Liberia’s Senate on Tuesday approved the establishment of war crimes court that could bring justice to victims of abuse during the country’s two civil wars.
President Joseph Boakai proposed the resolution, which lawmakers backed during a vote in Liberia’s lower house last month.
The bill scaled through second vote with the backing of 27 out of 29 senators in the Senate.
The bill requires Boakai assent to come into force.
The move has been welcomed by activists and civil society groups that have called for more accountability for crimes committed in1989 and 2003 Liberia civil wars.
Around 250,000 people were killed in conflicts that included massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers.
A truth and reconciliation committee has been calling for special court to bring those responsible for war crimes to justice, but no concrete action was taken until Boakai was elected last year.
Though, some in Liberia have opposed its creation, saying it risks reopening old wounds and could undermine an existing amnesty law that helped end the fighting.
