-No comment on WECC establishment in his first SONA
By Jerromie S. Walters
Amid mounting calls and assurance made earlier by him for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai failed to comment on the matter in his first State of the Nation address delivered Monday, January 29, 2024, at the Capitol.
One of the first names that comes to mind when the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia is mentioned is Nimba County Senator Prince Johnson. Unfortunately, it now appears as a complex task for Mr. Boakai as he now dines with the ex-warlord. This is also because his ascendancy to the presidency was significantly pushed by the influence of Mr. Johnson in Nimba, which happens to be the second most populated and vote-rich county in Liberia.
Howbeit, there’s still room to wonder as to whether Mr. Boakai’s interest in the establishment of the WECC was undermined by statements made by the notorious Liberian warlord during his recent sermon, when he sharply warned the administration to abolish the plans for the establishment of the long-awaited war crimes court. According to him, such a plan will cause violence.
“The war is over, we need development, what is your contribution? You think those boys that fought before will come and allow you to come and catch us?” the ex-warlord asked. Last Monday, President Boakai in his inaugural speech committed his government to formulating plans for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court.
Disclosing his Legislative agenda, which many thought would have included efforts for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, Mr. Boakai mentioned the Presidential Transition Act, Bill for the Establishment of the Ministry of Local Government, Operationalizing the Revenue Sharing Law, Passage of the National Tourism Bill, Establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman, Amendment to the New Financial Institution Act, Amended and Restated Payments System Act, Liberia Insurance Regulatory Commission Act, and the 2015 Paris Agreement.
The President says his government’s legislative agenda is aimed at working with the legislature in doing the business of the people for which proposed legislation will be submitted in the coming months. He added that the different legislations will focus on shaping the outcomes they desire from their development agenda.
The War and the TRC Report
According to International Statistics, Liberia’s bloody civil unrest cost the International Community about Ten billion United States Dollars (USS10,000,000,000) and destroyed the properties of citizens and non-citizens, including the Liberian Economy, which is still struggling. Not just with this financial destruction, the unjustifiable conflict over 250,000 people lost their lives; Liberians and non-Liberians, including the ECOMOG soldiers of the West African Peacekeeping force and Peacekeepers from the United Nations; amongst others.
Following this tragedy, the TRC came into play. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (TRC) presented its final report containing findings, determinations, and recommendations made by the Commission to the National Legislature, following the peace agreement.
The report contains major findings on the root causes of the conflict, the impact of the conflict on women, children, and the generality of the Liberian society; responsibility for the massive commission of Gross Human Rights Violations (GHRV), and violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Human Rights Law (IHRL) as well as Egregious Domestic Law Violations (EDLV).
The report also determined and recommended that Criminal Prosecution for these violations, Reparations, and a “Palava Hut” Forum are necessary and desirable to redress impunity and promote peace, justice, security, unity, and genuine national reconciliation. The TRC was agreed upon in the August 2003 Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Accra and created by the TRC Act of 2005.
Over the years, there have been calls from ordinary Liberians and foreign diplomats for the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (TRC) report. Sadly, it has taken about three presidential terms and two different administrations since the report was made available, but it has not been implemented.
