The US Promises To Support War & Economic Crimes Court If….

Mix reactions to the establishment of a War & Economic Crimes Court remain unending in Liberia since the submission of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) final report in 2009. The one hundred and seven page (107) report establishes factors that led to the Liberian civil war, women and children abuse, and severe human rights violations, among others. Contained within the report are recommendations that suggest retributive justice— persecution of people and institutions named within the report as established by the commission that was responsible for the brutal civil unrest that lasted for fourteen years in Liberia; and restorative justice— proposal of a “Palava Hut” discussion if deemed necessary to promote peace, unity, true reconciliation.

Debate on which type of justice (Retributive or Restorative) should be considered at the moment has lasted for over thirteen (13) years with those opposing the tribunal court arguing that the timing is wrong as the country has competing needs, and the court could pose a security threat as diehard supporters of warlords and corrupt government officials will do all even against the security of the state to disrupt the function of said court, and it has the propensity to revert us to the dark past. Thus, they think restorative justice (Palava Hut) is the way. This has led victims of war and corruption, and proponents of the tribunal court to leave at the mercy of the international community specifically the United States of America (Liberia’s traditional and biggest ally) as those in authority are the ones who could likely face justice should there be an establishment of said court.

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Happenings That Connect The Dots

However, recent happenstances under the Weah administration are clear hints that Washington takes a keen interest in supporting the process of dispensing justice and bringing to book corrupt government officials and perpetrators of war crimes in Liberia. Currently, US Ambassador At Large For Global Criminal Justice Madam Beth Van Schaack is on an official visit to Liberia holding talks with strategic sectors including the civil society and the media, and talks on the establishment of a war and economic crimes court are taking center stage. Amb. Schaack confirms in an OK FM interview on Friday, October 7, 2021, that Washington stands in readiness to support the masses’ existence of a tribunal court that seeks to bring to justice warlords and corrupt officials, but urges that the process must start with the people.

On December 9, 2020, US Department of State Justin G. Muzinich confirmed that the US has sanctioned Sen. Varney Sherman of Grand Cape Mount County for his alleged involvement in a USD 950,000 bribery scheme British mining company in an effort to obtain one of Liberia’s last remaining mining assets, the Wologizi iron ore concession.

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A year later, the US Embassy near Monrovia announced that a sanction has been placed by Nimba County’s “Godfather” and ex-war lord, Sen. Prince Y. Johnson, for what it described as his involvement in “Pay-For-Play.” “The U.S. Mission in Liberia has long reported on the pervasiveness of corruption within the Government of Liberia, including in the annual Human Rights Report,” a December 9, 2021, US Embassy release quotes.

PYJ as he’s affectionately called by his supporters and sympathizes is one notable figure of war crimes and human rights abuse during the Liberian civil war. He was head of the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), a militant rebel group that captured Ex-President Samuel K. Doe and executed him. He sought asylum in Nigeria and later returned to Liberia in 2005 and won a senatorial seat in Nimba (the country’s second most populated county).

Again, the US Embassy near Monrovia on August 15, 2022, confirmed that the US Department of Treasury sanctioned three of President Weah’s key government officials (Nathaniel McGill, Ex-Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Bill Twehway, Managing Director of the National Port Authority and Sayma Syrenius Cephus) for acts of corruption and human rights abuse. All three officials were later suspended by President Weah before their subsequent resignations.

Is The Timing For WECC Right?

“ The time is always right to do the right thing.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Liberia heads to a crucial election thirteen (13) months from now, and the direction we go as a country largely depends on the decisions we make. Already government corrupt officials, warlords, and people with enormous records of misdeeds find pleasantry in shielding themselves with national powers as a means of getting away with harm they have caused the state. Media reports already confirmed that nearly all officials sanctioned in recent years are considering contesting for elected positions across the country.

Liberians must find it comfortable to overwhelmingly endorse the establishment of a tribunal and economic crimes court so as to eliminate the culture of impunity that has engulfed every fabric of our society. It is the culture of impunity that serves as a basis for most indecent practices by public officials and by extension the country as a whole.

“Peace Is An Offspring Of Truth And Justice.” PLO Lumumba

Until dispense justice is dispensed and perpetrators of heinous crimes and crimes against humanity, and corruption are told before a competent court of jurisdiction that their actions were indecent and counterproductive to the state’s growth, our peace will always be fragile. Because all we’ll ever have is victims seeing their perpetrators enjoy state resources and justifying why they took away innocent lives and looted state resources— and it poses threat to our national security the most.

Thus, the timing is perfect for a tribunal and economic crimes court amidst strong commitment from our traditional and biggest ally (USA).