The recent appointment of Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi as head of the office of the War and Economic Crimes Court by President Joseph N. Boakai has sparked intense criticism from the Coalition for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia (CEWAECCL) and the Human Rights Community of Liberia.
This move by President Boakai, aimed at advancing efforts to establish a court to prosecute alleged perpetrators of war crimes from Liberia’s civil wars, has been met with skepticism and dismay.
The coalition and human rights advocates voice deep reservations concerning Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi’s suitability for this pivotal role.
According to reliable sources, including news reports, Cllr. Massaquoi previously served as legal counsel for Madam Agnes Reeves Taylor, wife of former Liberian President Charles G. Taylor, in a UK court where she faced allegations of war crimes related to Liberia’s civil conflicts.
Charles Taylor himself is serving a 50-year sentence in the UK for crimes committed in Sierra Leone.
Furthermore, Cllr. Massaquoi has been identified as legal representation for another war crimes suspect, Gebril Massaquoi, a Sierra Leonean national currently facing prosecution in Finland for atrocities allegedly committed during the Liberian civil war, specifically in Lofa County.
The coalition emphasizes the apparent conflict of interest in appointing someone who has defended individuals accused of grave human rights violations to spearhead the establishment of a court meant to deliver justice to victims and survivors of these very atrocities.
The coalition and human rights community particularly alarmed by the endorsement of Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi’s appointment by US Congressman Chris Smith without a thorough investigation into the serious allegations surrounding him.
This endorsement occurred during a recent hearing at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in Washington DC on June 13, 2024, where witnesses raised concerns about Cllr. Massaquoi’s past legal engagements.
In their statement, the coalition and human rights advocates underscore the critical role of impartiality and integrity in the pursuit of justice, especially as Liberia seeks international support to combat impunity and uphold the rule of law.
They highlight the exclusion of civil society organizations, historically recognized as moral guarantors in Liberia’s peace and reconciliation processes, from consultations regarding the implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations.
This omission, they argue, undermines transparency and inclusivity in decision-making processes crucial to national healing.
The coalition and human rights community call upon the international community, including the United Nations and regional bodies, to engage with the Liberian government on these pressing matters.
They urge President Boakai to reconsider Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi’s appointment and initiate a dialogue with stakeholders to demonstrate a commitment to transparency, justice, and genuine reconciliation.
“This cannot be business as usual,” declares Adama Kiatamba Dempster, a prominent human rights and justice campaigner speaking on behalf of the coalition and human rights community.
The controversy surrounding Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi’s appointment underscores the delicate balance between justice for victims and the complexities of legal representation in post-conflict societies.
Liberia’s path towards healing and accountability remains fraught with challenges, requiring steadfast commitment from all stakeholders to navigate these complexities responsibly and ethically.
By: Watson Richards/Contributor
