Ellen tells African leaders, blasts IMF, WB, others
Congo Town, Monrovia, May 25, 2026 - Former Liberian President and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has expressed concern over the persistent loss of millions of dollars to corruption across Africa, despite the continent's notable strides in economic growth, democracy, public health, and education in recent decades.
At the same event, the former leader sharply criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the African Union, and the European Bank, describing their involvement in Africa's development as a tragedy fueled by self-interest.
Addressing delegates at the 22nd conference of the African Organization of English-Speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E) in Monrovia, Sirleaf cautioned that Africa stands at a crossroads. She acknowledged the continent's gains in economic growth, democracy, and public health, but warned of ongoing challenges.
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"Yet, we continue to lose millions of dollars annually to corruption, mismanagement, and illicit financial flows. Resources intended for schools, hospitals, and roads often vanish. In many cases, these losses go undetected for years," she lamented.
Delivering frank remarks to representatives of SAI, the IMF, the World Bank, the African Union, the European Bank, and all others present, she boldly noted that their engagement with this process is a tragedy and is driven by self-interest.
According to Sirleaf, robust audit institutions are crucial for attracting development investment, improving national credit profiles, and ensuring stable, predictable governance.
She emphasized the importance of active citizenship, urging Africans to pay taxes and engage in civic life. Sirleaf noted that the returns on such investments are among the highest of any government initiative.
Sirleaf expressed her trust in the institutions and urged collaboration to achieve their shared, noble goals.
"When I reflect on our efforts, I do not seek to present a flawless record. Mistakes were made, and institutions sometimes fell short. Progress was uneven, and the culture of accountability faces ongoing challenges. Stewardship of public trust is a collective responsibility," she remarked.
Sirleaf called on civil society, the private sector, media, development partners, and citizens alike to commit to making integrity the norm, not the exception.
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"Achieving this requires a genuine cultural shift in values and expectations governing public life," she concluded, thanking participants for their efforts in promoting accountable governance and responsible stewardship of national resources.
