President Joseph Boakai signed an executive order on Thursday to establish a war crimes court in Liberia, aiming to bring justice to the victims of the country's brutal civil wars. These wars, which occurred between 1989 and 2003, resulted in an estimated 250,000 deaths and were marked by widespread atrocities such as mass killings, torture, and sexual violence.
Human rights groups have documented horrific acts, including gang rapes of girls and the recruitment of children as soldiers, often after witnessing the murder of their parents. The establishment of the court follows years of advocacy by victims and activists for justice.
