*Photos from top to bottom: (Top) TRC commissioners, (Middle) Accused-warlord Prince Johnson, (Bottom) Scene from Liberian war

Story by: Bill K. Jarkloh
Photos by: Nat Nyuan-Bayjay

The final reports of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has made what others considered rather irking recommendations, sanctioning 50 against holding public office, 98 to be prosecuted on crimes against humanity and war crimes, while yet another batch is to be hooked for economic crimes; reports Bill K. Jarkloh.

In keeping with the TRC’s findings, determinations and recommendations, the Commission’s Chairman, Cllr. James Verdier, Thursday spelled out the various recommendations, but prominent amongst them is the recommendation for prosecution of those bearing greatest responsibility (mainly leaders of warring factions) and the recommendation forbidding those considered sponsors of the war from holding public offices in the country.

Concerning sanctions against holding public office the commission recommended the name of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who was listed 12th among those who should be sanctioned against public office, while Lewis Brown, Randall Cooper, Ethelbert Cooper, Toga McIntosh Gayewea, Jackson E. Doe, D. Bob Taylor, Dew Mason, Nyan Menten, Clarence Simpson, Byron Tarr and Harry Yuan were listed from 1 to 11 amongst 50 individuals, including Grace Minor, who the TRC recommended for the public sanction.

Another list of 98 persons was drawn up and recommended for prosecution on war crimes and crimes against humanity. Topping the list are leaders of the eight warring factions. They include Charles Taylor of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), Prince Johnson of the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), the late Roosevelt Johnson of United Liberation Movement of Liberia (ULIMO) and ULIMO-J, Alhaji Kromah of UNLIMO and ULIMO-K.

Further listed for prosecution are George Boley of the Liberia Peace Council (LPC), Thomas Yaya Nimely of the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), Sekou Damante Konneh of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), and the late Francois Massaquoi of the Lofa Defense Force (LDF).

Besides the warring faction leaders, others were also listed for charges embodied within gross human rights violations and war crimes, categorized into killing, extortion, massacre, destruction of properties, forced recruitment, assault, abduction, torture, forced labor and rape, amongst others.

Prominent amongst them were personalities like former President Moses Blah charged with torture and abduction for prosecution. Deputy Police Director Paulson Garteh alias General Satan of the LPC was charged with massacre, torture and extortion; Superintendent Jonathan Barney charged with torture and Coco Dennis (General Gonda) of the NPFL charged with massacre, killing, forced labor and cannibalism.

Sundaygar (Young Killer, Skinny) charged with torture and massacre; Saah R. Gborlie charged with murder and dismemberment of pregnant women; Richard Flomo charged with torture and killing, General Joe Tuah charged with torture, summary executions, conscription, forced labor and ritualistic killing; Martina Johnson charged with killings; George Dweh charged with of murder, killing and torture; Augustine Nagbe otherwise know as General Power, charged with torture, looting and destruction of property.

Also J. Apolo Jayswen as charged on the list with killing and extortion; Sando Johnson, killing and force recruitment; General Ofori Diah or Iron Jacket charged with forced labor; General Benjamin Yaeten accused of murder, torture and abduction; Roland Duo, also torture and abduction; Siafa Norman, Arson; Adolphus Dolo, murder; Melvin Sogbani, killing, torture, massacre and looting amongst several others.

Chairman Verdier also said there was another group of entities and individuals listed for further investigation and also another category of people to be prosecuted on economic crimes, a category in which Edwin Snowe is listed for aiding and abetting economic actors, bribery and misuse of public property/funds; Benoni Urey accused of illegal arms dealing, money laundering, tax evasion, misuse of public property/funds, fraud, extortion and bribery, while Cyril Allen was charged with bribery and aiding and abetting economic actors amongst others.

Meanwhile, Chairman Verdier indicated how there were others who though they were liable for crimes were pardoned on the grounds that they were truthful to the Commission in their testimonies and have pleaded for pardon of one such person, who was said to be Joe Wylie of ULIMO-J.

Further, Chairman Verdier told reporters that 75 mercenaries, 82 percent of who still reside in Liberia, the United States of America, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Libya are external actors who either participated in or impacted the Liberian civil war.

The report of the TRC contains major findings on the root causes of the conflict, the impact of the conflict on women, children and Liberian society in general; responsibility for the massive commission of Gross Human Rights Violations (GHRV), and violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Human Rights Law (IHRL) as well as Egregious Domestic Law Violations (EDLV).

The report also determined and recommended that Criminal Prosecution for these violations, Reparations and a “Palava Hut” Forum is necessary and desirable to redress impunity, promote peace, justice, security, unity and genuine national reconciliation.

Findings and recommendations of the report and a summary of the major findings, determinations and recommendations will be published in at least three major local daily newspapers shortly.

The TRC is the brain child of the August 2003 Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Accra, and was created by and Act of Legislature of 2005. The TRC was established to “promote national peace, security, unity and reconciliation,” and at the same time make it possible to hold perpetrators accountable for gross human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law that occurred in Liberia between January 1979 and October 2003.

Subsequent editions will delve into the TRC report and detailed recommendations.