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Liberia’s quest to prosecute perpetrators of the country’s 14 years of civil unrest has suffered many setbacks. Liberians have wandered for more than twenty years, asking for Justice, but their country has failed to provide it.
Less than five months after President Joseph Boakai pledged to establish an office to explore the feasibility of a War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) in Liberia, he executed his promise by setting up the office.
The news was met with excitement, and a month after the order; President Boakai appointed Cllr Jonathan Massaquoi as the Executive Director of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Courts. But Cllr. Massaquoi’s appointment was marred by claims and counterclaims by advocates, some of whom called for his removal. The critics argue that his appointment will sow a seed of discord and contribute to dis-unity, which is completely against the essence for which the office was set up.
They further alleged that the new Executive Director served as a lawyer for people who committed war and economic crimes in Liberia, and having him spearhead the office puts him in a conflict of interest situation. Barely two months after taking office, President Boakai relieved Cllr. Massaquoi of his post, reconstituting the office’s leadership for establishing Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts.
The Liberian leader said his decision to reset the entire office “stems from his desire to ensure that the process leading to the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Courts in Liberia is subjected to open and broad-based public scrutiny.”
Another head of the office of WECC establishment
On Nov. 1, 2024, President Boakai appointed Cllr. Jallah Barbu, who had replaced Cllr. Massaquoi, as the new Executive Director of the Office of the Establishment of WECC.
Cllr. Barbu took office with immediate effect, and the president expressed his full confidence that he “will carry out this vital role with unwavering dedication, a commitment to justice, and loyalty to the state.”
In a conversation with DUBAWA and a team of local journalists in Monrovia on Nov. 6, 2024, Cllr. Barbu said he is the head of the WECC office and not the courts themselves.
According to Barbu, his office will be set up soon, and he expects the courts to be established in the next two to three years. He called on President Boakai to issue a second executive order to extend the office’s tenure.
He said an executive order is limited in time, making it potent only for a year. Barbu said this would affect his tenure. He also expressed optimism that America will support Liberia through this process, regardless of who the president is.
“I believe the U.S. will support Liberia through this process regardless of the president,” Barbu said. “But if that does not go as desired, Liberia will move on with its courts’ establishment.”
Foreign partners expressing their support to Barbu
A few days after his appointment, the British Embassy in Liberia congratulated Cllr. Barbu said his role is significant in Liberia’s path to justice.
A day after the UK congratulatory notes, the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia said it stands ready to support Cllr. Barbu and all Liberians as they establish a court to bring justice for victims of the gravest crimes committed during Liberia’s civil war.
