Washington, D.C., USA – The Coalition for Justice in Liberia (CJL) has praised President Joseph Nyumah Boakai for his historic move to advance justice reform in Liberia following his decision to rescind the controversial appointment of Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi.
This bold action, which included initiating a transparent and inclusive selection process, has been hailed as a crucial step toward ensuring accountability for Liberia’s war and economic crimes Court.
In response to widespread calls for justice, President Boakai formed a diverse vetting committee composed of representatives from the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), human rights groups, and civil society organizations.
This collaborative process led to the appointment of Cllr. Dr. Jallah Barbu as the new head of Liberia’s War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC).
Cllr. Barbu, a distinguished legal expert and former Chair of Liberia’s Law Reform Commission, is widely recognized for his commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Barbu’s tenure as Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia further underscores his credentials.
According to CJL, the appointment of Cllr. Barbu marks a pivotal moment in Liberia’s ongoing efforts to address the legacy of impunity from its civil wars and bring perpetrators of war and economic crimes to justice.
The justice group highlighted that Dr. Barbu’s appointment aligns with Liberia’s international obligations, including its commitments under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), as well as the recommendations of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
These frameworks underscore the importance of establishing a specialized court to address the atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil conflict.
“Cllr. Barbu’s appointment represents a new hope for thousands of Liberians who have long awaited justice,” said Lovetta Tugbeh, Founder of CJL.
Madam Tugbeh noted that establishing the war and economic crimes court is a critical step toward confronting the culture of impunity and promoting national healing.
“This court is a critical step toward confronting the culture of impunity and promoting national healing,” she added.
While CJL acknowledges that establishing the WECC cannot erase Liberia’s painful civil war history, the Coalition believes it will help restore trust in the country’s judicial system and strengthen Liberia’s international standing on human rights.
CJL calls on the Liberian government, civil society, and international partners to support the court’s operations.
The Coalition emphasizes that Counselor Barbu’s leadership should be supported by a team of experts in international criminal law, human rights, and transitional justice to ensure the court’s success.
Additionally, CJL advocates for a nationwide consultative dialogue that includes all Liberians, both in-country and in the diaspora.
This dialogue will help ensure broad public support for the court and reinforce the TRC’s recommendations as a foundation for the country’s healing and reconciliation process.
The Coalition for Justice in Liberia remains firmly committed to supporting this historic reform.
CJL views Cllr. Barbu’s appointment as a transformative moment for Liberia’s quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation, and it stands ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that the War and Economic Crimes Court fulfills its mandate.
