By Grace Q. Bryant and Laurina Lormia
Some business men (phone sellers) at the Intersection of Gurley and Carey Streets, held mixed views on establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court.
As the discussion on the establishment of a war crimes court to investigate persons and groups who bear greater responsibility of the 13 years of war in Liberia begins to unfold in street corners, as well as private and public places, this paper sought to solicit the views of some street vendors in Monrovia as to their thoughts on the establishment of the international court.
In conversation with this paper, some of those we interviewed embraced the establishment of the court, believing that it could bring about justice for past atrocities, including humanitarian and economic crimes that were perpetrated during the war.
Others were yet skeptical, fearing potential political manipulation could play, and questioned the court’s effectiveness in promoting justice, reconciliation, and national healing.
The debate stirred discussions on the balance between accountability and reconciliation, with many believing that bringing about the WCC could also bring back memories of the past experiences that could lead to trauma and discomforts for some victims who had put the years of war behind them and are doing well.
One of the block members on Carey Street, Omar Menyon, described the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court as a good start for the Unity Party Government and way to a peaceful nation, saying, “There is no country that can be free or develop without the issue of justice; those that committed crimes during the war should face justice and the law. There is no way they should be let off the hook. They must face justice for their actions during the war.
He maintained that the issue of a war crimes court is not targeting a particular individual, adding that it will investigate things that happened during the war and those that were involved.
“Some of the people were born after the war, so they do not know the real history of what happened during the war,” He disclosed.
He added, “So the war crimes court will establish what happened, how people got killed, where the massacre took place, and those that were involved face the full weight of the law; with the help of the war crime court, that’s the only way the country can be free.”
He stressed, “If we keep allowing the issue of ‘bygone to be bygone,’ tomorrow another group or generation will come and do the same, but if the issue of impunity will go away from this country, then justice must prevail.”
He charged that some people who were involved in the war, or were forced by others to join the revolution, will be afforded the time to give their side of what happened and how they got involved in the crisis, saying, “In that case, when the war crimes court is established, we will hear their story on how they were forced to join the war, and it is a good thing for us and the country at large.”
He noted that Liberia will go forward and the rule of law will exist in the country, and they all have to embrace and support the war crimes court.
“During the war, there was lots of rebel groups that were controlled by individuals, and all those groups committed a lot of war crimes against humanity and thousands of innocent Liberians got killed during the war; the only way this country can be developed and trusted by the international community is if the war crimes court is established,” he emphasized.
However, Titus Siakor, alias ‘Progressive’, from the same block, said the issue of war crimes court has been through the pipeline for time immemorial from government to government.
He said, “Currently looking at Liberia’s status and the root cause of the war and those that brought the war, many of those who may have committed some of the worst atrocities are no longer around. So, I believe that the establishment of the Court is targeting a particular person or group of persons.”
“I telling you the truth, if this war crime court comes to focus, you will hear names that will even give the entire world a shock. I don’t see it necessary right now to establish the war crimes court in Liberia, because Liberians have so many things to settle, and even one has not been solved,” he expressed.
He further explained that the attention of the government should be given to addressing the issues of education, health care, sanitation, as well as building institutions and infrastructures that will better the lives of the ordinary Liberian, rather than discussing the WCC, which he described as a distraction.
“We as Liberians should be thinking about peace. We have to maintain the peace we have together, so there is no need of scratching the old wounds that have already been cured,” he stressed.
“Let justice be served by God, as man cannot bring us justice. We were only used as tools to kill ourselves. The same people who brought the war are now bringing in justice, how can justice be served?” he asked rhetorically.
For Julius Sebastian, the War Crimes Court is necessary because Liberians want to reconcile, and there can be no reconciliation or justice without the court.
“There are people who are still hurt because they have lost their loved ones, and justice needs to be served. Other people are thinking that it is not necessary for the war crimes court to be established in Liberia, but we need it,” he said.
He observed, “Liberia’s problem did not start today; it started way back over a number of years. So, if we have to solve the problem, we need to start from the root cause of the problem, and this is the best step taken by the Boakai-led government.”
“All we need is peace; I don’t think the act of bringing justice to the country will bring disturbance to the peace, as this war crimes court will make other citizens satisfied and it will also bring about unity, because after justice is served, people will come together to build Liberia, now people are separated and there are lots of divisions in the country, so the war crimes court will bring unity, and with the unity, Liberia will go forward,” he emphasized.
According to Carey Street Block Chairman, Jusu Dolley, “This country is already a peaceful country, the only thing we need to do is to reconcile everyone, because we are running smooth activities.”
“So, I am appealing to the Government of Liberia, President Boakai, to not establish the war crimes court; those that got hurt and are still hurt, only God can judge the people who did wrong to innocent Liberians,” he expressed.
