By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia: Liberian women are taking a leading role in advocating for the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) in Liberia. This effort was highlighted during a two-day workshop organized by the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) and its partners, held on February 13-14, 2025, at the YWCA Compound in Oldest Congo Town. The event, supported by the Women’s Humanitarian Fund, brought together women from across Liberia to amplify their voices in the campaign for justice and accountability.
The workshop comes nearly a year after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. signed Executive Order #131 on May 2, 2024, creating the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court. Liberians said the move marked a major step toward addressing the atrocities committed during Liberia’s brutal civil wars, which claimed over 250,000 lives and left the nation’s economy in ruins. The wars, which spanned from 1989 to 2003, were characterized by widespread human rights abuses, including sexual violence, massacres, and economic plunder.
Women at the Forefront
Mrs. Esther Davis-Yango, Executive Director of WONGOSOL, emphasized the critical role women played in Liberia’s peace process, including negotiating with warlords and advocating for an end to the conflict. She called for their continued involvement in shaping the justice system, ensuring their voices remain central to the establishment of the WECC.
“Women were instrumental in bringing peace to Liberia, and they must be equally involved in ensuring justice and accountability,” Mrs. Yango stated during the workshop. She also revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between WONGOSOL, Integrity Watch Liberia (IWL), and the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court to strengthen collaboration in advancing the court’s establishment.
Like Mrs. Yango, Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, Executive Director of the WECC Office, accentuated the importance of women’s participation in the court’s formation. He acknowledged the horrific atrocities many women endured during the civil wars, including sexual violence, and stressed that their inclusion in the justice process is non-negotiable.
“The establishment of this court is not just about holding perpetrators accountable; it is about healing and ensuring that such atrocities never happen again,” Dr. Barbu said. He also assured participants that a robust witness protection program would be implemented to safeguard those who come forward to testify.
Progress and Challenges
Since his appointment on November 4, 2024, Dr. Barbu has overseen significant progress in the establishment of the WECC. He disclosed that a roadmap for the court’s creation has been developed and a progress report submitted to President Boakai’s office. However, challenges remain, particularly in gathering evidence from crimes committed decades ago.
During the workshop, Cllr. Fredrick L. M. Gbemie and Cllr. Assatu Bah-Kenneth of the WECC Office provided detailed presentations on the court’s functions and legal proceedings. They addressed concerns raised by participants, including the difficulty of obtaining evidence such as images and documents from the war era.
The women (participants) emphasized the need for decentralization, urging women to take the message of the court’s establishment to their communities. “Decentralization is key, but it will happen in stages. We need you to be ambassadors of the court, organizing talk shows and meetings to spread awareness-” Cllr. Assatu Bah-Kenneth. She also assured participants that penalties would be proportionate to the gravity of the crimes committed, adding, “We are not going to disappoint the women of Liberia.”
A Long-Awaited Step Toward Justice
The push for a War and Economic Crimes Court gained momentum in April 2024, when 27 senators signed a resolution endorsing its establishment. The House of Representatives concurred on April 11, paving the way for President Boakai to sign Executive Order #131 on May 2.
In his remarks at the signing ceremony, President Boakai emphasized the importance of justice and healing in uniting the nation. “We must confront our painful past to build a reconciled and united future,” he said. He also expressed gratitude to legislators, advocacy groups, the interfaith community, and victims for their perseverance in seeking justice.
The establishment of the WECC is seen as a critical step toward addressing the legacy of Liberia’s civil wars, which not only claimed hundreds of thousands of lives but also cost the international community an estimated $10 billion. The wars devastated Liberia’s economy and infrastructure, leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s development.
Grassroots Advocacy and Next Steps
Participants at the WONGOSOL workshop included women from ten counties, including Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Cape Mount, Bomi, Margibi, Grand Gedeh, Gbarpolu, Nimba, Rivercess, and Bong. These women are expected to take the message of justice and accountability back to their communities, ensuring that grassroots voices are included in the process.
The Women Non-Governmental Organizations Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), established in 1998, has long been a champion for women’s rights and empowerment in Liberia. Its efforts to coordinate women’s organizations and advocate for justice reflect a broader commitment to ending impunity and promoting peace.
