By: Julius Konton
Liberia has taken significant strides toward confronting the legacy of its civil wars and entrenched corruption, as the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) disclosed substantial progress in efforts to operationalize the proposed War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC).
The update was delivered by the Director of Operations of OWECC-L, Cllr. Fredrick Gbemie, during a Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Conference on Transitional Justice organized by the Liberia Civil Society Initiatives for Transitional Justice (LCSITJ).
The gathering brought together civil society leaders, human rights advocates, legal experts, victims’ representatives, and development partners to assess Liberia’s evolving transitional justice agenda.
Cllr. Gbemie described the establishment of the courts as a “historic and unavoidable step” toward accountability, national reconciliation, and institutional reform, emphasizing that the process is grounded in both moral responsibility and constitutional obligation.
“Liberia cannot achieve lasting peace without justice,” Gbemie told participants.
“The creation of the War and Economic Crimes Court and the National Anti-Corruption Court is essential to addressing grave human rights violations from our past and the systemic corruption that continues to undermine public trust.”
Draft Legislation Submitted to the Executive
According to OWECC-L, draft legislation to establish both the WECC and the NACC has already been completed and formally transmitted to the Office of the President through the Ministry of Justice, marking a critical milestone in a process that has spanned more than two decades.
Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), established after the country’s devastating civil wars between 1989 and 2003, recommended the creation of a war crimes court to prosecute those responsible for gross human rights abuses, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
However, political, legal, and institutional challenges delayed implementation for years.
Cllr. Gbemie disclosed that the government is now conducting a comprehensive technical assessment to determine the legal architecture, institutional arrangements, financial implications, and logistical requirements necessary for the courts to function effectively and independently.
Call for Broad-Based Collaboration
The OWECC-L official stressed that progress in transitional justice cannot be achieved by government action alone.
He underscored the importance of sustained collaboration among state institutions, civil society organizations, victims and survivors, and international partners.
“For these courts to be credible, transparent, and independent, there must be continued engagement with victims and affected communities,” Gbemie said.
“Their voices must remain central to the process.”
He further noted that strong safeguards are being considered to ensure judicial independence and protect the courts from political interference, a concern frequently raised by human rights groups.
Civil Society Praised for Advocacy and Public Awareness
Cllr. Gbemie commended civil society organizations for their consistent advocacy, grassroots outreach, and public education campaigns, which he said have played a decisive role in keeping the issue of accountability alive in national discourse.
Over the years, civil society groups have mobilized communities across Liberia’s counties, organized memorialization initiatives, and engaged policymakers to push for justice for victims of wartime atrocities and economic crimes.
Legal Experts Emphasize Accountability and Healing
The conference also featured a keynote address by renowned human rights lawyer Cllr. Tiawon S. Gongle, who emphasized that accountability is indispensable for national healing and democratic consolidation.
Cllr. Gongle argued that confronting past abuses is critical to restoring citizens’ confidence in public institutions and preventing the recurrence of violence and corruption.
Panel discussions at the event examined both the opportunities and challenges facing Liberia’s transitional justice process, including legal complexities, resource constraints, political will, and the need for sustained international support.
Renewed Optimism for Justice and Reconciliation
Participants and stakeholders at the conference expressed cautious optimism that the convergence of political commitment, civil society pressure, and international engagement could finally translate into concrete justice outcomes.
Many described the current moment as a turning point in Liberia’s post-war history, one that could strengthen the rule of law, honor victims’ rights, and lay a firmer foundation for long-term peace and stability.
As Liberia continues to grapple with the scars of conflict and governance failures, the advancement of the War and Economic Crimes Court and the National Anti-Corruption Court signals a renewed determination to replace impunity with accountability and reconciliation with justice.
