Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi appointment’s received boost from the Liberia NGOs Network.
Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi appointment received boost from the Liberia NGOs Network.
By: Lawrence D. Kawala
Dozens of civil society organizations of Liberia on Thursday, July 4, 2024 signed a joint resolution supporting Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi, as Executive Director of the office of the War & Economic Crimes Court. The signing ceremony was done at the headquarters of Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) in Congo Town with the Executive Members of various organizations affixing their signatures on the resolution.Addressing a press briefing on behalf of civil society organizations, former CDC Chairman Mulbah Morlu said President Boakai deserves commendation for demonstrating the political will to initiate crucial steps toward establishing a war and economic crimes court to prosecute alleged perpetrators, While past administrations deserve criticism for failing not to fulfill their patriotic, international, moral, and legal duties to establish a judicial framework addressing past abuses.It can be recorded that on May 2, 2024, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai signed Executive Order #131 on the Establishment of the Office of a War and Economic Crimes Court of Liberia.The groups commend the Legislature, under the leadership of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and Senate Pro Tempore Nyomblee Karngar-Lawrence for passing the resolution calling for the establishment of the War & Economic Crimes Court of Liberia.”With the implementation of this decision we Liberians will not benefits from the penalties of past victims but it will also present an opportunity for progress in a nation where war victims continue to suffer under corrupt economic governance” Morlu further stated. The former CDC official in a statement said that it is unfortunate that since the end of the civil war, Liberia’s democratic governance has been hindered by weak infrastructure and systemic institutional failures, despite the tragic loss of 250,000 innocent lives.Moreover, STAND Executive Director, Mulbah Morlu told the press, “even greater concern is the fact that a significant portion of Liberia’s youth is increasingly vulnerable to rising crime and drug abuse, threatening the stability and development of lives. Additionally, he said Liberia’s present and future is entangled with violent crime rates which remain alarmingly across the country, exacerbating Liberia’s challenge with impunity, despite two decades of relative peace and stability. He further stated that, corruption has plagued all governments, past and present, accelerating Liberia’s moral decline into an abyss. The lack of successful prosecution of public officials and a firm political will to combat waste and abuse have worsened official corruption, fostering a culture of impunity.Those who signed the resolution authorized by various leadership structures of the groups include; Mulbah K Morlu, Chairman (Solidarity and Trust for a New Day – STAND)K. Veronica Slorboh, General Coordinator (Liberia NGOs Network – LINNK)Beatrice Togbah Wuo, Program Coordinator ( Liberia NGOs Network – LINNK)Rosetta B. Choloplay, Secretary General ( Liberia NGOs Network – LINNK)Mark D. Flomo, National Director (Global Justice Peace & Human Rights Advocacy Network – GHRPHRAN)Amb. Konah K. R. Gaytee ( Global Advancement for Refugees Migrants and Stateless Persons Incorporated – GARMS) andStephen B. Norman, National Chairman/ Executive Director ( Liberia NGOs Network – LINNK)The groups ensured that recognizing the power of the President of Liberia, H.E. Joseph Boakai pursuant to his constitutional authority to appoint an Executive Director in the office of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia. They revealed their support for the appointment of Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi as Executive Director is based upon his vast knowledge in conflict resolution and Judiciary understanding.
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