FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
President
Boakai Issues Executive Order No. 164 RENEWING THE MANDATE OF THE OFFICE OF THE
WAR AND ECONOMIC CRIMES COURT FOR LIBERIA
May 3, 2026
EXECUTIVE
ORDER No. 164
RENEWING
THE MANDATE OF THE OFFICE OF THE WAR AND ECONOMIC CRIMES COURT FOR LIBERIA
WHEREAS,
the Government of Liberia, through Executive Order No. 131 issued on May 2,
2024, and Executive Order No. 148 issued on April 30, 2025, established the
Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia, with the mandate to
investigate, design, and prescribe the methodology, mechanisms, and processes
for the establishment of a Special War Crimes Court and a National
Anti-Corruption Court;
WHEREAS,
the Office has conducted research and studies and in consultation with both
local and international partners and stakeholders, has drafted two separate
bills for submission to the Legislature: A Bill for the Establishment of a War
and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia; and A Bill for the Establishment of a
National Anti-Corruption Court for Liberia;
WHEREAS,
the successful completion of these tasks demonstrates Liberia’s commitment to
transitional justice, and accountability as well as the fight against impunity
and corruption, while also fulfilling its obligations under international
treaties and conventions;
WHEREAS,
the continued existence of the Office is necessary to ensure effective
coordination with international partners, mobilization of resources, and
technical support for the operationalization of the proposed courts, as well as
to provide ongoing oversight until the courts are fully established and
functioning;
NOW,
THEREFORE, I, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia,
by virtue of the powers vested in me under the Constitution of Liberia, and in
furtherance of Liberia’s commitment to justice, reconciliation, and good
governance, do hereby order as follows:
1. Renewal
of Mandate
The
mandate of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia is
hereby renewed for an additional period of one year.
2.
Composition
The
composition of the office for the establishment of the courts, as currently
composed, shall continue to run the affairs until otherwise ordered. Further,
the Office of the Executive Director shall be assisted by a secretariat and
professional staff as required to effectively perform the duties and tasks
assigned to the Office.
3.
Responsibilities
During
this renewed mandate, the Office shall:
a.
Continue to consult with international partners and funding agencies to secure
resources for the establishment and operation of the courts;
b.
Provide technical support and guidance to the Legislature in the consideration
and enactment of the drafted bills;
c.
Develop implementation frameworks, including logistical, administrative, and
financial plans, for the operationalization of the War and Economic Crimes
Court and the Anti-Corruption Court;
d.
Monitor progress and shall submit quarterly operational and financial reports
to the Office of the President through the Minister of Justice, ensuring
transparency and accountability in its operations. This shall be void of
political influence and guided strictly by legal considerations and reflecting
its achievement and progress made towards the establishment of the Courts.
e. All
such reports shall be subject to independent verifications and audits by the
agencies of government authorized to conduct such activities.
4. Funding
The Office
shall be semi-independent and continue to be funded as a grant line item within
the budget of the Ministry of Justice, with an annual appropriation of United
States Dollars Two Million, payable in equal quarterly installments of Five
Hundred Thousand directed into its bank account(s), at the beginning of each
quarter, by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
5.
Duration and Implementation Timelines
(1) This
Executive Order shall take effect on May 1, 2026, and shall expire on April 30,
2027, unless otherwise extended or revoked.
(2) In
order to ensure effective execution of this executive order including the
responsibilities outlined in Section 3, the Office shall adhere to the
following implementation timelines:
a.
Resource Mobilization and Stakeholder Engagement (Section 3(a))
The Office
shall, within sixty (60) days of the effective date, present to the President,
through the Minister of Justice, a comprehensive resource mobilization and
stakeholder engagement plan, including identified funding partners and
engagement strategies. Progress updates shall be included in all quarterly
reports.
b.
Legislative Support and Coordination (Section 3(b))
The Office
shall immediately commence technical engagement with the Legislature and shall,
within ninety (90) days, submit a structured legislative support framework that
facilitates passage of the draft bills, with timelines to be determined by the
Legislature. Continuous support shall be maintained throughout the legislative
process.
b.
Development of Implementation Frameworks (Section 3(c))
Within one
hundred and twenty (120) days, the Office shall develop and submit
comprehensive implementation frameworks for both Courts, including logistical,
administrative, operational, and financial plans required for their
establishment.
d.
Reporting and Accountability (Section 3(d) and (e))
The Office
shall submit quarterly operational and financial reports to the President
through the Minister of Justice, beginning no later than July 31, 2026, and
every three months thereafter. All reports shall be subject to independent
verification and audit by authorized government institutions.
e.
Consolidated Progress Report
A mid-term
consolidated report shall be submitted within six (6) months of the effective
date, detailing progress, challenges, and recommended adjustments to
implementation strategies.
f.
Preparation for Dissolution
The Office
shall, no later than March 1, 2027, commence formal steps toward the orderly
conclusion and dissolution of its operations, including submission of a final
operational, financial, and administrative report.
g. Final
Report and Transition Plan
A
comprehensive final report, including recommendations for transition to the
fully operational courts or successor institutional arrangements, shall be
submitted no later than April 15, 2027.
6.
Safeguards
Nothing in
this Executive Order shall be interpreted to interfere with, hinder, or
diminish the rights of any citizen of the Republic of Liberia.
GIVEN
UNDER MY HAND AND THE SEAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, THIS DAY OF MAY A.D.
2026.
Joseph
Nyuma Boakai, Sr.
PRESIDENT
REPUBLIC
OF LIBERIA
