But How True Is This?
PHOTO: (L-R) Massare victims and survivor leader Peterson Sonyah and international investigator Alan White
By Alfred Kollie alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
Monrovia- As the Boakai administration makes concrete move towards establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court, some victims of Liberia’s Civil War have accused international war crimes investigator, Alan White of ‘unauthorized use of signatures’ collected by Emmanuel Savice.
Mr. White is to react to this claim and their claim is yet to be independently verified.
But in a stunning revelation, the Liberia Massacre Survivors Association (LIMASA) here has come forward to speak out against Alan White, who is an American, for allegedly using their signatures without consent.
The victims and survivors, who endured the horrors of the civil war from 1989 to 2003, expressed their outrage at White’s alleged actions, claiming that he misrepresented their cause.
According to Mr. Peterson Sonyah, Executive Director of LIMASA, the signatures in question were gathered in collaboration with Mr. Emmanuel Savice, a key figure in the initiatives to support the victims and survivors.
“Shockingly, it was discovered that our signatures had been provided to White and his associates in the United States without our knowledge or permission,” Mr. Sonyah noted in a press statement.
According to the Liberia Massacre Victims and Survivors Association, the White has been utilizing their signatures to solicit support and funding under the false pretense of being an advocate for their cause.
Mr. Sonyah asserted that they never authorized the American international war crimes investigator to represent them, share their stories, or use their signatures for his personal benefit.
The group now says their identities were exploited without their consent.
“In response to White’s alleged misuse of our signatures, the victims and survivors are taking legal action against him. We are resolute in our demand for accountability and justice, expressing our concerns that White actions could jeopardize the progress we have made in seeking redress for the atrocities experienced during the civil war,” LIMASA head stated.
The statement signed by the group’s Executive Director, Peterson Sonyah is calling for a thorough investigation by the U.S. Congress and other relevant bodies.
It maintains that the victims and survivors will hold Mr. White accountable for his actions and clarify that he does not represent them or their cause in any capacity.
At the same time, LIMASSA has reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for justice for victims of Liberia’s 14 years of brutal civil war, which claimed the lives of a United Nations-estimated 250,000 people.
They have vowed not to allow the ‘unauthorized use of signatures’ collected to impede their pursuit of accountability and restitution.
The victims and survivors of Liberia’s civil war emphasized the importance of ensuring that their voices are heard and that their cause is not exploited for personal gain.
They are urging Liberian authorities to take decisive action to prevent similar incidents in the future and safeguard the rights and dignity of all victims and survivors.