HISTORY OF LIBERIA CIVIL WAR

On Christmas Eve 1989, the defunct National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) led by convicted war criminal, Mr. Charles Taylor, launched a genocidal rebel incursion into Liberia. The

subsequent years were characterized by the senseless innocent civilian including women, children and the elderly, as well as the destruction of properties. All emerging warring factions in the conflict eventually adopted the ruthless modus operandi of the NPFL: rape, torture, recruitment of child soldiers, pillaging of the natural resources, looting of private and public properties, deprivation of life, and many more unspeakable acts of violence against innocent civilians.

In 2003, after several years of unsuccessful attempts to end the destruction of Liberia, a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in Accra, Ghana, which brought to an end the Liberian Civil War. All the belligerent parties to the conflict, the International Community, and Civil Society Organizations signed the CPA.

Article VIII of the CPA specifically calls for the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that would address the question of impunity in addition to providing a forum where perpetrators and victims alike of war crimes would be able to tell their stories either to exonerate themselves, seek forgiveness, or grant forgiveness. The CPA Charter also mandates the TRC to investigate the root causes of the conflict and above all to make necessary recommendations.

After two years of relentless efforts, and at an estimated cost of $10 million US dollars of taxpayer money from international governments including the United States, the TRC issued its final report in 2009. The TRC recommendations include, but are not limited to reform, reconciliation, and the prosecution of individuals most responsible for acts in grave violation of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Laws and more importantly, the banning of individuals in said category from holding public office in Liberia for thirty (30) years.

Ironically, the report recommended the sanction of several members of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government including Madam Sirleaf herself from holding public office in Liberia for 30 years, due to their well-documented role in the catastrophic Liberian civil carnage. Nearly a decade, the TRC report, regrettably, has no genuine impact or general will for implementation in Liberia. Instead, the nation of Liberia remained very fragile with economic, political, social, and cultural biases at an all-time high. It is in this regard that the Liberian Historical and Civil war Memorial will address these graphic history of Liberia from its foundation to present through:

1.   To promote peace, reconciliation, human rights, and democracy by documenting and memorizing catastrophic events;

2.   To raise funds, solicit contributions, and conduct other fundraising and charitable activities related to this historic center;

3.   To accept gifts, contributions, and other funds in furtherance of the memorial’s public purposes; and

4.   To carry out such other acts and to undertake such other activities as may be necessary, appropriate, or desirable in furtherance of or in connection with any of the foregoing purposes.

Henceforth, the Liberian Historical and Civil War Memorial activities are coordinated through a network of professional individuals and organizations across the vast Liberian diaspora and homeland of Liberia. The leadership is comprised of Liberian professionals from diverse political and social persuasions. The leadership structure is based on mutual interests in justice for Liberian war victims. The organization activities are supported by individual member financial, intellectual skills, and the collective passion for justice as defined by the All Liberian Diaspora Conference (ALDC).