This archive report was first published on 2 October 2019.
Published on October 2, 2019, by BBC.
Liberian President George Weah has sparked disappointment among human rights groups by expressing reluctance to establish a war crimes court to try those involved in the country's civil war.
Speaking after his return from the UN General Assembly, Mr Weah questioned the timing of calls for a war crimes court, saying: “I don’t understand what you all want. Since we came to power, I have not one day called for [a] war crimes court.”
Mr Weah's stance is a huge disappointment for those who had hoped that he, as someone who was not involved in the civil war, would champion the formation of a war crimes court to achieve justice for victims.
Thousands were mutilated and raped during the conflict between rebel groups and government forces, which ended in 2018.
Mr Weah, a former football star, took office in January 2018 after defeating opposition candidate Joseph Boakai in elections.
