The Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L), Dr. Jallah Barbu, has called on the Liberian Legislature to expedite deliberations on the draft bills currently before it to establish the War and Economic Crimes Court and the National Anti-Corruption Court.
Dr. Barbu said the passage of the bills would mark a significant step toward addressing the long-standing pain and suffering endured by many Liberians since the country's civil war.
According to him, the establishment of the two courts is essential to Liberia's transitional justice process and will strengthen public confidence in the country's governance and justice system.
"The passage of these bills will help bring closure to the enduring pain that many Liberians have experienced since the end of the civil war," Dr. Barbu said. "These courts are critical to ensuring accountability, promoting justice, and strengthening public trust in our democratic institutions."
He also commended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for what he described as the President's political will in supporting the establishment of OWECC-L.
Dr. Barbu further praised the Liberian Legislature for allocating funding to the office through the national budget and acknowledged the Ministry of Justice for its coordinating role since the office was created.
The OWECC-L Executive Director emphasized that young people must be fully included in Liberia's transitional justice process, noting that they were among those who suffered the devastating consequences of the civil conflict.
"Youth cannot be left behind in this process because they also suffered from the war and have a vital role to play in ensuring lasting peace and accountability," he stated.
Dr. Barbu made the remarks during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), the National Democratic Forum (NDF), and OWECC-L.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration on transitional justice, promote accountability, and support efforts to end the culture of impunity in Liberia.
Through the agreement, the institutions pledged to work together in advancing public awareness, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement in support of the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court and other accountability mechanisms.
The signing ceremony brought together representatives of civil society organizations and other stakeholders committed to promoting justice, transparency, and national reconciliation in Liberia.
Speaking on behalf of the two civil society organizations, the Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Anderson Miamen, said the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks another important step toward strengthening accountability in Liberia.
Miamen pledged that CENTAL will fully honor its obligations under the agreement and remain committed to implementing the various provisions contained in the MoU.
He noted that CENTAL has worked closely with anti-graft institutions across Liberia for many years to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust in the country's governance system.
"We will be part of this process today and beyond," Miamen said. "We remain committed to supporting good governance in Liberia and ending the culture of impunity.
Our presence here today reaffirms our long-standing commitment to the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court and the National Anti-Corruption institutions, as well as our continued partnership in advancing accountability and justice for all Liberians."
He emphasized that collaboration between civil society organizations and integrity institutions is essential to strengthening democratic governance and ensuring that public institutions remain accountable to the people.
