The civil wars that ravaged Liberia between 1989 and 2003 left deep scars in Liberian society. Thousands of people have lost their lives, families have been torn apart and communities have been devastated. Sadly, despite the years since the end of the conflict, survivors of these atrocities continue to suffer and await justice.
Legal proceedings have been initiated in Switzerland, France and the United States against former Liberian warlords, but none have yet been tried in their own country. This situation creates legitimate frustration among victims, who hope that those who committed war crimes will ultimately be held accountable for their actions.
A poignant example of this suffering is that of Esther Dahn, a 68-year-old woman who lost a leg and was seriously injured during the massacre at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Monrovia in 1990. She still remembers with fondness horror of the moment the armed men entered the church, killing her husband and four of her children. Today, Esther Dahn, like many other survivors, lives with physical and emotional after-effects, and fears facing her attackers in a possible trial.
The impunity enjoyed by former warlords is a major problem in Liberia. Despite the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which called for the establishment of a judicial system capable of judging war crimes, the culture of impunity persists. The former warlords remain influential in the political life of the country and seem to be untouchable by the justice system.
This impunity has serious consequences on Liberian society. It reinforces the feeling of injustice among survivors and victims’ families, and harms the construction of a solid rule of law. Furthermore, it contributes to the trivialization of violence and impunity, thus fueling a vicious circle of violence and injustice.
Fortunately, the issue of justice for crimes committed during the civil wars has begun to be addressed in the Liberian political debate. Several presidential candidates have mentioned the need to provide justice for victims and end impunity. This shows encouraging progress, but much remains to be done to translate these words into concrete actions.
In conclusion, survivors of Liberia’s civil wars continue to suffer from their physical and emotional wounds, while those who committed war crimes remain unpunished. The creation of a court capable of trying these perpetrators of violence is essential to bringing justice and reconciliation to Liberia. Let us hope that the calls for action come to fruition and that Liberian society can finally turn the dark page of its past.