By Bill W. Cooper
Reports emerging say President Joseph Boakai might withdraw the appointment of Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi as the Chairperson of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.
Many are still doubtful about Cllr. Massaquoi’s inclusion in the Boakai-led administration as the first nomination was the Ministry of Justice and now, it is the office of WECC where he has already assumed the important role of supervising the accounts of past atrocities which is expected to bring justice to victims.
The WECC Office, established by President Boakai is formulate policies procedures that will lead to the formation and establishment of the long-awaited tribunal court to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and economic crimes committed during Liberia’s civil wars.
The office is also expected plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability for the grave human rights violations that occurred during the conflicts, which left thousands dead and displaced millions.
President Joseph Boakai recently appointed Cllr. Massaquoi to head the Office of the WECC, giving him the matching order to spearhead efforts by designing and prescribe the methodology, mechanisms, and the processes for the establishment of a Special War Crimes Court, as well as a National Anti-Corruption Court for Liberia in line with the President’s Executive Order #131.
Apparently, all of his nominations have met widespread criticisms from civil society organizations, legal practitioners and the most recent was in the 177th Independence Day Oration by Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey.
Despite being a member of the Supreme Court Bar of Liberia, with over 13 years of experience in the legal field, a group of Civil Society actors under the banner, Coalition for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia and the human rights defenders including some of his own colleagues in the legal profession believe he is not best suited for the post and urged the President to withdraw the nomination.
Some are citing an alleged conflict of interest in connection with his alleged legal representation of Agnes Reeves Taylor and Sierra Leone national Gebril Massaquoi; both of whom were on separate trials for their alleged involvement in the Liberian civil war.
However, Cllr. Massaquoi’s name surfaced on the appointment list for the Minister of Justice post just at the inception of the Boakai-led government but was withdrawn and replaced by Cllr. Cooper Kruah who was also withdrawn.
Even though some prominent lawyers including international partners have expressed their fate in Cllr. Massaquoi’s appointment to the court, reports indicate that President Boakai has decided to withdraw his appointment, without any reason for the double changes.
According to our reporter, the President’s decision has sparked speculation and concern among observers, who fear that political considerations may have played a role in the President’s abrupt decision.
Many Liberians including legal luminaries have all raised questions about the government’s commitment to the establishment of the long-awaited WECC and its willingness to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Many of them are calling on President Boakai to ensure that the office is led by a qualified and independent individual who will prioritize the pursuit of justice for war victims.
However, the country’s WECC establishment has been a long-standing demand of victims, survivors, and human rights advocates in Liberia, who have been calling for accountability for the atrocities committed during the country’s civil wars.
Meanwhile, the office of the President has dismissed the report that President Boakai has withdrawn the appointment of the Cllr. Johnathan Massaquoi as the Executive Director of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court.
The Office of the President states that the Executive Director, Cllr. Massaquoi, is currently on a mission abroad in the interest of the office and is expected to make full report to the President upon his return thus advising the public to rely only on official sources of information from the Government on official matters.
