NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Civil society organizations have intensified pressure on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to end what they describe as unacceptable delays in establishing Liberia’s War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and Specialized National Anti-Corruption Court.
By: Kabina S. Kabah – kabinaskabah98@gmail.com
The National Civil Society Consortium for Transitional Justice in Liberia, speaking through Center for Transparency and Accountability (CENTAL) Executive Director Anderson Miamen at a press conference Tuesday, said the government has taken initial steps but has failed to complete the legislative process needed to make the two courts a reality.
The consortium said nearly three years into the Boakai administration, Liberians—particularly victims and survivors of the country’s civil wars—are still waiting for concrete action on a process that has been discussed for years.
The group acknowledged the 55th Legislature’s passage of a Joint Resolution in April 2024 supporting the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court, as well as President Boakai’s creation of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC) and the Executive’s submission of draft
legislation for the proposed courts.
But the consortium said those measures are insufficient without the passage of enabling laws, adequate funding and the full operationalization of the institutions.
UN Security Council Role Under Threat
The strongest warning from the civil society coalition centers on Liberia’s international standing.
With Liberia serving on the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term and preparing to assume the Council’s rotating presidency in December 2026, the consortium said the government must demonstrate at home the same commitment to justice, accountability, human rights and peacebuilding that it promotes internationally.
The group argued that Liberia risks undermining its credibility and moral authority if it advocates for accountability and human rights at the international level while failing to establish critical justice institutions domestically.
“Liberia must lead by example,” the consortium maintained, stressing that the country’s international leadership must be matched by concrete domestic reforms.
War Victims Have ‘Waited Too Long’
The coalition said the continued absence of the War and Economic Crimes Court amounts to a prolonged denial of justice for victims of Liberia’s civil wars.
Women, children and other survivors suffered conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, displacement, loss of livelihoods and other serious human rights violations during the conflicts.
According to the consortium, more than two decades after the wars, victims continue to wait for truth, justice, reparations and accountability.
The group said establishing a credible, independent, victim-centered and gender-responsive WECC would help address impunity and strengthen reconciliation.
It also linked the court directly to Liberia’s commitments under the Women, Peace and Security agenda and UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
The consortium emphasized that victims should not remain merely symbols of Liberia’s peace story but must be recognized as rights-holders entitled to justice, remedy and guarantees that similar violations will not recur.
Anti-Corruption Court ‘Indispensable’
The consortium also placed the proposed National Anti-Corruption Court at the center of Liberia’s governance reform agenda.
It said corruption and abuse of public resources continue to erode public confidence, deepen poverty and inequality and undermine citizens’ access to basic services such as healthcare, education and electricity.
The group believes a properly funded and independent Specialized National Anti-Corruption Court would strengthen accountability, protect public resources and help deter corruption.
The civil society coalition is calling on President Boakai to directly engage the leadership and members of both the Senate and House of Representatives to secure the passage of the two court bills.
It also wants the 2027 National Budget to contain dedicated funding for both courts, arguing that their establishment without sustainable financing would render the reforms ineffective.
The Legislature is being urged to act without further delay.
The consortium also cautioned lawmakers against using constituency consultations as a justification for prolonged delays, recalling previous delays surrounding implementation of recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
International Partners Urged to Apply Pressure
The coalition is also calling on the United Nations, European Union, United States Government and other international partners to continue supporting Liberia’s accountability agenda and press for the establishment and adequate financing of the two courts.
It further urged OWECC to strengthen coordination with the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, civil society and international partners to move the process forward.
The consortium said the two courts must ultimately be independent, impartial, adequately resourced, transparent and compliant with constitutional and international human rights standards, including due process and fair-trial guarantees.
The group ended its statement with a direct warning to the Boakai administration:
“Justice delayed is justice denied. And justice denied is a recipe for human rights violations, impunity, violence, poverty and underdevelopment.” The consortium added: “The Boakai administration must act now.”
