Monrovia – In a meeting with Dr. Allan White, an advocate for the establishment of war and economic crimes courts in Liberia, President Boakai expressed his preparedness to address the long-standing issue of justice and accountability for the victims of the civil war. Boakai reassured Dr. White that the court’s establishment is not a witch hunt but rather an opportunity for individuals to testify to their actions.
During the meeting, Dr. White emphasized that Liberia is seen as a sister country and a “little America” in West Africa, and the international community has been eagerly waiting to witness justice and accountability for the 250,000 lives lost during the civil war. He further emphasized that the establishment of the court has been a process in the making for over 20 years, and the election of President Boakai has brought renewed hope for progress.
While some analysts argue that legislative approval is necessary to proceed with the formation of the courts, there has been a history of procrastination among lawmakers, potentially due to their own ties to war crimes or economic crimes. However, it appears that the international community, including the United States, is now ready to support the initiation of the court.
The meeting between Dr. White and President Boakai in Monrovia serves as yet a clear indication of the international community’s readiness to kick-start the process of establishing the war and economic crimes courts in Liberia. President Boakai’s commitment to ensuring justice and accountability for the victims of the civil war is a positive step towards healing and reconciliation in the country.