Monrovia, July 23, 2025 — Amid growing public and international anticipation for accountability and transitional justice in Liberia, former Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Commissioner John H.T. Stewart has raised alarm over the government’s continued failure to allocate funding for the Office for the Establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECCL).
In a public statement released Tuesday, July 22, Stewart described the delay as a matter of “national exigency” and urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to prioritize the court’s establishment. He commended the president for previously demonstrating goodwill by implementing symbolic TRC recommendations, such as the reburial of former Presidents William R. Tolbert Jr. and Samuel K. Doe. However, Stewart questioned why a concrete financial commitment to OWECCL has not followed.
President Boakai had earlier committed to allocating US$2 million annually toward the establishment of the court—a major campaign promise and a longstanding demand from both civil society and international partners. Despite this pledge, Stewart noted that no such amount has been reflected in the national budget to date.
“The establishment of a war and economic crimes court is critical for truth, justice, and national healing,” Stewart asserted. He warned that the lack of political follow-through may not only erode public trust but also risk losing vital international support for Liberia’s transitional justice process.
In a pointed critique, Stewart contrasted the government’s failure to fund the court with its reported spending priorities—specifically referencing the alleged US$3 million used for Liberia’s recent but unsuccessful bid for a United Nations Security Council seat. “How can we justify spending millions on diplomatic ambitions when our own citizens are still waiting for justice?” he asked.
The former TRC commissioner emphasized that establishing the court is not merely a legal undertaking but a cornerstone of Liberia’s fragile peace and reconciliation process. The TRC, established in the aftermath of Liberia’s brutal civil wars, recommended the creation of a special court to prosecute those responsible for war crimes and economic abuses. Yet, nearly two decades later, successive governments have failed to implement this core recommendation.
Stewart also raised concerns over the political will required to drive the process forward, noting that delays may suggest hesitance or resistance within the current administration. “Liberians are watching. The international community is also watching and waiting to see if there is a resolve to move things forward,” he cautioned.
His comments reflect growing pressure from civil society organizations, victims’ advocacy groups, and international human rights bodies, all of whom view the war crimes court as essential to breaking the cycle of impunity in Liberia.
As President Boakai enters a critical phase of his administration, Stewart underscored that history will judge his leadership not only by symbolic gestures, but by tangible actions toward justice. “President Boakai will either be credited or blamed for the success or failure of the court’s establishment,” he concluded.
With growing scrutiny, the government’s next move could define its legacy on justice, reconciliation, and accountability.
