Liberia News: War Crimes Court Office Commends ECOWAS

Liberia-The Office for the Establishment of War Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) extols ECOWAS’s approval for the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Gambia to prosecute perpetrators of gross human rights violations, terming it as a milestone that all rights groups should support.

The regional body took the decision Friday, December 13, 2024, at the just-ended summit in Abuja, Nigeria.

The OWECC-L acknowledges the participation and congratulates His Excellency President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr. for his role in this cutting-edge decision by the sub-regional body, as this exemplifies the President’s resolve to fight impunity and strengthen accountability for all.

The sub-regional support given to the Gambia in addressing impunity is unprecedented in West Africa, as this is the first time that ECOWAS was partnering with a member state to establish an international tribunal to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Hence, the OWECC-L calls on ECOWAS to subsequently support Liberia’s effort towards establishing its War and Economic Crimes Court and Anti-Corruption Court, which is in full swing following the appointment by His Excellency President Boakai, Sr., of law professor Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu as Executive Director for the Office.

Already in Liberia, the government has demonstrated the political will through the issuance of two instruments—a legislative joint resolution and an executive order leading to the creation of an office to oversee the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia.