MONROVIA – President Joseph Boakai reportedly finds himself in dilemma in picking his Minister of Justice who would double as Attorney General as his Vice President, Jeremiah Koung and political ally, Prince Johnson are prevailing on him to pick the chairman of their party, the MDR.
By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]
Insiders say President Boakai had resolved to appoint a member of the Unity Party league of lawyers, Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi, to the top-notch position. This was evidenced by the appearance of his name on a list of nominees for various positions, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Liberia Revenue Authority. This list circulated on social media and various chatrooms on Wednesday. However, it was said not to be authentic. The official list, released late Wednesday evening, bore all the names seen on the initial list, along with additional nominations for the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Education. The Ministry of Justice was removed from the updated list, thereby, raising eyebrows.
FrontPageAfrica gathered that the removal of Cllr. Massaquoi from the list was triggered by the disagreement of Nimba County Senator Prince Johnson along with his protégé, Vice President Jeremiah Koung. The pair had been pressuring the President to nominate Cllr. Cooper Kruah for the post.
Insiders familiar with the situation speculate that Senator Johnson’s proposal, stemming from his past as a warlord with a controversial background, may be a reaction to the President’s recent announcement regarding the initiation of feasibility studies for a war and economic crimes court. It is believed that Senator Johnson, seeking to exert influence, may be attempting to appoint an Attorney General who could act as a shield, potentially hindering or impeding the establishment of the court.
A diplomatic source speaking to FrontPageAfrica on condition of anonymity said Wednesday that the idea of Kruah heading the Ministry of Justice is generating a lot of disappointment, especially regarding the issue of war crimes and the former warlord Prince Johnson’s likely influence over a critical justice post.
The Biden administration has also reportedly made promises of some form of financial assistance toward the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia.
Sen. Johnson: The Warlord
The list of those Sen. Johnson killed during the war is endless and they include some very good and talented people: Fred Blay, former minister of Labor in Samuel Doe’s government, Larry Borteh, a former member of the People’s Redemption Council, Michael Doe, a former employee of Hotel Africa, who, according to eyewitnesses, was thrown from a high upper floor to the ground at the hotel.
Eric Scott, a former Liberian Diplomat at the Liberian embassy in Washington and husband of Mrs. Debbie Scott, the proprietor of the School of Prime System (SPS), Tilma Momolue Gardiner, former Senior Security officer for President William V.S. Tubman and Acting Director of Police during the Administration of William Tolbert.
The list of Mr. Johnson’s victims also includes musical icons, Tecumseh Roberts, Gedeh Rooster and Robert Toe.
What Boakai Promised
In his inaugural message, President Boakai was emphatic on the need to hold people accountable for war and economic crimes.
Boakai: “An estimated quarter of a million of our people perished in the war. We cannot forever remain unmoved by this searing national tragedy without closure,” the president stated, acknowledging the painful chapter in Liberia’s history.
To bring about this closure and ensure accountability, President Boakai announced a bold initiative. “We have decided to set up an office to explore the feasibility for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) to provide an opportunity for those who bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity to account for their actions in court.”
He continued: “We shall seek advice and assistance from the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General to ensure that the court, if found feasible, will be in compliance with the highest standards of similar courts everywhere.”
