Monrovia, Liberia – The Government of Liberia has come under fire from the Liberia NGOs Network (LINNK), which serves as the umbrella organization for all national NGOs, CSOs, and CBOs in the country, for barring the network from the selection committee for the position of Executive Director of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) of Liberia.
The network, which is the highest body representing all NGOs, CSOs, and CBOs, claims to have noticed a significant oversight in the formation of the vetting committee entrusted with finding, screening, and endorsing three candidates to President Joseph N. Boakai for the appointment of the new Executive Director for the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.
In a press release dated August 17, 2024, the National Chairman of LINNK, Evangelist Stephen B. Norman, stated that LINNK, as the umbrella organization representing the collective voices and interests of the Liberian people, feels compelled to address its exclusion from the vetting committee.
He stated that LINNK, which was founded in 2003, is in charge of managing all national NGOs, CSOs, and CBOs with regard to matters of accountability and transparency at the federal level. Notably, LINNK was instrumental in the formation of Liberia’s National Civil Society Council.
According to LINNK Chairman, the Network considers the omission from the Presidential Recruitment and Vetting Committee to be a grave error that has to be looked at right away.
“As an independent institution established by law with the support of the EU, UNDP, and other partners, LINNK has a strong history of advocacy both in Liberia and globally.
The organization participated in the War Crimes Court (no peace without justice special court) in Sierra Leone and served as the founding chairman of the Outreach Secretariat of Liberia, which raised awareness about the trial of former Liberian President Charles G. Taylor in Sierra Leone and The Hague.”
He further mentioned that LINNK is a member of the International Council on Social Protection and serves as the Treasurer for West Africa.
According to Evangelist Norman’s press release, on July 30, 2024, LINNK, the country’s leading coalition of national NGOs, CSOs, and CBOs, began a broad public education campaign to underscore the significance of setting up the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia and guaranteeing citizen participation for peace, justice, and accountability.
For the sake of peace, justice, and accountability, the chairman of the Liberia NGOs Network stated that, in his capacity as the umbrella group that speaks for the people, he has urged President Boakai to include LINNK in the War and Economic Crimes Court of Liberia’s vetting committee.
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
