Communicating Justice

Monrovia, Liberia, 8th January, 2008 - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf urged all members of her government to appear before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission if necessary, as TRC hearings kicked off Tuesday at the historic Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia.

“We call upon all officials of government, all Liberians, to give fullest support to this process,” President Sirleaf declared.  “We call upon all Liberians from all ranks, the president included, to respond to the TRC when called to do so, thereby obviating the need for the TRC to use its subpoena powers.”

Public education sign, Monrovia, Liberia. 
July 2007. Photo: © Nesryn Bouziane BBC 
World Service Trust.

Performing the official opening of the long awaited TRC hearings, the president urged Liberians to be honest, truthful and explain what they know of events that tore the country apart. She said this would serve as a catalyst for genuine peace and reconciliation.

President Sirleaf apologized to the Liberian people for what she termed the role of governments, either by commission or omission, in the Liberian crisis. 

TRC head Commissioner Jerome Verdier promised a transparent process that will collect accurate information from witnesses -- victims as well as perpetrators -- of crimes committed  during the long civil war that ravaged Africa’s oldest Black independent nation. He urged witnesses to tell the truth, and to be tolerant and patient during the hearings process.

Cllr. Verdier said there have been differences amongst the Liberian people and admitted that those differences still persist today. But he said only the truth telling process can heal the wounds. He described the TRC process as an ultimate forum for witnesses, victims and perpetrators to recount their experiences in a society that had been in denial.

Cllr. Verdier said the crisis was caused by Liberians and all are victims, but that there are some whose stories must be heard and their suffering acknowledged. He said it was a national obligation to restore their dignity.

Witness takes the stand
David Saywah was one of three witnesses who appeared at the opening hearing, describing how his sister had died after allegedly being raped by 25 rebel fighters of the defunct NPFL. Witness Saywah grieved in agony as he narrated the raping of his 16-year old sister.

Saywah told the TRC that on December 3, 1994, his sister along with five hundred other villagers were gathered in a village square and divided into groups. He said his sister was serving as a Bassa-English interpreter for the fighters to understand the locals.

Saywah said that some time later, the fighters’ commander repeatedly requested her to appear before him. However, when she refused he ordered 25 men to rape her in the midst of the other villagers.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established by the Accra Comprehensive Peace Accord of August 2003. The peace accord and the departure into exile of former president Charles Taylor finally ended the nearly 14-year Liberian civil war.

The TRC is mandated to investigate gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed from 1979 to 2003. Its work will include making recommendations to the national government.

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