President Weah’s Failure to Address Demands for War Crimes Court

In Liberia, former football star George Weah is facing demands to set up an economic and war crimes court as he runs for a second term as president. However, his failure to engage with this topic has caused concerns among the citizens. Weah came into power promising to create jobs, transform lives, and establish the court, but he has argued that looking backwards at old crimes would hinder development. This has led to disappointment and frustration among the people, particularly the youth who are experiencing unemployment and resorting to drugs. The country’s dual currency system and recent financial scandals have further contributed to the dissatisfaction. The survivor of a civil war massacre and many others are calling for justice and prosecution of those responsible for the atrocities. Nineteen other candidates, including former Vice-President Joseph Boakai, businessman Alexander Cummings, and human rights lawyer Tiawan Gongloe, have pledged to set up the court if elected. However, doubts have been raised about Boakai’s commitment due to his alliance with former warlord Prince Yormie Johnson. Yekeh Kolubah, a former child soldier, also supports the establishment of a court and wants to have his own wrongdoings examined. The government’s response to these demands has been mixed, with some officials dismissing them and suggesting that the decision should be made by parliament or even through a referendum. However, organizations like the Global Justice and Research Project believe that the government is not genuinely interested in pursuing these options. The upcoming elections will be the first since the exit of UN peacekeepers, and Weah’s supporters credit him for steering the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and creating jobs in the public sector. Despite the economic challenges, some supporters feel that Weah has brought improvements, such as reducing police harassment and allowing more freedom of expression. However, the general sentiment among the people is a desire for justice and a corrupt-free future. Whether Weah or another candidate is elected, it is crucial that the wishes of the people and MPs are taken into consideration to ensure a brighter future for Liberia.