Published: July 11, 2025
MONROVIA — The Acting Chairman of Liberia’s Governance Commission, Professor Alaric K. Tokpa, on Thursday issued a stern warning to political actors and so-called “spoilers” seeking to derail efforts to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court, saying any attempt to politicize the process risks prolonging national wounds and undermining Liberia’s fragile peace.
Speaking at a policy dialogue in Monrovia, Tokpa said the establishment of the court is essential to confronting Liberia’s violent past and delivering justice for thousands of victims of the country’s 14-year civil conflict.
“We will not allow selfish partisan discourses promoted by spoilers to confuse and distort the direction of what should be a serious national healing and peacebuilding process,” Tokpa declared. “The court will represent Liberia’s determination to confront its past and chart a new path toward justice, accountability, and unity.”
The forum, hosted under the theme “Significance of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia and Strategies for Bringing Impunity into Account,” was organized by the Governance Commission in partnership with the Ducor Institute for Social and Economic Research. It brought together members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, civil society, religious leaders, traditional authorities, students, and ordinary citizens.
‘War Fueled by Greed’
Tokpa said Liberia’s civil wars were fueled by greed for power and wealth, and warned that continued impunity threatens to erode democratic progress and governance.
“The taking away of human lives, the degradation of fellow human beings, the irresponsible destruction of public and private properties, disregard for the rule of law, and the violation of international humanitarian law are unacceptable crimes that should not be ignored,” he said.
He called the court not only a long-standing demand from the public but a moral obligation for the state. He also urged the creation of a non-bailable Anti-Corruption Court, saying impunity for economic crimes must be addressed with equal urgency.
“We cannot allow a culture of impunity to persist and continue to define how power is pursued or how wealth is acquired in Liberia,” Tokpa said.
Call for Global Support
Tokpa appealed to international partners to renew their support for justice and reconciliation in Liberia, noting the country’s historical role in shaping the global order—from its contributions to the founding of the League of Nations and the United Nations to decades of international diplomacy.
“There is much that Liberia still has to offer,” he said. “But we have to become better participants in the international system. This we cannot achieve with broken hearts and a weak and divided society.”
He extended gratitude to international partners, including the United Nations, African Union, European Union, ECOWAS, the U.S. Government, Sweden, and other European nations, for supporting peace and accountability in Liberia.
Tokpa also credited domestic stakeholders—civil society groups, women’s organizations, youth movements, religious institutions, traditional leaders, and independent media—for keeping the national spotlight on accountability.
Ducor Institute: History Must Be Clarified
Dr. Aaron Weah, executive director of the Ducor Institute, said during special remarks that Liberia’s inability to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court is tied to unresolved debates about the root causes of its wars.
“What were the civil wars about?” he asked. “The response may vary depending on who you ask.”
Weah cited various competing narratives—including claims of ethnic grievances, retaliatory violence following the 1980 coup, and political elites waging war for personal enrichment. The lack of consensus, he said, points to a deeper national conflict over historical truth.
He stressed that the court would not only advance justice but also help produce an impartial historical record and push constitutional and legal reform.
“This is not uncommon for societies coming out of violence,” he noted, comparing Liberia to Rwanda, which eventually crafted an official—though contested—version of its genocide-era history.
Weah recalled that Liberia’s first real attempt to shape such a national history began in 2013 under the Governance Commission, where he served as a policy analyst.
GC Reaffirms Court Support
Closing the dialogue, Tokpa reaffirmed the Governance Commission’s commitment to advancing transitional justice under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
“On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and the Governance Commission family, we are fully committed to supporting the War and Economic Crimes Court process,” he said.
Tokpa emphasized that without justice, national reconciliation and good governance remain elusive.
“This is not just about the past—it’s about the future of our children, and the kind of society we are trying to build,” he said.
He praised the Ducor Institute for its research and partnership in organizing the event, calling it a model for inclusive policymaking.
Discussion about this post