The United States Congress has reportedly declined to provide financial support for Liberia’s War and Economic Crimes Court, citing concerns over government corruption in Liberia. This decision comes despite previous promises of funding from the Biden administration. US Ambassador accredited to Liberia Mark Toner stated that while the US will continue to offer technical assistance, no funding will be provided “not right now.”
The War and Economic Crimes Court aims to hold individuals accountable for past atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil wars. However, the court has faced significant challenges, including a lack of funding, which has resulted in staff going unpaid for months and uncertainty about the court’s future. Experts estimate that establishing a war crimes court could cost at least US$60 million.
The Trump administration decision to withhold funding is reportedly due to concerns over government corruption in Liberia. Some critics argue that the government has not demonstrated sufficient commitment to accountability and transparency. The Panoramic Justice Group, a Washington-based organization, has welcomed the United States decision, citing concerns over the misuse of the Office of Global Criminal Justice within the US Department of State.
Garkpe Gedepoh a retired U.S. Marine and Executive at the Panoramic Justice Group in Washington, D.C. expressed gratitude to the Trump administration for shutting down the Office of Global Criminal Justice due to the Office’s misguided and seemingly unlawful activities, including supporting illicit actions. This office had been misused by Ambassador Beth Sachaack and some questionable non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that were reportedly involved in recruiting, coaching, and paying witnesses to deliver false testimonies against those accused of war crimes. Notably, Alain Werner from Civitas Maxima in Switzerland and Hassan Bility from the Global Justice Research Project in Liberia were linked to these activities. Ambassador Sachaack had previously worked with the Center for Justice and Accountability in California. Interestingly, Cllr. Jallah Barbu, who is now the Executive Director of the Liberia War and Economic Crimes Office, once acted as a legal representative for both Alain Werner and Hassan Bility, who were facing legal challenges from Agnes Reeves Taylor.
Werner and Bility submitted a fraudulent affidavit under oath to the British Government, claiming that Agnes Reeves Taylor the ex-wife of former Liberian Charles Taylor murdered Margibi County Superintendent Amos Bohn in Kakata back in 1990. They also alleged that nurses and doctors were killed at Du Side Hospital in Division 10 Firestone. Based on this false affidavit, the British Government arrested Mrs. Taylor and imprisoned her for 27 months. Eventually, all charges were dropped, and to everyone’s surprise, Superintendent Bohn is alive and well in Britain, and no doctors or nurses were harmed at Du Side Hospital.
Currently, Kofi Woods, National Security Advisor to President Joseph Boakai, who lacks any background in law enforcement, military, or security science, is a friend of Alain Werner and has been accused of tampering with official records and protecting Werner from legal action. Samuel Kofi Woods, Minister of Justice Oswald Tweh and Inspector General Gregory Coleman, have been implicated in the torture of Andrew Lawson and Albert Weah who are currently facing trail for their alleged role in the arson attack of the Capitol Building in December 2024. Additionally, Woods and his associates made a failed attempt to recruit John Nyanti to falsely testify against former Speaker Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa.