monetary Fund, and the Americans, amongst key donors, informed. An attempt to sack Mr. Morlu 2 years ago despite his 4-year tenure was aborted, but with his term expiring next month, the President, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has exercised her ‘will and pleasure’ in letting a man she recently described as ‘committed and unwavering’ go.

Mr. Morlu’s tenure at the GAC, a once lifeless institution existing only on paper and at the service of politicians, has been marred by controversy and violent exchanges with government officials who audits show are in graft, issuing threats of reprisals against him. At one point, during a debate on the budget, he was assaulted on stage by the former Minister of State for Legal Affairs, Mr. Morris Seytumah, now out of government for unexplained reasons. Mr. Morlu was also a subject of mudslinging from pro-government media establishments, describing him as a former armed ‘rebel’ despite the fact that he spent the war years in the US.

Despite his disliked image within the government, Mr. Morlu’s achievements have been noted within international circles, with the US Assistant Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mr. Bruce Wharton, declaring in Washington:

“Although public financial management has improved, corruption remains prevalent and a significant threat to Liberian democracy. Liberia’s Auditor General has aggressively and thoroughly tracked government revenue from practically every ministry, but the government follow-up has been very disappointing. Some crucial bills affecting key resources such as timber and maritime revenue have been passed without adequate attention to key details. Furthermore, the government must begin addressing a wide variety of issues affecting national reconciliation.”

President Sirleaf, in justifying the dismissal, said Mr. Morlu disrespected the office of the president:

“Fellow Liberians, whatever our differences and opinions, whatever our motives and objectives, the Office of the President demands a certain amount of respect and I can do no less than assure that this is the case. Additionally, as the fight against corruption will continue to demand a hefty amount of our time, our energies, our thoughts and our resources, we can ill-afford needless distractions and controversies. Therefore, I will not be re-nominating him for the post of Auditor-General of the Republic of Liberia.”

The charges emanate from an email Mr. Morlu sent the President, protesting what he said was mudslinging campaign by presidential confidantes against him. Mr. Morlu insists his original email was doctored and that he could never insult the president who could be his mother.

But the President, in her statement, outlined several steps she has taken against corruption, amongst them, setting up commissions and passing laws.

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