Executive Order No. 148 establishes a dedicated office to lead the creation of Liberia’s long-awaited Special War and Anti-Corruption Courts, renewing hope for accountability and reconciliation.
MONROVIA – In a move aimed at delivering long-awaited justice to victims of Liberia’s brutal civil conflict, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, renewed the government’s commitment to war and economic crimes accountability through the issuance of Executive Order No. 148. The order reaffirms and extends the mandate of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia, first introduced under Executive Order No. 131, signifying a deepened national resolve to pursue justice and reconciliation.
The new Executive Order lays the groundwork for establishing both a Special War Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court, a dual structure designed to address crimes committed during Liberia’s bloody civil war from 1979 to 2003, as well as acts of corruption committed since that period. President Boakai, invoking constitutional authority and Liberia’s international legal obligations, emphasized that these courts are necessary to break the cycle of impunity and promote national healing.
In the Executive Order, the President recognized the devastation caused by 14 years of conflict, which included mass atrocities such as murder, rape, genocide, destruction of property, and the looting of Liberia’s natural resources. He acknowledged the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which was established in 2005 following the signing of the Comprehensive Accra Peace Agreement in 2003, and its 2010 report that cataloged the crimes and named perpetrators.
The Order builds on the April 2024 resolution passed by both chambers of Liberia’s 55th Legislature. That resolution called for the creation of an extraordinary tribunal with a mixed international character to prosecute individuals and groups responsible for war crimes and economic atrocities. President Boakai’s renewed Executive Order now formalizes that mandate under his administration.
The Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court, according to the Order, will be semi-independent and led by an Executive Director, described as a Liberian lawyer of high moral standing with expertise in constitutional and criminal law. This Director will oversee a team of legal professionals and consultants tasked with designing the legal framework and operational mechanics of the future courts.
Among its specific responsibilities, the Office will conduct in-depth research, engage with international partners, and recommend the model for an international tribunal compatible with Liberia’s legal system. The Office will also be responsible for drafting legislation to establish the Anti-Corruption Court, with jurisdiction to prosecute corruption linked to the war era and beyond.
The Office will receive an annual budget of US$2 million, paid in quarterly installments of US$500,000 through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. Though funded through government appropriation, the Office is expected to operate free of political interference and to maintain transparency through quarterly reports, which will be audited and verified by authorized state institutions.
President Boakai’s directive emphasizes that Liberia’s domestic law, while not historically inclusive of war crimes statutes, is now bound by international treaties ratified by the country. These treaties, the President said, give Liberia the authority and obligation to prosecute crimes against humanity committed within its territory.
The renewed Order asserts Liberia’s commitment to collaborate fully with international justice partners in the design and establishment of the courts. The Special War Crimes Court, in particular, is expected to model itself after similar international tribunals used in post-conflict settings like Rwanda and Sierra Leone.
While past administrations have been accused of sidestepping accountability for war-time atrocities, Boakai’s move could mark a turning point. The President said the initiative aims not only to bring closure to the victims but to also serve as a strong deterrent against future violence and corruption.
The Office is also expected to draft the jurisdictional architecture for the Anti-Corruption Court, ensuring it is distinct from existing courts and has the power to handle the scale and complexity of corruption cases. These will include acts of looting, embezzlement, and bribery perpetrated during and after the war.
In a statement accompanying the Executive Order, President Boakai described the effort as “part of the government’s rule of law initiative” and stressed the need for accountability and healing. “The establishment of these courts is not about vengeance,” the President said, “but about ensuring that justice is served and that Liberia never again descends into chaos.”
The Order guarantees that the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court will not interfere with the rights of Liberian citizens. It specifically calls for an inclusive process rooted in legal integrity, accountability, and transparency.
Public pressure from civil society organizations, international human rights groups, and Liberian war survivors has steadily mounted in recent years. Boakai’s announcement is seen as a response to this growing demand for justice and may bolster Liberia’s international standing in human rights and governance.
The Executive Order takes immediate effect and sets a timeline for the Office to develop the full architecture for the courts. Once the courts are operational, the Office’s mandate will cease, but until then, it will remain a central institution in Liberia’s pursuit of justice.
While some former warlords and political figures may resist the process, President Boakai’s firm stance and constitutional backing indicate that the momentum for accountability is unlikely to be reversed. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the government can turn this promise into tangible progress.
In Liberia’s post-war history, few moves have carried the symbolic and political weight of Executive Order No. 148. For victims, survivors, and advocates, this could be the long-awaited step toward justice, national healing, and the rule of law that Liberia desperately needs.
