Fellow
Liberians, Friends of Liberia, and All Well-Wishers:
On
this National Thanksgiving Day, OWECC-L gives gratitude to the Almighty God for
His enduring grace, peace, and protection over our beloved Republic.
This
year’s Thanksgiving carries a uniquely sacred weight, underscored by the
powerful spiritual devotion of our Liberian Women, who are currently engaged in
a solemn “Three-day Fast and Prayer” for our Nation. Their intercession serves
as a beautiful reminder of the foundational strength of our Mothers, Sisters,
and Daughters, whose faith has historically anchored Liberia through its most
challenging trials. We stand in solidarity with them, drawing inspiration from
their spiritual fortitude as they cry out for justice, accountability, and the
moral rebirth of our society.
Guided
by this collective desire for healing, I appeal with a sense of national
urgency to the Honorable Liberian Legislature to act swiftly and pass the War
and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC)
Bills into law. The draft acts are before You, fully vetted and blessed by the
traditional custodians of our land. The cries for justice from victims and
survivors must no longer be delayed.
For
the Executive, this pivotal historical moment requires a visible,
uncompromising, and fortified demonstration of political will. We call upon the
Executive to forcefully lead the implementation of these accountability
mechanisms, ensuring that no internal obstruction or political hesitation
delays the justice our citizens have long deserved.
True
justice requires concrete resources, and our laws must be backed by financial
commitment. I heavily emphasize the absolute necessity for the government to
ensure the explicit inclusion of substantial, dedicated financial support for
both courts within the 2027 National Budget. Providing this direct state
funding is the ultimate test of our institutional integrity. It ensures that
the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC-L)
can transition seamlessly into full operational courts. Allocating local
revenue to these courts safeguards their legal independence, ensures proper
case mapping, and guarantees that our structures are built to robust,
unassailable standards.
As
we fulfill our domestic responsibilities, we call for the intentional,
tangible, and real support of our international partners. Liberia cannot walk
this path toward transitional justice alone. We call upon ECOWAS, the African
Union (AU), the European Union (EU), the United States Government, the United
Nations (UN), and the entire global community to stand firmly with us. We
require your technical expertise, security collaboration, and robust financial
partnerships to bring these courts into full operation. This international
solidarity is vital to erasing the culture of impunity, establishing
deep-seated legal reforms, and showing that global commitment to human rights
has a permanent home in Liberia.
This
momentous season fills us with a renewed, unshakeable faith in the destiny of
our Country. The synchronized alignment of the prayers of our Women, the
imminent actions of our Government, and the willingness of our Global Allies
signal that Liberia is undergoing a profound moral resurrection.
Let
us carry this renewed faith forward into our daily lives, recognizing that true
reconciliation walks hand-in-hand with accountability.
May
the prayers of our Women (Our Grandma them, our Ma Them, our Sister Them; and
our Daughter Them) continue to cover our land;
May
the steps we take toward justice be firm and unwavering; and
May
God bless the Republic of Liberia.
Happy
Thanksgiving to you all.
