Author: Anthony Stephens

MONROVIA, Liberia—A man accused of trafficking women to Oman has been rearrested and detained on the directive of a local court in Monrovia nearly two weeks after he was released because prosecutors had not brought a case against him in the specified time. One of his alleged victims had told prosecutors she would no longer testify against him.

Read More

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa—Apartheid was a vicious system of racism and racial separation that ended 30 years ago here, just as Liberia was winding down its first civil war. Since then, South Africa has emerged as an economic powerhouse that implemented a Truth and Reconciliation process that activists, economists, and journalists credit with moving the country toward a more prosperous, equitable and inclusive society. Activists say Liberia has much to learn from that experience.

Read More

Saturday Tuah was a commander for the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL). Credit: Tuah’s Facebook page MONROVIA, Liberia — French authorities have charged Saturday Tuah, an alleged Liberian warlord with crimes against humanity. Tuah allegedly committed the crimes as a commander for the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), in Liberia’s first civil war between 1989-1996. Although Tuah was initially arrested, he’s been temporarily released. Tuah will make appearances to the authorities when the need arises. Believed to be in his late 50s, Tuah is barred from travelling out of France during this period. His indictment has been celebrated…

Read More

MONROVIA, Liberia—Friday marks twenty years since the official end of Liberia’s brutal civil wars that claimed the lives of estimated 250,000 people. Local and international human rights advocates are holding a conference in Monrovia to commemorate the signing of the Accra Peace Agreement on August 18, 2003. But instead of calling the intervening period “peace” the advocates insist it is only “stability” as long as Liberia does not hold those responsible for the wars to account.

Read More