Washington D.C. – Stanley Delano Quaye, a Liberian human rights campaigner based in Canada says international support and legitimatization of President-elect Joseph Boakai’s administration will be determined by his willingness and commitment to address critical national issues like the War Crime court, corruption, human rights, and the economy, something the outgoing President George Weah did not do.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-[email protected]
Quaye, a former banker is currently residing in Ottawa, Canada.
Speaking on the state of affairs of Liberia in Washington D.C, the United States of America over the weekend at the Jamal Khashoggi Memorial Forum for journalists, writers, and intellectuals, Mr. Quaye told international stakeholders and journalists attending the forum that the fate of the new government in Liberia will be determined by their commitment to institute reforms in the Country.
He mentioned that all cooperation and assistance to Liberia will be tied to the new government’s political willingness to reform the system and urgently address issues like the War Crime Court, corruption, human rights, and the economy.
Lamenting on the War Crimes Court, Mr. Quaye says Liberia endured two civil wars for 14 years that resulted in widespread atrocities, including war crimes and human rights abuses.
According to the human rights campaigner, the aftermath of the civil unrest has left a legacy of impunity, with many perpetrators of heinous crimes remaining unpunished and occupying public office.
“Every effort made to establish a War Crimes Court in Liberia to address the atrocities committed during the civil wars has been sabotaged by former warlords and the lack of political will on the part of past Presidents. As a result, progress has been slow, and there has been a huge outcry against injustice in the country. As a result, lawlessness such as secret killings and violence are prominent in the country,” he stressed.
Quaye added: “Establishing a court to prosecute war criminals is crucial for accountability, reconciliation, and the prevention of future conflicts.”
Also, at the gathering, the human rights campaigner calls on the European Union, Canada, and the U.S.A. to place serious sanctions on any politician, including members of the Liberian legislature that will sabotage an act to establish the War and Economic Crime Court in the country.
He cautioned: “President-elect Boakai must not make the same mistake of his predecessors.
Mr. Quaye also told the forum that Liberia’s political elites are inherently corrupt. Therefore, corruption has been a longstanding issue in Liberia, affecting governance, public services, and economic development.
The past and present governments have faced challenges in combating corruption effectively as a result of courting corrupt politicians.
Mr. Quaye asked the United States Government and the E.U. to place severe sanctions on banks and other financial institutions in Liberia that assist politicians in laundering money and squandering the country’s resources.
Speaking on the issue of human rights, Mr. Quaye stated that Liberia has been faced with serious human rights challenges arising from the civil wars, including issues related to displacement, over-crowded prisons, sexual violence, child abuse, and other abuses such as marginalization of ethnic, religious and sexual minorities in the country.
“President-Elect Boakai needs to urgently address these issues or risk failure,” the human rights campaigner stated.
Adding up, Quaye stressed that Liberia’s economy has faced challenges, including high unemployment rates, limited infrastructure, and dependence on commodity exports.
Efforts to diversify and strengthen the economy he says are crucial for sustainable development. He calls on President-elect Boakai to fully implement the Liberianization Policy and fight climate change for the good of the Liberian people.
“Unless issues like corruption, human rights violations, and War Crime Court are addressed, economic growth that involves attracting foreign investments, promoting agriculture, and improving infrastructure will remain an illusion,” Quaye lamented.
He added: “Addressing corruption and improving the business environment are essential for creating a conducive atmosphere for economic development.”