Liberia: Liberia War Victims Back Boakai's Push for War Crimes Court

What the report says

Victims of Liberia’s civil wars have voiced support for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s push to create a War and Economic Crimes Court, according to The New Dawn, a report distributed by AllAfrica. The appeal came as the proposal moved through a key legislative stage, with the Senate Judiciary Committee reviewing competing bills and working toward a single draft for lawmakers to consider.

Speaking at the close of a two-day media training session in Monrovia on Thursday, August 13, a leader of a Liberian war victims’ group, Peterson Sayon, said survivors still hope the court will eventually hold alleged perpetrators accountable. He argued that a functioning court could give victims a path to justice for abuses linked to the country’s civil conflicts and help address the continued tension of living near people they accuse of wartime wrongdoing.

Sayon praised Boakai for keeping political backing behind the initiative and said victims have been included in consultations since the president appointed Jallah Barbu to lead the court-establishment effort. He said victim representatives helped discuss and draft an early bill that was later sent to the Legislature. The group is now urging lawmakers to move quickly, warning that more delay would extend victims’ wait for accountability.

The proposed court would be designed to address serious alleged war crimes and certain economic crimes from Liberia’s conflict years, but its final mandate and operations will depend on legislation approved by the Legislature.