West Africa Justice Reporting Project

Since 2017 New Narratives has supported West African journalists to cover groundbreaking universal jurisdiction cases that have held accused perpetrators of crimes against humanity to account in Europe and North America. This important movement in international justice has allowed justice systems around the world to prosecute those who seek to hide out in their territory and avoid justice at home.

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.

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. Since its inception on the Liberian scene, New Narratives has established itself as Liberia’s premiere news outlet and authoritative source for accurate, timely and in-depth reporting and analysis on efforts to address issues of accountability for crimes committed during Liberia’s turbulent 14 years civil conflict and efforts aimed at ending impunity. Through the dedication, commitment and hardwork 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 and Australia Aid.


Justice Advocates Reject Surprise Bills for War Crimes Court, Say Measures Aim to Shield Suspects

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…

Video: Campaign to Abolish The Death Penalty Gains New Life As Human Rights Advocates Warn it Could Undermine Support for War Crimes Court

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…

Campaign to Abolish The Death Penalty Gains New Life As Human Rights Advocates Warn it Could Undermine Support for War Crimes Court

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…

Video: War Crimes Court Office Receives Part of Promised Government Funding as Office Head Prepares for Important Meeting with Ecowas President

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…

Video: Liberian Start Up Launches the First Platform for Donations Direct to Liberian Nonprofits    

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…

Video: Liberia Overwhelmingly Wins UN Security Council Seat as Diplomats Say It Shows Country’s “Growing Regional Influence”

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…

Video: Liberia Pauses for National Day of Prayer to Honor Dead and Living Victims of the Country’s Civil Wars  

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…

Video: A Range of Security Challenges Will Face War Crimes Courts But Experts Say Accused Perpetrators Are Not Among Them

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…

Martina Johnson, Warlord Charles Taylor Ally, Likely to Face Trial in Belgium

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…

U.S. Deports Liberian Rebel Commander; Justice Advocates Say It Shows “to Warlords That There’s No Place to Hide”

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…

Advocates Demand Anti-Corruption Court Be Removed From Mandate of Office of The War Crimes Court Saying It Is a Distraction

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…

More Than Three Quarters of Liberians Think War Crimes Court Will Ensure Accountability in Latest Afrobarometer Survey

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives More than three quarters ofLiberians say the war crimes court, set in motion by President Joseph Boakai after his inauguration last year, will make accountability for war-related crimes possible according to the latest survey released this month by Afrobarometer, a pan-African research organization. The survey found…