Seltue Karweaye
Despite Liberia currently enjoying a degree of peace, its path to recovery remains perilous. In 2009, Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission called on the presidency to create a War and Economic Crimes Court, a crucial step towards justice. Yet, successive leaders, including Nobel Peace Laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, have neglected this vital directive, prioritizing convenience over accountability.
Her successor, George Weah, safeguarded his power by protecting individuals suspected of war-era economic crimes, notably Senator Prince Johnson. In the wake of his defeat in the 2023 election, Joseph Boakai, Sirleaf’s former vice president, now leads the nation.
President Boakai has sincerely explained to the Liberian people his commitment to leaving a meaningful legacy, with the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court at the forefront of his agenda. This court is not just a matter of justice; it is essential for Liberia’s healing and future. In June 2024, President Joseph Boakai took an important step toward addressing war and economic crimes in Liberia by appointing Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi as the Executive Director of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC). This appointment was seen as a pivotal move for the country, which has faced significant challenges related to justice and accountability since its civil wars.
However, just under a month later, the President revoked this appointment following public outcry. Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey, a respected academic and the orator for Liberia’s 177th Independence Day celebration, publicly criticized the appointment, describing it as dubious and expressing concerns about its legitimacy. Dr. Pailey’s criticism echoed the sentiments of many activists and organizations who have called for a more transparent and consultative selection process, highlighting the necessity of involving the victim community in such critical decisions.
In recognition of these concerns and to improve the appointment process, the Ministry of Information announced the formation of a dedicated committee tasked with overseeing the selection of a new Executive Director for the WECC. This committee was chaired by the Justice Ministry and will comprise representatives from influential organizations such as the Liberia National Bar Association, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia, and other prominent civil society groups. The committee is mandated to operate within a structured 21-day timeline, during which it assesses potential candidates and recommends three qualified individuals to the President for consideration.
This initiative represents a significant shift toward a more inclusive and transparent governance framework, aimed at rebuilding trust among the diverse stakeholders in Liberia’s justice landscape. The establishment of the WECC under Executive Order #131 was a critical step in creating essential structures for a Special War Crimes Court for Liberia and an Anti-Corruption Court. These courts are vital for addressing past grievances and fostering a culture of accountability, which is crucial for both national healing and sustainable development in the post-conflict environment of Liberia.
On November 5, 2024, President Joseph Boakai took a significant step in his administration by appointing Cllr. Jallah Barbu, who currently serves as the Dean of the prestigious Louis Arthur Grimes Law School, to the position of Director General of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court. This important appointment followed a comprehensive vetting process that was carefully carried out by a committee made up of members from various Civil Society Organizations, the Liberia Council of Churches, and other relevant stakeholders that the President constituted to ensure a thorough evaluation.
Cllr. Jallah Barbu’s appointment was celebrated widely, symbolizing a move towards accountability and justice in Liberia, particularly in addressing the issues of war crimes and economic misdeeds. The day after this appointment, President Boakai announced another key nomination: Lewis Brown for the position of Ambassador-Designate to represent Liberia at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. This nomination has sparked discussions about the implications of appointing individuals with ties to past conflicts in positions of international representation.
Lewis Brown’s background is notable; he is a former member of the now-disbanded National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), a rebel group that played a pivotal role in igniting and participating in the first Liberian civil war. The NPFL was responsible for a vast array of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including mass murder, rape, sexual slavery, conscription of child soldiers, torture, and political assassinations. Over 60,000 human rights violations committed by the NPFL were formally recorded by the Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
During Charles Taylor’s dictatorial rule from 1998 to 2001, Lewis Brown served as the National Security Adviser and as an Adviser on Political and Domestic Affairs. In 2002, he took on the role of Minister of State for Presidential Affairs. Additionally, Brown served as the Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, and he was the Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations in New York during the Sirleaf/Boakai administration.
After enduring 14 years of devastating civil war, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was formed with the crucial mandate to investigate the underlying causes of the conflict and to propose safeguards that would prevent a similar crisis in the future. The TRC’s work involved extensive research, testimonies from victims and perpetrators, and the analysis of historical records.
In its comprehensive final report, the TRC faced significant challenges but ultimately provided a thorough account of the atrocities committed during the war. The commission identified and named several powerful and influential politicians, documenting their involvement in a range of serious crimes including massacres, torture, bribery, and extortion. One notable figure mentioned in the TRC report was Lewis Brown, who was indicted for his role in these war and economic crimes, highlighting the extent of political corruption and abuse of power that contributed to the conflict’s lengthy duration.
While President Boakai made the controversial decision to appoint an individual indicted in the TRC report, in May 2024, the United Nations tribunal for the Rwandan genocide successfully concluded its major operations nearly 30 years after its formation. Sadly, two remaining suspects were found to have died, but the last living suspect was apprehended in South Africa last year, demonstrating that justice can prevail, even after many years.
When Paul Kagame assumed the presidency of Rwanda in 2000, he faced the monumental challenge of rebuilding a nation shattered by genocide. With a firm commitment to justice, Kagame and his team have worked diligently to guide the country toward a brighter future. Now, 24 years later, Rwanda stands as a beacon of stability, prosperity, unity, and reconciliation. The government has implemented vital social services—education, healthcare, housing, and livestock support—delivered equitably to all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or background. Kagame’s assertive governance style ensures a relentless fight against corruption, populism, and divisive rhetoric, paving the way for a more inclusive and harmonious society.
The nomination of Lewis Brown as Ambassador-Designate to the Liberia Permanent Mission at the United Nations in New York presents a troubling contradiction in President Boakai’s efforts to promote accountability and justice in Liberia. This move appears to directly undermine the President’s own Executive Order that established the War and Economic Crimes Court.
In his inaugural address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Joseph Boakai articulated a vision for Liberia that hinges on the establishment of war and economic crimes courts, viewing them as essential for achieving sustainable peace and stability in a nation still grappling with the aftermath of a devastating civil war. He highlighted the urgent need for a thorough investigation and accountability for the atrocities committed during this tragic period, which resulted in the loss of approximately 250,000 lives and left countless survivors with deep psychological scars and broken communities.
By framing the creation of these courts as vital for national healing and reconciliation, President Boakai signaled his administration’s intention to confront the dark history of the conflict. However, the appointment of a TRC indictee—someone implicated in the very crimes the court aims to address—raises significant questions about the integrity of this commitment.
The question now looms large: Can President Boakai genuinely believe that Lewis Brown will fervently advocate for the necessary UN funding to support the War and Economic Crimes Court he championed through his Executive Order? This critical appointment casts a shadow on the administration’s dedication to justice, undermining the very message of accountability that President Boakai sought to convey on the international stage. The future of justice and reconciliation in Liberia hangs in the balance as these concerns come to light.
Liberia’s history is marked by periods of severe social upheaval, driven by injustice and egregious human rights violations. These troubling dynamics largely contributed to two brutal civil wars in the past 30 years. Various domestic and international human rights organizations, along with foreign embassies, the media, and the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), have documented numerous cases of abuse, including summary executions, massacres, rape, and other forms of sexual violence, mutilation, torture, and the forced conscription of child soldiers.
In light of these grave challenges, President Boakai must rescind Lewis Brown’s nomination as Liberia’s permanent representative to the UN. This nomination contradicts his administration’s urgent calls for UN support to ensure that Liberia’s judicial reforms promote true, lasting peace after years of conflict. Furthermore, rewarding individuals identified in the TRC report for committing war and economic crimes with government positions sends a damaging message. As Martin Luther King Jr. wisely stated, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” Let us strive for justice to build a better Liberia. I rest my pen.
