Examining the Consequences of Government of Liberia’s Failure to Establish Economic and War Crimes Court to Prosecute War Criminals

Description

Liberia is a nation established by the United States of America through a philanthropic organization that advocated against slavery in America known as the American Colonization Society (ACS). The purpose for the establishment was to repatriate free slaves to Africa who wanted this process carried out voluntarily. When the free slaves were repatriated to Liberia, they met indigenous Liberians who are referred to as African Liberians. The founding of Liberia by freeman of color who are referred to in Liberian History as Americo-Liberians did not allowed the equal treatment of the natives. This misrule existed for 133 years of one-party system planting the seeds of the crises of penetration, distribution, identity, governance, legitimacy, and historical interpretation. These crises led to the violent overthrow of the True Whig Party that ushered in a military regime headed by Master Sergeant Samuel K. Doe. President Doe ruled for a decade and failed to live up to the promises and reasons for the violent overthrow of 1980, and this led to the popular uprising headed by Mr. Charles Taylor. President Taylor who was elected for a term of six years did not earn his term due to another civil war led by the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) and Liberia United for Reconstruction and Development (LURD). Because of the bloody fight for the city, Monrovia, the International Community was compelled to force President Taylor out of Liberia. After the Regime of President Taylor, the Liberians, stakeholders, the International Community, warring parties, and political parties met in Accra, Ghana to form an interim government that will transition for a democratic elected Government. The interim government was formed and its leader, Mr. Charles Gyude-Brayant were selected by stakeholders to the Accra Peace Talk. During the formation of the interim government in Accra, Ghana, the Peace Agreement called for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that will investigate and recommend to government. The work of the commission was completed and up to the publishing of this work, the implementation of the TRC Recommendations is yet to be made. The purpose of the TRC was to investigate atrocities committed in Liberia ranging from 1979 to 2003. During these periods in Liberian history, more than 750 ,000 lives were destroyed, and the question of accountability is the subject of a political debate in Liberia. There are mixed answers about the question of the establishment of an Economic and War Crimes Court in Liberia. This work seeks to address and provide the views of Liberians particularly in Montserrado, District Number 17. The work also analyzes whether the court should be established, and it provides explanations about some of the developments in Liberia that may impede the establishment of the court and the consequences that will follow. To some extent, this work also provides options to the establishment of the Economic and War Crimes Court.