Liberia's first war crimes court a step towards 'justice and healing'

Former Liberian President Taylor awaits start of prosecution's closing arguments during his trial at the U.N.-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in Leidschendam

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor (bottom) awaits the start of the prosecution's closing arguments during his trial at the U.N.-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in Leidschendam February 8, 2011. The defence lawyer for Taylor walked out of the Sierra Leone war crimes court on Tuesday in protest at a decision by judges preventing him from filing a final summary of his evidence. Taylor denies all 11 charges of instigating murder, rape, mutilation, sexual slavery and conscription of child soldiers during wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone in which more than 250,000 were killed. REUTERS/Jerry Lampen (NETHERLANDS - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW CONFLICT)

Source: X00410

Liberian President Joseph Boakai's signing of an executive order to establish the country's first war crimes court signifies a step toward justice and reconciliation for the West African nation after being plagued by civil wars.

This move comes more than 20 years after the end of the nation's two devastating civil wars, which claimed 250,000 lives and left a trail of atrocities in their wake.

For President Boakai, the decision represents a necessary and courageous step forward. "Liberia has endured downpours of agony," he stated.

Critics of the war crimes court caution that it may reopen old wounds, yet Liberian President Boakai believes it will pave the way for “justice and healing.”

Adama K Dempster, one of the lead campaigners for the war crimes court, emphasised its importance. "It's an open show of support for war victims and survivors of the civil wars," he told the BBC.

In April, 28 out of the 30 senators in the Liberian Senate voted to establish the war crimes court following a similar vote of approval by the lower house of parliament in the previous month.

Atrocities throughout the bloody conflicts that lasted from 1989 to 2003 included forced child military recruitment, rape, and mass executions. However, Liberia has not yet held a trial for any crimes committed during the violent conflicts, despite calls from both domestic and foreign parties.

Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia and the chief mastermind of both civil wars, is presently serving a 50-year sentence in the United Kingdom for war crimes, however, for his involvement in the conflict in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

The path to establishing the first war crimes court has been marked by challenges and milestones, including past attempts at reconciliation.

In 2006, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to address the aftermath of the conflicts. Although the TRC identified individuals who should be prosecuted for war crimes in 2009, political controversy and a lack of action stalled progress.

Edward Sakyi