Majority of Liberians support the establishment of a war and economic crimes court, seeing it as a critical step toward accountability for atrocities committed during the country’s civil war, according to a new AFRObarometer survey.
The survey reveals that 84% of Liberians are aware of the new government’s plans to create the special court, and 78% believe it will hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. This comes as President Joseph Boakai underscores the importance of the initiative, stating that the court is crucial in delivering justice and ending impunity.
Liberia, which has enjoyed more than two decades of peace since the end of its brutal civil war (1989-2003), has faced growing calls for justice. While the 2022 AFRObarometer survey showed that 70% of Liberians backed a war crimes court, it also found that 61% believed the country needed to move on from the past. However, the latest findings suggest that public sentiment has shifted, with a stronger consensus on the necessity of justice and accountability.
The survey highlights that support for the war and economic crimes court is particularly strong among citizens with post-secondary education (88%) and urban residents (82%). Despite the overwhelming approval, 19% of respondents remain skeptical about the court’s ability to deliver justice effectively.
Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) previously recommended prosecutions for war crimes, but successive governments have failed to implement those measures. The establishment of this court could mark a turning point in addressing past human rights violations and restoring public confidence in the country’s justice system.
AFRObarometer, a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network, conducted face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adult Liberians between July 30 and August 21, 2024. The survey has a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
As the government moves forward with plans for the court, Liberians and international observers will be watching closely to see if justice will finally be served for victims of the country’s dark past.
