By By: Staff Writer
Monrovia, Liberia – A renewed national push for the release of former President Charles Gankay Taylor is gaining significant momentum, following a heavily attended gathering in Monrovia that organizers say represents the movement’s strongest public turnout in years.
Hundreds of Liberians converged at Wednesday’s assembly, united behind a growing petition advocating Taylor’s freedom. The former Liberian leader is currently serving a 50-year sentence in the United Kingdom after being convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL).
Background: How Taylor Was Arrested and Why He Is in Jail
Former President Taylor was first indicted by the SCSL in 2003 for his alleged role in aiding and abetting atrocities committed during Sierra Leone’s civil war. After stepping down from power later that year, he went into exile in Nigeria.
In March 2006, under international pressure, Nigeria transferred Taylor to Liberian authorities, who immediately handed him over to UN forces. He was then flown to Sierra Leone to face trial before the Special Court.
Due to security concerns, his trial was relocated to The Hague, Netherlands. In 2012, Taylor was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity—including aiding rebel forces who committed murder, rape, terrorism, and acts of enslavement in Sierra Leone.
He was sentenced to 50 years in prison and transferred to the UK, where he has since been serving his term. Taylor has now completed more than 12 years of that sentence, though supporters argue he should either be released or relocated closer to home.
Campaign Gains New Momentum
Organizers of the Monrovia event described the turnout as a powerful resurgence of public interest in Taylor’s situation. They say the campaign has rapidly expanded in recent weeks, drawing renewed backing from both ordinary Liberians and members of the diaspora.
Hon. Solomon Weawea, Executive Director of the Liberia National Heritage and Culture Development Association (LNHCDA) and the face of the “Free Charles Gankay Taylor Campaign,” addressed supporters virtually from the United States.
“We are truly motivated by the level of support,” Weawea said. “I just concluded a meeting with my Monrovia team, and the energy is inspiring. Petition forms calling for former President Taylor’s release will be published early next week.”
According to him, momentum is building faster than expected: over ten thousand Liberians have already signed the petition—an early achievement organizers say reflects the seriousness and size of the movement.
Petition Drive to Expand Nationwide
The advocacy group plans to continue the petition campaign across all counties, aiming to gather tens of thousands more signatures. Their goal is to ultimately present the petition to the Liberian government as well as international bodies as part of a broader diplomatic push.
Campaign leaders also previewed plans for additional town hall meetings, public awareness initiatives, and outreach activities across Liberia in the coming months, hoping to further galvanize national support for Taylor’s release.
