Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-03-12 02:53:00
Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) conducted extensive hearings and reported that all warring factions in the country’s brutal civil conflict were responsible for committing gross human rights violations, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and domestic criminal laws. This report sheds light on the atrocities that occurred during Liberia’s troubled past and the urgent need for justice and accountability.
In a recent development in Monrovia, Liberia, on 12th March 2024, concerns have been raised about the emergence of a new gang within the Liberian Senate that seems to be working against the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court. During the previous administrations of Presidents George Manneh Weah and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, efforts to establish a war and economic crimes court were thwarted by the Senate. This pattern of obstruction is now rearing its head in the 55th Legislature, where some Senators are actively opposing the establishment of the court.
The House of Representatives recently passed a resolution calling for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court, but the Senate, particularly three prominent Senators – Albert Chie, Prince Y. Johnson, and Thomas Yaya Nimely, are staunchly against it. These Senators, with their troubling pasts, are hindering the progress towards justice and accountability in Liberia. Their actions serve to protect themselves and others who have committed heinous crimes during the civil conflict and in peacetime.
The TRC’s investigation found that prosecution mechanisms are necessary to combat impunity and promote justice and reconciliation in Liberia. The commission highlighted the widespread violations of human rights, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international and domestic laws by all warring factions. There is a pressing need for accountability for the atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil war, where hundreds of thousands of lives were lost, and countless individuals were displaced and traumatized.
Efforts to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court have garnered support from some lawmakers in the House of Representatives, who hope to see legislative actions taken to move the process forward. If successful, this could lead to the establishment of the court, fulfilling the aspirations of many Liberians who have been seeking justice and closure for over two decades. President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s commitment to establishing the court is crucial for addressing the legacy of violence and impunity that continues to haunt Liberia.
In conclusion, the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court is essential for addressing the atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil conflict and ensuring accountability for the perpetrators. The opposition from certain Senators highlights the challenges in pursuing justice and reconciliation in post-conflict societies. It is imperative that Liberia moves forward with establishing the court to confront its painful past and build a more just and peaceful future for its citizens.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
