H. Res. 1055 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

November 13, 2018. 

Whereas today the United States is home to an estimated 

80,000 people of Liberian ancestry in vibrant communities across the country, who have been instrumental in 

America’s efforts to build a peaceful, democratic, and 

prosperous Liberia; 

Whereas Liberia and the United States share close historical, 

political, and economic ties over the course of a nearly 

200-year relationship; 

Whereas the people and Government of the United States 

have a deep interest in Liberia’s democratic stability and 

postconflict development; 

Whereas the civil war from 1991 to 2002 resulted in the 

death of over 200,000 people in Sierra Leone and Liberia, the displacement of over 1,000,000 persons, and the 

horrific cases of amputations, mass rape, and human 

rights abuses conducted under the leadership of Charles 

Taylor; 

Whereas Charles Taylor was convicted through the Special 

Court for Sierra Leone for 11 different charges of war 

crimes, crimes against humanity, such as rape, sexual 

abuse, and slavery, and violation of international law, including the use of child soldiers; 
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Whereas a comprehensive peace agreement was signed by the 

Government of Liberia, rebel groups, and political parties 

in 2003; 

Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as established under the 2003 comprehensive peace agreement, 

was formally created in 2005 with a mandate ‘‘to promote national peace, security, unity and reconciliation by 

investigating gross human rights violations and violations 

of humanitarian law, sexual violations, and economic 

crimes that occurred between January 1979 and October 

2003’’; 

Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released a 

report in December 2008 recommending the establishment of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal for Liberia 

and listed individuals, corporations, and institutions recommended for further investigation and prosecution, 

among other recommendations; 

Whereas the Government of Liberia has not fully implemented the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Agreement to date, including the establishment of 

an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal; 

Whereas Liberia experienced its first democratic and peaceful 

transition of power since 1944 after President Ellen 

Johnson Sirleaf respected constitutional term limits and 

George Weah defeated Vice President Joseph Boakai following a runoff during the 2017 Presidential elections; 

Whereas the United States congratulated the people of Liberia on the successful conclusion of the Presidential runoff 

election and recognized the important role Liberia’s Supreme Court, political parties, security forces, and civil 
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society organizations played in holding a peaceful and 

transparent contest; and 

Whereas the United States Government and American citizens have invested in Liberia to rebuild and support 

democratic institutions, postconflict recovery, economic 

growth, improved access to education and health care, 

professionalization of the country’s military and civilian 

security forces, and efforts to foster accountability and 

transparency of government institutions: Now, therefore, 

be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) upholds its commitment to maintain and foster 

the enduring relationship between the people and the 

Governments of the United States and Liberia; 

(2) urges the Government and people of Liberia to 

support the truth and reconciliation process through full 

implementation of the recommendations of the Truth 

and Reconciliation Commission, including the establishment of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal; and 

(3) supports efforts by the Department of State and 

United States Agency for International Development to 

advance Liberian efforts toward national reconciliation 
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through continued support for the rule of law, effective 

governance, and the robust role of civil society. 

Attest: 

Clerk.