By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: The U.S. trial of Moses Wright, a former senior Liberian army commander accused of ordering and overseeing the 1990 St. Peter’s Lutheran Church massacre in which an estimated 600 men, women and children were killed, has been postponed again. Wright’s trial, previously scheduled for November in…
As Liberia moves closer to establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court, the country’s Witness Protection Agency is seeking more than US$20 million to build safe houses, strengthen security measures, and protect victims, witnesses, and whistleblowers. The initiative aims to ensure that those who come forward with critical testimony can do so safely and confidently…
Liberia’s leading war crimes investigation group has relocated a senior investigator abroad after receiving repeated death threats linked to his work on the case of former army commander Moses Wright, who is scheduled to face trial in the United States. The move has renewed concerns about the safety of investigators and witnesses as Liberia advances…
As the Swedish government’s direct support for Liberia comes to a close this month, the Swedish ambassador has given an interview assuring the country that it will continue to support Liberia’s efforts to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court and other priority areas. It will just do it through international organizations such as the…
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: · Liberia’s Witness Protection Agency is stepping up operations as the country pushes to establish war and economic crimes and anti-corruption courts. · The Agency faces major challenges, including limited funding, a shortage of trained protection officers, no safe house of its own and the need to build…
Nine in ten respondents in a FrontPage Africa/New Narratives survey support establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court and say they will not reelect lawmakers who fail to support it. Gloria Wleh reports from Margibi County, where survivors share differing views on justice, forgiveness and accountability for Liberia’s wartime crimes. This story was produced in…
By Jerome Saye with New Narratives Summary: SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba County—They are the second biggest voting bloc in the country. They’re also the former constituents of long-time senator, Prince Johnson who was the loudest opponent to a war and economic crimes court. He even threatened to take up arms if he were indicted. So the views…
A New Narratives survey finds overwhelming support in Nimba County for establishing Liberia’s proposed War and Economic Crimes Court, with nine in ten respondents backing the court and warning lawmakers that their position could influence how they vote in future elections. Survivors and residents say the court is essential for justice and accountability for crimes…
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: Liberia’s Witness Protection Agency is proposing a five-year, US$20.54 million plan to build a nationwide system for protecting victims, witnesses and whistleblowers as the country moves toward establishing war crimes and anti-corruption courts that will significantly increase the number of witnesses and whistleblowers needing protection. The…
Liberia’s push for a War and Economic Crimes Court is gaining urgency as Jallah Barbu, head of the court’s establishment office, calls on President Joseph Boakai to recall lawmakers from their break and pass the court bill before the U.N. General Assembly. Survivors and advocates say justice for victims of Liberia’s civil wars can no…
More than two decades after Liberian women helped bring an end to the country’s civil wars, many remain underrepresented in current efforts to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court. A new US$3 million initiative, the Gender Promotion Initiative 2.0, aims to strengthen women’s organizations and increase the participation of women and girls in peacebuilding,…
A new survey by New Narratives has found overwhelming support for a war and economic crimes court in Grand Bassa County, with all 100 people interviewed backing the establishment of the court and most saying they would not vote for lawmakers who oppose it. Through the voices of war survivors, victims’ families, activists, and ordinary…
Nine in every ten people questioned said they want the court established — and almost as many said they would not vote for lawmakers who fail to support it. The survey comes as bills to establish the court face strong opposition among lawmakers and the international community warns that court must meet international standards if…
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: The head of Liberia’s leading war crimes investigation group said the organization has again relocated a senior investigator for his safety after he received repeated death threats connected to his work on the case of Moses Wright, the former Liberian army commander who is set to…
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives More than two decades after Liberian women helped played a decisive role in bringing the country’s civil wars to an end, they have been far less visible in the renewed push to reckon with the wars’ atrocities committed during them. No woman was shortlisted to lead the…
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary Aaron Weah, the leading historian and transitional justice expert, has warned of security risks if the country fails to approve legislation establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court before it assumes the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in December. Despite years of advocacy,…
As Liberia moves closer to taking on a leadership role at the United Nations Security Council, experts are warning that delays in establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court could pose risks to the country’s stability and international credibility. Advocates argue that addressing unresolved civil war-era abuses is essential for justice, accountability, and lasting peace,…
By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: Sweden’s ambassador to Liberia has used an exclusive interview with Frontpage Africa/New Narratives marking the end of the country’s sixteen years of direct bilateral support since the end of the war, to reaffirm his government’s commitment to Liberia’s post war justice and accountability process. Ambassador…
Despite closing its embassy and ending direct bilateral development assistance to Liberia, Sweden says it remains committed to supporting the country’s post-war justice, human rights and sexual and reproductive health priorities through the United Nations, European Union and other multilateral programs. Swedish Ambassador Karl Backéus urged progress toward establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court,…
Summary PAYNESVILLE CITY, Montserrado County—Jallah Barbu, executive director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court, has urged President Joseph Boakai to exercise his constitutional power by recalling lawmakers from their annual constituency break to act on legislation establishing the long-promised court. Speaking Saturday at a Paynesville hotel during the 17th…
“The war took away my childhood and left wounds that I still carry in my heart. I saw families separated, homes destroyed, and people running for their lives. Some of us still wake up remembering the sounds of gunfire and the faces of people we never saw again. That is why I want to see…
