Liberia’s Senate has overwhelmingly approved the creation of a war crimes court, a significant step towards holding perpetrators accountable for atrocities committed during the country’s brutal civil wars.
President Joseph Boakai championed the initiative, which passed both the lower house last month and the Senate this week with strong support.
The court’s establishment hinges on Boakai’s final approval, which is widely expected.
This move comes after decades of advocacy by activists and civil society groups demanding justice for the estimated 250,000 lives lost during the 1989-2003 conflicts.
The wars were marked by horrific acts including massacres, rape, and the forced recruitment of child soldiers.
While a Truth and Reconciliation Commission previously called for a special court, no concrete action was taken until Boakai’s presidency.
The court, once operational, will function within Liberia but adhere to international standards, potentially with support from the United Nations.
Notably, the court will also address economic crimes alongside war crimes.
The decision has not been without opposition.
Some Liberians fear the court could reignite past trauma and potentially undermine existing amnesty laws that facilitated the end of the fighting.
