The struggle to establish the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) in Liberia is facing serious hurdles, with financial and security concerns threatening its progress. Despite the Boakai administration’s commitment to transitional justice, the office responsible for setting up the court remains underfunded and vulnerable.
Cllr. Jallah Barbu, Executive Director of the Office for Establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC-L) warned that the formation could stall without urgent financial support. Speaking at an acquaintance meeting, Cllr. Barbu revealed that his staff have gone unpaid for two months and that accessing government-allocated funds remains mired in bureaucracy.
“Imagine, our staff have not taken pay for two months. We don’t have the necessary funds to carry out our work, and even the little the government has committed is tied up in red tape,” he stated.
Beyond funding, security concerns are mounting. Cllr. Barbu disclosed that he has no assigned police or national security protection, despite the high risks associated with his work. “I could leave this room now, and something could happen. But I believe that if anything happens, another Liberian will take up the fight,” he said, underscoring the dangerous reality of his mission.
The court, envisioned as a crucial step in addressing Liberia’s civil war atrocities, is meant to ensure accountability for crimes committed during the country’s brutal conflicts. However, its establishment faces roadblocks that threaten public confidence in the government’s commitment to justice.
Cllr. Barbu also stressed that corruption remains an ongoing crisis in Liberia. He argued that addressing war crimes alone is insufficient and advocated for creating an Anti-Corruption Court. His office is currently engaging institutions such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), the General Auditing Commission (GAC), and the Internal Audit Agency (IAA) in a bid to strengthen accountability mechanisms.
“Corruption is an embarrassment to Liberia. We need to address it just as aggressively as we are pushing for the war and economic crimes court,” he asserted.
He further urged civil society organizations to take a more active role in the process, ensuring that advocacy efforts remain strong and coordinated. “We must work together to ensure our message remains clear and credible. Civil society has a responsibility to keep the pressure on,” he emphasized.
Despite the hurdles, Cllr. Barbu remains resolute. He called on the government to demonstrate full ownership of the court’s establishment and ensure it is adequately resourced and protected. Without concrete action, he warned, Liberia risks missing a historic opportunity to deliver justice and strengthen its rule of law.
