Liberia’s decades-long struggle to address atrocities and corruption linked to its civil wars has received renewed impetus following the reaffirmation of cooperation between the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court of Liberia (OWECC-L) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
At a high-level engagement held in Monrovia, OWECC-L Executive Director, Cllr. Dr. Jallah A. Barbu, met with senior UNDP officials to deepen collaboration on the creation and operational rollout of the proposed War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court. Both institutions are widely regarded as critical pillars in Liberia’s effort to dismantle entrenched impunity, reinforce the rule of law, and restore public confidence in state institutions.
Discussions centered on institutional development, capacity-building, and the training of Liberian professionals to serve as prosecutors, investigators, judicial officers, and technical experts. The approach emphasizes national ownership and long-term sustainability, ensuring that Liberians themselves are equipped to lead and manage the courts once established.
A Justice Deficit Rooted in History
Liberia’s civil conflicts from 1989 to 2003 resulted in the deaths of an estimated 250,000 people, displaced nearly a third of the population, and were marked by widespread human rights abuses, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and systematic economic exploitation.
Although the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommended in 2009 the establishment of a war crimes court, successive administrations failed to implement the proposal, leaving alleged perpetrators unprosecuted for more than two decades.
International governance indicators continue to highlight Liberia’s institutional challenges. Transparency International consistently ranks the country among those with high perceived levels of corruption, while public trust in the justice system remains tenuous.
“The prolonged absence of accountability has weakened national reconciliation, undermined confidence in public institutions, and discouraged investment,” a Liberian legal analyst observed. “These courts are not solely about addressing past crimes; they are about securing a more stable and credible future.”
UNDP Reaffirms Reform Support
Representing UNDP, Cllr. Aagon Tingbah reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s justice and governance reform agenda. He confirmed ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to enhance training initiatives for Liberian professionals and local authorities, particularly in legal administration, governance frameworks, and institutional management.
Tingbah pledged sustained technical and strategic assistance to OWECC-L, stressing that Liberian leadership must remain central to the process.
“Effective justice institutions require more than statutory enactments,” Tingbah said. “They depend on skilled personnel, public confidence, and consistent international partnership. UNDP is prepared to support Liberia in turning this vision into measurable outcomes.”
Tackling Economic Crimes and Development Losses
In addition to prosecuting war-related offenses, the proposed justice architecture targets economic crimes that experts estimate have drained billions of U.S. dollars from Liberia’s public coffers since the end of the conflict. Persistent weaknesses in accountability have long constrained public service delivery and deterred foreign investment, particularly in critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure.
The National Anti-Corruption Court is expected to complement existing oversight bodies by accelerating the adjudication of high-profile corruption cases and strengthening deterrence in public financial management.
A Defining Moment for the Boakai Administration
The renewed momentum comes under the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who has publicly pledged to strengthen governance, combat corruption, and rebuild confidence in state institutions. Political analysts view the establishment of the courts as a key test of the administration’s reform agenda.
Civil society organizations and victims’ groups have welcomed the renewed engagement between OWECC-L and UNDP, while urging the government to guarantee transparency, adequate funding, and strong legislative support.
“For survivors, justice delayed has long meant justice denied,” said a representative of a victims’ advocacy group. “This partnership brings renewed hope, but only if it produces tangible results.”
More than two decades after the end of Liberia’s civil wars, the strengthened partnership between OWECC-L and UNDP signals a renewed determination to confront the past while reinforcing institutions for the future. Analysts suggest that successful implementation could position Liberia as a regional example of post-conflict accountability and legal reform in West Africa.
Ultimately, the realization of long-awaited justice will hinge on sustained political commitment, decisive legislative action, and continued international backing.
