-As Margibi Forum Pushes War Crimes Court
By Vaye Abel Lepolu
MONROVIA, Liberia — Survivors of Liberia’s civil war renewed calls for justice and accountability over the weekend, recounting painful memories of killings, displacement, and the loss of loved ones during a transitional justice forum in Margibi County.
The Transitional Justice Working Group, in collaboration with the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Courts and the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), brought together war victims and survivors from several districts to discuss Liberia’s transitional justice process and the proposed establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court.
The gathering gave survivors a platform to publicly recount the impact of the country’s civil wars and to discuss the role they can play in advancing the search for justice and accountability.
Some participants became emotional as they described losing family members and witnessing atrocities during the conflict.
One survivor, identified as Ma Mercy, recalled the traumatic killing of her family members.
“I lost my family. They were shot and killed right in front of me by the rebels,” she said.
Another survivor, fighting back tears, appealed for justice for relatives killed during the war.
“Come and see justice for my family. We lost them as a result of the war,” the survivor pleaded.
Educating Liberians on the TRC Report
Martin Toe, Chairman of the Transitional Justice Working Group, said the Margibi dialogue was part of ongoing efforts to educate Liberians about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report and the proposed War and Economic Crimes Court.
Toe said many Liberians still lack adequate knowledge about the TRC Report and the rationale behind the proposed court.
He also expressed concern over misinformation surrounding the court, particularly claims that establishing a war crimes court could plunge the country back into conflict.
According to Toe, the forum was designed to provide participants with accurate information and create space for communities to engage in discussions about the proposed legislation currently before the National Legislature.
He noted that lawmakers have indicated they will consult their constituents before deciding on the court’s establishment, and he encouraged participants to engage their representatives and communicate their views on the proposed legislation.
Government’s Commitment to Justice
Martin Tage, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Courts, also addressed the forum, drawing on his own childhood experience of the war. Tage stressed the importance of justice for victims and survivors, saying the government has taken steps toward establishing mechanisms to address crimes committed during Liberia’s conflicts.
He said President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has demonstrated political commitment by establishing the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Courts and submitting three pieces of legislation to the National Legislature for consideration. Tage urged participants to engage their lawmakers and encourage them to act on the proposed legislation.
He said community forums are important because they allow citizens to understand the work of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Courts, the progress made so far, and the remaining steps in the process.
Tage also linked accountability to Liberia’s fight against corruption, arguing that corruption continues to undermine the country’s progress. He said efforts to establish accountability mechanisms are essential to addressing wrongdoing and protecting Liberia’s future.
The forum brought together the Transitional Justice Working Group, INCHR, the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Courts, victims, survivors, and other stakeholders as part of continuing efforts to raise public awareness and encourage national dialogue on transitional justice. For survivors who continue to live with memories of the conflict, however, the message remains clear: the pain of the war has not disappeared, and many are still calling for justice for the lives and families they lost.
