By Thomas Kai Toteh

Today, thousands of Liberians are awaiting deportation because of the expiration of their temporary stay in the US. Thousand other Liberians at home are victims of the war.  Before Liberia’s civil war, Liberians were living peacefully and safely in Liberia. 

Before the war, Liberians felt comfortable with their lives in their homeland. The mass departure of Liberians to the US and elsewhere is unequivocally the result of the combination of US-Liberian politicians’ planned war. From all indications and beyond reasonable doubt, US played an important role in the destabilization and the consequent devastation of lives and properties in Liberians, of which those on Temporary Protective Status (TPS) in the US are no exception.

Currently in Liberia, truth and reconciliation is taking place to give victims of the war relief and justice. Victims of the war are not limited to people physically injured, but to all Liberians, including babies, women, the elderly, who are without running water, jobs, and electricity in Liberia, and those Liberians who fled Liberia to become refugees and asylum seekers in Africa, Europe, America, and the rest of the world.  

The key warlord, Mr. Charles Taylor is presently facing war crimes charges in The Hague, Netherlands, Europe. Liberians at home and abroad are pressing the Liberian government and the International Community to bring alleged perpetrators of the war to face war crimes charges either in Liberia or at the International Court of Justice.

In 1980, Liberia’s 19^th president, William Richard Tolbert was assassinated in a bloody coup. Later, it was discovered that the US government had their hand in the bloody coup. US late President Ronald Regan’s administration rewarded the military juntas with $500, 000. 000. In addition to the financial reward, the Regan’s administration politically endorsed the blood-stained Doe government on grounds that Liberia was ruled by one-party for a long time. However, evidence is there to prove that US aided the bloody overthrow of Liberia’s 19^th president William R. Tolbert because of his foreign policies.  In 1980, Mr. Taylor fled to the United States as a fugitive when he allegedly embezzled approximately one million dollars. The government of Liberia sought his extradition to face prosecution, but the US government refused to extradite him.

Unfortunately, Charles Taylor surfaced in Liberia to wage one of Africa’s bloodiest wars leaving thousands of Liberians and Sierra Leoneans dead and crippled, and leaving those countries with a mass destruction of infrastructure. While ordinary citizens, politicians, and former warlords are appearing before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to explain or deny their roles in the civil war, the US government has yet to make its role officially clear to the Liberian people. Nevertheless, there is evidence to prove that the US government had its hands in the civil war.  

Yes, I do believe and I acknowledge US financial support to the Liberian government, but much is needed of the country that is historically attached to Liberia. Liberian children and the elderly in particular, must be compensated for their pains, suffering, and betrayal of trust. 

Consequent of the preceding, I do hereby present this matter to the appropriate civil court to seek justice on behalf of Liberian victims. I believe and trust that justice will prevail for the poor and downtrodden people of Liberia.

 Thomas Kai Toteh, is a Freelance journalist/Writer