Communicating Justice

Fishtown, February 27, 2008 – Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Wednesday facilitated acts of reconciliation between a victim and a perpetrator at public hearings in Fishtown, the capital of River Gee County in eastern Liberia. This is the first time since the TRC hearings got under way in the country that a perpetrator has publicly acknowledged his wrongdoing, sat face to face with his victim and asked for forgiveness.

The time of reconciliation came when former fighter Washington Moore decided to reconcile with witness Martha Watkins, who had accused him of responsibility for the 2003 murder of her husband Richard Watkins in Glarro Yougbor, River Gbeh in River Gee county.

Liberians fleeing homes. March 2003
Photo © IRIN

Witnesses Solo Teah, Hilary Watkins and Obaba Kesseh had also earlier accused Moore and one Zico Dallieh of being responsible for the death of three prominent citizens of the town, including Richard Watkins. They said that Watkins, Amos Dweh and Amos Nyenoh, who were allegedly arrested by Moore on the orders of Zico Dallieh and former rebel general Paye Suah, were subsequently killed on April 19th 2003 in River Gbeh.

Amidst cheers and applause from onlookers at the Fishtown city hall, Moore openly apologized to Madam Watkins for her husband’s death, saying that his actions were not intentional. Moore, a son of Glarro Yougbor in River Gbeh, told the TRC that he fought for Citizens Defence Force (CDF) after General Suah had earlier threatened to kill him and his entire family if he did not join. He said General Suah of MODEL tried on three occasions to take his life, and that when he was caught by some of Suah’s fighters he had no choice but to join the CDF. As a member of the CDF, he was taking orders directly from General Zico Dallieh and Paye Suah.

For her part, witness Martha Watkins said she has forgiven Moore for what he did, but said it will also be very important for Moore to confront the family of her late husband Richard Watkins. Moore and Mrs. Watkins were later seen holding hands together as a symbol of reconciliation, as the crowd applauded.

Local chiefs and traditional leaders told the TRC that the two citizens’ decision to reconcile with each other will serve as an example to many, not only in River Gee county but in other counties where the TRC is expected to hold its public hearings. Dressed in a gold country cloth and a traditional hat, the speaker of the traditional council, Chief Paye, said they will take the families of Moore and Watkins to perform traditional rituals for them, to seal the covenant of reconciliation.

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