President Joseph Boakai signed an executive order to create a war crimes court in Liberia to bring justice to victims of the country’s civil wars, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 250,000 people. Human rights groups have documented horrific acts such as mass killings, torture, sexual violence, and the recruitment of child soldiers. The legislation for the court was passed by both parliament and the senate, with some lawmakers who may face prosecution supporting it. Boakai emphasized the importance of justice and healing for peace and harmony to prevail in the country.
Victims and activists have been calling for a war crimes court for decades, and a truth and reconciliation commission in 2009 identified individuals to be prosecuted, although the government did not take action. Justice was a significant issue in the presidential election, with Boakai defeating the incumbent President George Weah. Liberia, once a settlement for freed slaves from the United States, declared itself an independent nation in 1847. The court will require funding from international donors, and legal steps still need to be taken to establish an independent and effective judicial process.
International support for the war crimes court has been expressed, with the U.S. envoy for global criminal justice mentioning that the U.S. would fund the court if set up appropriately. Human Rights Watch and other civil society groups have urged the Biden administration to push Liberian officials to establish the court and provide funding for its operations. Activists argue that accountability for war crimes is essential for giving victims and their families justice, building respect for the rule of law, and fostering lasting peace in Liberia.
Members of Liberia’s post-war truth and reconciliation committee identified eight individuals, including current senators, as leaders of warring factions to be prosecuted for war crimes. Notorious perpetrators like Sen. Prince Johnson, who supported the resolution despite being named on the committee’s list, have finally backed the establishment of the court, citing the need for justice for their constituents. Charles Taylor, a former president serving a 50-year sentence for war crimes in the UK, along with others convicted of war crimes in other countries, exemplify the need for justice in Liberia.
While no one has been prosecuted in Liberia for war crimes, individuals such as Mohammed Jabbateh and Kunti Kamara have been convicted overseas for horrific acts committed during the country’s civil wars. Jabbateh, a rebel commander responsible for numerous atrocities, was sentenced to 30 years in the U.S., while Kamara received a life sentence in France for crimes against humanity. The establishment of the war crimes court in Liberia represents a crucial step towards addressing past atrocities, providing closure for victims, and establishing the rule of law in the country. The court’s effectiveness in delivering justice will rely on international support and cooperation from the Liberian government.
