Monrovia — The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has written a communication to the ECOWAS Commission, soliciting its support for the establishment of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said President Joseph Boakai's decision early this year to sign Executive Order No. 131, signaled a major boost, which sets out a mechanism which shall study and recommend the machinery and process relative to the establishment of a Special War Crimes Court for Liberia.
"With the aim that such Court will prosecute persons and organizations identified as responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Liberian civil war between the periods 1979 and 2003, as well as the mechanism for the establishment of an Anti-Corruption Court," the ministry said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that with the support of the ECOWAS Commission, such a court would ensure the enforcement of justice for war crime victims.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja the assurances of its highest consideration," the ministry added.
Ending impunity
For years after the end of both the first and second Liberian civil wars, there've been ruminations about how, or if, the Liberian government would assemble a war and economic crimes court to hold accountable those who committed and continue to commit atrocities against the nation's men, women and children.
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At least 250,000 people died in the Liberian Civil War as thousands more became refugees.
A report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission would later designate theft and rape of women as the primary means of control among rebel leaders. It also implicated all involved warring factions for committing human rights violations while touting the war and economic crimes court as a form of reparations for affected Liberians.
However, that wasn't the case throughout George Weah presidency or that of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, his predecessor and Nobel Peace Prize recipient until President Boakai came to power.
Shrouded in secrecy?
The recent discovery of President Joseph Boakai's letter to ECOWAS adds to two, the number of communications sent to the international community seen by the press.
Last week, the UN Secretary General's office confirmed to FrontPageAfrica/New Narratives that Boakai's letter to the United Nations had been received on May 9.
However, President Boakai has not publicly acknowledged sending the letter to the UN.
Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana did not respond to multiple requests for confirmation of the letter. The president's failure to confirm the letter has angered court supporters.
These letters represent the initial steps in inviting international support for the establishment of Liberia's War and Economic Crimes Courts. President Boakai's letter to António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary General, requests financial and technical assistance for the courts, which is a crucial part of making them a reality.
