Monrovia – Despite increasing calls for the establishment of a war crimes court, a former Minister of Information under former President Charles Taylor, Madam Victoria Reffel, thinks that it is not a good idea for Liberia.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo, [email protected]
“Let us remember that it is not a war crimes court that can solve our problem. Let us reflect and think back what we all did during the war years,” she asserted over the weekend at an honoring program for Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, Cultural Ambassador Juli Endee and Mr. Isaac Woods.
Ms. Reffel, who served as a former Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism during Mr. Taylor’s regime further stated that when such court is setup, every family will be affected.
“Nobody here will tell me that no one of his or her family members was not part and parcel of the war,” she said.
According to her the peace process was not an inclusive one and that some of those in prison today had gone through “trials and tribulations in trying to get Liberia back on course; pray for them and don’t condemn.”
She wants Liberians prove that they can shake hands, hug each other and have a smile; adding: “There is nothing better in life than to be happy — eat, drink and be merry. Remember there is one thing no matter the money you have in the world, you must be happy.”
She urged Liberians to avoid insulting past and present leaders and Liberians should pray for reconciliation instead of a war crimes court.
