Pressure Mounts For War Crimes Court -Boakai Gets Mail from USA-Based Liberian Lawyer for Funding

MONROVIA – Those who think the long-contemplated desire for the trial and prosecution of those who committed egregious war and economic crimes during and after the Liberian civil would is muted and perhaps discontinued because of the increasing quiet prevailing need to think twice, as pressure is budding ferociously from citizens and pressure groups who are warming up to keep the fire burning. Here comes a loud call from a notable Liberian lawyer addressed to President Jospeh Boakai to be reminded about need to promptly provide the necessary funding and support germane to the implementation of the War and Economic Crimes Court. The Analyst supports.     

The International Affairs Director of the Center for Law & Human Rights, Inc., Cllr. Frederick A.B. Jayweh, has made an urgent call for prompt and full support to the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) as to bring complete closure to Liberia’s conflict chapter.

In a January 6, 2025 communication to the president, Cllr Jayweh in addition to seeking support to the WECC also sought clarification from the Boakai administration whether the Government of Liberia should fairly and transparently implement the long-standing and overdue Final Report and Recommendations of the True and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), rendered and submitted to the Government of Liberia a little over 14 years ago.

“Mr. President and the Government of Liberia, please permit us to write to remind you that after sitting and deliberating for more than 3 years, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia, (TRC), researched, wrote, concluded, released, and accordingly submitted its Final Report and Recommendations with respect to the rule of law and human rights and per the laws of Liberia and consistent with its mandate and power to the Government of Liberia,” Cllr Jayweh asserted, adding that the Final Report and Recommendations of the TRC were written according to and consistent with Articles IV, Section 4, letters (a)-(f) and Article VII, Section 26, letters (a)-(h) of the Act that created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Approved June 10, 2005, and published by authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia on June 22, 2005.

The USA-based Liberian lawyer, recalled that from 1989 to 2003, Liberia and its people were engulfed and deeply overwhelmed by a bitter and bloody armed conflict, the outcome of which destroyed the lives of about 250,000 Liberians and residents, and the fabric of the Liberian society.

“We all also do know and can attest that the war in Liberia was started and prosecuted by the National Patriotic Front of Liberia, (NPFL), and later embraced by the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL); ULIMO & ULIMO-J; ULIMO & ULIMO-K; Liberia Peace Council (LPC); the Lofa Defense Force (LDF); MODEL and LURD warring factions. We also know that the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), which is the National Army of the Republic of Liberia, constitutionally charged with the responsibility of providing protection for ALL Liberians, became a party to the conflict when it signaled out other groups of Liberians based upon their ethnicity or opposition to the government of the day, for extermination.

According to him, National Legislature enacted into law and accordingly proceeded to establish in Liberia a specialized UN-backed war and economic crime courts to investigate, indict, and swiftly prosecute all human rights and international humanitarian laws offenders and violators of the laws of war and human rights in Liberia from December 24, 1989, to August 22, 2003.
The TRC reported, he further noted, call for all leaders of the warring factions in Liberia to be immediately and accordingly indicted, arrested, and prosecuted for allegedly and intentionally committing War crimes, crimes against humanity, and Economic and financial crimes in Liberia and against the peace, stability and security of Liberia and residents of Liberia with conscious known impunity.

Cllr Jayweh also asserted that Liberia’s international responsibility and burden to impartially implement the Recommendations of the TRC, cannot and will never be demolished by the creation of an undesired War and Economic Crime Courts that are managed and controlled by those that have greatly caused harm and injury to Liberia’s war victims and members of their family.

“Mr. President, in November 2023, Liberians stood in the rain and the sun to overwhelmingly cast their votes and they voted for you and the Unity Party-led Government to impartially manage and administer the affairs of Liberia and its residents,” he learned lawyer said. “These are the same Liberians whose mothers, sisters, wives, husbands, and sons were targeted, kidnapped, raped, sexually abused, and reportedly murdered at will by Liberia’s reported warlords and accused Economic Criminals.     

“Mr. President, Liberia and Liberia’s war victims and survivors and their family members are feeling deeply shortchanged, overwhelmingly discounted, devalued and they are exceedingly becoming disappointed by your and your government failing and neglecting to adequately FUND the programs, activities and actual functioning of the War and Economic Crimes Court of Liberia.”

Cllr Jayweh, opined that whether President Boakai and the UP-led Government know and appreciate it or not, is a shame and total disgrace for the Liberia’s War and Economic Crimes Courts to be evicted and publicly ejected from its office space owing to your government failure and refusal to PAY the RENT.”

Concluding, he said: “Mr. President, Liberia’s obligation to honestly and impartially setup and operate the War and Economic Crimes Courts in Liberia is and remains you and your government’s responsibility.” 

1 Comment
  1. Nykoi D. Jomah says

    REFORM REFORM REFORM
    IMMINENT  SWEEPING REFORM REQUIRED ACROSS INSTITUTIONS ……….

    REFORM REFORM REFORM
    IMMINENT  SWEEPING REFORM REQUIRED ACROSS INSTITUTIONS ……….

    REFORM REFORM REFORM
    IMMINENT  SWEEPING REFORM REQUIRED ACROSS INSTITUTIONS ……….

Comments are closed.