The National Transitional Government of Liberia has finally set into motion
a National Commission to trace perpetrators of 29 October 2004 violent disturbances
in Monrovia and beyond.
More than a dozen reputable Liberians chaired by the Executive Director
of Center for Democratic Empowerment (CEDE), Ezekiel Pajebo, were recently
given the gavel of authority at the Executive Mansion to immediately begin
a thorough investigation into the core of the violence.
Transitional Chairman Gyude Bryant challenged members of the Commission
not to leave any stone unturned as the investigation marks the onset of
genuine insurance of the rule of law.
Chairman Bryant stressed that the Commission must painstakingly unearth
the criminal intent of the incident, noting. “the government would
implement any recommendations drawn from the Commission’s investigation
without fear or favor.”
Before the induction ceremony, Justice Minister Kabeneh Ja’neh recounted
the negative impact of the lawlessness, which he recalled included the loss
of more than twenty lives while over one million US dollars worth of property
destroyed.
The NTGL, he said, immediately set up a security committee which comprised
the Ministries of Justice, Defense, National Security, the Bureau of Fire
Service, National Security Agency, amongst others, to preliminarily investigate
the incident before constituting the Commission.
He urged the Commission to ensure that its investigation covers the cultural,
security, social economic and political implications of the incident in
order to avoid the reoccurrence of such ugly situation in the future.
The Commission’s chairman, Ezekiel Pajebo, assured Chairman Bryant
and the Liberian people that everything will be done ensure justice. He
regarded the task as a drive toward the principle of the rule of law and
good governance which constrains everyone to be responsible for their own
action.
Mr. Pajebo then urged the government and its partners in progress to support
whatever it entails to conduct such investigation in a free, fair and transparent
manner, adding, “we will hit the ground.”
Meanwhile, the Commission is expected to file in its report within sixty
days.