Liberian President Joseph Boakai on Thursday signed an executive order to establish a war crimes court meant to bring overdue justice to victims of serious abuses committed during the West African country’s two civil wars.
The conflicts between 1989 and 2003 saw widespread atrocities including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers. A Truth and Reconciliation Committee later called for a special court to be set up to try those allegedly responsible.
Liberians are at the center of what could be seen as another political bluff intended to bandage citizens and international partners with lies and deception.
The establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia became a central attraction to good governance and accountability relative to the 14 years of civil war in Liberia.
The effort went as far as seeing President Joseph Boakai signing an Executive Order for the establishment of the court with the subsequent appointment of Cllr. Jonathon Massaquoi to lead this path of Liberia’s new beginning.
This milestone saw an avalanche of appraisals coming in from various national and international human rights advocates to the government of Liberia headed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for the bold step taken after two immediate past presidents failed to achieve.
The President’s decision to sign the Executive Order, giving rise to the establishment of the court was welcomed by the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia, with Congress Chris Smith applauding the Liberian Leader.
On the sad side of this, Liberians and the international community are yet to see substantial effort from the government since the President revoked the appointment of Cllr. Jonathon Massaquoi.
