Liberia inches closer to the establishment of a War Crimes Court to prosecute perpetrators of heinous human rights and economic crimes, but there is a new battlefront on the horizon that could possibly distract the process.
The local advocates, led by former Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner, Massa Washington, and Adama Dempster lead campaigner of the Coalition for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, believe Cllr. Massaquoi is the wrong pick for the post as he lacks the requisite knowledge and competence to lead such a monumental national task.
The coalition argues that a person who has represented alleged perpetrators of gross human rights violations and war crimes cannot also represent the victims and survivors of those same atrocities. This duality, they believe, poses a significant conflict of interest. Also speaking with New Narratives last week, Fofana said:"As executive director, you are not the court. This office is not the prosecuting arm. The office is to review and answer all the lingering questions surrounding establishing the court, also looking at the legal issues, the different laws and ensuring that there's harmonization and will ultimately report and put forward the recommendation to the president for onward action.
Advocates such as Washington, Bility, Dempster, and others believe that Massaquoi is being used as a pawn by international elites who want to hijack the process back home. He added,"Office remains open to engaging with civil society organizations that are sincerely and genuinely involved in the advocacy of accountability and the rule of law in Liberia."