The conflict in Liberia and subsequent transitional justice process through means of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission provide a unique opportunity to examine how the exploitation of religious and traditional identities/institutions became a means to fuel and perpetuate the conflict. Likewise, it also offers an example of how the strength and credibility of a religious community can be instrumental in facilitating formal peace processes.
The enabling statute that created the TRC of Liberia introduced for the first time in a truth and reconciliation commission a specific area of inquiry into the role of religious and traditional institutions, both in conflict and in peacebuilding. A separate subcommittee was created to examine these disparate roles in the context of Liberia's conflict. The directive to explore religious and traditional activities during the commission's hearings, statement-taking, and outreach efforts resulted in a rich collection of narratives that help inform our assessment of the roles religious and traditional leaders and institutions play in the midst of violence and conflict.
The following index from the TRC's Thematic Hearings directs readers to the actual transcripts or audio recordings of hearings and testimony relating to the role of religious and traditional institutions during the conflict and in peacebuilding. They are categorized by county and permit access either by the active link or by reference to the TRC website where the full set of hearings is retrievable. We hope you will find this valuable primary resource to be a beginning point for future examination for how religious leaders and institutions influence the dynamics of conflict.
TUBMANBURG CITY, BOMI COUNTY 4
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS, DAY 5: FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008 4
Presentation made by: Rev. Konnah B. Dowoh 4
Transcript link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/71
BOPOLU CITY, GBARPOLU COUNTY 7
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS, DAY 5: FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2008 7
Legislative Caucus - Presentation made by: Albert K. Samukai 7
Office of the Superintendent - Presentation made by: J. Yoko Rodgers 15
Transcript link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/66
BUCHANAN CITY, GRAND BASSA COUNTY 20
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS BUCHANAN, GRAND BASSA COUNTY 20
Elders and Chiefs - Presentation made by: Edward Damba 20
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS BUCHANAN CITY, GRAND BASSA COUNTY 22
Office of the Superintendent - Presentation made by: Charles Cole 22
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS BUCHANAN CITY, GRAND BASSA COUNTY 25
Liberian Council of Churches - Presentation made by: Clarence O. Reeves 25
Transcript link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/55.
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS BUCHANAN CITY, GRAND BASSA COUNTY 28
The Judiciary - Presentation made by: Elijah E. Weeks 28
CESTOS CITY, RIVER CESS COUNTY 32
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS, DAY 5: THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 32
Transcript link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/50.
GREENVILLE CITY, SINOE COUNTY 41
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS 41
Elders - Presentation made by: Emannuel S. Wesseh 41
Transcript link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/45.
Chiefs and Elders - Presentation made by: Jayllah Yannuh
VOINJAMA CITY, LOFA COUNTY 46
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS 47
Lofa Ministerial Council Of Churches (LMCC) - Presentation made by: Rev. Saizay Zubah 47
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC VOINJAMA CITY, LOFA COUNTY 49
Office of the Superintendent - Presentation made by: Rev. Hon. Kortima 49
Transcript Link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/60.
SANIQUELLIE CITY, NIMBA COUNTY 53
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS, DAY 4: FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008 53
Chiefs and Elders of Nimba County - Presentation made by: Henry W.S. Larkor 53
Transcript link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/75.
TUBMANBURG CITY, BOMI COUNTY 59
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS 59
Representative for the Religious Institutions - 59
Presentation made by: Mohammed B. Keita (Muslim Rep.) Ebenezer G. Lackor (Christian Rep.) 59
SANIQUELLIE CITY, NIMBA COUNTY 63
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS, DAY 5: SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2008 63
Civil Society - Presentation made by: Zawolo Z. Zuagele 63
Transcript link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/77
TUBMANBURG CITY, BOMI COUNTY 69
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS 69
Office of the Superintendent 69
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS TUBMANBURG CITY, BOMI COUNTY 83
Women of Nimba County - Presentation made by: Yaah Belleh, 83
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS TUBMANBURG CITY, BOMI COUNTY 88
Youth of Nimba County - Presentation made by: Joseph M. Kollie 88
FISH TOWN RIVER GEE COUNTY 94
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS 94
Traditional Leaders - Presentation made by: Rev. Anthony N. Chea. 94
Transcript link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/34.
BARCLAYVILLE CITY, GRAND KRU COUNTY 98
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS, DAY 4: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2008 98
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS BARCLAYVILLE CITY, GRAND KRU COUNTY 103
The Women - Presentation made by: Mrs. Anna J. Wreh 103
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS BARCLAYVILLE CITY, GRAND KRU COUNTY 111
Educational Institutions - Presentation made by: Jacob Kortie Nyewon DEO 111
Transcript link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/27.
HARPER CITY, MARYLAND COUNTY 116
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS 116
Presentation by Senator Gloria Musu Scott 116
Transcript link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/22
INSTITUTIONAL/THEMATIC HEARINGS, DAY 5: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2008 125
Forum for the Traditional Leaders, Religious Leaders and other interest groups of Maryland County. 125
Transcript link: http://trcofliberia.org/transcripts/23.