By: PanAfrican.email News Desk
Liberia’s fragile post-war peace is once again under strain following disturbing allegations involving a notorious figure from its brutal civil conflict. Joshua Milton Blahyi, infamously known during the First Liberian Civil War as “General Butt Naked,” is reported to have issued threats against Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah and members of his delegation during a recent visit to Grand Gedeh County.
Blahyi, a former warlord who gained international notoriety for openly confessing to ritual killings, acts of cannibalism, and leading a militia of child soldiers while naked during battle, has, in more recent years, attempted to recast himself as a preacher and advocate for reconciliation. However, this latest incident raises serious questions about the sincerity of his transformation and the ongoing risks posed by former war actors who continue to wield informal power in various parts of Liberia.
Representative Kolubah, a vocal critic of government corruption and a figure often embroiled in political controversy, reportedly traveled to Grand Gedeh to engage with constituents and address broader national concerns. The alleged threats by Blahyi, who remains a polarizing and deeply traumatic figure in Liberian memory, have ignited widespread concern on social media and within civil society.
Though no official charges or legal action have been announced, the incident underscores the long-standing challenges Liberia faces in balancing peace with justice. The country’s post-war Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), established to document atrocities and recommend accountability measures, issued a list of individuals—including Blahyi—who were to be barred from holding public office and brought before a war crimes tribunal. Yet, nearly two decades later, implementation of those recommendations remains stalled.
Human rights advocates and diaspora Liberians are calling on President Joseph Boakai’s administration to address the renewed spotlight on impunity. Many warn that allowing warlords or their affiliates to intimidate elected officials sends a dangerous message, particularly to young Liberians who grew up in the shadow of conflict and are now demanding transparency and justice.
This incident not only revives painful memories of Liberia’s devastating wars but also highlights the unresolved tension between peace-building and accountability. As calls for the establishment of a war crimes court grow louder, the government’s response—or lack thereof—may shape the country’s political landscape for years to come.
Observers across West Africa and within Pan-African solidarity circles argue that Liberia’s experience should serve as a cautionary tale for post-conflict nations: true reconciliation cannot occur without justice. Until Liberia confronts its violent past with a firm commitment to accountability, episodes like this will continue to threaten the country’s hard-won peace.
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