Charles Sirleaf was a prominent Liberian financial and public official known primarily for his long career at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and as one of the four sons of former Liberian President and Nobel Laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. His career was marked by significant influence in the nation’s financial sector and later by high-profile legal controversies.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Charles Edward Sirleaf |
| Born | c. 1956 (Exact date uncertain) |
| Died | June 3, 2024 (aged c. 68), Ghana |
| Parent | Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Former President of Liberia) |
| Occupation | Economist, Central Banker, Public Official |
| Key Role | Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) |
| Controversy | Indicted in 2019 over alleged disappearance of printed currency. |
Career at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL)
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Long-Serving Banker: Charles Sirleaf had a lengthy and influential career in the Liberian financial system. He was a long-time fixture at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), serving in several high-ranking positions over many years.
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Deputy Governor: His most significant role was as Deputy Governor of the CBL. This position gave him considerable authority and responsibility for managing Liberia’s currency, financial stability, and monetary policy. He also served as the acting Governor of the CBL on several occasions.
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Economic Development: During his time at the CBL, particularly under the presidency of his mother, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (2006–2018), he was involved in the nation’s financial reconstruction efforts following the civil wars, including the re-establishment of the national banking system and efforts to stabilize the Liberian dollar.
Controversies and Legal Challenges
Charles Sirleaf’s prominence was inextricably linked to his family connection to the President, which led to accusations of nepotism throughout his mother’s administration, as several of her sons held influential government roles.
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The Missing Currency Scandal (2018–2019): After the transition of power to the George Weah administration, Sirleaf became the central figure in a major national scandal. He was implicated in the alleged disappearance of billions of Liberian dollars worth of newly printed currency (initially estimated at $104 million) that was reportedly imported between 2016 and 2018.
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Indictment and Trial: In March 2019, Charles Sirleaf, along with other former high-ranking CBL officials, was indicted by the Liberian government on charges of economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy, and misuse of public funds.
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Jail Time: Following the indictment, he was briefly detained. The case remained a politically charged, high-profile legal battle during the Weah administration, symbolizing the political opposition’s focus on alleged corruption during the previous government.
Death
Charles Sirleaf passed away in Ghana in June 2024 at the age of 68. His death drew condolences from across the Liberian political spectrum, including from current and former presidents, acknowledging his significance as a figure in modern Liberian history.