The Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L), Jallah A. Barbu, has assured residents of West Point of the institution’s commitment to promoting national healing, accountability, and unity through Liberia’s transitional justice process.
Dr. Barbu made the statement Wednesday during a National Unification Day program organized by OWECC-L, its partners, and the Township of West Point.
Addressing residents and community leaders, Dr. Barbu said Liberia can only move forward when its people unite and confront the painful realities of the past.
“A divided home will never prosper, flourish, or stand,” he declared.
He encouraged residents of West Point to support ongoing efforts to document the stories and identities of victims of Liberia’s civil war, noting that such efforts are important to healing and reconciliation.
Dr. Barbu also assured the township that independent investigators involved in the transitional justice process will engage communities across the country, including West Point, to hear from victims and survivors.
For his part, the Commissioner of West Point Township, Mcphearson Daweh, pledged the community’s full support to the War and Economic Crimes Court process.
“West Point stands with the court. West Point supports the integrity of the court,” Commissioner Daweh stated.
He described the process as essential to ending impunity and rebuilding Liberia’s moral foundation, stressing that the court is not only about prosecution but also about restoring integrity and accountability in society.
Commissioner Daweh also reflected on the suffering experienced by residents of West Point during the civil war, revealing that the area where the program was held once served as a burial ground during the conflict.
The event which brought together representatives from across CSO in the Transitional Justice process, from part of activities marking Liberia’s National Unification Day, celebrated annually on May 14 to promote unity and reconciliation among Liberians.
