The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Liberia has released its final report recommending that the Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf be barred from holding public office for thirty years for participating in the destabilization of the country.
During her appearance before the TRC last year, President Sirleaf admitted that she gave US$10,000 to then defunct NPFL leader Charles Taylor for “relief purposes”, but the former spokesman of the defunct NPFL, Tom Woewiyu said the President provided over $500,000 to the front and even sponsored the training of some rebel fighters.
This recommendation, if endorsed, will affect the president’s second term bid.
TRC Chairman Counselor Jerome Verdier told a press conference Thursday that in its report submitted to the National Legislature, the TRC also recommended the prosecution of former NPFL leader Charles Taylor, now on trial in the Hague for his role in the Sierra Leone conflict.
Also to face prosecution are defunct Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia leader Senator Prince Y. Johnson, former defunct ULIMO-K leader Alhaji Kromah, , defunct Liberia Peace Council leader Dr. George Boley and defunct MODEL warring faction leader Thomas Yaya Nimely.
Others are the leader of the defunct rebel LURD, Sekou Damate Konneh, Francois Massaquoi of the defunct LDF (now deceased) and the leader of the defunct ULIMO-J faction Roosevelt Johnson (now deceased).
The TRC’s recommendations have to meet legislative approval before they can become binding.
Source African Press Agency
