In a fiery condemnation, former Assistant Minister Matthew Nyanplu has lambasted Grand Gedeh Senator and former warlord Thomas Yaya Nimely for remarks he made during the funeral of the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson. Nyanplu described Nimely’s statements on January 18, 2025, as a disgraceful and painful reminder of the terror inflicted on Liberians during the country’s brutal civil wars.
Nyanplu, in a press release issued the same day, criticized Nimely for his persistent opposition to establishing a war crimes court in Liberia. He accused the senator of engaging in fearmongering and attempting to intimidate the nation into abandoning justice for the victims of the civil wars. “We condemn, in the strongest terms, MODEL warlord Thomas Yaya Nimely’s perverse anti-justice speech,” Nyanplu declared.
The aspiring president rejected Nimely’s argument that prosecuting war crimes would destabilize the country. Instead, Nyanplu argued that accountability is essential to Liberia’s stability and progress. “Wars have laws,” he emphasized, “and violators of those laws must face justice.” He accused Nimely and others of exploiting threats of unrest to avoid responsibility for their actions during the war.
Nyanplu recounted the atrocities committed by Nimely’s MODEL rebel group in southeastern Liberia, describing how civilians were terrorized, homes pillaged, and elders humiliated. He shared personal experiences of the war, including the dehumanization of his father and other elders in his hometown of Barclayville, Grand Kru County. “Your forces declared war not only on our people but on their dignity, culture, and livelihoods,” Nyanplu said.
The politician also called out the hypocrisy in Nimely’s opposition to a war crimes court, noting that the very act of taking up arms against the democratically elected government of Charles Taylor constituted treason. “Your conduct alone warrants you a criminal label of the highest order,” he declared, adding that justice delayed should not mean justice denied.
Addressing Nimely’s claim that former combatants would resist war crimes prosecutions, Nyanplu dismissed the assertion as baseless. He argued that Liberia’s population of over five million would not be intimidated by the mere presence of former fighters. “Our nation is strong and will continue to thrive,” Nyanplu stated. “Vain and veiled threats of destabilization will not cower us.”
He urged Nimely to respect the judicial process, reminding him that a court of law provides an impartial forum where allegations are proven or dismissed based on evidence. “If you believe your actions during the war were lawful, then face the court when it comes and defend yourself,” Nyanplu challenged. “A court does not mean you are guilty; it means justice will be served.”
Nyanplu argued that Liberia’s failure to hold individuals like Nimely accountable has emboldened warlords to continue their public campaigns against justice. He reiterated that prosecuting war crimes is not just a matter of seeking retribution but a necessary step in deterring future atrocities. “This is how we honor the victims and prevent history from repeating itself, not by letting violators go free but by holding them accountable,” he said.
The politician concluded his statement with a pointed rebuke, urging Nimely to cease his anti-justice rhetoric. “Each time you speak, Mr. Nimely, you add to the pain of your victims,” Nyanplu stated. “Your voice is a reminder of their suffering and a mockery of their quest for justice. You should remain silent and spare the nation further disgrace.”
