The President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) Cllr. Sylvester D. Rennie and United States Ambassador to Liberia Mark Christopher Toner have held talks on the establishment of a war and economic crimes court and strengthening of diplomatic relations.
The both statesmen exchanged thoughts at a recent Transitional Justice Stakeholders Roundtable hosted by the new U.S Ambassador at the U.S Embassy in Monrovia in honour of the LNBA and other stakeholders. In an LNBA release dated Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the Bar used the occasion to welcome and congratulate the newly accredited U.S Ambassador to Liberia.
The LNBA said Toner’s accreditation and appointment by President Joe Biden is critical to improving the traditional relationship between Liberia and the United States.
The release said both the LNBA President and the U.S Ambassador seriously emphasized the importance of Liberia’s rule of law programs, and promised to support mechanisms for the establishment of the war and economic crimes court which they believe is intended to bring accountability and closure to war era atrocities after over twenty years of civil hostility as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (TRC)
The Bar said the meeting was intended for acquaintance and to elevate the serious conversation about the role of the LNBA and relevant civil society organizations in complementing the political will of President Joseph N. Boakai government in addressing Transitional Justice issue such as the establishment of a war and economic crimes court.
The release said Ambassador Toner reaffirmed the U.S Government’s commitment to collaborate with the LNBA and relevant institutions to address challenges to the rule of law, accountability and governance in Liberia, as the rule of law is central to the U.S approach to promoting justice, peaceful and inclusive societies in line with democratic institutions.
The LNBA release quoted Ambassador Toner as saying that access to legal services remains critical to poverty reduction, gender equality and sustainable growth and development in Liberia, guarantees the respect for all and protection for human rights in any democratic nation.
