The Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) has expressed deep concern over the exclusion of key transitional justice stakeholders, including war victims, survivors, persons with disabilities, from the unveiling of the prototype for a National Memorial.

OWECC-L, which was created by Executive Order 131 to lead the process to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court and Anti-corruption Court, was also excluded from the unveiling ceremony.

The Memoria prototype was unveiled at the Executive Mansion on Friday, November 6, 2026, as part of an initiative intended to establish a national memorial that would serve as a lasting reminder of Liberia’s fourteen years of civil conflict and the devastating consequences of the country’s wars.

OWECC-L recognizes and welcomes efforts by the Government of Liberia to establish a national memorial as an important component of the country’s transitional justice process.

OWECC-L believes a national memorial has the potential to become a place of remembrance, reflection, education, healing, and national reconciliation. It can also help future generations understand the consequences of conflict and the importance of protecting peace, justice, human rights, and the rule of law.

However, the Office says the manner in which the prototype was unveiled raises serious concerns about inclusiveness and national ownership of an initiative that is fundamentally about the experiences, suffering, resilience, and aspirations of the Liberian people.

The Executive Director of OWECC-L, Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, described the exclusion of OWECC-L and, more importantly, the absence of representatives of war victims, survivors, and persons with disabilities from the unveiling as “a shock and unacceptable.”

According to Dr. Barbu, while the Executive Mansion has the authority to initiate national programs, memorialization of Liberia’s civil wars cannot be treated solely as a government project, stressing that the people whose lives were directly affected by the conflict must have a meaningful voice in determining how the nation remembers its past.

He emphasized that memorialization is not simply about constructing a physical structure. Rather, it is about preserving the truth of what happened, honoring those who lost their lives, recognizing those who survived, acknowledging the suffering of communities, and ensuring that future generations understand the cost of violence.

OWECC-L believes that a national memorial should be developed through a broad, transparent, and participatory national process that places victims and survivors at the center.

The Office notes that Liberia’s conflict affected virtually every segment of society. Thousands of Liberians were killed, displaced, injured, sexually violated, separated from their families, forced into exile, or left with physical and psychological scars. Many communities continue to carry the consequences of the war decades later.

Among those most affected are persons with disabilities who acquired disabilities as a direct consequence of the conflict, as well as persons with pre-existing disabilities whose vulnerabilities were compounded by war.

OWECC-L, therefore, believes that persons with disabilities should not only be invited to observe the memorialization process. They should be included as active participants in its design, development, implementation, and management.

The Office further stresses that victims and survivors should have the opportunity to contribute their stories, experiences, cultural expressions, and perspectives to the national memorial.

A memorial that does not adequately reflect the voices of those who experienced the conflict risks becoming a monument to the conflict rather than a meaningful national space for truth, remembrance, healing, and reconciliation.

OWECC-L maintains that Liberia needs a national memorial that belongs to the entire country and not to any single institution, administration, political party, or group.

OWECC-L is therefore calling on the Executive Mansion to reconsider its current approach and open the national memorialization initiative to broader consultation.

The Office recommends that the Government convene a national consultative process involving, among others:

The Office also recommends that the Government consider holding consultations across Liberia, particularly in communities that experienced some of the most devastating consequences of the civil wars.

OWECC-L recognizes the authority and responsibility of the Government of Liberia to lead national initiatives. However, the Office believes that leadership must be accompanied by openness, consultation, and inclusion.

Department of Press and Public Affairs

(OWECC-L)

+231775144278 or + 231886119930