By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has issued a strong call for urgent government action amid growing concerns over delays in the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court and a proposed National Anti-Corruption Court.
The statement follows recent remarks by the Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia, Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, who alleged that elements within government are impeding progress toward operationalizing the long-anticipated courts.
In a press release issued Saturday, WONGOSOL warned that continued delays, whether caused by administrative bottlenecks, inaction, or political interference, risk undermining Liberia’s commitment to justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
“Any delay raises serious concerns about Liberia’s willingness to uphold justice for victims and ensure accountability,” the organization stated.
The statement further noted that nearly two years after the issuance of Executive Order No. 131, and one year following Executive Order No. 148 by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Office responsible for spearheading the court’s establishment remains constrained by limited support and slow institutional collaboration.
Despite these challenges, the Women NGOs Secretariat acknowledged progress made, including the drafting and submission of key legislative instruments to the Executive Branch, as well as ongoing consultations with stakeholders and civil society organizations.
It emphasized that the next critical step lies with the Executive to forward the draft bills to the Legislature for enactment, a move it described as both urgent and necessary.
WONGOSOL has also expressed concern that “ongoing actions and inactions” by certain actors are delaying the process, warning that such setbacks could erode public trust and weaken Liberia’s democratic and accountability frameworks.
The group is urging President Boakai to intervene decisively, remove bottlenecks, and ensure that the process moves forward without further delay.
According to them, the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court has long been a key recommendation of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), formed in the aftermath of the country’s brutal civil conflict.
The group has further stressed that Liberia’s obligations extend beyond national commitments, citing international and regional frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, and the Maputo Protocol, all of which call for access to justice and protection, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.
It also indicated that the anti-corruption frameworks, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight against Corruption, reinforce the need for a dedicated mechanism to address economic crimes.
The group has warned that failure to act promptly could contradict the government’s development agenda and send a negative signal to both citizens and international partners.
Highlighting the critical role of women in Liberia’s peacebuilding process, WONGOSOL noted that they were among the most affected during the civil war and continue to bear the brunt of corruption’s impact.
“Justice for victims, particularly women and girls, must not be compromised,” the statement emphasized.
WONGOSOL said they will workalongside the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court and other partners, stressing that Liberia now stands at a defining moment to strengthen accountability, restore public trust, and reinforce its democratic foundations.
“The time to act is now,” the organization concluded.
