By Our Reporter | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – Jallah A. Barbu has stressed that Liberia’s quest for genuine national unity cannot succeed without accountability, justice, and respect for the rule of law, warning that unresolved grievances from the country’s civil conflict continue to threaten long-term peace and stability.
Speaking Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the 62nd National Unification Day Dialogue held at the University of Liberia Auditorium on Capitol Hill, Cllr. Barbu delivered what participants described as a powerful goodwill message centered on justice, reconciliation, and democratic accountability.
The event, organized by the Better Future Foundation, brought together current and former government officials, diplomats, civil society representatives, students, and other national stakeholders to reflect on Liberia’s democratic journey and future national direction.
Addressing the gathering under the theme, “National Unification, Justice, and the Future of Liberia,” Barbu argued that national reconciliation must move beyond symbolic speeches and political rhetoric and instead be grounded in fairness, equality, and strong institutions capable of delivering justice for all Liberians.
“Liberia cannot achieve genuine national unity without justice, accountability, and respect for the rule of law,” Barbu emphasized, adding that many wounds left behind by the country’s brutal civil conflict remain unresolved decades after the war officially ended.
According to the Executive Director, lingering grievances and unaddressed injustices continue to affect victims and communities across Liberia, creating risks for future instability if accountability measures are ignored. He maintained that healing and reconciliation require confronting past abuses rather than avoiding them.
Cllr. Barbu reaffirmed the importance of establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, noting that the process, backed by Executive Order No. 164, should not be viewed as an act of political revenge but rather as a national obligation aimed at strengthening democracy and restoring public confidence in justice institutions.
“The establishment of the court is a national necessity,” Barbu stated. “Accountability is essential to healing victims, deterring future violence, and reinforcing Liberia’s democratic foundation.”
He further argued that economic crimes and corruption continue to negatively impact ordinary Liberians, especially vulnerable citizens struggling daily under difficult economic conditions. According to him, corruption weakens national development and directly affects market women, students, and low-income communities that depend on public services and accountable governance.
Barbu also praised the Better Future Foundation for sustaining national conversations around governance, justice, and civic participation. He encouraged young people and members of the academic community to reject tribalism, promote integrity, and actively contribute to building a more just and accountable Liberia.
“Liberia’s youth and intellectual community must become champions of integrity and national transformation,” he noted, while warning against political division and ethnic polarization that continue to undermine national cohesion.
The OWECC-L Executive Director additionally called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and international partners to advance peacebuilding, justice, and national accountability efforts across the country.
The 62nd National Unification Day Dialogue concluded with renewed appeals for inclusive governance, justice for victims of past abuses, and a collective national commitment toward healing Liberia’s historical wounds while building what participants described as a peaceful, united, and prosperous democratic society.
