African Bar Prexy Wants Tribunal For Perpetrators

The President of the African Bar Association (AFBA), Hannibal UWAIFO has enforced the calls by Liberians for the establishment of War Crimes Court to prosecute those accused to serve as deterrent in Liberia. Speaking at the opening of the 2019 annual African Bar Conference held at the Ministerial Complex on Monday, October 21, 2019 called for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes tribunal to prosecute all perpetrators here.
“We are also glad to know that some of the actors in the brutal Civil war or armed conflict that led to the death of thousands have been brought to justice. However, others have not. The African Bar Association hereby calls on the Liberian government to liaise with the appropriate international, continental and regional bodies to set- up the appropriate tribunal to look into cases of all those who murdered innocent people and plundered this beautiful hand,” he said.
“They must all face justice in a transparent and recognized legal and judicial process. This is the only way to rest the past and the face the future,”
According to him, the African Bar Association has respected members of judges, lawyers and experts in all fields and is available to help the Republic of Liberia in this direction.
Cllr. UWAIFO also indicated that in the past few years, the African Bar Association has contributed to peace and stability and has been involved in a lot of activism, constrictively and professionally engaging government across the continent.
He said Africa is at crossroads and the duty of lawyers in positioning and repositioning the continent cannot be overemphasized. He added, “ The role of Bar Association and individual lawyers are needed more now than ever before. We must use the instrumentality of the law to take Africa to the Promised Land. Disobedience of court orders, harassment of judges appointment of cronies to man judicial position, persecution of opposition voices and Bad governance. Egypt, Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, the DRC top the chart here”.
He said, “ Rwanda is famous for the harassment detention and disappearance of opposition figures. All these have to stop. The African Bar strongly condemns violation of any type across the continent and calls on all lawyers to rise up in defense of our citizens using all lawful means to challenge these evils.”
The Bar President further noted that prosecuting those causing mayhem across the continent is paramount because while many parts of the Continent are currently experiencing peace, others are fighting terrorism or armed conflict of a severe nature. “TERRORISM anywhere is a serious evil and we condemn all acts of terror especially against women, children and the vulnerable and for all those who plunged their countries into horrific chaos due to economic greed and hunger for political power; we call on governments to bring all the actors to account for their deeds”.
He however, paid homage to Liberia for sustaining the peace so far, “Liberia, where we all are today once more a proud country was some time ago, a theatre of the absurd. We commend the government and the people of Liberia for the relative peace here today and that all organs in the democracy Liberia enjoys are all working”.
In remarks, Liberia Bar Association President, Tiawan Gongloe said the conference which began yesterday is being held under a general theme: “Tackling contemporary issues facing the African continent: how lawyers can drive a renaissance” this struggle of the African people against colonial and military rules was for them to establish democracy as foundation for the development of Africa.
Cllr. Gongloe said although a little bit of progress has been made in the holding of free and fair elections, not much has been achieved in the areas of respect for human rights and the rule of law in most parts of Africa. For example, the lack of tolerance of the opposing views of citizens who are not part of the government in power by the citizens who occupy offices in the government power; even though, they are equal citizens of the same state tend to deny those in power the alternative views they need to affirm their actions or adjust them for the common good.
“ While the denial of the right to express an opposing view or punishment for the expression of same by government undermines the building of a free society, it is important for free expression to be devoid of invectives in the interest of decency as way of promoting a culture of peace,” Cllr. Gongloe stated.
According to him, democracy is based on the differences of opinion and the expression of these opinions must be entitled to equal protection in a democratic society by the rule of law. Respect for human rights and the rule of law are the two pillars required for the building of a democratic society. This conference provides an opportunity for the legal minds of the Continent to pro0vide the way forward in tackling these and other challenges that the people of Africa face in driving a renaissance.