🇱🇷 Joseph Boakai sworn in as Liberian president
There was celebration in Liberia's capital, Monrovia, as Joseph Boakai was sworn in as the country's new president after narrowly defeating incumbent George Weah in November's run-off vote.
"Elections are over, partisanship must give way to the forward march of Liberia," Boakai said in his inaugural address.
"The tenacity shown by Liberians to protect their votes sends a message that we cannot do business as usual.
Boakai - who's 79 and a former vice-president - faces the task of fighting poverty and corruption.
Unfortunately, Boakai has failed to reach the end of his inauguration speech as he appeared to almost pass out and had to be held up at a ceremony in the capital, Monrovia. He had already been speaking for around 30 minutes when it became clear that he was having difficulty talking.
#Liberia
@africaintel
There was celebration in Liberia's capital, Monrovia, as Joseph Boakai was sworn in as the country's new president after narrowly defeating incumbent George Weah in November's run-off vote.
"Elections are over, partisanship must give way to the forward march of Liberia," Boakai said in his inaugural address.
"The tenacity shown by Liberians to protect their votes sends a message that we cannot do business as usual.
Boakai - who's 79 and a former vice-president - faces the task of fighting poverty and corruption.
Unfortunately, Boakai has failed to reach the end of his inauguration speech as he appeared to almost pass out and had to be held up at a ceremony in the capital, Monrovia. He had already been speaking for around 30 minutes when it became clear that he was having difficulty talking.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇱🇷 Joseph Boakai sworn in as Liberian president There was celebration in Liberia's capital, Monrovia, as Joseph Boakai was sworn in as the country's new president after narrowly defeating incumbent George Weah in November's run-off vote. "Elections are over…
🇱🇷 Liberia President Boakai resumes duties after heat exhaustion
Liberia's new president, Joseph Boakai, has recovered from an episode of heat exhaustion that caused him to cut short his inauguration speech on Monday and has resumed his normal activities, the presidency said.
The 79-year-old, who defeated George Weah in a runoff election in November, was sworn in during an outdoor ceremony in sweltering heat in the country's capital, Monrovia.
Boakai then paused during his speech and aides rushed to fan him. He resumed a few minutes later but halted again and aides helped him walk away from the podium, curtailing the ceremony.
The president's office released a statement later on Monday saying Boakai had suffered exhaustion but that doctors had since declared him "perfectly fine."
Some of Boakai's opponents had raised concerns about his age and energy during election campaigning but his team dismissed the criticism.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's new president, Joseph Boakai, has recovered from an episode of heat exhaustion that caused him to cut short his inauguration speech on Monday and has resumed his normal activities, the presidency said.
The 79-year-old, who defeated George Weah in a runoff election in November, was sworn in during an outdoor ceremony in sweltering heat in the country's capital, Monrovia.
Boakai then paused during his speech and aides rushed to fan him. He resumed a few minutes later but halted again and aides helped him walk away from the podium, curtailing the ceremony.
The president's office released a statement later on Monday saying Boakai had suffered exhaustion but that doctors had since declared him "perfectly fine."
Some of Boakai's opponents had raised concerns about his age and energy during election campaigning but his team dismissed the criticism.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia aims to boost fishing industry with survey ship
A research project was launched in Liberia to help the country, with 500km of coastline, take advantage of the marine resources.
A Moroccan survey boat set sail from the capital, Monrovia, on Friday for the start of a fortnight's trip as it evaluates whether Liberia's sea life can be exploited commercially.
"With this stock assessment, we will now know if there are high-value species and if we can go into full scale industrialisation or semi-industrialisation," director general of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority said.
The vessel was officially commissioned by the Speaker of Parliament . “The project is intended to improve and accelerate the fisheries sector,” he said.
He added that the goal was "to move from artisanal fishing to industrialised fishing which would grow a viable economy for Liberia”.
#Liberia
@africaintel
A research project was launched in Liberia to help the country, with 500km of coastline, take advantage of the marine resources.
A Moroccan survey boat set sail from the capital, Monrovia, on Friday for the start of a fortnight's trip as it evaluates whether Liberia's sea life can be exploited commercially.
"With this stock assessment, we will now know if there are high-value species and if we can go into full scale industrialisation or semi-industrialisation," director general of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority said.
The vessel was officially commissioned by the Speaker of Parliament . “The project is intended to improve and accelerate the fisheries sector,” he said.
He added that the goal was "to move from artisanal fishing to industrialised fishing which would grow a viable economy for Liberia”.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia's leader declares drug abuse a health emergency
Liberia's new President Joseph Boakai has declared drug abuse a "national health emergency".
"The drugs epidemic, especially the use of kush, is disturbing. It’s destroying the youth and future generation of our country," he said, in an address to parliament.
The ministry of health, the drugs enforcement agency and the ministry of youth and sports will be part of a "multi-sectoral" team that will tackle drug abuse, Boakai said.
He added that he and Vice-President Jeremiah Koung "will be the first" to take a drugs test and he urged others to follow.
The most recent drug to flood Liberia's ghettoes is kush. Said to be a mixture of cannabis, chemicals and medicine, it is cheap but its effects are devastating, making young men walk around like zombies in the middle of traffic in the capital, Monrovia.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's new President Joseph Boakai has declared drug abuse a "national health emergency".
"The drugs epidemic, especially the use of kush, is disturbing. It’s destroying the youth and future generation of our country," he said, in an address to parliament.
The ministry of health, the drugs enforcement agency and the ministry of youth and sports will be part of a "multi-sectoral" team that will tackle drug abuse, Boakai said.
He added that he and Vice-President Jeremiah Koung "will be the first" to take a drugs test and he urged others to follow.
The most recent drug to flood Liberia's ghettoes is kush. Said to be a mixture of cannabis, chemicals and medicine, it is cheap but its effects are devastating, making young men walk around like zombies in the middle of traffic in the capital, Monrovia.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia president questions gov’t bank balance record of Weah administration
President Joseph Boakai who was sworn in on January 22nd said on Monday that the balance recorded was US$20.5 million, not US$40 million, as former President George Weah had claimed.
Liberian media reported that the Senate ordered the Central Bank to clarify contradictions between President Boakai and his predecessor.
According to reports, the Senate mandated its joint committees on Public Accounts and Audit, Banking, and Currency to invite the leadership of the Central Bank of Liberia.
President Boakai, pledging to tackle corruption, said he will audit and make sure that regular audits become the norm in all branches of government, not just the executive.
#Liberia
@africaintel
President Joseph Boakai who was sworn in on January 22nd said on Monday that the balance recorded was US$20.5 million, not US$40 million, as former President George Weah had claimed.
Liberian media reported that the Senate ordered the Central Bank to clarify contradictions between President Boakai and his predecessor.
According to reports, the Senate mandated its joint committees on Public Accounts and Audit, Banking, and Currency to invite the leadership of the Central Bank of Liberia.
President Boakai, pledging to tackle corruption, said he will audit and make sure that regular audits become the norm in all branches of government, not just the executive.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇺🇸🇱🇷 US ambassador applauds Liberia for setting an example
The US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has rated Liberia as an example for democracy for the whole of Africa.
Following her recent visit of the region, she told journalists in New York that with the second post-civil war democratic transition and a sitting president gracefully accepting defeat, Liberia “is truly an example for not just West Africa, but the entire continent of Africa".
"We really should commend Liberians for that success," she said.
She reassured Liberia of the US' unflinching commitment to supporting the country’s development.
“Liberia has been very supportive and worked closely with us here at the UN, and we’re committed to helping President Boakai succeed,” she said.
"We have been a close ally and partner to Liberia throughout."
#USA #Liberia
@africaintel
The US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has rated Liberia as an example for democracy for the whole of Africa.
Following her recent visit of the region, she told journalists in New York that with the second post-civil war democratic transition and a sitting president gracefully accepting defeat, Liberia “is truly an example for not just West Africa, but the entire continent of Africa".
"We really should commend Liberians for that success," she said.
She reassured Liberia of the US' unflinching commitment to supporting the country’s development.
“Liberia has been very supportive and worked closely with us here at the UN, and we’re committed to helping President Boakai succeed,” she said.
"We have been a close ally and partner to Liberia throughout."
#USA #Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia orders central bank audit as part of anti-graft drive
Liberia's President Joseph Boakai has commissioned an audit of three key government institutions, including the central bank, as part of efforts to tackle graft, the presidency said.
Boakai, who defeated his predecessor George Weah in November elections, won on the promise to tackle corruption and improve livelihoods in the West African nation.
The anti-corruption push included an audit of the former government.
In a statement on Thursday, the presidency said Boakai had asked Liberia's General Auditing Commission to carry out an audit of the central bank, the national security agency and the executive protection service.
The inspection will focus on the period from 2018 to 2023, and report its findings within three months.
It marks "the beginning of a holistic audit of government ministries and agencies" in line with Boakai's commitment to fighting graft and ensuring transparency, the statement said.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's President Joseph Boakai has commissioned an audit of three key government institutions, including the central bank, as part of efforts to tackle graft, the presidency said.
Boakai, who defeated his predecessor George Weah in November elections, won on the promise to tackle corruption and improve livelihoods in the West African nation.
The anti-corruption push included an audit of the former government.
In a statement on Thursday, the presidency said Boakai had asked Liberia's General Auditing Commission to carry out an audit of the central bank, the national security agency and the executive protection service.
The inspection will focus on the period from 2018 to 2023, and report its findings within three months.
It marks "the beginning of a holistic audit of government ministries and agencies" in line with Boakai's commitment to fighting graft and ensuring transparency, the statement said.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberian president passes drug test and urges all government officials to do so
Liberian President Joseph Boakai has tested negative for drugs and illegal substances.
The Liberian leader underwent a drug test which he had promised to do during his address to the legislature on 29 January, just a week after he was sworn in.
Along with Vice-President Jeremiah Kpan Koung and other officials, the president underwent the test overseen by the country’s Ministry of Health.
Boakai said: "It is fulfilment of my commitment made that we will leave no stone unturned in combating the prevalence of drugs and other substance abuse in Liberia."
During his address to the legislature, President Boakai declared drug abuse a "national health emergency".
The Liberian leader wants all his officials to take drugs tests.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberian President Joseph Boakai has tested negative for drugs and illegal substances.
The Liberian leader underwent a drug test which he had promised to do during his address to the legislature on 29 January, just a week after he was sworn in.
Along with Vice-President Jeremiah Kpan Koung and other officials, the president underwent the test overseen by the country’s Ministry of Health.
Boakai said: "It is fulfilment of my commitment made that we will leave no stone unturned in combating the prevalence of drugs and other substance abuse in Liberia."
During his address to the legislature, President Boakai declared drug abuse a "national health emergency".
The Liberian leader wants all his officials to take drugs tests.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia defence minister resigns amid protests in barracks
Liberia's Defence Minister Prince Charles Johnson III has resigned following protests by wives of the country's soldiers, who accuse him of low wages and poor living conditions in the military barracks.
The women set up roadblocks near the capital, Monrovia and elsewhere in the country, forcing President Joseph Boakai to cancel National Army Day celebrations on Monday.
They demanded the defence minister's resignation, blaming him for a reduction in the salaries of Liberian soldiers returning from peace missions in Mali. The officers’ spouses also decried a lack of social security, electricity shortages and corruption within the armed forces.
Johnson, in a statement, says he is stepping down due to the "current political and civil disturbances" occasioned by the protests.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's Defence Minister Prince Charles Johnson III has resigned following protests by wives of the country's soldiers, who accuse him of low wages and poor living conditions in the military barracks.
The women set up roadblocks near the capital, Monrovia and elsewhere in the country, forcing President Joseph Boakai to cancel National Army Day celebrations on Monday.
They demanded the defence minister's resignation, blaming him for a reduction in the salaries of Liberian soldiers returning from peace missions in Mali. The officers’ spouses also decried a lack of social security, electricity shortages and corruption within the armed forces.
Johnson, in a statement, says he is stepping down due to the "current political and civil disturbances" occasioned by the protests.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia's president appointed new defence minister
Liberia's President Joseph Boakai has appointed a retired female brigadier general, Geraldine George, as the acting minister of defence after protests by the wives of soldiers forced the resignation of her predecessor.
This is the first time a woman is serving in the post.
She enlisted in the army in 2006 as it was being rebuilt following the end of a civil war and rose to become part of the elite forces. She has served as the deputy chief of staff for the last six years.
After Boakai was sworn in as president on 22 January, he appointed her as the deputy for administration in the defence ministry.
Her promotion comes after Defence Minister Prince Charles Johnson III resigned following protests by the wives of soldiers on Monday.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's President Joseph Boakai has appointed a retired female brigadier general, Geraldine George, as the acting minister of defence after protests by the wives of soldiers forced the resignation of her predecessor.
This is the first time a woman is serving in the post.
She enlisted in the army in 2006 as it was being rebuilt following the end of a civil war and rose to become part of the elite forces. She has served as the deputy chief of staff for the last six years.
After Boakai was sworn in as president on 22 January, he appointed her as the deputy for administration in the defence ministry.
Her promotion comes after Defence Minister Prince Charles Johnson III resigned following protests by the wives of soldiers on Monday.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇺🇸🇬🇳🇱🇷 USA company HPX signs pact for Guinea-Liberia rail link
U.S. firm High Power Exploration Inc (HPX), founded by mining billionaire Robert Friedland, said it had signed a letter of intent with Liberia's government and Guma Africa Group to develop rail and road projects linking it with Guinea.
The infrastructure projects, known as the Liberty Corridor, are expected to support the West African region's connection to world markets and are estimated to cost between $3 billion to $5 billion, HPX said in a statement.
The planned corridor will have a new heavy duty railroad connecting the Nimba district of Guinea to a new Liberian deep water port.
The statement did not give timelines for the projects.
#USA #Guinea #Liberia
@africaintel
U.S. firm High Power Exploration Inc (HPX), founded by mining billionaire Robert Friedland, said it had signed a letter of intent with Liberia's government and Guma Africa Group to develop rail and road projects linking it with Guinea.
The infrastructure projects, known as the Liberty Corridor, are expected to support the West African region's connection to world markets and are estimated to cost between $3 billion to $5 billion, HPX said in a statement.
The planned corridor will have a new heavy duty railroad connecting the Nimba district of Guinea to a new Liberian deep water port.
The statement did not give timelines for the projects.
#USA #Guinea #Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia lower house votes to set up war crimes court
Liberia's lower house of parliament has approved a motion to set up a war crimes court - more than two decades after the end of a devastating civil conflict.
In 2009 a Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended the establishment of the court but the move was resisted partly because a number of accused warlords remain influential.
About a quarter of a million people died during Liberia's civil wars between 1989 and 2003.
The atrocities included massacres, rape, cannibalism and the forced recruitment of child soldiers.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's lower house of parliament has approved a motion to set up a war crimes court - more than two decades after the end of a devastating civil conflict.
In 2009 a Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended the establishment of the court but the move was resisted partly because a number of accused warlords remain influential.
About a quarter of a million people died during Liberia's civil wars between 1989 and 2003.
The atrocities included massacres, rape, cannibalism and the forced recruitment of child soldiers.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberian president sets up task force to trace stolen state assets
Liberian President Joseph Boakai on Wednesday issued an executive order to identify and recover stolen state assets and prosecute complicit current and former officials under a crackdown on graft launched since his January inauguration.
The order will establish a task force that will have the legal mandate and state funding to investigate and retrieve wrongfully acquired government assets and seek the extradition of suspects involved, the presidency said.
It did not name any suspects or estimate the losses to the state, but cited a need to "curtail this alarming menace that has engulfed our country and address the situation of converting public assets to private use by officials placed in positions of trust."
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberian President Joseph Boakai on Wednesday issued an executive order to identify and recover stolen state assets and prosecute complicit current and former officials under a crackdown on graft launched since his January inauguration.
The order will establish a task force that will have the legal mandate and state funding to investigate and retrieve wrongfully acquired government assets and seek the extradition of suspects involved, the presidency said.
It did not name any suspects or estimate the losses to the state, but cited a need to "curtail this alarming menace that has engulfed our country and address the situation of converting public assets to private use by officials placed in positions of trust."
#Liberia
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇱🇷 Liberia lower house votes to set up war crimes court Liberia's lower house of parliament has approved a motion to set up a war crimes court - more than two decades after the end of a devastating civil conflict. In 2009 a Truth and Reconciliation Commission…
🇱🇷 Liberia parliament approves creation of war crimes tribunal
Liberia's parliament voted on Wednesday to approve the creation of war crimes court, twenty years after the bloodiest conflict in the west African country's history.
Liberia suffered two civil wars between 1989 and 2023 in which serious atrocities including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers were committed.
A truth and reconciliation committee recommended the establishment of a special tribunal to try those accused of committing crimes but no action was taken.
The proposal to create the court was fronted by new President Joseph Boakai and was backed by 42 legislators out of 72. To be implemented, the resolution must be approved by the senate.
No date has been set for the senate vote.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's parliament voted on Wednesday to approve the creation of war crimes court, twenty years after the bloodiest conflict in the west African country's history.
Liberia suffered two civil wars between 1989 and 2023 in which serious atrocities including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers were committed.
A truth and reconciliation committee recommended the establishment of a special tribunal to try those accused of committing crimes but no action was taken.
The proposal to create the court was fronted by new President Joseph Boakai and was backed by 42 legislators out of 72. To be implemented, the resolution must be approved by the senate.
No date has been set for the senate vote.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia sacks port officials in corruption crackdown
Ten senior officials have been dismissed by Liberia's National Port Authority (NPA) after being accused of corruption.
Sekou Hussein Dukuly, managing director of NPA, said the individuals were involved in “financial improprieties”.
He said the individuals were found liable "after an internal investigation”.
Dukuly said the case has been sent to the police for prosecution.
But some of the accused individuals are planning to take legal action against the NPA.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Ten senior officials have been dismissed by Liberia's National Port Authority (NPA) after being accused of corruption.
Sekou Hussein Dukuly, managing director of NPA, said the individuals were involved in “financial improprieties”.
He said the individuals were found liable "after an internal investigation”.
Dukuly said the case has been sent to the police for prosecution.
But some of the accused individuals are planning to take legal action against the NPA.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇿🇦🇳🇬🇬🇭🇱🇷🇧🇯🇧🇫🇨🇮🌍 South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Benin, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast hit by major internet outages
Major internet disruption has been reported in various countries across Africa.
Widespread outages were reported on Thursday in countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin, Ghana and Burkina Faso.
"There seems to be a pattern in the timing of the disruptions, impacting from the north to the south of Africa," said Cloudflare Radar, which provides information on internet connections.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which regulates the telecoms industry, said the outage was caused by damage to international undersea cables running along the West African coastline.
"The cuts occurred somewhere in Ivory Coast and Senegal, with an attendant disruption in Portugal," said NCC spokesman.
He added: "You can also have undersea earth slides - sections of seabed can become unstable, sending huge amounts of mud down a canyon or gulley."
#SouthAfrica #Nigeria #Ghana #Liberia #Benin #BukinaFaso #IvoryCoast #Africa
@africaintel
Major internet disruption has been reported in various countries across Africa.
Widespread outages were reported on Thursday in countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin, Ghana and Burkina Faso.
"There seems to be a pattern in the timing of the disruptions, impacting from the north to the south of Africa," said Cloudflare Radar, which provides information on internet connections.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which regulates the telecoms industry, said the outage was caused by damage to international undersea cables running along the West African coastline.
"The cuts occurred somewhere in Ivory Coast and Senegal, with an attendant disruption in Portugal," said NCC spokesman.
He added: "You can also have undersea earth slides - sections of seabed can become unstable, sending huge amounts of mud down a canyon or gulley."
#SouthAfrica #Nigeria #Ghana #Liberia #Benin #BukinaFaso #IvoryCoast #Africa
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberia opposition will not cooperate with anti-graft plan
Liberia's main opposition party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has called President Joseph Boakai's programme to recover allegedly stolen state assets as “nonsense”.
The party's secretary-general Jefferson Koijee told at the weekend that “none of our officials will submit to it”.
The CDC's George Weah lost his bid for a second presidential term last year.
Boakai, who narrowly beat him, recently set up a task force to crack down on corruption and try and get back stolen funds.
The CDC’s secretary-general alleged that the action was a violation of the constitution - though he did not state which part of the constitution - and it will be resisted by the party.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's main opposition party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has called President Joseph Boakai's programme to recover allegedly stolen state assets as “nonsense”.
The party's secretary-general Jefferson Koijee told at the weekend that “none of our officials will submit to it”.
The CDC's George Weah lost his bid for a second presidential term last year.
Boakai, who narrowly beat him, recently set up a task force to crack down on corruption and try and get back stolen funds.
The CDC’s secretary-general alleged that the action was a violation of the constitution - though he did not state which part of the constitution - and it will be resisted by the party.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Several people killed in accident at abandoned Liberia gold mine
Several people have been killed in Liberia in an accident at an abandoned gold mine, the country's mines minister said.
Minister Wilmot Paye said on Tuesday seven people died in Monday night's incident, but acknowledged the authorities could not yet provide an exact death toll until a team reached the site in River Cess County in south-central Liberia.
"I was told that seven persons died, but I can't say much until the team gets there. The mines had been abandoned several months ago," Paye told, adding that he did not know which company had operated the site.
"If we get the details of the company, the law will take its course," he said.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Several people have been killed in Liberia in an accident at an abandoned gold mine, the country's mines minister said.
Minister Wilmot Paye said on Tuesday seven people died in Monday night's incident, but acknowledged the authorities could not yet provide an exact death toll until a team reached the site in River Cess County in south-central Liberia.
"I was told that seven persons died, but I can't say much until the team gets there. The mines had been abandoned several months ago," Paye told, adding that he did not know which company had operated the site.
"If we get the details of the company, the law will take its course," he said.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇱🇷 French court confirms Liberian ex-rebel's conviction
A French court has confirmed the conviction of Liberian former rebel, Kunti Kamara, for his role during Liberia's civil war three decades ago.
At his first trial in 2022, following his arrest in France, he was found guilty of crimes against humanity and violence against civilians, but appealed against the ruling.
He was accused of failing to prevent soldiers who were under his command from raping two teenage girls in 1994, the AFP news agency reports.
Kamara was a regional commander of a faction of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy which fought the National Patriotic Front of former President Charles Taylor.
The conflict between 1989 and 2003 killed more than 250,000 people.
#France #Liberia
@africaintel
A French court has confirmed the conviction of Liberian former rebel, Kunti Kamara, for his role during Liberia's civil war three decades ago.
At his first trial in 2022, following his arrest in France, he was found guilty of crimes against humanity and violence against civilians, but appealed against the ruling.
He was accused of failing to prevent soldiers who were under his command from raping two teenage girls in 1994, the AFP news agency reports.
Kamara was a regional commander of a faction of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy which fought the National Patriotic Front of former President Charles Taylor.
The conflict between 1989 and 2003 killed more than 250,000 people.
#France #Liberia
@africaintel
🇱🇷 Liberian president signs order to establish war crimes court
On Thursday, Liberian President Joseph Boakai signed an executive order to create a war crimes court aimed at delivering long-overdue justice to victims of serious atrocities committed during the country's two civil wars. The conflicts, spanning from 1989 to 2003, were marked by widespread violence, including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers.
Despite previous calls by a Truth and Reconciliation Committee for the establishment of a special court, no concrete steps were taken until Boakai's election last year. The President's proposal to establish the court was subsequently approved by Liberia's lower house and senate. Boakai expressed gratitude to the legislators and emphasized the importance of justice and healing for lasting peace.
While the move has been welcomed by activists and civil society groups, some in Liberia have raised concerns that the court could reopen old wounds and potentially conflict with existing amnesty laws. Once operational, the court will adhere to international standards and address economic crimes as well.
#Liberia
@africaintel
On Thursday, Liberian President Joseph Boakai signed an executive order to create a war crimes court aimed at delivering long-overdue justice to victims of serious atrocities committed during the country's two civil wars. The conflicts, spanning from 1989 to 2003, were marked by widespread violence, including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers.
Despite previous calls by a Truth and Reconciliation Committee for the establishment of a special court, no concrete steps were taken until Boakai's election last year. The President's proposal to establish the court was subsequently approved by Liberia's lower house and senate. Boakai expressed gratitude to the legislators and emphasized the importance of justice and healing for lasting peace.
While the move has been welcomed by activists and civil society groups, some in Liberia have raised concerns that the court could reopen old wounds and potentially conflict with existing amnesty laws. Once operational, the court will adhere to international standards and address economic crimes as well.
#Liberia
@africaintel