Monrovia, Liberia – The leadership of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has engaged in productive negotiations with the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) to create partnership in achieving OWECC-L’s objectives.
During the conference in Monrovia, PUL leadership, led by President Julius Kanubah, reaffirmed their steadfast support for the OWECC-L mission. This project is critical to achieving accountability for war crimes perpetrated between 1979 and 2003.
President Kanubah stressed the need of media collaboration, saying, “To achieve its mandate, OWECC-L should engage with media organizations and journalists through the PUL, which serves as the umbrella organization for journalists, media, and communication practitioners.” He noted that OWECC-L’s legitimacy is dependent on its media interactions, which are critical for gaining public support for its projects.
Cllr. Dr. Barbu Jallah, Executive Director of OWECC-L, reiterated these thoughts and emphasized the Office’s dedication to public education and openness. He reassured them that his Office is committed to keeping the public informed, saying, “There is nothing to hide.”
Dr. Jallah praised PUL’s critical role in supporting outreach programs, stating, “We feel that PUL is well-positioned to engage with our Office and civil society groups. Effective outreach is critical when we interact with communities.”
On May 2, 2024, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai issued Executive Order No. 131, establishing the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L). Its mandate includes exploring and developing the methodology, tools, and processes required to create a Special War Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court in Liberia.
Ms. Beatrice Tetee Sieh, Vice President of the Liberian Press Union, and Mr. Christopher Selle, Media Specialist of OWECC-L, attended the meeting. The PUL’s support for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court, as well as the Anti-Corruption Court, is consistent with its main goal of creating stronger democracy in Liberia, which emphasizes the need of openness and accountability.
