Monrovia, Liberia – The Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia (OWECC-L), in collaboration with transitional justice partners, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, officially launched a National Outreach Campaign under the theme “Justice for All.”
The campaign aims to engage citizens across all fifteen counties and the diaspora in promoting accountability, justice reform, and civic education.
The initiative which marks a major step toward establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court and the National Anti-Corruption Court, with targeted operational dates in November 2027 and November 2026, respectively, is guided by a National Communication and Outreach Strategy that emphasizes inclusive engagement, truth-telling, and survivor-centered storytelling.
Officially launching the National Outreach, the Executive Director Dr. Jallah A. Barbu stressed the importance of nationwide involvement is to address impunity, support the rules of law and ensure accountability in Liberia.
“To address impunity, support the rules of law and ensure accountability in the country, and by bringing reconciliation and peace to our country, I do hereby, with the authority in me vested by the President – Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr., I now declared the launch of the national outreach program.”
Dr. Barbu urged Liberians to collaborate with the (OWECC-L) to ensure that the objectives of the establishment of the office become a reality by ensuring that justice is accessible to all.
“I ask you to put on your slankers and let work together to make Liberia great again justice must be accessible to all. He asserted that Justice is everybody’s business and “justice delayed is not denied justice.”
In May 2024, the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC-L) was established under Executive Order No. 131. President Joseph Boakai issued Executive Order No. 148, which renewed and expanded the court’s scope. The order gives OWECC-L the authority to keep spearheading attempts to set up a court to try war and economic crimes related to Liberia’s civil wars.
The Senate and House of Representatives enacted Joint Resolution #JR-001/2024, which the Executive Order directly addresses. The resolution proposes the establishment of a distinct Anti-Corruption Court as well as an Extraordinary Criminal Court for war crimes. In order to organize judicial planning, gather resources, and communicate with foreign partners, it requires the President to sign an Executive Order creating an Office of War Crimes inside the Ministry of Justice, headed by “an internationally certified envoy.”
Under the new mission, OWECC-L is responsible for collaborations, legislative writing, and consultations. This is an important development in the battle against impunity, said Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, Executive Director, who praised the action. “It demonstrates our dedication to justice and is consistent with the recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”
A national apology, reparations, support for reconciliation initiatives like the Palava Hut, and the building of a memorial are among the most comprehensive actions that are outlined in the resolution. It calls on the president to provide a financial plan and look for outside assistance. Executive Order No. 148, which highlights that “justice is not just a policy choice but a moral duty to victims and future generations,” is supplemented by these clauses.
The Legislature and the Boakai government are demonstrating unity by taking action on both the legal and political fronts. Human rights organizations are still calling for “adequate funding and swift implementation” in order to get the courts up and running.
The creation of the office was further explained by the Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia (OWECC-L) as an expression of the government’s will to uphold the rule of law by implementing the TRC report’s recommendations.
“Our presence here is a clear manifestation of our country respect for the rules of law.” According to Dr. Barbu,
In order to bring charges against individuals most accountable for the atrocities that took place between 1979 and 2003, the Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which was established in 2005, suggested setting up a War and Economic Crimes Court. In addition, it advocated for justice through fair trials and accountability and proposed a 30-year ban on public office for major offenders.
The TRC also suggested civic education, victim compensation, and changes to the security and judicial systems. In order to preserve the memory of the struggle and foster reconciliation, it called for national memorials and historical records. These suggestions are still essential to Liberia’s efforts at justice and reconciliation, notwithstanding their controversy.
Historical facts of the civil conflict:
The Liberian civil war began in December 1989 when Charles Taylor, a former president and rebel leader, led the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) and attacked the government of President Samuel Doe. Years of Doe’s administration had been marked by ethnic favoritism, corruption, and oppression, especially against the Gio and Mano ethnic groups. Therefore, Taylor took this action. The conflict grew violent and swiftly expanded, resulting in both ethnic and civilian murders.
New rebel organizations formed as the fighting grew more intense. Prince Johnson, who subsequently kidnapped and murdered Doe in 1990, founded the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL). The United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia (ULIMO), which subsequently divided into ULIMO-J under Roosevelt Johnson and ULIMO-K under Alhaji Kromah, was one of the other significant groups. The Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) and the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), commanded by Sekou Conneh, were two important factions in the second civil war (1999–2003).
Over a million people were displaced by the conflict, and an estimated 250,000 people died. Mass mistreatment of civilians included mutilation, forced conscription, and rape. All groups made extensive use of child soldiers, and the nation’s institutions, infrastructure, and economy all crumbled.
The Accra Peace Accord, which was signed on August 18, 2003, marked the formal conclusion of the conflict. President Charles Taylor resigned as a result of the deal and left for exile in Nigeria. Additionally, it cleared the path for the UN forces to be sent in, the establishment of a transitional government, and the democratic elections that elected Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2005.
Reported by: G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I.
