Editorial: The powerful few hate war and economic crimes court
Liberia seems to be heading on a path where a few handfuls of individuals who terrorized the entire population with arms, committing mayhem and killing thousands of civilians, including women and children, believe that they can still hold the country hostage with the barrel of the gun, against current calls for the establishment of war and economic crimes court to punish them for their deeds.
The few handfuls of citizens, predominantly warlords, some of whom are in the legislature, believe that they can shield themselves from accountability through court and have begun to issue threats of returning to the bush if such court comes into being and they were summoned to appear.
In their state of mind, they owe the population no explanation for the carnage they committed during the brutal civil war and should be business as usual, or they should continue to have their will.
But clearly, the rebel generals and leaders need to be told brutally that time has caught up with them, and their days are numbered to appear before an international criminal court to account for atrocities they committed against innocent and peaceful citizens.
They seem to be living in utopia, believing that they can challenge both the people of Liberia and the international community to escape justice while their victims continue to wallop in pain and tears with justice eluding them. No! There has to be a bus stop, and we believe now is the right time.
For obvious reasons, disbanded INPFL and MODEL rebels’ leaders, Senators Prince Yormie Johnson of Nimba County and Thomas Yaya Nimely of Grand Gedeh County, are beating the war drum the loudest, raining threats and kicking against the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia because they are afraid of their past deeds.
All 98 individuals listed for prosecution by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report should know that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is not the author of the report but is demonstrating leadership by doing what the report says: the need for accountability, not a witch-hunt, as some quarters are claiming.
The character or mark of a good leader is to stand and speak for the majority. President Boakai has embarked upon this fearlessly amid threats from those who see themselves in the mirror, saying that they cannot survive the war crimes court because their deeds are overwhelming.
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The souls of fellow citizens who were murdered in cold blood in Kpolokpaila in Bong County, Mahed River in Grand Cape Mount County, Voinjama, Lofa County, Grand Bassa, and Sinoe counties, and other areas across Liberia are still crying for justice. Not only Liberia but the entire world is listening to the cries daily, while those who tormented them to death through summary executions and massacres live comfortably in impunity with no remorse for their actions.
One thing is sure. However, they are not in the majority, and their empty threats cannot scare away the international community that is resolved to bring justice to Liberians and put impunity to an end.  Â
War Crimes and Economic crimes committed by individuals during civil war and even after should never be swept under the rug! The atrocities committed against innocent women, children and the elderly should never go unpunished! This will serve as a strong reminder to future generations that crime does not pay!!! Those trying to elude justice will wake up one morning and realize that the international community of which Liberia is a member does not condone torture, indiscriminate killings of innocent men, women and children! Justice for war and economic crimes will prevail no matter how long perpetrators evade!!!
I think people should not be allowed to get away with crimes in the name of peaceful coexistance. The war crimes court is a priority right now. Justice delayed is justice denied. The life of every Liberian is important.
The Present president and his vice still bluffing. They have not even started on their own. Given 6 years. Still having party all around the country. From one native to another country man. If they renege on their promises in the order proclaimed, what to do? To straighten them up, it makes sense to start thinking about the articles within constitutional provisions. Some can be suspended and some can be removed from office. The Speaker still thinks he is on the football field passing balls and talk breeze. The sick Chief Chief Justice left another in charge. Our women gone to those country men. Oh Lord please get all of them back where they should be.
The issue is that these rebels during their actions were backed up by some internationals who used our civil upheaval as their investments. They backed up when they discovered that war in Liberia has not profit. This president will not put our children in harm’s way when they are not fully equipped with their own to fight the imperialist devil. The Nation is not yet recovered. This Republic is beginning to reform. The Nation has not even invented it’s own. Has AFL invented anything? We will no longer have international gun suppliers come in this nation in separate interest to have our generation fight amongst themselves as was done in 6 factions during the civil war without 7th ode. We have not yet developed our own to protect this nation from intruders. We still call for help in nearly every area for foreign utensils. We have the natural resources. Than what the sick are we waiting for? The young spending the whole heading and haying. When they hay, they think on nothing to create but new or past crisis. What the hell your after? This is not the appropriate time for another fight. This is the time to reset. The crimes referred to committed were local. We have our institutions now to restore. We already have crime
Courts. We even have an ex-chief justice asking for justice under her own jurisprudence which shows that our gift from our forefathers has its ownership. We must pay our judges within the provisions of constitutional construction to give judicial independence. What does the law say? Liberia cannot refuse those who caused these atrocities to be punished if guilty. Liberia has them already reported within the confinement of its jurisdiction to fix it, leave it, or face justice soon. We can foresee it by the sifter. For example, voting in and out these tyrants and reviewing appointments made in accordance with accountability where applicable by the people’s choice. This is how this country gives traditional mandates to those in power serving its people. This is our democracy given us around the palava hut. We will no longer allow a few to ignite imperialism on this continent.
The issue is that these rebels during their actions were backed up by some internationals who used our civil upheaval as their investments. They backed up when they discovered that war in Liberia has not profit. This president will not put our children in harm’s way when they are not fully equipped with their own to fight the imperialist devil. The Nation is not yet recovered. This Republic is beginning to reform. The Nation has not even invented it’s own. Has AFL invented anything? We will no longer have international gun suppliers come in this nation in separate interest to have our generation fight amongst themselves as was done in 6 factions during the civil war without 7th ode. We have not yet developed our own to protect this nation from intruders. We still call for help in nearly every area for foreign utensils. We have the natural resources. This is not the appropriate time for another fight. This is the time to reset. The crimes referred to committed were local. We have our institutions now to restore. We already have crime
Courts. We even have an ex-chief justice asking for justice under her own jurisprudence. We must pay our judges within the provisions of the construction to give judicial independence. Liberia cannot refuse those who caused these atrocities to be punished if guilty. Liberia has them already reported within the confinement of its jurisdiction to fix it, leave it, or face justice soon. We can foresee it by the sifter. For example, voting in and out these tyrants and reviewing appointments made in accordance with accountability where applicable by the people’s choice. This is our democracy given us around the palava hut. We will no longer allow a few to ignite imperialism on this continent.