Liberian President Says No to War Crimes Court

Liberia’s president George Weah has dismissed calls to establish a war crimes court to investigate possible offences committed during the country’s second civil war.

The announcement came much to the dismay of human rights groups, who had hoped to see those they believe to have committed war crimes be put on the stand to face the law.

On his return from the UN General Assembly on Tuesday Mr. Weah suggested that the country had bigger problems to deal with: “Why now?  When we have economic issues, we’re trying to develop our country, why focus on a war crimes court now?”

Some had hoped that he would take a different stance, particularly owing to the fact that he was not involved in the conflict himself.  

Liberia played host to two civil wars in quick succession throughout the 1990s, the second of which didn’t come to an end until 2003.  Around 250,000 people were killed between 1999-2000, deposing the government of Charles Taylor.

Mr. Weah is just Liberia’s second democratically elected president since the end of the conflict, having been arguably the greatest football player Africa has ever produced.

The president enjoyed a prolific career, playing for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Monaco under Arsene Wenger, followed by stints at Paris Saint-German, AC Milan and Chelsea.

He is also the only African to have won the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual prize in football, picking up the award in 1995.  That same year he also FIFA World Player of the Year.