Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia

𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑪𝑪-𝑳 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔......

(Monrovia, Liberia-June 1,2026)--The Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) has successfully concluded a one-day refresher training for its outreach members.

This initiative forms part of the institution’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of its outreach network and enhance public awareness of its mandate as well as its legislative advocacy across Liberia.

This second round of training was designed as a refresher for participants who previously attended the outreach session held in July 2024. The program focused on reinforcing participants’ understanding of OWECC-L’s mandate and strengthening their advocacy efforts for the passage of the National Anti-Corruption and War and Economic Crimes Court Bills, drafted by OWECC-L and presented to the Legislature by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

The training brought together more than forty civil society actors currently serving as partners to OWECC-L.
Their participation underscores the vital role civil society continues to play in advancing public awareness and advocacy surrounding the proposed legislation, as well as the broader pursuit of accountability and justice in Liberia.

Throughout the session, participants revisited key aspects of OWECC-L’s mandate and discussed strategies for effectively engaging communities on the importance of the proposed Bill. The training also provided a platform for outreach members to share experiences and strengthen their collective advocacy approach.

The conclusion of this one-day refresher marks another significant step in OWECC-L’s commitment to maintaining a knowledgeable and active outreach network. Through continued collaboration with civil society partners, the Office remains dedicated to advancing public understanding and support for the passage of the National Anti-Corruption and War and Economic Crimes Court Bills across Liberia.
U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia
Ministry of Justice - Liberia
Executive Mansion-Liberia
OHCHR Liberia
Ministry of Information
New Narratives
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Pictorial highlights from the 13th monthly meeting of the OWECC-L National Transitional Justice Coordination Committee, held on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
The session captured key moments of the committee’s ongoing coordination efforts and engagements.
U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia
Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia
Ministry of Justice - Liberia
Executive Mansion-Liberia
OHCHR Liberia
Ministry of Information
New Narratives
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liberia
European Union in Liberia
UNICEF Liberia
UNDP Liberia
UN in Liberia
Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia
UK in Liberia - British Embassy, Monrovia
Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia
United Nations Human Rights
Assets Recovery & Property Retrieval Task Force-AREPT
Ministry of Local Government-Republic of Liberia
Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL)
Josiah Joekai

𝑫𝒓. 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒖 𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒔 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂..........

The Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia (OWECC-L), Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, has underscored the critical role women continue to play in advancing justice, peace, accountability, and national transformation in Liberia.

Dr. Barbu made the remark on Monday, 25 May 2026, about the re-launch of the PeaceGen Project, organi,zed by Kvinna Till Kvinna in collaboration with WONGOSOL, with support from the European Union, held at Fish Market, Old Road.

The project under the theme “strengthen sustainable in-country capacities for effective conflict management and peacebuilding”, seeks to strengthen women and youth participation in peacebuilding, transitional justice and inclusive governance in Liberia.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Barbu praised Liberian women for their resilience and unwavering commitment to sustaining communities and promoting peace throughout the country’s difficult history.

“I want to acknowledge the contributions of the women in this country; if women had not stood for our systems and communities, Liberia would not be what it is today,” he stated.

The OWECC-L Executive Director reminded Liberians that women have consistently served as the backbone of Liberia’s peace and reconciliation efforts, noting that their sacrifices and leadership remain essential to the country’s pursuit of justice and accountability.

According to him, achieving lasting justice and accountability in Liberia requires inclusive participation, especially from women and young people who are often at the center of community peacebuilding efforts.

Dr. Barbu further challenged young people to take active ownership of Liberia’s democratic future by engaging in governance and national decision-making beyond election periods.

Touching on Liberia’s ongoing transitional justice efforts, Dr. Barbu reaffirmed that the proposed establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court and the National Anti-Corruption Court is intended to benefit all Liberians, not just a select few.

“The establishment of these courts is not for me or for a small group of people. It is for Liberia, and every Liberian is a stakeholder in the process,” he stressed.

He called on Liberians, especially women and youth, to remain engaged, fearless, and vocal in advocating for justice, transparency, and accountability.

U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia
Ministry of Justice - Liberia
Executive Mansion-Liberia OHCHR Liberia Ministry of Information New Narratives The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liberia European Union in Liberia Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia UNICEF Liberia UNDP Liberia UN in Liberia UK in Liberia - British Embassy, Monrovia United Nations Human Rights Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Submits Landmark War and Economic Crimes and the National Anti-Corruption Bills to the Legislature.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

President Boakai Submits Landmark Justice and Anti-Corruption Bills to the Legislature

May 20, 2026

Executive Mansion, Monrovia: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., has formally submitted two major legislative proposals to the National Legislature aimed at strengthening accountability, advancing justice, and reinforcing the rule of law in Liberia.

The bills were transmitted to the leadership of the Legislature, including the Speaker, Honorable Richard Koon and the Senate President Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, for deliberation and enactment.

The two proposed pieces of legislation are:

1. An Act Establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court
2. An Act Adopting a New Title 17(a) of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised, Establishing a National Anti-Corruption Court

In his communication, President Boakai emphasized that both bills are grounded in Liberia’s historical experience, constitutional framework, and international legal obligations. They seek to address long-standing governance and justice challenges arising from the country’s past conflicts and systemic corruption concerns.

The proposed War and Economic Crimes Court is designed to respond to recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and commitments under the Accra Peace Agreement. It would provide a specialized judicial mechanism to adjudicate allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, gross human rights violations, and economic crimes committed during Liberia’s periods of instability.

The President expressed that the initiative reflects Liberia’s duty to combat impunity, uphold international humanitarian law, and promote reconciliation through accountability.

The proposed National Anti-Corruption Court seeks to enhance Liberia’s judicial capacity to effectively address corruption-related offenses, which continue to undermine public trust, economic development, and service delivery.

The legislation highlights the limitations of existing judicial structures in handling complex corruption cases and proposes a specialized court system to ensure more effective prosecution and deterrence.

President Boakai noted that the enactment of these bills would:

* Strengthen the rule of law and accountability mechanisms
* Enhance public confidence in governance institutions
* Address historical injustices and economic crimes
* Improve transparency in public administration
* Align Liberia with international justice and anti-corruption standards

The President has urged the National Legislature, through the leadership to give the bills urgent and careful consideration in the national interest.

“These reforms represent a decisive step toward justice, reconciliation, and sustainable national renewal,” the President stated in his submission.

President Boakai expressed that he is committed to working with the Legislature, the judiciary, and all national stakeholders to ensure that Liberia continues to build a society anchored on justice, accountability, and peace.

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𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝑲𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝑭𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑾𝑬𝑪𝑪 & 𝑵𝑨𝑪𝑪 𝑫𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒕 𝑳𝒂𝒘𝒔

(Monrovia, Liberia – May 20, 2026) – The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, has affirmed his unwavering commitment to the passage of the draft laws establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC), emphasizing the importance of accountability and justice in Liberia.

Speaker Koon made the commitment during a meeting with the Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia, Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu. at his Capitol Building Office.

During the meeting, Speaker Koon expressed explicit confidence in the work of OWECC-L in executing it's mandate and underscored the significance of the two draft legislations in strengthening Liberia’s democratic institutions, promoting transparency, and ensuring that individuals are held accountable for actions that undermine national peace, justice, and development.

“The passage of both the War and Economic Crimes Court Bill and the National Anti-Corruption Court draft law remains a national priority,” Speaker Koon stated.

The Speaker further noted that the establishment of the WECC represents a critical step toward addressing longstanding issues of impunity, while the strengthening of the NACC framework will reinforce the country’s fight against corruption and misuse of public resources.

For his part, Dr. Barbu expressed appreciation to Speaker Koon for his leadership and willingness to champion the legislative process. He pledged the Office’s readiness to collaborate closely with the
leadership of the House to ensure the smooth and timely passage of both draft acts.

“We are encouraged by the Speaker’s commitment and look forward to working with the leadership of the House to advance these historic legislations,” Dr. Barbu said.

Speaker Koon’s endorsement follows a similar commitment earlier expressed by Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, who also pledged his support to the ongoing process aimed at establishing accountability mechanisms in Liberia.

The continued support from the leadership of the House of Representatives signals growing legislative momentum toward the realization of the WECC and NACC, both of which are widely viewed as essential instruments in promoting justice, reconciliation, integrity, and good governance in Liberia.




Ministry of Justice - Liberia
U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia
Executive Mansion-Liberia
OHCHR Liberia Ministry of Information New Narratives The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liberia European Union in Liberia UNICEF Liberia UNDP Liberia UN in Liberia Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia

𝐶𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑧𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑊𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑎 𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑜 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑠𝑡-𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑊𝐸𝐶𝐶 & 𝑁𝐴𝐶𝐶 𝐸𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡...............

𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑦, 𝑀𝑎𝑦 15,2026-Weala, Margibi County-Citizens of Weala have renewed strong calls for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) in Liberia, emphasizing that justice, accountability, and national healing can no longer be delayed.

The call was amplified during a one-day Transitional Justice Awareness Program held on Friday, May 15, 2026, organized by the Transitional Justice Working Group of Liberia (TJWG) in collaboration with key transitional justice stakeholders.

The gathering brought together community residents, students, civil society organizations, and representatives from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), along with officials from the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L), led by Executive Director Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu.

Held under the theme “Healing the Nation Through Justice and Accountability-The Liberian Perspective,” the program aimed to strengthen public understanding of the WECC and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC), including draft bills for both courts and Executive Order 164, which renews OWECC-L’s mandate.

During the event, many citizens of Weala openly expressed frustration over decades of impunity and urged lawmakers to support the establishment of the WECC without delay.

They argued that Liberia cannot fully progress when those accused of war crimes and large-scale corruption remain unaccountable.

Residents stressed that justice is essential for lasting peace, and called on national leaders to prioritize the court’s establishment, citing the prolonged suffering endured during Liberia’s civil conflict.

“We need justice for the innocent people who died. The War and Economic Crimes Court must come so that the truth can be told and those responsible can face the law,” one resident said during the open forum.

Speaking on the topic “Making Justice and Accountability for Atrocities and Corruption Meaningful,” TJWG head Martin Nlonjae Toe Sr. aligned with the citizens’ concerns.

He highlighted that the establishment of the WECC and NACC is a critical step toward ending Liberia’s longstanding culture of impunity.

According to Toe, the courts represent hope for victims of the civil war and a tool to combat corruption in public institutions.

“The courts will bring lasting healing to victims and help end the culture of impunity that has permeated Liberia,” he said, underscoring that citizens must remain informed and actively involved if transitional justice is to succeed.

Toe emphasized that a combination of criminal prosecutions, truth-telling, reparations, and institutional reforms is necessary for Liberia to achieve sustainable peace and accountability.

Providing an overview of the draft laws recently submitted to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu explained that the WECC will focus on crimes committed during Liberia’s civil conflict between 1979 and 2003, while the NACC will tackle corruption-related offenses.

He reminded participants that the draft law for the NACC includes a lifetime ban from public office for individuals convicted of corruption.

Dr. Barbu also encouraged citizens to engage their lawmakers to ensure the passage of the draft bills so that justice mechanisms can begin functioning.

Citizens were encouraged to maintain pressure on national leaders, with speakers reminding attendees that President Boakai has already played his part by renewing the Executive Order establishing OWECC-L.

“Now it is left with all Liberians to support this process so that the long-awaited justice can be achieved timely,” Toe noted.

The awareness program forms part of ongoing national efforts to strengthen public participation in Liberia’s transitional justice process. For the people of Weala, the message was clear: the time for justice is now.

Their call adds to nationwide voices demanding accountability for war crimes and economic crimes, and reflects a growing public desire for a Liberia where peace is built on truth, justice, and respect for the rule of law.



U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia
Ministry of Justice - Liberia
Executive Mansion-Liberia
Ministry of Information OHCHR Liberia New Narratives The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liberia Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia UNICEF Liberia European Union in Liberia UN in Liberia UNDP Liberia