A
strong supporter for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court and
Anti-Corruption Courts Mme. Marpu Dhaliwal, has called on President Joseph
Nyuma Boakai to convene an extraordinary session of the National Legislature to
consider and pass the Bills creating the two courts.
Mme.
Dhaliwal who is an advocate of transitional justice said the bills deserve
urgent attention from lawmakers, noting that their passage would help address
the longstanding pain and suffering experienced by many Liberians as a result
of the country’s past conflicts. She urged legislators to recognize the importance
of advancing these national instruments as part of broader efforts toward
healing, reconciliation, and accountability.
She
made the statement while serving as the keynote speaker on Saturday, September
5, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the second edition of the Grade School
Ambassadorial Program, organized by OWECC-L. The program seeks to prepare young
people for future opportunities while promoting responsible citizenship,
accountability, leadership, and respect for the rule of law.
According
to Mme. Dhaliwal, Liberia has made significant commitments to justice,
accountability, the rule of law, and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. She
said the country’s growing responsibilities on the international stage,
including its role on the United Nations Security Council, must be matched by
concrete progress in addressing justice and accountability issues at home.
“We
cannot speak about sustainable peace without justice, and we cannot strengthen
the rule of law while leaving accountability unfinished,” she said. Mme.
Dhaliwal commended President Boakai for his continued support for the
transitional justice process and encouraged him to provide stronger leadership
in moving the national process forward.
She
further called on members of the National Legislature to give the pending bills
priority consideration, emphasizing that meaningful progress on transitional
justice is essential to national healing, reconciliation, and the strengthening
of Liberia’s democratic institutions.
Also
speaking at the program, OWECC-L Executive Director Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu
commended Program lead organizer Miss Charlelyn Mulbah for her leadership and
dedication in providing two months of intensive training to the young
ambassadors. He urged the ambassadors to apply the knowledge and skills
acquired during the program and become positive change-makers and responsible
representatives of Liberia.
“We
challenge you to take what you have learned beyond this program and use it to
make a meaningful difference in your communities and in Liberia. You are young
ambassadors, and your actions should reflect the values of accountability,
responsibility, leadership, and service to country,” Dr. Barbu said.
Dr.
Barbu also called on President Boakai to intervene and ensure the passage of
the two pending bills before the start of the United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA), saying their enactment would give Liberia a tangible achievement to
present during the international gathering. He warned that failure to treat the
bills with urgency could affect the process as political activities intensify
beginning in 2027.
Dr.
Barbu, however, assured that OWECC-L remains committed to working diligently to
ensure that its mandate is fully achieved and that Liberia’s transitional
justice and accountability process continues to move forward.
Also
making remarks at the program, UNICEF Deputy Representative Amadou Cisse
commended OWECC-L for recognizing the critical role young people can play in
Liberia’s transitional justice process. He pledged UNICEF’s continued support
for the Ambassadorial and Grade School programs, noting that empowering young
people is essential to promoting responsible citizenship and building a
peaceful and accountable Liberia.
