Liberia’s President has issued a formal apology to victims of the country’s two civil wars, acknowledging the state’s failure to protect its citizens during years of conflict between 1989 and 2003.
Speaking during an official ceremony on Saturday, the President said, “To every victim of our civil wars, to every broken family, to every shattered dream, we say: we are sorry. The State could have done more.”
The two civil wars left around 250,000 people dead, while countless others suffered rape, mutilation, displacement, and recruitment as child soldiers. The apology is seen as a major step toward national healing and reconciliation.
Despite years of calls for justice, no war crimes trials have been held in Liberia. Instead, perpetrators have faced prosecution abroad, including in the United States and several European countries.
In a major shift, Liberia’s government in 2024 approved the creation of a war crimes tribunal to address past atrocities. However, the proposed court is expected to cost around $100 million, raising concerns about funding.
The move has been praised by the international community, with the United Nations and foreign governments urging Liberia to follow through with its commitment to justice and accountability.
