6 July 2009
Monrovia — Barely few days after the Jerome Verdier-led Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its final report, a local peace promotion organization, Coalition for Peace and Tranquility in Liberia has outlined what it called "political chicanery," stressing that the reports leave much to be desired.
In a statement issued at the weekend, the Coalition for Peace and Tranquility in Liberia observed with great surprise and dismay the inexcusable political chicanery unleashed on the peace loving people of Liberia by the divided TRC under the pretext of a "final report" of its findings and determinations.
The statement quoted the Coalition as stressing that the TRC's report has the propensity to ferment chaos, derail the already fragile peace process and democracy, threaten the stability of the Liberian state and politically dislodge potential political leaders of Liberia.
The group recalled that The TRC was destined to set the basis for genuine reconciliation, psychological relief and peace. "But unfortunately," the statement claimed "The body's has assumed the function of a kangaroo court, arrogating unto itself the power to render guilty verdicts on individuals without hearing and due process, and further sentencing citizens on the basis of guilt by association."
"This approach to justice," the statement continues, "finds no place in the rule of law or our system of jurisprudence. To render people guilty on the basis of mere association without firstly conducting a hearing and by so doing establishing individual culpability is to criminalize the concept of association, which is a fundamental right under the 1986 Liberian constitution. This leaves us to wonder as to what the true motives of the some TRC members are."
The TRC so-called "Final Report" says "All those associated with former warring factions, theirs leaders, political decision makers, financiers, organizers, commanders, foot soldier shall be subject to public sanctions in one form or another".
Association under our Constitution is not a crime. It is the commission of the crime itself that makes the difference. To do otherwise (as the TRC Report has done) is to not only render culpable the over 250,000 ex-combatants who fought for various defunct warring factions, but also to indict the entire citizenry of the country (inclusive of the commissioners of the TRC, some of whom are persons of interest and clear supporters of resistance to established anti-people leaderships).
"Some of these Commissioners in one way or another supported the civil upheaval in the country. In fact, ambiguously to say "foot soldiers" is to indict child soldiers who were recruited and forcibly conscripted into combat by various warring factions, including Key members of the TRC such as John Stewart," the Coalition indicated.
According to the group, the unfortunate situation of the TRC which claims to have used the South African model to inform its judgment and proceedings has diametrically performed in sharp contrast to that model; a process which has no precedence in the history of the existence of TRC, the world over.
Another issue of concern, the peace promoters noted, is the fact that others whose names appeared on the so-called sanction of 'thirty years ban from public office whether appointed or elected" like Tarnue Mawolo, Nya Matein, Byron Tarr, Toga Gayewea McIntosh were not accorded the opportunity to be heard.
The act of one being considered guilty before being heard is unlawful and sharply projects the bias associated with the TRC process thus rendering the so-called final report questionable and a political tool of selective sanctioning with the sole intent to vilify the hard-earned enviable status and unimpeachable credibility of personalities who they see as potential threats to their selfish political ambition.
"The report represents the view of a group of individuals who in their inherent cowardice and abject craving attitudes sees few persons as their prime targets for their personal vendetta. In the report of the TRC, people were forgiven because they were said to have spoken "truthfully", while a certain group of people were recommended for prosecution and some should be banned for thirty years from public office.
The TRC has got the responsibility to move a step further and inform the Liberian people on what it calls "the truth" on the basis of which it now recommends clemency for certain category of perpetrators," the Coalition for Peace said in the statement.
They added: "To all intents and purposes, for a Jerome Verdier who should be a lawyer to have allowed himself to flagrantly bypass the due process of law which states, amongst other things, that one has to be heard before being condemned leaves anyone to conclude that the process was heavily remote-controlled. This is especially the case with the likes of Tarnue Mawolo, Nya Matein, and Byron Tarr, Toga Gayewhea McIntosh et al who only saw their names strangely appearing on a suggested sanction listing."
"If the TRC is using "association" as yardstick or barometer for determining guilt, then why the names of institutions and some individuals who were major and active actors in various warring factions and political groupings are conspicuously absent from this list," it continued.
The group wondered why institutions such as the Association of Constitutional Democrats of Liberia (ACDL) then chaired by Dr. Amos C. Sawyer having members such as Cummany B. Wesseh, Ezikiel Pajibo, Dr. Patrick L. M. Sayon, Dr, Joseph Mamadee Woatee (deseased), and other members were left out while few members like Madam Sirleaf and Harry Greaves were singled out for sanctioning.
"Were Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine, Cllr. Francis Galawolo, Daniel Chea, Chief Cyril A. Allen, John Francis Whitfield, John T. Richardson (General Octopus) and others not active and major supporters of the NPFL? Why are their names absent?," the Coalition asked.
"The question will be raised: What's about Samuel Wulue, Orishall Gould, William Hamson, Zoe E. Pennue, Lusini Kamara and others? Did not they associate with LURD and MODEL? It is understandable that the founders of the Black Beret faction were not listed in this report for fear that the recruiting officer of the group, Commissioner John Stewart who as Assistant Minister for Special Services at the Ministry of State during the Sawyer's interim regime, renovated the Kankan Military Barracks in Guinea for military training purpose and served as one of the key controllers and beneficiaries of the Black Beret Training account at the Banque Islamique de Conakry in Guinea would be drawn into the public smear had he exposed his accomplices," the group observed.
More than that coalition recalled: "It is said that he who comes with equity must come with clean hands. It is disheartening that these individuals with questionable record and credentials like John Stewart and Jerome verdier (who as Secretary General of ULSU solicited mass support for the removal of the Samuel Doe regime) and staged a demonstration on 27 June 1990 would present themselves as saint and puritans and render guilty verdict on others on the basis of mere association."
According to the Coalition for Peace and Tranquility in Liberia, the infighting and hurdling of insults amongst members of the Commission is a clear indication that it is saturated with divided opinion and less critical thoughts, as such this report cannot reconcile the Liberia people and must not be given credence. It represents nothing but the wastage of the taxpayer's money.
In view of the above, we are calling on the National Legislature to disregard the TRC "Final Report" as nothing but a political document targeted at potential political rivals.
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Well done Mr. Commissioner and thanks to the bodies that finacied your project. However i would like to import my strong disagreement with you on the prosecution recommendation of 'persons bearing the most responsibnility 'in the conflict . Without a speck of doubt ,Yumi Johnson ,Taylor Kromah ,and the rest ofthe varied factional leaders should be brought to book to account for their roles ,but from the Sierra leonean experience ,the room for justice to take a course is more than small .And further ,the International criminal justice system dosen't actually dispense justice rather its focal element in the entire process is a mere political weapon. In our system of fraternity it would really serve no one for Liberians to go on any expedition trip which may end up corrosively dividing the country. The war was initiated by Sirleaf ,Sawyer ,Fahnbulleh and co as a last resort effort to get rid of Doe and it didn't go without the prior approval of the United States - the architect and most vocal organizer of the Justice panel. If the International community is that committed to bringing the perperators to Justice ,then what about the elements in the US government that gave its nod of approval ,Sirleaf and co ,who actually facilitated and nutured the Taylor factor and the field commanders who actually executed the dictates of their bosses- these were the individuals whose direct actions actually wrecked havoc on the poor masses. Like Sierra Leone ,eeveryday every moment the amputees sees their amputators passing by them in cars and other spoils of the carnage ,it smoulders their remaining courage to live. In short Liberians would be better served without any sort of Criminal court sitting that will hung over them for decades to come . And the funniest of all is the Sirleaf disqualification inclusion. Here is a Sitting highly popular ( outside liberia) President who , like Ghadaffi and Tejan Kabbah can never be included in any court hearing by any court whatsoever, and she is been asked to step aside . why do we pretend to such a low level .Without Sirleaf and others no true Judicial engagement will ever quiten the guns in Liberia neither will the embers of that tragedy be thrown into the sea. So please think again .
Hashim
Woh! what can one say.Elen is not Better then Taylor. I think taylor is better, cuz taylor known for talking the truth. Elen never thought the trc would have given such a report.She sold taylor for good image, today we are selling her for the same good image. We don't want anyone that took part in the war to rule us........... when taylor is finish given his part of the story, Elen herself will step down.
It saddened my heart to hear comments like Ellen isno different from Taylor. If we were to go on listing the mountainous differences that exists between Madam Ellen and Mr. Taylor, the website could be jam for some time. So we will not go in to that. Madam Sirleaf with the respect of the international community has been able restore Liberia's image from one of a pariah state to respected nation in the comity of nations. She has been able to raised the country's budget from a mere $80 million US to almost $400 million in the space of just ovee 3 years with civil servnts salary rising from $800 Liberian Dollars to $ 80 US now. We are for the first time massive improvement in the our road conditions, in the health sector, educational sector and the list goes on. The leadership ability of Madam Sirleaf has led to a considerable increase in international support fro liberia's rebuilding. Have you seen the new university campus unde construction at Fendell, do you know about the 100 bed room multi million dollar hospital being costructed at Tappita? Do we have to say that the two commonalities that exists between Mr. Taylor and Madam Sirleaf are that of being Liberians first and second as Presidents? Please think about this and know that Mrs. Sirleaf is a dignified and respected President.
what are you talking about here? How do you think that Taylor was going to do those things you talked about? All of those people from the international community that are helping today, are the same people who she got help from to damage taylor's image out there.But you and i know that Elen was the one who mobilize Taylor and the others by the help of some us investors, They even got him out of jail. The 1985 coup was her idea, 1989 war was her idea. Taylor was just the foot soldier. But hold your peace ontil the 13,07 2009 when Taylor will give his side of the story.Taylor had sanctions and travel ban, Elen is free. Nobody is distroying her image. You heared George Bush when he said he desided to help Ellen forfill her dream. So he suppoeted her and she won a free and fair ellection. We know some of you guys are pro Ellen. Oh because it's Ellen? Why You didn't put your hand behind Taylor at the time. You guys was just there supporting lurd rebbel. You should spend your time praying for sekou d conneh to be free. Ellen has allready said he's being treated as a guinean. If it was taylor you guys would have broght war again. Try to be real man!
Liberians need to sit back and evaluate what the TRC report findings means for our young democracy. In my opinion, the TRC process should've been untaken during the Bryant transitional administration and completed before heading into the last elections. Coming out with a prosecutorial slant at this time is taking the country back to acrimony and strife. Is the result worth risking the fragile peaceful democracy that the country now clings onto? Is it worth diverting so much international assistance that should continue going toward development and poverty reduction? Is placing the country in several lengthy periods of expensive legal tussles and halt the redevelopment process to settle scores worthy it? And then after all that is done, will we as Liberians experience true peace? Will we ever finally be satisfied? After they got rid of Tolbert and tried and executed 13 of his officials, did it bring peace and satisfaction to Liberians? Did it lead to lasting stability? Look where we are after all those years. The level of hatred and vennom even amongst some persons who blogg on these websites is very frightening! The TRC did not include vivid recommendations that would reunite and reconcile Liberia other than penalizing former warlords and citing a highly selective list of names of those to be banned from politics for 30 years. We all can remember that it was not too long ago that some Liberians were saying to Charles Taylor, "you kill my Ma, you kill my Pa, but I will vote for you". And they voted in the thousands, electing Charles Taylor as president of Liberia. The same Liberians also voted Prince Johnson into the Senate to represent Nimba, the second most populous county in Liberia. The information of Sirleaf's initial support for Taylor was out long after the war, and yet Liberians in a free and fair elections, voted her as their president. Now, should the TRC recommendations be allowed to reverse the results of democratic elections or elect whom ever they see fit? Because lets face it, as the Bible saids, "let he who has no sin, throw first stone". Can we say that the TRC process itself was without political influence and wrangling since some of its members were in constant disharmony leading to all of them not signing the final document? Did they recommend solutions to tribal conflicts or religious intolerance? Did they deal with and recommend corrective policies toward the lingering cleavages between the Congau vs Country man divide? The TRC also placed the penalty of a 30 year political ban on politicians and non-politicians alike. This is somewhat unbalanced. Some of the qualifiers (private businessmen) included in the 30 year ban, could care less if they are included in such a ban from politics in Liberia. Those guys have nothing to loose sitting in America or elsewhere. Others would have more to loose since they are career politicans. There should've been other forms of penalties recommended...such as fines for those who provided financing to the waring factions or confiscation of properties and businesses to those who allowed their business interests to be in collusion with warlords. The report's recommendations are very shallow because the TRC allowed itself to become politically compromised. Unfortunitely, the TRC did a major disservice to Liberia by opening up old wounds, and creating more divisions. Is this why the TRC was constituted?
Wow are we forgetting about our former rebel leader's for LEAD he should be the first on the TRC table because that guy is pain in the flash for all Liberian.
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