A delegation of representatives from multiple U.S. security agencies for the first time in many years are currently in the Liberian capital Monrovia to assist in the establishment of the West African nation’s war crimes tribunal according to statement posted on the US Embassy in Monrovia Facebook platform.
The unprecedented visit of these top level US security actors from agencies including the Department of State’s Office of Global Criminal Justice, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, coincides with recent report regarding the presence of Russian mercenaries in Liberia.
Official United States Justice Department statement however insists the delegation will be in Liberia from September 22-24, 2024 to strengthen cooperation and contribute to Liberia’s efforts to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court.
Liberia has been working to address the legacy of its civil war, which lasted from 1989 to 2003 and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 250,000 people.
The conflict was marked by widespread human rights abuses, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. The establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court is seen as a crucial step in the country’s pursuit of justice and accountability for these atrocities.
The U.S. delegation will meet with representatives from the Liberian government, law enforcement, the legal sector, and civil society to build partnerships, exchange ideas, and share experiences in prosecuting complex cases in a trauma-informed and victim-centric way, it said.
“The delegation brings extensive expertise in investigating and prosecuting war crimes and other atrocity crimes, as well as providing support for victims.
The civil war in Liberia was a devastating period in the country’s history, with widespread human rights abuses and a profound impact on the lives of its citizens.
“We commend Liberia’s commitment to build a War and Economic Crimes Court, and we are proud to send this delegation to Liberia to support local efforts towards justice and accountability,” said Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack.
“We stand ready to be a partner as Liberia takes on this challenge, and we hope this visit will be the start of a productive relationship, where both U.S. and Liberian officials can learn from each other.”
