Boakai’s executive order to establish a war crimes court is meant to bring overdue justice to victims of serious abuses committed during the West African country’s two civil wars that killed around 250,000 people from 1989 to 2003.

Liberian President Joseph Boakai has signed an executive order establishing the country’s first war crimes court, more than 20 years after the end of two civil wars that killed around 250,000 people from 1989 to 2003.

Lawmakers in Parliament, including some who are expected to face prosecution under the court, passed a resolution calling for the move last month.

The conflicts between 1989 and 2003 saw widespread atrocities including mass killings, rape, and the forced recruitment of child soldiers. A Truth and Reconciliation Committee set up in 2006 by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf later called for a special court to be set up to try those allegedly responsible.

However, no concrete action was taken until Boakai was elected last year.

The president proposed a resolution to create the special court, which was later backed by Liberia’s lower house and senate.

On Thursday, Boakai thanked the legislators for their work and gave his final approval.

“The conviction that brings us here today is that, for peace and harmony to have a chance to prevail, justice and healing must perfect the groundwork,” he said as he signed the order to the applause of lawmakers and ministers.

Boakai said Liberia had “endured downpours of agony” and that the country needed to establish the truth about the violence and “to justly apportion the blame and rewards wherever they may lie”. He added that the court would “help ferret the causes and effects of the violence”.

Although some of those behind the violence have faced prosecution abroad, no one has been held legally accountable within Liberia for the atrocities that left deep scars on generations of people in the West African country that was founded 200 years ago by freed slaves from the United States.

It was unclear on Friday how many cases might come before the court and when they might begin. Many of the perpetrators, and their victims, have since died.

Once up and running, the court would operate in Liberia in line with international standards, with back-up from international institutions, including the United Nations. It will also handle economic crimes.

The creation of the court has been welcomed by activists and civil society groups that have called for more accountability for crimes committed during the two civil wars.

But critics in the country have opposed its creation, saying it risks reopening old wounds and could undermine an existing amnesty law that helped end the fighting.

International allies have also welcomed Boakai’s move.

US Chargé d'Affaires in Liberia Catherine Rodriguez commended the Liberian leader for taking a “historic and courageous step to bring justice and accountability for the atrocities committed”.

She said the US would support the court. “We are optimistic that this initiative will bring an end to impunity for war and economic crimes while promoting national reconciliation and sustainable peace.”