Senators Prince Johnson and Thomas Yaya Nimely, were among 25 senators who affixed their signature to concur with the House of Representatives in a resolution calling for the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) in Liberia.
The resolution, signed yesterday by the Senators, marks a significant step towards justice for the victims of the country’s brutal civil war, which lasted from 1989 to 2003 and claimed the lives of an estimated 250,000 people.
Nevertheless, the Resolution for the establishment of the WECC, as signed by both the Senate and House of Representatives, is not the establishment of the court until a bill to establish the court is submitted.
Also, the Resolution is just a statement of intent, as only the Legislature, as enshrined in the Constitution, has the authority to establish a court, but the onus is now upon President Joseph Boakai to submit a bill to the Legislature calling for the WECC’s establishment in Liberia.
Prior to the Senate’s decision, observers from both international and local organizations were seen in their numbers in the chamber of the Senate, marking an historic moment for Liberians and war-affected victims.
The Senate’s decision comes amidst calls for the establishment of the long-awaited WECC in Liberia, which led to the signing of a petition and submitted to the Senate for concurrence in March of this year, aimed at setting the stage for the court’s establishment.
The petition was signed by over 40 Representatives, calling for the establishment of the court to prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes and economic crimes committed during Liberia’s civil wars.
The historic document also further highlights the need for justice and accountability for the victims of these crimes, many of whom have yet to see any form of justice from past governments since the end of the civil unrest.
The establishment of the WECC has also been a contentious issue in Liberia for many years, as the country’s civil wars, which lasted from 1989 to 2003, were marked by widespread atrocities and human rights abuses.
But despite the end of the wars, many of those responsible for these crimes have not been held accountable, with some of the alleged perpetrators now occupying key positions in the Liberian government, especially at the level of Legislature.
Furthermore, human rights organizations and international bodies, including the United States Government, have all long called for the establishment of a court to prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes and economic crimes in Liberia.
The court, once established, would be tasked with investigating and prosecuting individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and economic crimes committed during the civil war, including atrocities such as mass killings, rape, torture, and looting of natural resources.
Senator Prince Johnson, a former rebel leader who played a key role in the conflict, as well as recorded in the TRC for his involvement in the war, has long been a controversial figure in Liberian politics and a strong critic of the establishment of the court in Liberia, while Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely, whose name is also recorded in the TRC, is another former warlord who fought in the civil war, and was heard recently calling on President Joseph Boakai to do away with the WECC and focus on addressing the needs of struggling Liberians.
In 1990, Johnson infamously captured and executed former President Samuel Doe, an act that was captured on video and widely circulated. Despite his past actions, Johnson was elected as a Senator in 2005, and has since been a vocal advocate for reconciliation and peace in Liberia.
Nimely was a member of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO), one of the warring factions during the conflict. Like Johnson, Nimely has sought to move past his violent past and work towards a more peaceful and prosperous future for Liberia.
Following the signing of the resolution, Senate Pro-Tempore, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, narrated, “I am pleased to announce that 27 Senators have signed a resolution endorsing the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.”
“Thanks to the Senators who have trusted my leadership on why they should sign this resolution, and also thanks to those who have other views on this matter, as we have communicated with House Speaker, Cllr. Fonati Koffa, and his colleagues, seeking their concurrence.
We believe this decision will bring an end to the perception of the public that members of the Liberian Senate are against establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court. We believe this decision is the beginning of ending impunity in Liberia,” she added.
Meanwhile, Senator Johnson, after signing the resolution, said, “I am not or have never been afraid of WECC, instead, I have only been speaking on the TRC, which I believe has many flaws, evidenced by the Supreme Court’s ruling concerning the entire process, which was not constitutional.”
The Nimba County Senator further clarified that he signed the resolution because his colleagues affixed their signatures to the document, which, he said, was meant to make him ugly in the face of public.
Sen. Johnson furthered that his decision to sign the resolution also shows his willingness to confront the dark chapters of Liberia’s past and work towards a more just and peaceful future for the youthful population and children unborn.
