Monrovia, Liberia – In a solemn opening marked by a moment of silence for victims of Liberia’s civil war and corruption, Cllr. Dr. Jallah Bardu, Executive Director, Office of the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) on Wedday, March , 2026, declared that the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court is “a process, not an event,” urging Liberians to unite behind long-awaited justice and accountability reforms.
Dr. Bardu stated that the nation must go beyond discussions and make a commitment to putting recommendations into practice that will provide victims with compensation and rebuild public confidence in the rule of law. He was speaking at a high-level policy dialogue that was attended by government officials, members of civil society, and international partners.
“Victims of the civil war are anxious for answers. Victims of corruption are also wondering whether they will ever live a good life. We must commit ourselves to ensuring that they receive redress,” he narrated.
Also, he described the process as “Liberia-driven” and “homegrown,” but acknowledged that international cooperation remains critical. As the dialogue progressed, the call was clear: Liberia must transform years of debate into concrete action to ensure justice, reconciliation, and accountability.
According to him, “it is about making history. Let us work together for the good of our country.”
The OWECC-L Executive Director stressed the importance of stakeholder unity while reiterating the government’s “firm commitment” to create the long-awaited War and Economic Crimes Court and a specialized Anti-Corruption Court. He said, “There is no utility in fighting, backbiting, or undermining such a process. Everyone is key. There is no major or minor stakeholder in this process.”
Dr. Barbu stressed that policy dialogues must translate into action, calling for collective respect for findings and recommendations emerging from the discussions. “Do people even have access to this report in this country?” he asked. “Have we verified that? Most institutions do not.”
The comment from the Executive Director of the OWECC-L Executive Director underscores a broader challenge facing Liberia’s transitional justice agenda, bridging the gap between policy-level commitments and grassroots awareness.
The dialogue, organized by the Dukuly Institute, the Governance Commission, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and other partners, focused on accountability mechanisms and the implementation of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report.
However, the speech also raised a critical concern about public access to the TRC Report, questioning whether universities, researchers, and institutions across the country can easily obtain and study the document. The event, held at a European Union-supported facility, drew praise for international partners, including the EU and the United Nations, for their technical and logistical support.
Reported by: Prince Saah
