Nimba County Survey: 90% Support Liberia War Economic Crimes Court

• A recent survey in Nimba County, Liberia, shows 90% of residents overwhelmingly support the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court.
• This local sentiment reflects a national trend, with 9 out of 10 Liberians across 11 counties also desiring the court.
• President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's administration is actively pushing legislation for the court, which would address war crimes and economic crimes from 1979 to 2003.
• Following an executive order and a Senate vote in favor, the Liberian Legislature is now working to harmonize multiple competing draft legislations for the court, with a final Senate vote targeted for December 2026.
• International stakeholders are urging passage by December, when Liberia assumes the UN Security Council presidency, to enhance the nation's global standing.

This widespread support underscores a deep-seated desire among Liberians not only for accountability for past atrocities but also for a comprehensive understanding of the conflicts and measures to prevent future violence.

A recent survey conducted in Nimba County, Liberia's second-largest voting bloc, reveals a profound and widespread desire among its citizens for the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court. The findings, published by FrontPage Africa/New Narratives, indicate that an overwhelming 90% of the 100 individuals interviewed across Nimba's seven administrative districts—Sanniquellie Mah, Saclepea Mah, Gbehlay Geh, Zoe Geh, Bain Gar, Yarpea Mah, and Tapitta—support the creation of such a tribunal. This strong public opinion suggests that lawmakers who fail to back the court could face repercussions at the ballot box.

Personal testimonies underscore the deep-seated need for accountability. Yah Dumber, a 45-year-old small business owner from Gbedin Town, recounted the devastating 1994 invasion of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) by ULIMO-K forces, led by Nelson Gweh, where her family members were killed. CARI was then serving as the headquarters for the rival National Patriotic Front of Liberia. Ms. Dumber has been seeking justice for over 32 years. Similarly, Jackson Beh, a 40-year-old farmer from Peelar Old Town in Yarpea Mah District, shared the tragic story of his brother, Emmanuel Yaye, who was killed in 1990 by Krahn soldiers serving with the government's Armed Forces of Liberia while celebrating his high school graduation. While the survey was not conducted under scientific conditions, the significant margin of support provides a compelling indication of the Nimba public opinion regarding the court.

The findings from the Nimba County survey arrive as President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's administration actively champions legislation for the establishment of a Liberia War and Economic Crimes Court. This proposed court aims to prosecute individuals bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity, economic crimes, and serious human rights violations committed during Liberia's protracted conflicts, specifically between January 1979 and August 2003.

Following President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's executive order in May 2024 to establish the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC) and an overwhelming Senate vote in April 2024 in favor of establishing a court, lawmakers are now working to harmonize multiple competing draft legislations, including a bill submitted by the President in May 2026, with a final Senate vote targeted for December 2026. Despite the clear public mandate, some legislative opposition persists. Stakeholders, both domestic and international, are urging the Legislature to pass the necessary legislation by December, a critical deadline as Liberia is set to assume its rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council. This period will place Liberia under significant global scrutiny, offering a unique opportunity to project a new international image, moving beyond the past associations with child soldiers that once dominated global news.

The strong support for a War and Economic Crimes Court in Nimba County is not an isolated sentiment but mirrors a broader national consensus. A larger national survey, encompassing 1,150 individuals across 11 of Liberia's 15 counties, revealed that nine out of every ten Liberians interviewed also desire the establishment of such a court. This widespread support underscores a deep-seated desire among Liberians not only for accountability for past atrocities but also for a comprehensive understanding of the conflicts and measures to prevent future violence.

For many Nimbaians and Liberians alike, the pursuit of justice extends beyond mere punishment. It encompasses a profound need to uncover the truth of what transpired, assign responsibility, and ensure that the brutal violence of Liberia's past is never repeated. The ongoing trauma from the wars is palpable, as exemplified by Yah Dumbar's harrowing account of fleeing on foot from Gbarnga to Nimba, witnessing atrocities committed by ULIMO-K forces along the way. The collective call for a Liberia transitional justice process is a testament to the nation's resolve to confront its history and build a more stable future.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Liberia should closely monitor the legislative progress of the War and Economic Crimes Court, particularly given the strong public support and political momentum. This indicates a high likelihood of its establishment, necessitating proactive assessment of potential client exposure to investigations or prosecutions for war crimes, economic crimes, and human rights violations committed between 1979 and 2003.

Source: Original reporting via FrontPage Africa/New Narratives