By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: · Justice advocates say surprise bills from Senator Joseph Jallah and Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence could shield accused perpetrators and undermine years of advocacy for a war and economic crimes court. · The bills would send appeals from the War Crimes Court to Liberia’s…
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New NarrativesSummary: Civil society leaders said the Boakai government’s decision to “voluntarily” acceptSalvadoran immigrant Kilmar Armando Abrego García—a symbol of Trump’s hardlinedeportation agenda – violated the man’s human rights and were made under threat ofretaliation Liberia’s acceptance of Garcia came after other African countries refused to take him…
Liberia’s renewed campaign to abolish the death penalty is gaining momentum as the government pledges to submit a revised bill to Parliament while human rights advocates and international partners warn that keeping capital punishment on the books could undermine support for the proposed War and Economic Crimes Court and Liberia’s broader justice reforms. Advocates argue…
Summary: By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives The Liberian government has responded to a renewed push by civil society pledging to submit a revised bill to the Legislature that would end the practice in the country. The five-month, $US84,000 initiative — funded by the British Embassy in Liberia — marks the second…
Former NPFL commander Martina Johnson, a longtime ally of former Liberian leader Charles Taylor, is likely to face trial in Belgium over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Liberia’s first civil war. After a decade-long investigation, Belgian prosecutors say they have gathered enough evidence to move the case forward, raising fresh hopes…
Liberia’s Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court has received part of the government funding that had been promised for its operations, a move welcomed by advocates as the office’s director prepares for a key meeting with the President of ECOWAS. The partial funding represents an important step toward advancing Liberia’s long-planned transitional justice…
A Liberian tech start-up has launched the country’s first platform designed to allow donors to give directly to Liberian nonprofit organizations. The initiative is expected to make fundraising easier for local groups by improving access to online giving, strengthening transparency, and helping community-led organizations reach more supporters and resources. Anthony Stephens reports in this social…
Liberia has overwhelmingly secured a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, a milestone that diplomats say reflects the country’s growing influence and leadership in regional and global affairs. The win highlights Liberia’s strengthened diplomatic presence and opens new opportunities for the nation to contribute to international peace, security, and cooperation at the highest…
Liberians observed a National Day of Prayer to honor both the dead and living victims of the country’s civil wars, bringing together communities in reflection, remembrance, and hope for healing. The event highlighted the ongoing journey toward reconciliation as families and leaders paid tribute to those lost and acknowledged the resilience of survivors. Anthony Stephens…
Liberia’s President Boakai has pledged to commission a national war memorial for the victims of the civil wars and declared a National Day of Prayer as part of efforts to promote healing and unity, drawing both praise and cautious reactions from citizens and experts. Anthony Stephens reports in this social media Video. To read more…
Liberian experts say that while Liberia’s proposed war crimes courts will face significant security challenges in protecting staff, witnesses, and facilities, there is little risk that accused perpetrators themselves will ignite violence or destabilize peace as the country pursues justice and accountability. Anthony Stephens reports in this social media Video. To read more about this…
Liberia’s Office for the War and Economic Crimes Court has launched a nationwide outreach campaign to educate citizens about the proposed war crimes and anti-corruption courts, even as the government funding promised to support the effort has yet to arrive. Anthony Stephens reports in this social media Video. To read more about this story click…
Summary: By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Martina Johnson, one of the most powerful commanders of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front for Liberia (NPFL) rebel group, is expected to go on trial in Belgium next year for atrocities allegedly committed during Liberia’s first civil war. A court is considering evidence gathered during…
In Liberia, U.S. aid cuts are dealing a crushing blow to the economy. Hundreds of well-paid jobs have disappeared, and small businesses that once thrived on aiddollars are struggling to survive. In a co-reporting with Allison Hunter, New Narratives’ senior reporter Anthony Stephens meetsrecipients of US aid who are deeply hit by the cuts. New…
Summary: By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives U.S. Immigration Authorities announced Monday they had deported a Liberian rebel commander. Although the Immigration and Custom Enforcement, (ICE), said Mayama Sesay, 43, was deported on September 5th, it only made the announcement this week. The decision of an immigration judge to deport her in…
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: A U.S. federal court Friday sentenced a former member of The Gambia’s feared paramilitary unit to more than 67 years in prison for acts of torture carried out under the dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh. Michael Sang Correa, 46, was sentenced by Senior Judge Christine M….
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: Leading justice advocates are urging the government of President Joseph Boakai to make the creation of a war and economic crimes court its top priority and remove the proposed anti-corruption court from the mandate of the Office of the War and Economics Crimes Court, the…
By Anthony Stephens, senior correspondent with New Narratives Summary: A top European Union diplomat warned Tuesday that disinformation poses a growing danger to democracies, as waves of Russian-backed propaganda from neighboring Sahel states reverberate across West Africa. João Gomes Cravinho, the European Union’s Special Representative for the Sahel spoke at a press conference in Monrovia…
By Anthony Stephens and Allison Hunter with New Narratives Summary: Caroline Armah is exactly the sort of person the development world has tried to champion. The 33-year-old entrepreneur is building a business solving one of the most fundamental problems Liberia faces: affordable, childhood nutrition. Armah’s business Calaw Foodssells a nutritional supplement made of finely ground…
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Leymah Gbowee, one of Liberia’s most celebrated peace activists, on Wednesday called on the country’s Legislature to pass a law making the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court of Liberia a statutory body, thereby protecting it from the whims of a future president who…
By Nemenlah Cyrus Harmon and Anthony Stephens with New Narratives Summary: · Residents of Saye Town in Monrovia have destroyed a notorious drug den, accusing authorities of years of inaction against crime and addiction in their community. · The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency welcomed the raid, but locals remain distrustful, citing alleged collusion between some…
