Nimba, No Go ZoneFor War Crime Court

–Cross Sessions Of Nimba Citizens Disapprove War Crimes Tribunal Establishment

By Mark N. Mengonfia

Since conversations sounding the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, there has been mixed views about said establishment.

Lawmakers, lawyers, marketers and ordinary Liberians have either given a-for or against views relating to the establishment of the Court.

Some are of the opinions that establishing a war and economic court for Liberia is not a priority believing that it has the propensity to remove a scar from a sour while others think it is the best to do in order to have lasting peace and reconciliation.

Speaking with cross sessions of citizens of Nimba, the county where the civil unrest which claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Liberians and other nationals, they were very unclear to give their approbations to the establishment of the Court.

Former Assistant Development Superintendent of Nimba, Teeko T. Yorlay said “I cannot stand here to say yes the War and Economic Crimes court should be established now. We all have to study the possibility and what this establishment has to benefit Liberians”

He went on to say “We cannot use the style of reconciliation in other countries and think it can work in Liberia that is why for now I do not want to say yes or no about the war and economic crimes court”.

One thing that remains clear is for Nimba and Grand Gedeh counties citizens to approve for their kinsmen to be tried at a court for atrocities committed during the war days in Liberia dating as far as over 30 years.

While in Nimba County, my independent microphones caught up with some young Nimbains who were relaxed playing the famous Ludu game.

In an interview with them, they, in separate remarks said that there was no need to establish any tribunal in Liberia.

Alphonso Banleuh, 31, a petty trader, Oliver P. Nuch age 21, Junior Karbeah age 25 and DariousGardue age 28 and a nail maker separately indicated that the tribunal was not an option for them.

They said that they do not see any reason or benefit that Liberians stand to get from the establishment of the court.

According to them, the establishment of the court is only going to create more divisions among citizens of the country.

“They should talk about brining economic crime court for money allegedly stolen or misapplied by public officials to be given back to them and not for them to be talking about bringing war crime court which I think will not help us” 21 year old Oliver P. Nuch said as he kept playing his Ludu game beaming with laughter on his face.

Also in an interview was a business woman, a citizen of Bong who has spent about five years in Nimba County.

Seated behind a table of used clothes under an umbrella with few of the clothes on her laps, Massa Johnson Reeves said ” I think these people should just forget about this whole thing about War and Economic crimes court because those who committed violence against will not allow themselves to be apprehended but will rather use other means to carry us back to war”.

When she was quizzed as to what she thinks will happen when the tribunal is established in Liberia, she said “people whose parents and relatives were killed should just forget about what happened and let’s move on. We do not want war in Liberia”.

Amongst other things done in recent days was a request from Liberian President, George M. Weah’s communication to members of the 54 Legislature requesting their action on the establishment of the War and Economic tribunal in Liberia.

Members of the 54 Legislature did not waste any time upon receiving the communication from the Liberian leader thus signing a resolution to ensure that the Court is established in Liberia.

Over 50 members of that august body gave their approbation for said establishment, but majority of the Nimba Lawmakers refused to sign on grounds that they have to visit their constituencies for approval before they can sign the document. TNR