MONROVIA, Liberia, September 10, 2026 — Former Liberian rebel commander Roland Duo has endorsed the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, declaring that he is prepared to face prosecution over allegations arising from his role in the country’s civil wars.
Speaking during an appearance on Love FM in Monrovia, Duo said Liberia must confront its wartime past through accountability, truth-telling and reconciliation.
“I am ready to face prosecution,” Duo declared, signaling his willingness to appear before a court if called to answer allegations stemming from the conflicts.
His comments come amid continuing national debate over the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court, with advocates arguing that prosecutions are necessary to address impunity and deliver justice to victims and survivors.
Duo also called for a national roundtable bringing together victims of the civil wars and former combatants as part of a broader reconciliation process.
He said such a dialogue would allow victims to recount their experiences while giving former combatants an opportunity to acknowledge their actions and confront the consequences of the violence.
Duo urged individuals who participated in the conflicts to come forward, acknowledge their actions and apologize to victims and communities affected by the wars.
According to him, direct engagement between victims and former combatants could help address unresolved grievances and rebuild trust among communities divided by years of conflict.
Duo acknowledged allegations of serious abuses during the wars, including torture of civilians, looting and destruction of private property, and said victims and their families deserve an opportunity to be heard.
He, however, maintained that reconciliation should not be used as a substitute for accountability.
Duo argued that Liberia cannot achieve genuine national healing without confronting allegations of atrocities and economic crimes committed during the conflicts.
He proposed that any national reconciliation roundtable include victims, former combatants, civil society organizations and other stakeholders and form part of a broader process of truth-telling, acknowledgment, justice and reconciliation.
Liberia endured two civil wars between 1989 and 2003 that left widespread death, displacement and destruction and were marked by allegations of serious human rights violations.
More than two decades after the conflicts ended, demands for accountability for wartime atrocities remain a major national issue.
Duo’s declaration that he is prepared to face prosecution adds the voice of a former combatant commander to calls for accountability as Liberia continues discussions over establishing the proposed court.
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