West Africa Justice Reporting Project

West Africa Justice Reporting Project

Since 2017 New Narratives has supported West African journalists to cover groundbreaking universal jurisdiction cases that have held perpetrators accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity to account in Europe and North America.

Journalists from Liberia, Gambia and Sierra Leone have travelled to the United States and Europe to cover trials of accused perpetrators for audiences across West Africa. They have also covered the quest for justice, reparation and reconciliation in all its forms, at home. Advocates have credited our reporting with the public support that led Liberian President Joseph Boakai to commit to holding a war crimes court, 22 years after the end of the war.

Hassan Bility, Liberian justice advocate.

“New Narratives, I expect and hope, should keep up the world and the Liberian people informed of developments every step of the way. I believe NN deserves a justice prize. Your journalism gave Liberians hope when no one believed there was a chance.”

Massa Washington, former commissioner with the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

”New Narratives has played a pivotal role in assisting Liberians to understand the importance of establishing a war crimes court and why holding alleged perpetrators accountable is good for Liberia’s stability, peace, security and growth. New Narratives is the “window” through which Liberians and the rest of the world are informed and educated about transitional justice processes concerning Liberia. Through the dedication, commitment and hard work from project staff, New Narratives is playing a pivotal role in shaping the narrative in transitional justice reporting on Liberia. The consistency and quality of New Narratives’s coverage of events ensures that  Liberians are continuously equipped with appropriate, factual information to assist them understand what is happening which ultimately bolstered their courage to finally commit to establishing the Court.⁠ ⁠Continue to play the role you’re playing.”

The project has been funded by the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and Australia Aid.

11 Indicted in Country’s Biggest Trafficking Ring After FrontPage Africa Investigation Exposed Allegations Bribes Were About to Derail the Case

A grand jury in Monrovia has indicted 11 suspects in Liberia’s biggest human trafficking case to date, after a FrontPage Africa/New Narratives investigation revealed attempts to bribe officials to weaken charges. Prosecutors say the accused lured 57 victims with false promises of jobs abroad, then held them captive in compounds where they were beaten, starved,…

Anthony Stephens
Video

11 Indicted in Country’s Biggest Trafficking Ring After FrontPage Africa Investigation Exposed Allegations Bribes Were About to Derail the Case

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent and New Narratives editors Summary: A grand jury in Monrovia has indicted 11 people accused of operating a sprawling human trafficking ring that prosecutors say lured dozens of Liberians with promises of jobs abroad before holding them captive, extorting money from their families and subjecting some victims to rape and torture….

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

After Delays and Bribery Allegations, Liberia’s Largest Human Trafficking Case Goes to Trial

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent and New Narratives editors Ten of the 11 people accused in what prosecutors and anti-trafficking experts describe asLiberia’s largest human trafficking case are scheduled to go on trial Wednesday, weeks after aMontserrado County grand jury indicted them over the alleged trafficking and exploitation of57 poor people from seven of Liberia’s 15…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

Dispute Between War Crimes Court Office and Justice Minister Spills Into Public View Casting Cloud Over Court

A dispute between the head of the office of Liberia’s war and economics crimes court and senior government officials – including the Justice Minister – has spilled into public view, clouding progress towards Liberia’s efforts to prosecute those most responsible for war crimes committed in the country. In this collaboration with New Narratives, senior justice…

Anthony Stephens
Radio

Liberia’s War Crimes Push Revives as Boakai Receives Draft Laws After Period of Doubt

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Wednesday received draft bills for a proposed war and economic crimes court and a national anti-corruption court, barely four days after renewing the mandate of the Office tasked with establishing the tribunals. Boakai had ordered it to work immediately with the Legislature to secure passage…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

Peace Prize in Hand, Boakai Gives Legislature 90 Days to Make War Crimes Court Law

Liberia takes a historic step toward justice as President Joseph Boakai, fresh from receiving a peace prize in the U.S., has given lawmakers 90 days to pass legislation establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court. Backed by $2 million in annual funding, Boakai’s bold move renews hope for accountability and reconciliation after decades of delay….

Anthony Stephens
Video

Liberian Rights Chief Faults Country on Corruption as U.N. Justice Training Gets Underway

Liberia’s Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) chief sharply criticized the country’s persistent corruption problem, warning that it undermines justice and governance. His remarks came as the United Nations launched a justice training program aimed at strengthening rule of law institutions, with the hope that such initiatives can help Liberia confront systemic issues that…

Anthony Stephens
Video

Liberian Rights Chief Faults Country on Corruption as U.N. Justice Training Gets Underway

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: The United Nations  began training Liberian prosecutors, investigators and civil society actors to tackle corruption through a human rights lens this week, as the country advances plans to establish a National Anti-Corruption Court and the long-delayed War and Economic Crimes Court. The two-day initiative was…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

Gambia Begins Paying Reparations to Victims of Jammeh-Era Crimes

The Gambia has begun paying reparations to victims of crimes committed during the violent 22-year regime of former president Yahya Jammeh, which ended in 2017. The country’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission recommended that more than 1,000 victims receive 237 million dalasi (about $3.7 million) for abuses that left around 250 people dead and thousands…


Gambia Begins Paying Reparations to Victims of Jammeh-Era Crimes

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: The Gambia has begun paying reparations to victims of crimes committed during the violent 22-year regime of former president Yahya Jammeh that ended in 2017. The country’s 2021 Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission report recommended that more than 1,000 victims be paid 237 million dalasi…

Anthony Stephens
Front Page Africa

Groundbreaking investigation exposes the corruption that is paralyzing Liberia’s police and courts and allowing human traffickers to ensnare thousands of poor citizens

Promises of jobs in Canada and Australia have lured hundreds of people into the hands of human traffickers in Liberia. But fair trials for those affected have been elusive. A months-long New Narratives investigation detailed bribe payments that more than 50 victims said had protected their traffickers from prosecution. Delays have meant that the accused traffickers could walk free….


Belgian Court Orders War Crimes Trial for Martina Johnson, a Key Ally of Warlord-Turned President Charles Taylor, After Decade-Long Investigation

A Belgian court has ordered a former commander in Liberia’s civil war to stand trial for allegedwar crimes committed more than three decades ago. The suspect is Martina Johnson, a key ally of former Liberian warlord-turned-president CharlesTaylor. Prosecutors say she took part in killings and mutilations during one of the war’s most violentoffensives. New Narratives’…

Anthony Stephens
Radio

Victims and Advocates Angry As Government Stays Silent Over Bribery Allegations in Country’s Biggest Human Trafficking Case as Suspects’ Release Date Nears

In Liberia, victims and human rights advocates are expressing anger over the government’s silence in the country’s largest human trafficking case — as suspects move closer to possible release.The case involves more than fifty victims and allegations of bribery within the justice system. It is one of a growing number of human trafficking cases –…

Anthony Stephens
Radio

Leading War Crimes Investigator’s Office Attacked As Threats Against Witnesses, Investigators Escalate

Armed men have broken into the offices of Liberia’s leading organization investigating civil warcrimes. Activists say it’s the latest in a series of threats against victims, witnesses and investigatorslinked to efforts to bring perpetrators to justice. Human rights groups are urging the government to strengthen protection as Liberia moves closerto establishing a war crimes court….

Anthony Stephens
Radio

Victims and Advocates Angry As Government Stays Silent Over Bribery Allegations in Country’s Biggest Human Trafficking Case as Suspects’ Release Date Nears

Liberia’s biggest human‑trafficking case is now hanging by a thread as government officials remain silent over explosive bribery allegations, while 11 accused traffickers could walk free on bail this month due to delays in prosecution. Victims who bravely came forward say they feel abandoned as the justice system falters, raising serious concerns about corruption, accountability,…

Anthony Stephens
Video

Victims and Advocates Angry As Government Stays Silent Over Bribery Allegations in Country’s Biggest Human Trafficking Case as Suspects’ Release Date Nears

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: Victims in Liberia’s largest human trafficking case said they were deeply disappointed by the government’s silence after they revealed to FrontPage Africa last week that they were repeatedly told by traffickers that they had paid bribes to Bestman Juah, a public defender, to keep the cases from free from justice….

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa