Editorial: The powerful few hate war and economic crimes court

Liberia seems to be heading on a path where a few handfuls of individuals who terrorized the entire population with arms, committing mayhem and killing thousands of civilians, including women and children, believe that they can still hold the country hostage with the barrel of the gun, against current calls for the establishment of war and economic crimes court to punish them for their deeds.

The few handfuls of citizens, predominantly warlords, some of whom are in the legislature, believe that they can shield themselves from accountability through court and have begun to issue threats of returning to the bush if such court comes into being and they were summoned to appear.

In their state of mind, they owe the population no explanation for the carnage they committed during the brutal civil war and should be business as usual, or they should continue to have their will.

But clearly, the rebel generals and leaders need to be told brutally that time has caught up with them, and their days are numbered to appear before an international criminal court to account for atrocities they committed against innocent and peaceful citizens.

They seem to be living in utopia, believing that they can challenge both the people of Liberia and the international community to escape justice while their victims continue to wallop in pain and tears with justice eluding them. No! There has to be a bus stop, and we believe now is the right time.

For obvious reasons, disbanded INPFL and MODEL rebels’ leaders, Senators Prince Yormie Johnson of Nimba County and Thomas Yaya Nimely of Grand Gedeh County, are beating the war drum the loudest, raining threats and kicking against the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia because they are afraid of their past deeds.

All 98 individuals listed for prosecution by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report should know that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is not the author of the report but is demonstrating leadership by doing what the report says: the need for accountability, not a witch-hunt, as some quarters are claiming.

The character or mark of a good leader is to stand and speak for the majority. President Boakai has embarked upon this fearlessly amid threats from those who see themselves in the mirror, saying that they cannot survive the war crimes court because their deeds are overwhelming.

The souls of fellow citizens who were murdered in cold blood in Kpolokpaila in Bong County, Mahed River in Grand Cape Mount County, Voinjama, Lofa County, Grand Bassa, and Sinoe counties, and other areas across Liberia are still crying for justice. Not only Liberia but the entire world is listening to the cries daily, while those who tormented them to death through summary executions and massacres live comfortably in impunity with no remorse for their actions.

One thing is sure. However, they are not in the majority, and their empty threats cannot scare away the international community that is resolved to bring justice to Liberians and put impunity to an end.